Some hairstyles come and go. Others stick around. Bubble braids are here to stay. These fun, puffy braids are loved by people of all ages. They look fancy. But they’re easy to make.
What Are Bubble Braids?
Bubble braids aren’t normal braids. They’re ponytails with hair ties placed along the length. You pull the hair out between each tie. This creates round “bubbles.” The end result looks like bubbles stacked on top of each other.
Everyone’s crazy about this style. Stars wear them. Regular folks wear them. People love bubble braids because they’re quick to make. But they look like you spent hours on your hair.
The Story Behind Bubble Braids
Bubble braids may seem new. They’re not. Many cultures have worn them for years. They’ve made a big comeback lately. People want simple but fresh hair ideas.
The bubble braids we see today got big around 2020. TikTok and Instagram helped spread the trend. Since then, people have worn bubble braids for all kinds of events. They work for school. They work for parties. They work for everything.
Why People Can’t Get Enough of Bubble Braids
Bubble braids are popular for many reasons:
They’re super easy. You don’t need fancy skills.
They work on most hair types. If you can make a ponytail, you can make bubble braids.
You can wear them neat or messy. Both look great.
They keep hair out of your face.
You can add cute stuff to them. Ribbons. Flowers. Glitter.
They’re perfect for hot days.
How to Make Basic Bubble Braids
Making bubble braids is easy. Here’s how:
You’ll need:
- Small hair ties
- A brush
- Hair spray (if you want)
- Bobby pins (if you want)
Steps:
Brush your hair first.
Pull your hair into a ponytail. High. Low. Side. Any way works.
Add another hair tie about 2 inches down.
Gently pull the hair between ties outward. This makes your first “bubble.”
Keep adding ties down your ponytail.
Make a bubble after each tie by pulling the hair out.
Spray with hairspray if you want it to last.
That’s it! Your bubble braids are done. It takes about five minutes once you know how.
Fun Ways to Wear Bubble Braids
Once you know the basics, try these fun styles:
Two Bubble Braids
Split your hair down the middle. Make two bubble braids. This looks cute and playful.
Half-Up Bubble Braid
Only use the top half of your hair. Make a bubble braid with that. Leave the rest loose. This looks great with long hair.
Tiny Bubble Braids
Make several small bubble braids instead of one big one. This looks more fancy.
Bubble Braid Crown
Make a bubble braid that goes around your head like a crown. This works for parties or fancy events.
Just One Bubble Braid
Add just one small bubble braid in your hair. This gives a little pop without going all out.
Tips for Great Bubble Braids
Want your bubble braids to look their best? Try these tips:
Add texture. If your hair is slippery, use some texturing spray first.
Use thin hair ties. Clear ones or ones that match your hair look best.
Space out your ties evenly. This makes your bubbles look neat.
Don’t pull too hard. Gentle pulls work best. Hard pulls can mess up the shape.
Hide the hair ties. Wrap a bit of hair around each tie. Secure with a pin.
Pull out a few bits. For a softer look, pull out some small strands near your face.
Sleep on silk. If you want your style to last overnight, use a silk pillowcase.
Bubble Braids for All Hair Types
Bubble braids work for most hair types. Here’s how to adjust:
For Thin Hair
Thin hair needs help to hold bubbles:
- Use texture spray first
- Make smaller bubbles
- Tease each section a bit
For Thick Hair
Thick hair makes big bubbles:
- Use strong hair ties
- Space bubbles farther apart
- Try making several smaller braids
For Curly Hair
Curly hair makes pretty textured bubbles:
- Don’t brush too much
- Pull very gently
- Use products that fight frizz
For Short Hair
Short hair can do bubble braids too:
- Make mini braids with just a few bubbles
- Try half-up styles
- Use smaller ties placed closer together
Make Your Bubble Braids Extra Cute
Want to dress up your bubble braids? Try these:
Colorful hair ties. Skip the clear ones. Go for bright colors.
Ribbons. Weave thin ribbons through your bubbles.
Flowers. Stick small flowers into the sides of your bubbles.
Hair cuffs. Slide these onto sections of your braids.
Glitter. Add some hair-safe glitter gel to your bubbles.
Scarves. Weave a thin scarf through your bubble braid.
Beads. Add small beads to the ends of your braids.
Bubble Braids for Special Days
Bubble braids aren’t just for everyday. They work for special times too:
For Weddings
Make fancy bubble braids with:
- Pearl pins in each bubble
- Small flowers woven through
- A side bubble braid with a pretty clip
For Festivals
Make fun, bold bubble braids with:
- Color spray on each bubble
- Lots of glitter
- Glow-in-the-dark ties
For Sports
Keep hair secure during games with:
- Extra-tight bubbles
- Multiple smaller braids
- A headband at the front
Mistakes to Avoid with Bubble Braids
Even though bubble braids are easy, watch out for these issues:
Too few hair ties. This makes bubbles too big. They won’t hold shape.
Pulling too hard. This can break hair or make the style messy.
Uneven spacing. Try to keep the same distance between ties.
Thick, ugly hair ties. These stand out too much.
No tie at the end. Always secure the very end of your braid.
Make Your Bubble Braids Last All Day
Want your style to stay put? Try these tricks:
Start with day-old hair. Not freshly washed hair.
Use light hairspray before and after.
Pin any loose ends with bobby pins.
Bring extra hair ties for quick fixes.
Try not to touch your hair much during the day.
Bubble Braids in Pop Culture
Bubble braids are everywhere these days. Stars like Gigi Hadid wear them. Ariana Grande wears them. Hailey Bieber wears them. They show up on runways. They’re in music videos. They’re all over social media.
Why are they so big in pop culture? They can look both fun and fancy. They work with casual clothes. They work with fancy dresses. Hair stylists love them for photo shoots and red carpets.
Why Bubble Braids Are Here to Stay
Some hair trends fade fast. Bubble braids won’t. Here’s why:
Anyone can do them at home.
You don’t need fancy tools.
You can change them up as trends shift.
They work for kids and adults.
They can be simple or fancy.
Many hairstyles need a pro. Or special tools. Bubble braids don’t. That’s why people love them.
