Braids are a classic style. From an early age I learned to braid on the tail of My Little Pony. Over the years I mastered the french braid, fishtail braid, waterfall braid and inverted braids. I wish for longer hair just so I can create pretty braids. You might think that braids can’t work on shorter hair, but I’m here to prove you wrong. The two braids I’m showing you today will work on shoulder length hair or longer. Heck, the half up braid will work on short hair! If you know how to do the classic 3 piece braid then you’ll be able to master these looks in minutes.
HALF UP BRAID
To get started, prep you hair. If you have natural body or wave to you hair, allow it to air dry with Surf Spray or some type of texturizing product in your hair. This will help add some grit to your hair to hold the braid and bobby pins in place. I air dry then run a curling iron through to add some more body and depth to my natural wave especially since my hair is a bit on the thin side and every little boost I can get helps. Give it a few extra sprays of Surf Spray, scrunch and get to braiding.
Grab a section near the front/side of the face, braid and then wrap towards the back pinning in place. Use a hair elastic at the end to hold it in place, if needed. I immediately pull it back and pin in place to avoid this step. It’s one less thing I need to find and add to my hair.
Repeat on the other side and pin in place. Tuck the ends under the opposite side’s braid, to conceal the ends. Use extra bobby pins to hold them in place.
REVERSE MILK MAID BRAID
The same prepping rules apply for this braided look. The milk maid braid is when you wrap the braids up towards the crown/front of your head. For this look we are wrapping towards the back and the nape of your neck. It’s a different twist on this classic braid if you’re not one to showcase big plaits at the front of your face. Section your hair in two, almost as if you’re creating pig tails. Braid each side, securing in place with a hair elastic and loosening the braids to make them appear more loose and undone.
Now that you have your two pig tails, pull them back and pin on the opposite side. Right braid wraps and pins near the left side…left braid wraps and pins near the right side. As with the first braid, tuck the ends under the opposite side’s braid, or add extra bobby pins to tuck in place.
What do you think? Create these looks on your own and use the hashtag #beautybasics to showcase your summer braids!
– Jamie of Hello There, Lady!
