Level: Intermediate Best for: Any length, straight or wavy hair
Step 1: If you have time, spray your hair with heat protectant and curl all of it with a double-rod curling iron (try the Nalu waver, $179.99). This will give you structured waves sans the frizz. Step 2: Part hair in the center and identify where you would normally section your hair if you were putting it half up. That's where you'll want to do the braid. Step 3: On one side of your head, do a tiny side braid starting about an inch from your hairline and moving back toward the center of your head. Step 4: Pin the braid in place underneath the hair in the back. Step 5 (optional): Repeat on the other side.
Photo 7/10
Rapunzel Chignon
Level: Intermediate Best for: Long, thick, wavy, or straight hair
Step 1: Tease hair and lightly smooth it out at the crown for height, if necessary. Step 2: Split hair in two sections, left and right. Step 3: On each side, reverse French braid the entire section until you get to the spot behind your ear. Step 4: Switch from a French braid to a regular braid and finish braiding each section away from your head. Secure each side with a clear elastic. Step 5: Wrap one braid from left to right at the nape of your neck, securing with large hair pins (available at a beauty supply store) or bobby pins as you go. Coil the opposite braid underneath it and secure into a bun. Step 6: If desired, leave out a few pieces around your face and curl them with a curling iron for a soft, romantic touch. Step 7: Set with strong-hold hairspray.
Photo 8/10
Girl Next Door
Level: Difficult Best for: Long, wavy, thick hair
Step 1: If you have time, curl all your hair with a double-barrel curling iron. Step 2: Gather hair behind your left ear. Step 3: Loosely braid your hair toward the nape of your neck and over your right shoulder. (You can start with a French braid, then switch to a regular braid once you've started braiding away from your head.) Set the braid itself with strong-hold hairspray. Step 4: Secure with a clear elastic and pull out a few chunks to give it that girly, imperfect look.
Photo 9/10
Street Star
Level: Difficult Best for: Long, wavy, or straight hair
Step 1: Separate hair into four sections (left, right, top, and bottom). Pin all but one side section out of the way. Step 2: Do a clean but slightly loose French braid down one side, switching to a regular braid once you pass the area behind the ear. Secure with a clear elastic. Step 3: Repeat on the other side. Step 4: Repeat on the top section, switching to the regular braid once you reach the crown of your head. Step 5: Separate the bottom section into five smaller sections and make five regular (non-French) braids. Secure with clear elastics. Step 6: Wrap each of the five bottom braids from left to right and pin into place. Step 7: Weave the side braids together in a swirly shape, tucking the ends of the five braids underneath where necessary. Pin the braids in place as you go. Step 8: Pin the top braid on top of the swirly shape created by the other braids. This will give your hair added height. Set with hairspray. Step 9: Pat yourself on the back because this one was hard!
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Better Braiding Tips
If you want to master braiding as badly as I do, follow these tips from Amber, Florido, and Marcus:
• Don't aim for perfection. In fact, braids usually look better when they're a little messy. • The more texture your hair has, the more likely it is to hold the braid (which is why wavy hair tends to have all the fun). Add texture with a beach spray like Fekkai Tousled Wave Spray, $24. • If your hair feels too slippery to braid or has lots of flyaways, it's probably too clean. Braids are best done on slightly "dirty" hair, so wait until the second day after you've washed it for the best results.
• If you have layers in your hair, try twisting each piece before you cross another section over it while braiding. This can help keep the layers from popping out. • Don't stress if you forget which way you're braiding (over vs. under). It doesn't really matter as long as you're wrapping each section smoothly. Plus, if you're pinning, wrapping, or twisting the braid, it will disguise any change in direction. • Get the most out of your braid. Wear it for one or two days, sleep in it, and unravel it for fun, flirty waves on the last day.
There's something so enchanting about braided hairstyles. Braids are one of the few effects that can transform a hot mess of unwashed hair into an ethereal masterpiece. To that end, I'm not ashamed to admit that I spend a good amount of time on Pinterest swooning over boards dedicated to intricate braided hairstyles.
Unfortunately, this routine also involves repeatedly muttering "but how?" under my breath and remembering that I can barely finish a French braid on myself while others can do it with their eyes closed. So, I click out of Pinterest and my hair goes into a ponytail. Again.
But if this sounds familiar, keep reading. Celebrity stylists Florido Basallo and Amber Maynard of Nine Zero One Salon (and its famed braid bar) are giving the braid-challenged (like yours truly) a glimmer of hope. The two experts were more than happy to break down seemingly complicated braided hairstyles into a handful of easy to follow steps. Actually seeing how these celebrity hairstyles came together from start to finish -- instead of just looking at a polished paparazzi shot -- makes them far less intimidating.
Combine these braided hairstyles how-tos with celebrity stylist Marcus Francis' tips for better braiding and you'll be well on your way to A-lister-worthy 'dos. Click ahead to start recreating these gorgeous celeb braided hairstyles now.
