I love a good style dare. 30 Days of Lippy, 7 Days of Braids… count me in! Andrea from Fox in Flats recently challenged her readers to wear some kind of braided hairstyle every day for a full week. Talk about shaking up your hair routine!
Day 1 – The Relaxed Ombré Pulled Out Braid
How To: Braid your hair, secure it with a hair tie. Then starting at the top of the braid and moving downwards pull each section out a little to make it looser and fatter. This is a great trick for fine hair, it gives instant volume and thickness.
Day 2 – Boho Braided Outstyle
How To: This is an easy-peasy way to shake up your usual all-out style. Curl (or straighten) your hair as normal, then add a few tiny braids at the front and sides of your hair. You can pin them back for a more polished look or leave them out for an urban hippy vibe.
Day 3 – Scruffy Saturday Side Braid
How To: Take a section at the front of your hair (or just off-centre) about three fingers wide, and divide it into three, begin the braid and gradually pull hair in from both the left and right until you get to your ear, then finish by plaiting the end. Secure with a hair tie. Starting at the top and moving down to the bottom gently pull each segment out a little to fatten and loosen up the braid.
Day 4 – The Fishtail Braided Cage of Curls
How To: Curl your hair, then sweep all of it to one side and gather it into the shape of a ponytail. Taking a slim section of hair from underneath on the left side bring it up and over the ponytail, then do the same with the right. The key to the fishtail braid is small sections and taken from underneath. Keep the braid very loose and soft and make sure you keep a decent chunk of curls in the section inside the fishtail. Plait the last few strands down to the end and secure with a hair tie. Fluff up the curls underneath and ensure the end of the braid curls nicely too.
Day 5 – The Wraparound Braid
How To: Sweep all your hair over your right shoulder. Starting at the edge of your hairline just below your left ear (and around about where you feel your skull bone finish) take a section of hair approx 3cm thick and divide it into three lengthways (so the beginning of the braid faces along the back of your head). Begin to plait this section, bringing in a piece from the top and a piece from the bottom as you go. Keep the braid fairly loose so your scalp doesn’t show through. When you run out of hair, continue the plait down and over your shoulder. Secure with a hair tie.
Day 6 – The Braided Topknot (aka Braid Fail)
How To: I still haven’t mastered this one (as evidenced from the ghastly photograph) and my extensions didn’t help this look either. But basically: tip your head upside down and section out an approx. 5cm wide chunk of hair in the middle at the nape of your neck. Start like a normal braid, sectioned into three and one folded over the other, pull a piece in from each side as you go. Once you get to the crown of your head, gather the remaining hair into a high ponytail and secure with a hair tie. Twist the ponytail around itself to create a topknot and pin the ends underneath with bobby pins.
Day 7 – The Headband Braid
How To: Part your hair on the side. On the side with the most hair, divide it into three equal sections, so you have some hair near your face, some in the middle and the rest which can be left with the majority of your hair at the back. Make sure you use a comb to get your sections and divisions very straight, otherwise this can look messy. Taking the middle section, divide it into three and begin like a normal plait, one piece over the other. After you’ve done left over right and right over left once, begin to pull in small sections from either side, being sure not to go outside the section. Continue down until you get to where the hair ends just above your ear, then continue with a normal plait down to the ends. Secure with a hair tie. Brush the rest of your hair out so it’s nice and soft and shiny!
Could you wear braids for seven days straight? Have you come up with any signature braided looks? Let me know. Looking for some inspiration? Check out my Hair Inspiration board on Pinterest.
Love,
Rosie xox
Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to braid my hair myself
You’re the second person to say that to me today. I think I need to do a “braiding your own hair” tutorial. I learnt from the older girls when I was at a horse-riding camp on weekends. I think I was about 10 or 11. It’s a really great skill to have! x
Thanks for this – I have so much freaking hair, and I never do anything with it! For about a week last year I did two french braids down either side of my head, tied them off at the nape of my neck and gathered it into a messy bun at the bottom – it was really nice, but took so long! Time for my own 7 days of braids
Hey Michelle, LOVE your signature french braid into a messy bun look! I’d love to see a photograph if you have one. Braids can be a lifesaver for long or thick hair, they keep it interesting and always make you feel polished. I’m so glad you enjoyed the hair-to! Let me know how your 7 days of braids goes lovely!
love the hair looks, and I love the make up too in your last pictures, what products did you use to achieve that look, I wouldn’t mind seeing a tutorial on that, your skin looks flawless!
Hi beautiful! Thank you, I’m glad you like the hair looks! And as a matter of fact, I’m planning a tutorial on a makeup look very similar to that one right now. Should be posted over the weekend. The lipstick will be different though – the lipstick in the last shot is M.A.C Shop MAC Watch Me Simmer. Don’t worry, I’ll have you in flawless skin & sculpted cheekbones in no time! (It’s pretty easy.) Check back soon! Xx
that lipstick was gorgeous, I will definitely keep a look out for your tutorials!! can’t wait
I love braids! There are so many different looks, what a great post! I will be sure to try these out!
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