Braids for Summer

by Jade.  Jade is a 2019 senior at Foothill who has years and years of braiding experience.  

Braids are pretty much the hottest look for the summer of 2018.  

Here are a few different ways to wear them and some tips to make them look great.

The anything but "basic" braid

This is a great starter look if you are new to braiding.  You already know to divide the hair you want to braid into three groups and do the pattern: left into center then right into center etc.  

For this style, part your hair down the center and start a braid on one side of the part.  Feel free to leave a tendril free at the front.  While you are braiding pull the braid toward the back of your head.  Secure the braid in the back under some hair with a bobby pin. Then do the other side.  

A variation on this style: do beachy waves on the loose hair below the braids.

Dutch Braids

Dutch braids are the opposite of French.  With French braids you add new hair from the side as you cross into the center.  When Dutch braiding you work from the center-out.  The pattern is center cross to right then center cross to left.  And Dutch braids add hair with each cross.  

This look will also start with a center part.  Begin your Dutch braid down one side of the part, taking pretty small sections initially.  As you progress, take slightly larger sections of hair into each cross.  

Having longer nails here is helpful because you can use them to define out the sections evenly.  If you don't have long nails, using a rat-tail comb also works.  It will just take a little longer.  But take your time regardless, and keep the braid tight.  

The key with this is to pull backwards as you go so the braid lies flat against your head.  Once you are done with one side, do the other exactly the same.  

The Fish Tail Braid

Fish Tail braids are completely different from all other braids because you are working with two groups of hair rather than three.  You will be selecting a small amount of hair from the outer side of the right portion and crossing it into the center to join the left and then doing the same on the other side-- left wrapping into center to join right.  

The key to making a gorgeous Fish Tail is to take small portions with each cross.  These can be super time consuming but the longer you put into it the better it will look.  If you want your braid to be thick when you are done, secure it with an elastic and then tease the individual pieces away from the center a bit.  

Remember- no matter what style of braid you chose, it takes practice and the more often you do it the better you will get!