Messy French Braid Bun
This is a look that is angelically beautiful when styled right. This fun, unique approach to the french braid is great for a casual day out and can easily transition into the perfect style for an event in the evening. To create this look, begin by starting the french braid at the top left side of the head. Braid the hair over to the opposite side, and around. Continue the braid around the head, and back up to the top of the head on the opposite side. Secure the braid with a ponytail holder. With the rest of the hair left out, wrap it around creating a bun style, and secure with either another ponytail holder, or bobby pins. Don’t worry about making it perfect, the messier the better on this one.
French Braided Fishtail
Leona Lewis is stunning with a messy fishtail side french braid (pictured). This look is great for a night out, and is so on trend right now. For this look, take a section of hair near the part on the left side of the head. Divide the hair into two halves. Take a small piece from the edge of the right side and cross it over top, and add it over onto the left side. You will repeat this same step on the other side, and add it to the right side. Take another small piece from the right side, cross it over, and add it to the left side again, but this time after crossing it over the top, add in some of the hair from that side of the head. Repeat until you get to the top of the ear, then start pulling in hair from the opposite side of the head, stretching it around the back, adding that hair into the braid. After all the hair is pulled into the braid, finish fishtailing the end of the hair. Secure with a clear plastic elastic band.
French Braided Crown
Taylor Swift makes this look popular and channels a Grecian goddess with her hair braided into an angelic-like crown around her head. This look is perfect for a day wedding, and is elegant, chic and timeless. This style works for medium length to longer hair. There are actually two ways to do this style. The French braid style entails simply french braiding the hair starting in the back, around the entire head about an inch away from the hairline. Once all the hair on the head is braided full circle around, continue braiding the hair to the end. Secure with a clear elastic band. Take the remaining braid and continue to wrap around the head overlapping the braid with the French braid in the head. Secure with a bobby pin. The other, simpler, way to do this style is to separate the hair into two low pigtails. Braid both ponytails and close the braid with a clear plastic band. Pull one braid up over the head, and bobby pin about an inch back from the hairline. Do this same thing on the other side of the head, and position the second braid behind the first one. Secure with bobby pin.
Double French Braid
This chic and polished side French braid is absolutely beautiful, and so quick and easy to assemble. Start by blow-drying the hair completely straight. Part just slightly off the center of the head, and begin French braiding in the front on the right side of the head. Make sure the braid is right at the hairline, so the braid goes over the ear just slightly. Continue the French braid around the back of the head. Stop the braid and hold secure temporarily. Begin French braiding in at the front of the head on the left side, just as you did the opposite side. Again, keep the braid right at the hairline and braid down so it covers the top of the ear just slightly. Braid down to the back of the head, and now grab the hair from the first braid. Combine the hair from both braids and continue to braid down, turning the two braids into one. Braid the remaining hair and secure with a clear plastic elastic band. To add a glossy shine to this style, use Argan oil on the hands and integrate into hair while completing the braid.
Side French Braid
This look is perfect for a casual day out running errands or for a luncheon with the girls. This very sleek and simple look can be achieved by finger parting the hair down the middle of the head. Pull all the hair over to the left side, and French braid the hair starting at the top, making your way down to the bottom of the head. Complete this look by attaching an elastic band at the end. Leave a couple strands astray around the sides of your face for an effortless look.
Single Fishtail Braids
If you’re looking to show just a little bit of braid, try Blake Lively’s popular look, consisting of loose flowing curls with just a pop of braid. Another very simple look, just simply swoop all the hair to one side of the head. Add some loose curls in the hair, and a couple single fishtail braids. Complete this look by adding a rhinestone hair pin to dress it up a bit. A look that is simple and effortless.
By Azure Bruce for Clarissa International Media Group