Get Daenerys's "Game of Thrones" Hairstyle With This Braid Tutorial

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We've long talked about our admiration for Daenerys Targaryen's braids, but this intricate "Game of Thrones" hairstyle truly deserves a throne of its own. Though the show ended, it's never too late to dress up as Daenerys for Halloween. While the entire cast serves up major hair inspiration, the Mother of Dragons' long platinum waves sit at the top of our envy list. One look that we particularly can't stop swooning over is her double, inside-out braids with loose curls at the end.

What Daenerys's Braids Mean on "Game of Thrones"

Daenerys's braided hairstyle is more than just a trendy beauty choice. Many believe the look holds significant meaning. Khal Drogo may have perished in the very first season of the show, but his spirit lives on through the "moon of his life," Daenerys, and people believe she's channeling her deceased boo with her hair.

On Reddit, a "Game of Thrones" enthusiast resurrected a scene from the first season in which Daenerys is speaking with her brother, Viserys, before he sells her off to be Drogo's wife. As they watch Drogo from afar, Viserys says, "Do you see how long his hair is? When Dothraki are defeated in combat they cut off their braid so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated."

Clearly, Daenerys must have been taking notes because she has kept her hair super long since season one. Not only that, but she has also been sporting a similar hairstyle, although her braided variation is decidedly more intricate than Drogo's simple, segmented ponytail. Daenerys's decision to keep her hair long may be a nod to her own strength and resilience.

"Game of Thrones" Braid Tutorial

Hairstylist Dana Tizzio of Butterfly Studio Salon gave us a full tutorial on how to create this "Game of Thrones" hairstyle for Halloween. Trust us — you'll no longer want to hide away in exile once you master this look — the style demands to be seen (and respected).

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 1
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"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 1

After blow-drying your hair into soft waves, create a middle part and spray R+Co Reflective Shine Hairspray ($39) to add shine and eliminate flyaways.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 2
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 2

Next, section off the top one-fourth of hair and tie that section away from the rest with an elastic or clip.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 3
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"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 3

Work a dollop of Shu Uemura Ishi Sculpt Texturizing & Sculpting Hair Paste ($42) through your hands. Then, rub each section of hair through your palms. This will help add hold to the braid. Do this until you have three separate sections of hair — you'll use these to create your french braid.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 4
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 4

Create the inside-out french braid — aka dutch braid — by crossing each section under the center piece of hair, instead of over as you traditionally would. This makes the braid appear to be sitting on top of the head rather than embedding it within the hair.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 5
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 5

"Keep your hands as close to the scalp as possible to keep the braid tight," says Tizzio. Also, gently pull the braid at an angle so the top sections stretch all the way to the edge of the braided zone, instead of allowing the hair to sit directly in the middle.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 6
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 6

Continue to dutch braid until you reach the back of the head. Then form a short traditional braid at the end of the hair to hold everything in place. Secure it with a clip to keep things neat.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 7
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 7

Repeat the above steps to create a dutch braid on the other side of the head. Once you're finished, you should have a matching pair of braids.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 8
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 8

Once your two dutch braids are complete, connect them with a clear elastic at the base of the head. The ends of both braids can be left out loose.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 9
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 9

Holding the loose ponytail from the combined braids in one hand, take a small section of hair in the other, spritz it with hairspray, and wrap it around the elastic to completely conceal it.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 10
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 10

To hold this wrapped piece of hair in place, you can use a traditional bobby pin or try Tizzio's method to create a "liquid bobby pin." To do the latter, blast the ends of the wrapped hair with hairspray and lightly place a warm curling iron over it to seal it in place.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 11
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 11

With the top section of Daenerys's braids complete, you can begin on the second tier by grabbing a horizontal section of hair from the top of each ear. Clip the remaining hair away.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 12
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 12

Repeat the dutch braid technique by weaving under instead of over. Again, be sure the top sections stretch all the way to the end of the braided zone so that the braid sits on top of the ear instead of at the temple in the middle.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 13
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 13

Dutch braid to the back of the head, form a traditional braid to hold it all in place and add some length, and tie it off with a clip or elastic. (Just like before.)

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 14
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 14

Repeat this inside-out braid again on the other side of the head, form a traditional braid at the end, and secure it with an elastic.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 15
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 15

Once the second tier of dutch braids meet in the middle at the back of the head, gather the top section and both bottom braids together. Secure the entire hairstyle with an elastic about two or three inches down from the first wrapped ponytail.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 16
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 16

To hide this second elastic, take another small section of hair from underneath the ponytail, spritz it with hairspray, wrap it around the base, and give it a once-over with the curling iron again.

If you need to further reinforce this thicker wrapped ponytail, Tizzio recommends you use a traditional bobby pin on the underside of the hair.

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 17
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

"Game of Thrones" Hairstyles Tutorial: Step 17

Finally, gently pull on each of the braids to loosen the hair slightly and create wider plaits. "This gives the style a more modern look," Tizzio says.

Final Look: Daenerys's Braids
Courtesy of Caroline Voagen Nelson

Final Look: Daenerys's Braids

With this final step complete, now you'll be able to fight any battle that comes your way with fierceness, just like the Daenerys from "Game of Thrones."