hair

CROWN OF BRAIDS

photos + post design Kristin Ess

It seems pretty easy, but it’s not. Not everyone has long hair that reaches all the way around the head to make a perfect crown of braids. Girls with short hair need braids TOO! Using this technique, you make small, overlapping intersections of braids to create a full crown. Here’s how:

1. Start with straight, wavy or curly hair. I personally like this best with a little wave or curl because the crown of braids holds better with texture.
2. Grab a section of hair above the ear and split it into 2 pieces, like our lovely Nora is doing in this photo.
3. Braid both pieces. (Gently loosen up the braid for a more natural, romantic texture.)
4. Cross them over each other as seen above and clip them to hold them in place while you do the same thing on the other side! If your hair is short and won’t reach, do 3 or 4 intersections of hair instead of just 2!
5. Once you finish the other side, take the two braids that go over the top, cross them over and pin them using small but strong bobby pins.
6. Take the two pieces that will go backward and tie them together. Add a couple of pins where the braids meet.
7. Add a few extra bobby pins around the crown of braids to keep them from slipping or moving.

A veil of hairspray isn’t necessary but will help keep things in place if your hair tends to slip.