Hair Trends: Braids for Every Occasion

Hair inspo to keep you looking fresh all day long

Now that humidity has hit the 852, ditch the topknot and stay on trend with our favourite (effortless) braided styles.

I don’t know about you, but summer turns me into a complete the-less-effort-the-better kinda girl, which is great when I can pull off an easy, cool look, but not so great when I don’t have time or energy to put the ‘effort’ into effortless. Even though there’s nothing new about the braid – it’s been a practical staple hairstyle for hundreds of years – when you’re in a routine of throwing your hair into a bun or ponytail, you may need a little inspiration. Don’t be intimidated, these styles take all of 10 minutes to perfect and will give your look that extra something for the whole day (or night)!

The talented and lovely geniuses at Love Hair (in Central) had us over for a morning of braiding, and we created short and simple tutorials so you can recreate these fun summer styles yourself. From the simple temple braid, to interesting variations on the boxer braid and the glorious crown braid, I’m going to be wearing these styles on rotation from now until December. The ladies at Love Hair let us in on a top tip: the key to beautiful braids is creating some volume before you start braiding, so invest in some Sea Salt Spray like the one we used from Kevin Murphy, or use a curling wand to pump up those strands.

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The temple braid

If you wear your hair down often, these simple braids will add a fun touch to your go-to style. They take literally two minutes to braid, and if (like me) you’re constantly pushing your hair out of your face, they’re a good substitute for hair slides or tucking your hair behind your ears every 10 seconds. Incorporate temple braids into a low bun or ponytail for a sophisticated and simple addition.

The classic Double Dutch (Boxer) Braid and variations

I’m in the painful process of growing out my fringe, so this style is perfect for me. You can choose to leave some hair out and down to frame your face, or braid it all up on days where the heat is too much to bear.  I love the double Dutch braid for its versatility, for the way it makes me look way more put together than I actually am, and for the way you can wear this hairstyle straight from the gym to the bar. As shown, the messier the braids the better the look, so there’s no need to fuss with your hair all day. Here, we show you how to do the basic double Dutch braid, the backwards crown, and in small knots and ponytails on the nape of your neck. If you’re outdoors and in the sun, this style works beautifully with a wide brimmed hat or peak cap thrown on top.

The Crown Braid

Once you’ve mastered the double Dutch braid, try your hand at the crown braid. While a little more challenging than the other two styles, this one is definitely statement hairstyle that’s worth the extra time and effort it takes to perfect. After Grace at Love Hair did my crown braid, I went straight to lunch and then to a gym class with my ‘do still perfectly intact, and let me tell you – it turned more than a few heads (in the good way)! The crown braid isn’t just a hairstyle, it’s an accessory – it makes boyfriend jeans and a t-shirt, or a simple summer dress, look amazing. The crown braid also elevates any formal look, so if you’re planning on dressing up for a girls brunch or special event, make your hair your true crowning glory and add some extra sparkle to your outfit. It takes 15 minutes, and you’ll be getting compliments for days.

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