How To Create Unique and Stunning Braids

Let’s be real – sometimes you don’t always have the time or the energy to make your hair into a perfect quaff everyday. Oftentimes, a braid is the perfect fun, flirty solution. Not only are braids a hot trend in hair right now, but they are easy to manage and a great way to add a flirty femininity to your upcoming spring hairstyle arsenal. If you’re not into the Jane Eyre-esque feeling you get from donning a classic French braid, this season opt for a braid that has a little more complexity to it. To add a little extra pizazz to any of the following braids, tie in ribbons or yarn for a pop of color and texture.

Braid Within a Braid

Don’t have a panic attack! This hairstyle seems complex but is actually quite easy to accomplish and the finish product is totally worth it

1. Smooth any fly-aways with a leave-in conditioner and secure in a low, side ponytail
2. Divide your hair into three sections
3. Braid a small braid in two of the three sections and tie off with small elastics
4. Braid the larger sections of hair into a classic three-strand braid
5. Remove the small elastics on the smaller braids and tie off the large braid
6. Use hair spray to smooth fly-aways and help the strands stay intact

The Fishtail Braid

1. Part your  hair into two even sections
2. Take a small strand of hair from the outside of one section and crossing over that section, bring it over to the underside of the other section
3. Repeat on the opposite side
4. Continue these steps until the braid is finished
5. Lightly tug at the edges of the braid to widen it, which will make your braid a little more full

Remember to make sure your strands aren’t too large or your fishtail braids will end up looking more like a regular braid.

Braided Ponytail

1. Make a side part and take a section of hair from the front left side of your part to the left of your temple
2. Split this section into three and braid normally
3. Tug lightly at the edges to thicken the braid, secure with pins or a small elastic
4. Now take all your hair into a ponytail (medium to high ponytail looks polished with this braid).
5. Secure ponytail with an elastic. Unpin the first braid as it is now tied in with the ponytail

Optional: For a more sophisticated look on the braided ponytail take a small piece of hair and wrap it around your hair elastic to cover it.

Lace Braid

Very similar to a French braid, except you bring the hair to one side in a lace braid.

1. Section off hair from the front of your head, to the back or the top of your crown. Put the remaining hair below that into a ponytail.
2. Brush your hair over to one side (the side towards you), exposing your ear. Starting behind the ear take three pieces of hair and braid once.
3. Now add hair to the side closest to your forehead
4. Continue braiding (either in a French or Dutch braid pattern, your choice) across the top of your head. But not right up on your hairline, this isn’t a headband braid.
5. Once you reach the other side of your head braid off the remaining hair and tie with a hair tie. You can now take the bottom hair you tied back at the beginning out of it’s ponytail.

Adding braids to your hairstyle repertoire considerably expands your options, especially on those days when nothing else seems to be working. Set aside a bit of time to practice these braid tutorials, and I think you’ll love how simple it is to change up your look with these braids.

Barb Quinn on Google+  

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

• High Braided Bun Tutorial with a Twist
• Fishtail Side Braid Tutorial
• Picture Yourself With Fergie’s Braids
• Hair Tutorial: Amazingly Pretty and Easy Cascading Braids
• How to Braid Fishtails
• Try Braids This Summer Like Jessica Simpson!
• Braided Hair–Hot Trend This Summer!

So Pretty! So Easy! Look Amazingly Chic with these Cascading Braids!

These cascading braids are totally fun, totally girly and best yet, incredibly easy to do. Mika Fowler, a celebrity hairstylist in Beverly Hills and style director at Gavert Atelier, gives Hairstyle-Blog, a look at her hot new Spring 2013 offerings, with this easy tutorial. We love that Mika shares this super chic style with us and especially that it comes with such easy step-by-steps. What a great look for date night, or anytime you want to add a little pizazz to your hairstyle! Give it a try, the look is versatile and easy to create. Mika Fowler’s celebrity roster includes: Olivia Munn, Alison Brie (Mad Men), Emma Roberts, Rosario Dawson, Malin Ackerman, Nina Dobrev and Emanuelle Chriqui just to name a few.

Step 1:  Spray the hair with a thermal heat protectant before you begin to use any hot tools.

Step 2:  Start by wrapping the hair half way up the strands with a 1″curling iron and work down to the ends-this creates big, soft, sexy waves and it give your hair lots of added dimension.

Step 3:  When finished curling, take a small section of  hair (1″or less) at the top right side of the head and braid. Secure the braid with a clear elastic band.

Step 4:  Weave the braid in and out of the curled hair, securing it with a bobby pin underneath the hair so it is hidden. There are no specifics in how you weave your braids though your curls, so play with it to find the look you like.

Step 5:  Repeat step 3 on the left side of the head followed with step 4. Mist with a finishing spray, to lock in the style. And, try a spritz of a shine spray for some extra added glamour!

Here is the video instructions

 Want more ideas?  Find more braided hairstyles here and for more great braid pictures check out our Pinterest Braid Board. 

Guest author Mika Fowler originally from Japan she is now a Hollywood celebrity hair designer to the likes of Olivia Munn, Alison Brie (Mad Men), Emma Roberts, Rosario Dawson, Malin Ackerman, Nina Dobrev and Emanuelle Chriqui just to name a few. Mika is style director of Gavert Atelier in Beverly Hills is a master of the art of dry-cutting, using the hair in its natural state to create a flattering style that’s perfect for your face shape. Follow Mika on Twitter.

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

• Fishtail Side Braid Tutorial
• Choosing a Wedding Curl for the Bride
• Picture Yourself With Fergie’s Braids
• 5 Long Hairstyles that Rock for Valentine’s Day or Any Day!
• High Braided Bun Tutorial with a Twist
• 4 Braid Tutorials
• Prom Hairstyles for Long Hair

Bridesmaids Hair Styles Braided Beautiful

Michelle asks:

Bridesmaids hair Styles make a big impact on the overall aesthetic harmony of a wedding. Considering the semi-formal mood for wedding hair, having matching bridesmaids hair styles will portray a sense of classy-sophistication at your wedding. Here is a great idea that not only comes straight from the spring 2011 runways of Paris and Milan, but it’s also easy to do!“Matching Bridesmaids Hair Styles”

Braids are so chic this year; you can’t go wrong bringing in some version of braided hairstyles to your wedding. Odile Gilbert, one of the worlds most sought after haute couture hairdresser, came up with this simple but elegant braiding technique for the spring 2011 runway show. She infused long strips of chiffon ribbons into braids and pinned them up. She said, “It’s really easy, anyone could do this at home if they wanted to.” I believe it!

Odile, lead hairdresser for Aveda, started with Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother and blow dried straight. She separated four sections of hair in the back and twisted a piece of fabric into each. Leave a little fabric out at the ends and tie them together into a bow. Twist the braids up and pin to the back of the head. She set the style with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.

I think for matching bridesmaid hairstyles, it’s hard to get prettier (or easier) than this! Thanks Odile Gilbert! For more great looks check out our Pinterest Wedding Hairstyles, Prom Hairstyles and Braid Boards.

Bridesmaids Hair Styles

Bridesmaids Hair Styles

Bridesmaids Hair Styles

For further discussion on formal hairdos you might want to check out these other articles:

• These Formal Hairdos are Edgy Elegant
• Formal Hairdos for the Holidays
• Trend Alert, Amy Winehouse Beehive Hair
• Short Formal Hairdos
• More Formal Hair Styles I Love!
• Easy Updos for the Holidays
• Bridesmaids Hairstyles

  Barb Quinn on Google+