Varieties of fashionable braids, recommendations for weaving them, weaving methods, tips for using braids as part of hairstyles. Since ancient times, a woman's braid was not only a symbol of the beauty of her bearer, but also spoke of her vitality and honor. Having passed through the centuries, this type of hairstyle not only has not lost its popularity, but also acquired many new forms. Today, the braid is a fashionable element of the image that can be part of almost any style. From the conservative classic to the intricate designs that are braided around the head, the braid always emphasizes the individuality and the femininity of the lady.
Types of braids
There are many types of braids. The most popular types are French, fishtail, Greek and simple classical. All of them are quite easy to weave and comfortable to wear both independently and as part of complex hairstyles.
French braid
Such a graceful braid is convenient not only for everyday wear, but also for going out. The latter has been proved more than once by world stars: Jessica Alba and Amanda Seyfried often appeared on the red carpet with exquisitely gathered hair in the manner of a French braid.
Even girls with not very thick hair can braid such a braid. Due to its airiness and shape, the braided braid will create the required volume. Thrown over the shoulder, it will help to visually correct a certain asymmetry of the face. The French braid is perfect for creating a romantic Provence look. She creates the illusion of a light and warm breeze blowing lightly on the girl's hair.
Alternatively, you can use satin ribbons by braiding them. This will give your hair a festive look. And hairpins with rhinestones or stones will perfectly complement such a braid as an element of an evening look.
Fishtail braid
This type of scythe is also called the "mermaid". The curves of her shape, the easily released strands, the playfulness are associated with the gracefulness of the mermaid forms. Ideally "fishtail" will look on the owners of long and straight hair. If you have wavy, curly or thin hair, do not be upset: a braid adds attractiveness to any hair and will look more "artistic" on such curls. Thin hair or hair that has suffered from various factors (sun, sea water, coloring, perm) gets a second wind in this hairstyle. Flaws in a graceful braid will be almost invisible. The fishtail braid will add pretty features to women with a triangular face, making the face more symmetrical. If you want to visually stretch a wide or round face, it is worth placing the "fish tail" as high as possible on the top of the head. It looks interesting on asymmetrically colored hair, hair with highlights or coloring.
The mermaid braid is a frequent "guest" of the catwalks and red carpet. Nicole Kidman especially loves this hairstyle. A medium tight braid, easily thrown over the shoulder, a pair of elongated strands and bangs falling in waves on the face - this is the secret of the charm of many stars.
It is also good for children, because it does not squeeze or pull hair. It is also convenient to use it in the gym, because the fair sex strives to look feminine even during training. In addition, all hair will be securely collected. For girls who prefer a strict office style, a beautiful braid will help "dilute" the image, make it softer.
Simple braid
The braid may be called "simple" or classic, but that is why it does not lose its charm at all. It is simple in terms of the weaving mechanisms and the time that the girl spends on it. Most often, such a braid can be seen on young girls. In the morning, when mothers collect girls for school, there is absolutely not enough time to weave sophisticated hairstyles. And here this simple braid comes to the rescue. Women also weave such a braid, because it performs not only a practical function - to collect hair during work, sports, house cleaning, while sleeping, etc. It adds neatness to the image, balances the image if the other elements (clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup) look too bright.
A simple braid is also used during cosmetic procedures on the hair. After applying a mask or oil, it is categorically not recommended to squeeze the hair, squeeze it with an elastic band. A braided braid will not only ensure uniform penetration of nutrients, but also protect against hair loss.
Greek braid
One of the most popular types of braids, which smoothly transitions from one fashion season to another, is the Greek braid. With its name, it refers to ancient Greece, at the time of the goddesses and gods. In its shape, it resembles a crown, gracefully framing a woman's head. Its waves run along the forehead, pass neatly along the top of the head, twine, like a vine, around the whole head. The hairstyle is suitable for absolutely every head of hair: for thick and thin hair, for smooth and fluffy. There are a huge number of variations of this braid. Here are just a few of them: braided and laid around the head, upper braiding, braids braided on the sides and connected at the parietal part.
The Moschino fashion house has repeatedly used the Greek braid in the shows of spring-summer collections. Dakota Fanning, J. Lo, Marion Cotillard - these beauties know exactly what zest to add to their image.
Step-by-step instructions for weaving different types of braids
Weaving pigtails on their own is within the power of each girl. The main thing is to be patient and follow the instructions. It is important to remember that there are some rules that will make it easier to braid yourself. So, with independent braiding, the hair will stay great for 2 days after washing, and if it is naughty, constantly falling out of the "braid", it is worth using special styling products - mousses, gels and foams. The wax will keep the hair soft and pliable.
How to braid a French braid
The French braid has several varieties. Consider the methods of weaving the most popular types: a braid on the side, a braid with braiding of a part of the hair, a braid on the contrary.
