Every year when summer rolls around, I decided that I’m going to be the ultimate hippie and wear my hair in braids all the time. Unfortunately, instead, I’ll try an eclectic-Pinterest one, get tangled up in hair, combs, elastics, and declare myself done with it for the rest of my life. This year, we’ll be seeing more romantic braids than ever, thanks to a revival of seventies style. Instead of tackling the task myself and giving up in frustration, I asked an expert, Ruby Fernandes from the Brennen Demelo Studio in Toronto, to walk me through three gorgeous, romantic braids that are surprisingly easy to do AND look cool. Have no fear: Fernandes assured me that as long as you can do a classic three strand braid and a fishtail braid, these looks are possible.
Part your hair any way you want with a centre or side part. Move your hair to one side leaving a few strands to fall onto the empty or “free” side. Split the hair vertically in half, equally. Don’t worry about being too precise with the split: messier will look more carefree. Starting with the piece further from your face, begin a three strand braid. Tie up the end. Gently pull the braid apart in a move Ruby calls “swelling”. Then, with the other section, start a fishtail braid. Once you reach the ear area, take a strand from the fishtail and, before you weave it in, slide it through a section in the first braid and then continue with the fishtail braid. Keep fishtailing for an inch and then weave another section through the original braid. Repeat. Braid the ends together as a three strand.
