Not Your Average School Girl

I imagine that most women would cringe if asked to wear their hair braided. The image of a cute little school girl bouncing along with two braids down her back comes to mind. Fortunately, fashion runways and celebrities everywhere are changing that stereotype and making braids one of this season's hottest looks.

Rihanna rocks a "fish tail" braid. These typically start lower on the nape and only require two sections. just fold one side over the other until you're at the bottom! 

I would say Whitney Port is the queen of the trend, wearing braids in most pictures I have seen. In this one, she has a reverse french braid. If this seems too complicated, try the normal french braid. Start with 3 small sections at the top. Then, as you fold the hair downward, grab a bit more hair to place in each section.  You can finish the braid and leave all your hair down, or put it up into a loose bun! 

Here is the "waterfall". It was a bit complicated for even me to figure out. But the renaissance team put their heads together and made it happen! It's the normal fold of a french braid, but you split the third fold in half, then keep going! 

Our last braid (but certainly not the least) is this beautiful, twisted up style braid. The Kerestase team did a tighter version for the Behnaz Sarafpour Spring 2011 women's wear show. This may be one for your stylist, but I have seen a girl do it on herself while in line at Target (just saying, it can be done at home.) It is a classic french fold, just pull the top sections tighter when at a turn! 

 Braids can be a bit tricky, but with practice and patience are a great alternative to throwing your hair back in a pony tail.