When it’s hotter than heck outside and you’re so over your standby ponytail, it’s time to get a little creative with your styling technique. Since braids are basically the staple of summer (and also come in super handy when the weather just won’t cool down), we’ve got seven gorgeous and totally unique celeb-inspired summer braids you’ll be dying to try when the next heat wave hits.
1) Queen of Braids
When you’re really in the mood to cool down, break out a fuss-free crown braid like Taylor Swift’s adorable version.
02/10/2013 – Taylor Swift – 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards – Arrivals – Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Andrew Evans / PR Photos
Get the look: Starting with second day hair, separate a two inch section of hair and secure with an elastic. Touch up your bangs then form hair into a messy bun. Take the two inch section now and create a simple braid then wrap it around your head, securing with bobby pins on either side. Spray locks with Alterna Bamboo Beach Summer Sunshine Spray to provide some sun protection, and you’re good to go!
2) Edgy Gal
A killer flat braid at your crown on top of a bouncy ponytail? Yep, Iggy Azalea just gave us the perfect look for our next summertime girls night out!
Get the look: Starting with second day hair, curl locks from the mid shaft down with a 2″ curling iron (we adore the ones from Remington). Separate a 2″ section of hair at your crown and start braiding. Secure and flip over the front of your head while you form a ponytail. Form a ponytail and secure with an elastic. Now, take your sassy braid and put it in place, wrapping it around the ponytail and securing.
3) Jazzed Up Ponytail
Bella Thorne is definitely the queen of braids, so it wasn’t hard to find some summer hair inspiration from her. This curly ponytail might seem simple upon first glance, but the complex braided detail definitely takes it up a notch. We consulted Sarah Potempa, Aussie Celebrity Stylist, to get the scoop on this cool ‘do. Here’s what she suggested!
Get the look: To create volume and movement in your hair, start with clean hair. Use Aussie Total Miracle 7N1 Shampoo and Conditioner to add shine and smoothness while washing your locks. Loosely blow dry and then curl hair with a 1″ curling iron, like the Beachwaver S1, to get loose waves around the face and in the ponytail.
Section out a large 2″ section from the left and right to braid. Spray the section with Aussie Total Miracle 7N1 Dry Shampoo to give the braid texture. Fishtail both sections by taking one small section from the right and adding it to the left, then a small section on the left and add it to the right. Repeat. Pull both fishtails into a high ponytail and warp the fishtail to cover the ponytail holder.
4) Bold Braided Babe
Looking to step up your braid game for a hot (literally) night out? Look no further than Selena Gomez for some gorgeous inspiration.
04/14/2013 – Selena Gomez – 2013 MTV Movie Awards – Arrivals – Sony Pictures Studios – Culver City, CA, USA – Photo Credit: David Gabber / PRPhotos.com
Get the look: Start with textured second day hair. Work a sea salt spray into locks and tease hair at the roots to create a tiny pompadour in the bangs area. Now, start braiding. Secure and spray with Redken Control Addict 28 Hairspray.
5) Skinny and Sideswept
Ladies with thinner hair can still get in on the braid game! A super skinny sideswept braid has enough summertime appeal to make your most casual ensemble stand out in the best way.
05/28/2014 – Peyton List – World Premiere Of Disney’s “Maleficent” – Arrivals – El Capitan Theatre – Hollywood, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Kazuki Hirata / HollywoodNewsWire.net / PRPhotos.com
Get the look: Sarah Potempa also had a few tips for scoring this sweet style! “Start by adding a smooth wave by curling your hair with the Sarah Potempa Beachwaver S1 and brushing it out with a styling brush, like the Sarah Potempa On Set Styling Brush. Next, spray roots to ends with Aussie Total Miracle 7N1 Dry Shampoo to make it easier to braid.
Brush hair over to the side and smooth with Aussie Miraculously Smooth Anti-Frizz Cream and separate into three sections. Braid by taking the right over the middle and the left over the middle.”
6) Cool Cornrows
If you’re really in the mood to switch things up, Heidi Klum’s mini cornrow braids will definitely serve you well in the summer months.
Get the look: Start with a good foundation in the shower and add shine/strength with WEN by Chaz Dean’s Cleansing Conditioner. Next apply Oribe’s Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse, blow dry and curl locks into loose waves. Then, sweep hair over to one side, and separate into two sections. Secure one side while making tiny cornrow-type braids. Next, secure your braids underneath the curly section, give everything a spritz of shine spray and you’re good to go!
7) Fishtail Fun
There are few hairstyles we adore more than a sassy fishtail braid, and Kerry Washington sure did make hers look fantastic by adding a fun touch of volume and sweeping it over her shoulder.
02/22/2014 – Kerry Washington – 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards – Arrivals – Pasadena Civic Auditorium – Pasadena, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Emiley Schweich / PR Photos
Get the look: Start by washing hair with Kerastase Bain Oleo Curl Shampoo to give hair a wavy texture. Next, apply a sea salt spray and rough blow dry. Make a deep side part and tease hair a bit at the roots to give some volume near the forehead. Now it’s time to create your fishtail! All you have to do is create a braid like you did in the Bella Thorne look above, just on a larger scale. Take one small section from the right and add it to the left, then a small section on the left and add it to the right. Repeat. See, it’s easier than it looks!
If you loved our guide to summer braids, you’ll love learning how to create even more braided hairstyles here!
Leave a Reply