TWIST 'N' TURN Once considered 'the good girl' hairstyle, braids have now transformed into head-turning style statements, says Sharmila Chand.
If you thought you knew all about braids, think again. Fishtail, milkmaid, snake, lobster, prawn…no, you are not on a sea-diving trip, these are some of the endless hot styles in braids making a statement. That simple braid, which grandma used to make with lovely red ribbon, has undergone a makeover and is seen on runways in several innovative avatars.
"This is one hairstyle which gets hotter and bigger every year. The types of braids seem endless, from a loose side-swept braid to a long-braided ponytail. But one thing is for sure — whatever the braid style, it brings out the damsel in you," says Rodolphe Wilfrid Hequet, creative director, Worship Salon and Gentlemen's Tonic India.
In over 15 years of his experience in hairstyling globally, Rodolphe personally vouches for braid styling. "If you want the innocent look with a bit of playful touch to a hairdo, braids are the best bet. They're romantic, intricate, and will never pass unnoticed," he says. "They are as hot on the red carpet as they are perfect for your big day...Whatever the hair length, face shape and style, there is a braid style to suit you."
Likewise, for Garima Bhandari, co-founder of Glo (a beauty service app), the go-to hairstyle is a braid. She finds them incredibly chic and says any woman can sport it effortlessly by accessorising right. "Braids are timeless and the best part is that anyone can rock these braided hairstyles with ease. No wonder, our clients from all age groups ask for braids."
Face shape matters
Talking of face shapes to determine the most suitable braid style, Garima says, "Every face shape can carry the braided hairstyle, but it works best for the oval face shape." Those with chiselled faces too can carry it off. Inside-out braid, waterfall braid, snake braid, one-sided or double-sided braids suit the round faces, points out Sangita Singh, hairstylist at MyGlamm (an on-demand beauty salon at home). "Fishtail braid, carousel braid and Dutch braids enhance the cheek bones in an oval-shaped face. Square-shaped faces need hairstyles that would accentuate the face cuts. Hence, side-swept braids, messy side-braids and fishtail braids compliment the features," she maintains.
Style check
Stylists say you have a good friend in the fishtail braid. Sleep or go out, it will remain as you want and not spoil your look. Fishtail braided ponytail (a half fishtail braid that is gathered into a low ponytail) is a hot favourite of hip chicks for that cool look. Models often don twisted plaits, fishtail braid and reverse French braid to look chic. They say crown braid and rose braid look good with evening gowns.
Another style doing the rounds is the asymmetrical French fishtail braid updo. Don't be alarmed if your hairstyle looks like a seashell. Because that's how it is supposed to look. And if that is not enough, dress it up with a seashell hair accessory.
If you are looking for the oomph factor, hippie fishtail wraparound braid bun is the talk of the town. You just can't go wrong with this one — it is neatly done with a sock bun and two separate fishtail braids wrapped around the bun. It works best for those with long hair.
Fishtail braided headband is another favourite. Rodolphe says, "I'm particularly fond of this. It works well for various hair lengths and textures and suits most face shapes. It is simple to create two fishtail braids on either said of your head and then drape them under the crown."
Want to make your braids more attractive? Easy. "Look for those little pretty things — small bows, beaded pins, coloured bobby pins, flowers and ribbons and tuck them in your braid, for accessories are in vogue," says Sangita.
How to get that look
The next time you see your favourite celebrity sport a stylish braid, don't just wish you could do it too. Walk towards a mirror and try to do it in all earnestness. Braid up, flaunt yourself and be a headturner.
Jannat Sethi, a makeup artist and hairstylist from Makeup Designory (MUD), New York, gives us a low-down on how to do it right. From a casual look to a glamorous braided updo, here are the hottest trending braids this season:
The Dutch braid: The Dutch braid is basically a reverse French braid, a hairstyle that looks complex but is fairly simple. You simply braid strands under rather than over each other. Try and give your old school French a new twist. Sonam Kapoor as well as Kim Kardashian have been spotted wearing this style.
Fishtail: This is by far one of the quickest and easiest braid to pull off. Pull all of your hair onto one side and separate your hair into two sections; the fishtail is created by pulling a small section from the right section, taking it around the front of the left section and returning it through the centre to the right section. Do the same with left section — take a small section from behind the left side, around the front of the right side and back through the centre to the left. Deepika Padukone, Emma Watson and Priyanka Chopra have been sporting the fishtail.
Around the head braid: Brought back into fashion by celebrities such as Sienna Miller and the Olsen twins, the halo braid is the timeless beauty of the style. Also supporting this very 'Greek Goddess' look are Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Chitrangada Singh.
Waterfall braid: This is another complex but a beautiful braiding style. To get the waterfall braid, create a deep side part and begin braiding from the front section of the hairline all the way down. In this look, a major portion of the hair can be left open. Alia Bhatt and Bipasha Basu seem to like this look.
Cornrows: Cornrows are very small braids and very close to the scalp. These can be very time consuming but can last for a couple of days. You can also braid all the cornrows into on braid and secure them with an elastic. Emma Watson, Khloe Kardashian and Alia Bhatt are some of the famous faces supporting this sleek hairstyle.
WORKS FOR MEN TOO!
Hot styles in braids for men:
Cornrows: Cornrows are not just a hit with women but also with men. David Haye pulled this off extremely well at the MOBO awards
in London.
Box braid: They are very intricate braids put together in a box pattern. Similar to cornrows. Harry Ford flaunts this one.
Pigtails: Easy and quick to do, this one is for all the lazy men out there. Makes it easy to manage long hair through the day. William Lemon rocks this look.
Dreadlocks: Typically donned by sadhus, this has always been an international hit for both men and women. This look is a little tricky and requires a lot of care and maintenance. Nile Rodgers is the ideal poster boy for the look.