Braids are back, ladies! With winter’s chill growing ever closer, now is not the time for summer blowouts and curls. You need elegance and simplicity.
Braids are dominating the runway this season, but don’t think for a second you have to only do your hair up in braided ponytails.
Braids just don’t belong in your childhood pictures. These are the classy braids you need in your arsenal as the temperature begins to drop.
1. Modern Milkmaid Braid
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Begin with a middle part and fashion a loose fishtail braid on each side (medium/long hair works best). Secure each braid with a hair tie, then pull them on top of your head, crossing them to create a headband effect. Hold them in place with bobby pins. Don’t pull them too tight, though! Leave a few wispy strands to frame your face around your hairline. Gorgeous!
2. Knotted Braid
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Begin by coating your hair with a texturizing paste for good grip and texture. Divide your hair up into five sections, then twist them into their own knot, kind of like you’re fashioning little messy buns. Loop the ends into tiny ponytails and secure with black hair ties. It will all come together as one big, beautiful braid.
3. Boho Pony Braid
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On the side of your head where your natural part is, make a thin braid (two fingers worth of hair). Pull it tight and fashion your hair into a messy pony. You can also tease the hair to give it nice texture. Then, take another piece of hair from under the pony and wrap it around the base of your hair tie, making the braid seamlessly flow.
4. Mini Mohawk Braids
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Ooh la la. This look is as European as they come. Space several inch-wide braids from your hairline about an inch apart. Stop them at the mid-point of your head. Once braided, pull them into a high pony and use your curling iron to add soft textures to each end of the ponytail.
5. Chic Bun Braid
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Begin with a loose French braid. Place the bottom third of it under the nape of your neck, then secure it flush on your head under the densest part of the braid, resulting in a trendy bun that’s appropriate for any occasion.
6. Flirty Fishtail
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You’ll need styling lotion to prevent stray hairs from flying all over the place. Gather the top layer of hair and style it into a standard fishtail. Take your remaining hair and make two smaller fishtails right above your ears and tie them on top of the bigger braid. Leave the bottom layer unbraided, free to flow in the brisk autumn air.
7. Braided Power Pony
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This look will have you ready for the gym or even a hot date on the town. Brush your hair, slicking it all the way back. Pull it into a high pony, coat it with shine serum and then braid it into a high pony. Want to spice it up even more? Wrap the base of the pony with a thick strand of your hair and knock them dead.
8. Messy Up-Do
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Start out with your garden variety French braid and secure with a hair tie. Start at the roots and loosen it up to make it look just a little messy. As you reach the bottom of the braid, wrap the bottom third into a loose, flirty bun at the nape of your neck and secure with bobby pins. Wrap it up by spraying salt spray to give it texture that will pop.
9. Braided Ballerina Bun
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Begin by pulling your hair into a high pony. Douse it with some shine spray to reduce frizz. Braid the tail into a lone, tight braid. Once the braid is in place, begin wrapping it by wrapping it around the base. Then, tuck the end under your hair, using a hair band to keep everything where it needs to be.
10. Twisted Braid
IMAGE SOURCE: COSMOPOLITAN
This one is a classic. Pull a three inch section of hair from each side of your head and divide it into two pieces. Twist them together about mid-way through all the way to the tip, forming a braid and repeat on the unbraided side. Loosely tie both of them together at the back of your head and take the town by storm looking like a million bucks.
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