As beauty trends have evolved, our hair has really taken one for the team. There was the period where we fried our hair into stick-straight oblivion (oops), months we wore nothing but messy topknots, and don't get us started on all the bottles of crunchy gel we slicked on. But one hairstyle has remained a constant — and for good reason. Yep, we're talking about braids. No matter how much time goes by, braids are always cool. They rule the runways, populate our Instagram feeds, and make us want to up our skill set year after year. That's not to say there's nothing new to see here. We teamed up with expert hairstylist Charlie Taylor and the place we consider our second home, Sephora, to bring you three fresh braids for every skill level. Whether you're all about the simple three-strand or have since graduated to Dutch and inside-out braids (don't fret; we'll explain), you'll find new inspiration here.
Peekaboo Braids
Skill Level: Easy
If your braid skills start and stop at three-strand plaits, add visual interest by pairing them with messy-on-purpose texture.
Start by parting your hair down the middle (imperfection is encouraged). Then, spray a texturizing spray, like Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray, all over dry hair and scrunch with your fingers. This dry-shampoo hybrid is a favorite because it smells ah-mazing (a sexy-warm mix of bergamot, rose, iris, and musk). It's perfect if you're sporting these braids on second- (or third-) day hair.
Next, create 2- to 3-inch sections of hair from the top of your ears toward your face on each side. These sections will be your peekaboo braids.
For a bit of contrast to your beachy waves, Taylor recommends using a fine-tooth comb and a spritz of water to smooth down the tops of these two sections only.
Starting just above your ear, tightly braid to the end of each section. Tie off with clear elastics.
If you're a bit volume-challenged (or you're in the "big hair don't care" spirit), finish with more texturizing spray. Otherwise, shake out those waves.
The Mohawk Ponytail
Skill Level: Medium
Now that you've mastered Level 1, we're going to make things a bit more challenging with a Dutch braid hairstyle.
A huge help when creating any braid is texture, because it gives your hair some grip and hold. So to start this style, use a curling iron to wave 2-inch sections of hair. (Taylor used a ghd Curve Classic Iron.)
Spritz your waves all over with a texturizing spray, like Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, and let the product air dry. Then, use a tail comb (or a bobby pin) to section off the top of your hair. A good guideline is to part from the arch of each eyebrow.
To keep things tight and together, you'll want to braid in three different sections, tying off each section with an elastic as you go. For section one, braid from the front of your hair back to your crown. Next, braid to your occipital bone (that little knot you feel at the back of your head). And finally, braid to the ends of your hair.
You can do a simple three-strand braid here, but if you want this more raised, chunky effect, opt for a Dutch braid. The main difference with a Dutch braid is that you place each bit of hair under the middle section, versus over it, says Taylor. So to start, place the outer section of your braid under the middle section, and then place the inner section of hair under that middle section. As you continue down the braid, keep adding more hair into each outer and inner section before you place it underneath the middle one.
When your braids are complete, gather the rest of your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Use a clear elastic to secure your pony to your Dutch braid.
Add more grip with a final spritz of Surf Spray. Then, finish the look by lightly pulling apart each section with your fingers for a lived-in, cool-girl vibe.
A Mixed-Medium Crown Braid
Skill Level: Advanced
If you're thinking these last two braids were merely child's play — congratulations, you're a styling savant. So here's something more your speed: a not-so-typical crown braid.
Unlike the clichéd festival/renaissance/hippie-chic look, this one mixes and matches multiple plaiting techniques. And it all starts with a simple deep side-part.
Beginning at the origin of your side-part (at the crown of your head), braid toward your hairline. We used a Dutch braid here, too. (You may also hear these called inside-out braids or inverted French braids. Same difference.) Once you've reached the hairline, braid along it, over to your opposite ear, and down to the ends of your hair.
Pro tip: If your braids get a messy, almost frayed look as you go, try rubbing some oil — like Ouai Hair Oil— into the palms of your hands and sliding them down the length of your hair. You can also do this as a final step for a glossy, smooth finish.
For your second braid, Taylor suggests dropping your head forward and down, to begin at the nape of your neck. You can do another Dutch braid, or mix it up with a fishtail like we did here.
If you're going the fishtail route, divide your hair into two sections. Pull a piece of hair from the outside of the lefthand section, and place it underneath the opposite section. Repeat on the other side, and continue going back and forth as you work your way down the hair. You don't have to worry about braiding against your scalp, because you'll be wrapping this braid around the front of your head and pinning it in place.
After pinning your braid in front, hide any messy ends. Simply tuck them in and around your braids, camouflaging them into total sleekness. Finish with a final mist of strong-hold hairspray, preferably one that will easily brush out the next day. We like Living Proof Flex Shaping Hairspray.
While crown braids tend to be thick and fuzzy, let yours start out sleek and clean to stand out in a crowd. Let's be real: They'll get messy enough on their own within one night. Just let it happen.
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