The first day of school is a big deal.
You picked your outfit. You got your bag ready. And now you’re standing in front of the mirror thinking what do I do with my hair?
Crown braids are the answer. They look like you spent an hour on them. Most of them take fifteen minutes. They stay neat through a whole school day. And they work on almost every hair type and length.
Here are 18 crown braid hairstyles that will make your first day photos look really, really good.
1. The Classic Full Crown Braid
This is the one everyone thinks of when they hear “crown braid.” Two Dutch or French braids starting from each side of your head, going up and over, pinned together at the top to make a full circle. It looks like an actual crown sitting on your head. Very neat. Very pretty. Very “I have my life together.” Works best on medium to long hair. Add a few bobby pins to secure any loose pieces and you’re done. This is one of those first day of school hairstyles that photographs beautifully from every angle.
2. Loose Bohemian Crown Braid
Same idea as the classic crown braid but after you pin it pull pieces loose gently with your fingers. Little pieces around your face. Parts of the braid slightly puffed up. Make it look soft and relaxed instead of tight and perfect. This version is great if you don’t want to look too formal for school. It’s the “I did my hair but I’m also cool about it” version. Very pretty for outdoor first day photos. You can find gorgeous versions of this style on StylePetal’s Pinterest if you want a visual reference before you start.
3. Crown Braid With a Low Bun Combo
Braid from one side across the top of your head not all the way around, just halfway and then gather the rest of your hair into a low bun at the nape of your neck. Pin the braid end into the bun. This is a half crown half bun style and it looks incredibly elegant. It’s actually easier than a full crown braid because you only do one side. Great for people who are still learning braids. Very polished for a first day look.
4. Milkmaid Braid Crown
Two regular three strand braids one on each side. Then bring each braid up and pin it across the top of your head going the opposite direction. Left braid goes right. Right braid goes left. They cross at the top like a headband. This is the milkmaid braid and it’s one of the sweetest, most classic hairstyles out there. Works on almost every hair type. Secure with bobby pins and add small flowers or pearl pins if you want to make it extra special for the first day.
5. Crown Braid With Baby Hair Laid Down
This one is for people with natural or textured hair. Do your crown braid could be cornrow style going across the top and then take time to lay your baby hair down at your edges with edge control or gel. Little swirls and swoops at the forehead and temples. The baby hair detail makes the whole hairstyle look very intentional and finished. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference. If you want more textured hair ideas for school the amazing school hairstyles ideas page has great options.
6. Fishtail Crown Braid
Instead of a regular three-strand braid, do a fishtail braid going around your head. Fishtail braids look more detailed and intricate than regular braids even though they’re really just two sections crossing over each other. The finished crown looks like something from a fairy tale. Gently pull the fishtail braid apart slightly after braiding for that fuller, fluffier look. This is one of those hairstyles that makes people ask “how did you do that?” and the answer is honestly much simpler than it looks.
7. Half Crown Braid + Waves Down
Take just the top section of your hair from ear to ear across the top of your head and braid it into a crown across the back. Leave the rest of your hair down in loose waves or curls. The half crown sits like a headband across your head and all your hair flows below it. It’s romantic and pretty and you don’t have to put ALL your hair up. Really good for people who love showing off their hair length or texture. This is a perfect first day of school hairstyle that stays perfect all day long.
8. Braided Crown With Ribbon Woven Through
Do your regular crown braid but before you start or as you braid weave a thin ribbon through the braid. Let the ribbon ends tie into a small bow at the back or side. Use a ribbon that matches your first day outfit. Navy ribbon for a navy outfit. Red ribbon for something red. This tiny detail makes the crown braid look like something you bought in a salon. It’s one of those easy additions that makes everyone think you spent way more time than you did.
9. Crown Twist Instead of Braid
If braiding feels too hard right now do twists instead. Two-strand twists going across your head in a crown shape. Twists are easier to do than braids and they look just as beautiful. Especially on natural hair. The twist crown has a softer, more textured look than a regular braid crown. Pin the ends under and spray lightly with oil sheen or shine spray. There’s a full tutorial-style guide for this on the crown twist hairstyles page if you want step by step help.
10. Braided Crown With Space Buns
Make your crown braid across the top of your head and then divide the remaining hair into two sections. Twist each section into a small bun and pin on either side. Space buns plus crown braid. It’s playful and cute and very first day of school energy. Works really well on medium length hair. Add a few star or heart clips into the space buns for a little extra personality. This is the kind of hairstyle that looks amazing in first day photos fun and memorable.
