Join the braid brigade

Braiding is back and is wooing us now with its glam avatars. From the undone braid to the crowned one, side braids to the milkmaid braids, these looks are what you must wear this season. Hair expert Maushmi Dhawan helps you figure what works best for you

Side-tracking braids
The Alexander Wang side braid is a prima donna amongst all braids this fashion season. Ultra sensual and ultra easy to attain!

To begin with, blow-dry your hair upside down for about 30 seconds. This routine must be followed by a small amount of volumizing mousse at the roots of your hair followed by brushing, to create extra volume at the roots. Then, make a side parting.

Comb and tease your hair all over at the roots. When it has a rough texture, pull it aside and loosely braid it. Use bobby pins to create dramatic, flowy waves on the side along with the plait, wherever necessary. If your hair length is small or texture is thin, use hair extensions. Spray all over with a texturising hairspray, if required. Voila! You’re ready with the Wang look!

Raid the milkmaid braid look
A look popularised by Nicole Richie, milkmaid braids exude a mix of innocence and glam to the hilt.

To attain this look, brush hair and divide into two equal parts. Tie them into two pigtails with transparent rubber bands. Start braiding each pigtail just before the ear and fasten them with a rubber band. Pull the left braid over the right ear and the right braid over the left ear and pin it up with bob pins. If you have a fringe, leave it on the side and let the rest be braided.

As a variation, you can braid the hair from ear to ear and criss-cross it while the hair at the back can be made into a messy French roll with a bouffant. This will create height and style, making you absolutely red carpet worthy.

The crown goes to Heidi
When it comes to the crown braid look, Heidi Klum absolutely owns the look. To achieve her classic look, you have to basically form braids by crossing two braids at the nape of the neck bringing them up around the head and pinning them to a crown style. Really simple to do but looks absolutely ethereal!

Not undone on the glam factor
The stylish undone braid is an overtly hot look. The key to attain this look is by striking the right balance between the messy and glamorous look.

Firstly, pull your hair back in a ponytail and then start braiding from the nape of the neck. Secure it with an elastic band, one inch from the end. This is not a pin-me-down look. In fact, it’s just the opposite as you need to allow stray hair-strands to fall in their own will from the braid but without making it look too untidy. If you have shorter layers or bangs, let them hang loose to the side, just over your eye.

Set the look with a hairspray. For a more feminine look, you can even add small pretty flowers for a soft and feminine touch.