To braid a French braid, in addition to patience, you will need: a massage comb, a comb with a pointed rod at the end, an elastic band for hair, invisibility, if the hair is of medium length and strands are knocked out of the hairstyle.
We weave a French braid on the side according to the following pattern:
- We carefully comb the hair, after which we separate the strand of hair from the parting on one side.
- We divide this part into three equal ones.
- We begin to weave a pigtail, while after each new turn we add a little hair from the extreme strand. Weaving pattern - top-down. Thus, we provide an inconspicuous interweaving of the strands.
- After we have used all the hair on one side, take the hair that remains, as well as the base of our braid, and collect it in a ponytail using an elastic band.
- We wrap the base of the resulting tail with a strand to hide the elastic.
- To make the braid airy and voluminous, we pull out several thin strands from the total mass of hair. Finally, we decorate the braid with flowers or invisible stones with stones.
There is also a French braid with a braided part of the hair. We braid it according to the following instructions:
- As in the previous case, we separate a part of the hair and divide it into three equal ones.
- We start weaving, all the time adding a new curl to the top strand.
- Add as long as our braid "moves" diagonally. If you see that the movement begins vertically, you need to stop adding curls and continue to weave like a regular braid.
- We fix our pigtail at the base with an invisible one. If the hair is unruly, you can fix it with varnish or a little gel.
In order to braid a French braid on the contrary, you need to follow these recommendations:
- Separate a small amount of hair above the forehead, divide it into three equal parts.
- We connect the left part of the hair with the middle one and bring it down.
- We repeat the movement, but with the right strand.
- Using a fine comb, separate the curl from the left side (perpendicular to the braid) and add to the left strand.
- We do the same with the right side.
- We continue these movements until there is no free hair on both sides.
- The finished braid can be secured with a simple elastic band or a beautiful hairpin inlaid with stones.
We braid a simple braid for ourselves
A simple braid is the most versatile hairstyle. Therefore, it is especially important to know the principles of weaving it to yourself, as well as to the child. We weave in this order:
- Comb the hair along the entire length and divide it into three parts.
- In the left hand we hold the left part of the hair, in the right - the right.
- Alternately put the side parts on the middle one. The strand from the left hand will remain in the center, and the one that was in the center will go to the left side.
- Change the new middle strand on the right. We repeat the movement from the very beginning.
- Be sure to iron your hair while weaving, making sure that they do not get tangled.
Everyone determines the length of the braid himself. You can stop in the middle of your hair, leaving a playful ponytail at the end. Or you can weave it to the very end, crowning the hairstyle with a beautiful decoration at the base.
How to weave a Greek braid
It is easy to make a beautiful braid, like that of Aphrodite herself, with your own hands, it is only important to follow the rules, as well as to know the secrets of weaving this elegant antique hairstyle. We carry out weaving according to the following pattern:
- We comb the hair well. We divide them into two parts, forming a parting. It can be classic or asymmetrical, of your choice.
- Select a lock of hair from the right side above the ear.
- We fix the hair on the left side with a hairpin or tie it with an elastic band (this way, they will not interfere with our weaving).
- Divide the selected part into three equal parts again. From them we weave a classic simple braid.
- In the direction of movement, add curls on the left side so that our outermost strand is denser.
- Thus, we bring our weaving to the right ear.
- Having reached the ear, we fix the pigtail with other curls.
- Having given the hairstyle a complete and neat look, we form a bun at the end, which we decorate with accessories.
Weaving braids "fishtail"
To weave this hairstyle, we need a classic set of hairdresser's tools: a brush (preferably with natural bristles), elastic bands, hairpins and hairpins, a hair smoothing agent (or plain water), accessories for decorating the hairstyle.
We weave according to the following scheme:
- After moisturizing the hair along its entire length, comb back.
- On both temporal zones, we select one strand (width - up to 2.5 cm).
- We bring these strands to the back of the head and cross them.
- We hold the crossed strands with one hand, and with the other we select a new curl. We cross it over the top strand of our weaving.
- It is important to keep the center of the braid at the back of the head. Move the weave to the other hand to select a curl from the other temple and place it over the top strand.
- We repeat these steps until we reach the beginning of hair growth at the neck.
- Now we select the curls from under the tail and crisscross the same way.
- Having finished the movements, we fix our fishtail braid with an elastic band or hair clip.
Fresh flowers, for example, roses, will become an original decoration for a braided braid. Their buds can be placed asymmetrically along the entire length of the braid. Satin ribbons can be woven into the pigtail and decorated with small hairpins. Such an image will be successful for a feminine photo shoot or publication. How to braid a braid - watch the video:
The braid has a lot of varieties, it is a fashionable attribute. You can easily do this hairstyle yourself. Any girl, having mastered the basics of classical weaving, will find the author's method, the most convenient and suitable for her hair type, face shape, and style. Don't forget that pigtails will save you time. Having made a braid in the morning, a woman can forget about constantly correcting loose curls.