Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Create a Butterfly Maiden Braided Hairstyle
Butterflies have always been one of my favorite insects. A butterfly life cycle is one that is truly a remarkable process. Inspired by all the butterflies hatching on Sanibel Island, Florida this spring (which comes in February/March, earlier than many places in the US) and my love of butterflies and my 1990’s butterfly mini claw clips, I created a SUPER easy braided hairstyle that makes the clips “cool” again. Read on to learn how I did it.
My Own Metamorphosis
I have been going through a sort of metamorphosis in my life for quite a while now and I feel pulled to my “butterfly” stage now. I feel like after age 7 (when my parents divorced), I had to go into a cocoon and hide for a long while. I came out of the cocoon in my late teens/early20’s, then a series of life events put me back into one.
My Butterfly Maiden hairstyle is very versatile
No, I didn’t hide away in my home under the blankets during this time. I was creating, working, growing and learning. A metamorphosis to humans doesn’t have to look like what a butterfly does exactly. A human metamorphosis isn’t as visible as it takes a lot of time. You can even go through several metamorphosis stages, like I feel I do. I thought about myself as going through a metamorphosis, but didn’t really advertise it. If you’ve read anything I’ve written in the past, you may have learned about it there, but otherwise, you may have had no idea.
A cute spring outfit idea
Doing the Hard Work
A human metamorphosis is personal. While therapy and talking to God, friends and family is helpful, they cannot do the personal work for you. I’ve had a vision for myself and my life and decided to do the hard work to make my visions happen. I have a wonderful and supportive husband that helped me do the work, as he has gone through his own metamorphosis phases too. Having a best friend like my husband support me in getting healthier mentally and physically has been the best and I hope you have someone like him to support you in your own personal metamorphosis.
The hot pink stands out with this black and white outfit
During my time of working to get happier and healthier, people recently started to talk about my appearance. Those close to us mentioned both my husband and I looked very happy. Some even said I looked like I was aging backwards. It’s pretty amazing how good mental health and physical health can make you look and feel younger. It also helps you have to visit the doctor less often (but still go for a physical once a year!) and take less medicine.
My skort is from Target in 2024
My Long Hair + Discounts
During this personal “metamorphosis”, I grew out my hair. I put my mind to it and just did it. I always though shorter hair was easier, but now I believe my long hair is easy too. I wash it once every two to three days, using simple and cruelty free products.
I ADORE Viori products. Learn about them here in my review. You can also use my code CAROLYNBRADEN or my link here to Viori’s website to get 10% off your order. Their products are inspired by the Red Yao women’s long hair and I really think they make my hair grow healthier like the women’s Rapunzel-style hair.
I also love my moisturizing sea salt spray to add texture and it makes my hair smell yummy too! Get the tutorial to make it here and see my recipe video for it below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
While growing out my long hair, I started playing with it a lot. It became a “canvas” of sorts to me for my creations. I create many braided hairstyles and this most recent “butterfly Maiden” style is super easy!
Here’s how I did it (all links link out to either Viori, Walmart, Temu or Amazon, where I buy many of my hair products and this Temu link gets you 30% off your first order or use my code afe55197 at checkout).
See my 1-minute video tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
My tees in my photos came from Target (see my Target storefront here with all the links to the tees) and the long black and white gingham skirt is from Temu. I hemmed it using my no-sew method and you can find that tutorial here. My shoes are Adidas from Amazon. My striped sweater dress is from Temu.
My tee was an $8 Target find
On my 3rd day after washing my hair, I added some Viori dry shampoo and my roots to absorb oil.
I then spritzed in some of my moisturizing sea salt spray to add some texture and to make it smell like lime, vanilla and coconut. Get the recipe for this here.
I brushed out the dry shampoo using my Wet Brush (the vented one I use does work well on wet hair while drying!).
I then used a rat tail comb to part my hair in the center. I loosely braided one side of the part and secured the end with a Goody clear ponytail holder. I repeated this on the other side. If you have a lot of layers, you may not end up with braids quite as sleek as mine, but they’ll still look fun!
I then added some mini butterfly claw clips to each braid. I got mine on Temu, but Amazon has some too. I added some earrings to match and the look was done. I didn’t add any hairspray, but you could if you wanted. I also used the rat tail comb to pull out some pieces around my face to frame it.
The pink mini claw clips add a bit more to the style
I love wearing this hairstyle to keep my hair looking cute and out of my face. My husband LOVES my hair in braids and so I try to wear them for him AND myself as I love braids too! When you take the braids out, you may have wavy hair, which can be another style!
If you loved this article, then we know you’ll love this one too: How I Use Beachwaver Braid Balm for Braids and Waves
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.