1. PART YOUR HAIR DOWN THE MIDDLE.
Make sure that you have equal parts of hair on each side. Use the reflection of a small handheld mirror to make sure the part is even and straight in the back.
2. GATHER THE HAIR ON ONE SIDE ONLY, AND PULL TOGETHER WITH AN ELASTIC BAND.
This helps me keep the two halves of hair separated while braiding. I can’t tell you how many times I have finished a braid and realized I pulled hair from the opposite side. So frustrating.
3. BRAID HAIR (OPPOSITE OF SIDE WITH ELASTIC BAND).
You can do a traditional braid, dutch braid, or fishtail braid. For this tutorial I am doing a traditional braid. If you have layers, leave a few front pieces free from the braid, like pictured above, to frame the face. Something about the layers makes the hairstyle look tousled and effortless.
4. REPEATING STEP THREE, BRAID THE OTHER HALF.
I use Goody’s clear elastic hair bands. I love that they are ultra thin and colorless.
5. PULL ONE BRAID UPWARDS AND ACROSS YOUR HEAD LIKE A HEADBAND.
Pull the braid so that it lays flat against your head.
6. SECURE THE BRAID WITH BOBBY PINS.
Use just enough bobby pins to hold the braid in place. You will need to lift each braid slightly off the scalp to tuck the tails (end of the braids), so securing them tightly at this point will not be necessary.
7. PULL THE OTHER BRAID UPWARDS OVER THE OTHER SIDE.
8. SECURE THE BRAID OVERTOP THE OTHER.
9. TUCK UNDER THE ENDS OF EACH BRAID.
The goal is for it took like one continuously braid, so you want to secure the frayed ends. I tightly twist the hair at the end of each braid as I bobby pin it to my head. This helps keep the ends together. Today I see a lot of celebrities placing the braids side-by-side, as opposed to one on top of the other, and tucking the tails under the sister braid, but it is all personal preference (sorry if that was confusing).
10. PIN THE BASE OF THE BRAID BACK.
If your hair is tick you may need to pin down the base of the braid. Sometimes I can look like I have earmuffs, and have to tack it down a little bit.
11. SECURE WITH HAIRSPRAY.
I use Big Sexy Hair hairspray. It is available in different strengths, and does a fabulous job securing hair.
Dress: Ann Taylor – old (similar) | Necklace: Anthropologie – really old (similar)