The side-braid is one of the easiest hairstyle trends to try this season. A braid is one of the basic techniques to have in your arsenal but despite its simplicity there are still tricks to getting it just right. When braiding, it is best to keep it on the thicker side, not too loose, but out of the school girl territory. Here I have eight fun ways to wear a side braid so you aren’t stuck with the same old braid each and every time.

1 / Regular Braid
Brush all the hair to one side and separate into three pieces. Wrap the side strands over the middle alternating between left and right until you reach the bottom. Secure the end with an elastic band.

2 / Rope Braid
Sweep the hair to one side and separate into two sections. Twist the strands forward toward the face and wrap them over each other in the opposite direction until reaching the bottom. Click here for the tutorial.

3 / Front French Braid
Take a section of hair near the part and begin a french braid. Keep the braid along the front hairline and pull in hair from the right side of the head once you reach the left ear. Watch this video to see how it’s done.

4 / Front Rope Braid
This style is similar to the Front French Braid but with the rope braiding method. Follow this video to see how to rope braid. 

5 / Front Dutch Braid
Follow the same methods for the front french braid but wrap each strand under the middle to create an upside down French Braid (or Dutch braid). Watch this video to see how to dutch braid.

6 / Wrapped Dutch Braid 
Wrap the hair over the left shoulder and create a dutch braid down the back of the head. See this tutorial for the steps to achieving this look.

7 / Fishtail Braid
Sweep the hair to one side and divide into two sections. Using your left hand, pick up a one-eighth-inch chunk of hair from the outside of the left section and cross it over to the inside of the right section. 
Repeat the same steps with your right hand. Alternate in this manner until you reach the bottom of the hair and secure it with an elastic. 

8 / Looped Side Braid
Pull the hair to one side and wrap a clear elastic around it near the ear. Divide the hair above the elastic and loop the tail through the hole and pull it down tight. Watch this video to see how it’s done. Finish with a regular braid and secure the end with an elastic band.