Braids are the must-try hairstyle of Summer, and one of the easiest looks to create is a side braid. We headed to John Barrett Salon's braid bar in New York City to get tips on achieving a fresh spin on a hair classic. This tousled fishtail braid, which was created by stylist Isabel Guillen, is the kind of look you can wear from pool party to wedding shower and just about everything in between. To learn how to get this versatile style, just keep clicking!
Can't choose between a bun and a braid? Katie Holmes couldn't seem to either at last night's Coach party on the High Line in New York, so she combined the two. Her hybrid style, which she adorned with two twists on either side of her head, is the perfect casual Summer style. And it's surprisingly easy to re-create at home with second-day hair.
Warmer weather means it's time to whip out your braiding skills, which is why we headed to the braid bar at the John Barrett Salon in New York City for a whimsical half-up style that's easy to DIY with a combination of regular braids. Stylist Isabel Guillen showed us how to pull off this beautiful look. Just keep clicking for the step-by-step tutorial, which is also available in a downloadable, step-by-step format.
The braid continues to be the hairstyle of Summer. Whether you're headed to a music festival or a formal rooftop party or just basking poolside, the braid should be your go-to look this season. All four of these celebrity looks from this past week are easy to re-create and work great on second-day hair.
Rachel Bilson (top left) attended the Chanel Dinner for NRDC wearing a bohemian braid look that was purposefully loose with a mussed-up texture. Her hair was full of volume on the top, where Rachel's layers framed the face, then the ends were braided in the back.
Jessica Szohr (top right) was spotted at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's A Time For Heroes event wearing her bangs braided out of her face. The miniature french braid started at the part and was pinned back above the ear. It's the perfect look for a sweltering Summer day.
Also at the Chanel Dinner for NRDC, Bella Heathcote (bottom left) wore a more formal braided look. Her hair was slicked back into three sections and twisted together. At the nape, all the hair converged in a complicated chignon.
At the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's A Time For Heroes, Tamera Mowry (bottom right) wore her hair in a classic milkmaid style. The crown of braids was separated from her bangs, which were split down the middle.
Braided hairstyles are a Summer essential for a handful of reasons; they keep your hair off your face, they transition flawlessly from the beach to the dinner table, and they're incredibly beautiful. But not every plait you pull off needs to be the typical braid we've seen a million times. Need some inspiration? Click through to see some gorgeous celebrity braid inspiration.
Whether you're a guest, bridesmaid, or even the bride, weddings are a perfect time to add a braid into your dressed-up style. They can add a touch of romance or bohemian coolness to your look, and there are a variety of ways to incorporate woven strands into your style. Click through to see how the following stars plaited their coifs to perfection.
Give your hairstyle a trendy boost this season with a braided topknot, much like the one Nina Dobrev was spotted wearing earlier this year. The style, which starts as a reverse French braid at the nape and flows up to the crown in a voluminous topknot, only looks difficult to re-create. In fact, this easy updo is best when you're not striving for total perfection. On Kirbie: Club Monaco top.
If you're tired of side plaits or even wraparound milkmaid braids, here's something you'll want to try instead: the cascading braid. It's part French braid, part regular braid, and part waterfall, but 100 percent impressive. And best of all, it's rather easy to do. Just start by spritzing the hair with a working spray to add texture and hold; Kristy White of Festoon Salon in San Francisco (the hairstylist responsible for creating this gorgeous plait) recommends Oribe Superfine ($29). To see close-up pictures, along with step-by-step instructions on getting the look, just keep reading for more.
As soon as the mercury begins to rise, so do the occurrences of cute, clever updos. If runway and street-style trends ring true, this year we'll be seeing plenty of braids and even more buns. Working with Kristy White of the Festoon Salon in San Francisco, we devised a way that combines the two: the braided bun. It's the type of style that will take you from office to night out and, better still, requires little effort on your part.
Spring is in the air, which means the beauties of Hollywood are busting out their braids. Both January Jones and Jennifer Morrison (upper right) were spotted wearing two totally different types of braids at the Coach Evening to Benefit Children's Defense Fund earlier this week, while Sarah Hyland opted for a tousled braid at the Skip and Donate gala. However you decide to style it, braids are big for Spring, but whose did you love best?
