Braided updo: How to do a sweet summer style in just 5 easy steps

What could be more representative of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer than a braided updo? When the hot sun is doing its sweaty, sweaty thing, there’s nothing better than keeping your hair off your face—and this braided updo does just that while also looking super pretty. (Also, if you’re headed to music festival, why not weave your hair into a braided crown instead of wearing a flower headband?)

I met up with Moroccanoil artistic director Antonio Corral Calero at the Quartz Crystal Spa at Toronto’s Trump International Hotel to talk about his work at New York Fashion Week and summer hair trends. It’s the fashion-forward appeal of the braided updo that made this look sit at the top of his summer hair list and he showed me how easy it is to do. (Just two French braids, some hairspray and bobby pins are all you need!)

I’m tempted to call this look a waterfall braid updo because the French braid technique used has a similar finished look. But unlike a waterfall braid, this braided updo doesn’t “drop” pieces of hair, as it’s all about keeping volume and thickness in the braid.

First, you want to start by prepping your hair with Moroccanoil Hair Treatment, applying it from the middle to the ends of your hair. Part your hair in the middle and begin to French braid along the side of your head, pulling in pieces from the crown of your head as you go. Once you’ve finished this braid, secure the ends with a hair elastic or bobby pin and start to French braid the other side of your head. Then, pin both braids together at the base of your neck.

Now it’s time to loosen up your handiwork. As Antonio explains, you don’t want this braided updo to look tight and formal—you want to open up the braids for a more fashion-forward appeal. By pulling at the edges of the braid, you’ll get more of a messy texture to the style—perfect for matching any loose baby hairs that may have not made it into the braid. Once you’ve adjusted the braided updo to your liking, finish it off with a generous spritz of Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray–and your summer hair is ready to go!

The post Braided updo: How to do a sweet summer style in just 5 easy steps appeared first on FASHION Magazine.