Image courtesy of Glamour
Image courtesy of Beauty 365
Image courtesy of Blonde Episodes
We have a bit of a crush on plaits. Though they may initially trigger memories of your schoolgirl days, just as you have matured into a graceful beauty, so have braids!
Bohemian braids are a timeless festival style combining pretty plaits with loose wavy tresses. Weave your fringe into a braid that hugs your hairline, fashion a partial French braid on one or both sides and secure behind your ear, or create two mini English braids and draw them back to meet at the back of your head. These carefree, laced looks are easy to achieve and provide instant boho-chic.
For a soft elegance, sweep your locks into a relaxed side-laden plait. Create a deep side parting and braid a French plait along your hairline into a fishtail braid that rests over your shoulder. For a more understated version, simply weave a tousled English plait, leaving wavy strands to frame your face.
Halo braids are the epitome of girlish charm. Taking cue from Heidi and her fellow milkmaids, this plaited style is both whimsical and romantic. Crown yourself with a braided halo by forming a French or Dutch plait from behind one ear. Following your hairline, continue plaiting across your forehead, adding hair as you go. Once you’ve gone full circle, simply plait any remaining free hair and tuck it into your halo. This style looks best a little dishevelled and loose.
Lacing your locks creates an instant statement style that exudes femininity. Whether thick and full or delicate and dainty, English, French, Dutch or fishtail – braids are super versatile and relatively easy to fashion. And as well as being an ideal way to sweep your hair off your face, braids create texture and volume without having to spend an exuberant amount of time and effort with hair-stylers and products.
BRAIDS TO MASTER:
English Braid
- This is the standard school braid and is the perfect plait to start with if you’re a beginner.
- Part your hair evenly into three sections.
- Take the right-hand section over the top of the middle section, so that it becomes the new centre piece.
- Now cross the left section over the centre piece, so that it converts to middle position.
- Continue crossing the right and left sections over to the middle until your braid is finished.
- Secure with a hair tie or suitable clip.
French Braid
- Take a small section of hair and part it into 3 equal sections.
- Commence with a regular English braid.
- After a few initial weaves, begin drawing small portions of hair into the right and left strands just before you cross them over the middle piece.
- Continue this process until you have no more hair to add.
- Finish by English plaiting the remaining free hair or twisting it into a loose bun.
- Secure with a hair tie or suitable clip.
Dutch Braid
- Follow the same process as a French braid, except instead of crossing sections over the top of each other, cross them underneath so that the braid is inverted and exposed.
Fish Tail
- Part your hair evenly into two sections.
- Take a small piece of hair from underneath one of the sections and wrap it around and over to join the other section.
- Reset your hands, so you’re holding two sections again and repeat the same process with the other section.
- Continue taking small portions of hair from under one section and transferring them over to the other section, until your braid is finished.
- Lightly tug the edges of your braid to create a wider, fuller looking plait.
