BRB, Adding These Braided Looks to My Summer Lineup
I'm a huuuge fan of really pretty braids (like, take-a-billion-selfies-and-spam-your-IG-followers pretty) that don't require you to sit in a chair for nine hours. That's why I'm so excited about this week's Braid Up—our hair braider extraordinaire, Stasha Harris, did a deep dive through our massive archive and picked the best versions of two of my favorite braided styles: straight-back braids and Lemonade braids. Trust me when I say they'll look amazing on you—no intense time commitment included.
Down to recreate these looks? Here's a couple tips and tricks to keep in mind:
1. Give yourself a blowout. It’s easier to get sleek and smooth braids on hair that’s been blown out, so wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo (it won’t strip your hair of its natural oils), and then blow it out with a hair dryer.
2. Don't forget a non-flaky edge control. You’re going to be using it all over your edges and parts to make sure they look sharp. Be sure to load up with one that's long-lasting and lightweight.
3. Layer on the mousse. Smooth a generous amount of mousse on the top of your braids to help blend your own hair with your new extensions and avoid any frizz. Psst: You can also use this step when your braids need a little refresh.
4. Hydrate your scalp. You need to make sure your hair and scalp stay moisturized—this keeps your natural hair from drying out and, eventually, breaking. Add moisture by spritzing your scalp every a.m. with a leave-in conditioner.
Hair: Magic Fingers Studio; Beauty Assistant: Ama Kwarteng
Senior Director: Jason Ikeler; Producer: Amanda Kabbabe; Videographer: Josh Archer; Editor: Andrew Desgaines; Production Assistant: Jay Aguirre
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