11. Waterfall Crown Braid
A waterfall braid is where you drop strands as you braid instead of keeping them all in. The dropped strands hang down like a waterfall. Do this going across the top of your head in a crown shape and let the dropped pieces frame your face softly. It’s one of the most beautiful braid variations and it looks incredibly delicate. If your hair is layered or you have shorter pieces around your face this braid style actually works better because those pieces become part of the waterfall effect. For more beautiful styles like this check out the first day of school hairstyles that look perfect in photos.
12. Dutch Crown Braid (The Raised One)
Dutch braids go under instead of over which means the braid sits ON TOP of your hair instead of blending in. When you do a Dutch braid in a crown shape the braid pops out visually and looks very bold and defined. It’s the difference between a braid you have to look for and a braid that announces itself. Great for people with thicker hair. Looks very strong and structured which is perfect for wanting to look confident on the first day.
13. Crown Braid With Pearls or Pins
Do any crown braid style you like. Then go back and press small pearl pins or decorative bobby pins into the braid at intervals every inch or two. The pins add little sparkle points all the way around the crown. It’s very simple to do after the braid is already finished. You’re just pushing pins in. But the result looks really elevated and special. Good for first days that feel like a big deal starting a new school, first day of high school, anything worth celebrating.
14. Soft Loose Crown Braid for Fine Hair
Fine or thin hair can struggle with crown braids because the braid looks too small or falls flat. The fix: tease your hair very gently before braiding. Just a little volume at the roots. Then braid loosely don’t pull tight and pull the braid apart gently after. This makes thin hair look much fuller in a crown braid. Also try doing the braid when hair is slightly dirty or has dry shampoo in it fine hair braids better with a little texture. More tips for keeping soft and fine hair looking good in the soft loose hairstyles guide.
15. Crown Braid Into Ponytail
Braid from your left temple across the back of your head to your right temple. Secure the braid end and then gather all the hair below including the braid tail into a ponytail. The braid sits across the back of your head like a decorative headband and the ponytail hangs below it. High ponytail for a sporty, energetic look. Low ponytail for something more elegant. Either way this is one of the most practical school hairstyles because the ponytail keeps hair out of your face all day.
16. Side Crown Braid
Instead of going all the way around your head, braid from one temple across the front of your head to the other side. Pin it above your ear on the opposite side. The braid goes across the front like a headband rather than sitting on top. It’s a little asymmetrical and interesting. All your hair hangs down on one side or behind. This is a good choice if full crown braids feel too complicated right now. It’s one crown braid section not two and it still looks very put together. A great first day school soft girl hairstyle option if you like that gentle, pretty aesthetic.
17. Crown Braid With Messy Side Pieces
Do your crown braid neatly. Then pull out pieces on the sides not random pieces, intentional framing pieces around your face. Curl those pieces with a small wand or wrap them around your finger for a soft curl. These face framing pieces soften the whole look and make it feel less severe. It’s the difference between “school photo” and “actual fashion moment.” Very pretty. Very easy addition after the braid is done. For more ideas that mix braids with loose hair check out messy side braid hairstyles lots of good combinations there.
18. Your Crown Braid + Your Own Touch
Here’s the thing about crown braids. There’s no single right way to do them.
Some people like them tight and neat. Some like them loose and bohemian. Some add flowers. Some add ribbons. Some pair them with curls down. Some do them with everything up.
The best crown braid for your first day of school is the one that looks like YOU. Not a copy of something you saw online. Not something you spent three hours trying to perfect. Just your version of it done in whatever way feels comfortable and confident.
Pick one of these 18 ideas. Practice it once the night before if you need to. Then do it on the first morning.
You’ll walk in looking great. And your hair will stay that way all day.
Quick Tips Before You Braid
Start with day old hair. Hair that was washed yesterday braids better than freshly washed hair. It has more grip and holds the style longer.
Use bobby pins that match your hair colour. They disappear into the braid and make everything look neater.
Hairspray at the end. A light mist of hairspray over the finished braid keeps flyaways down and makes the style last through a full school day.
Don’t pull too tight. Especially around your hairline. Tight braids can cause headaches by lunchtime. Braid with comfortable tension.
Good luck on the first day. You’re going to look amazing.