Made in the Shade with Summer Braids

It's hot, humid. You want your hair off your neck but you want to look cute. We know how it is, which is why we put together 4 updates to your childhood favorite hairstyle—the braid. So set your Out of Office to vacation mode and relax with a popsicle and these pretty plaits, perfect for summer.

CROWN BRAID

You will need a curling iron, your favorite hairspray, bobby pins, and clear rubber hair bands.

Pro tip: Crown braids look best when starting out with bouncy curls.

1. Divide hair into 2 sections starting at the nape of the neck.
2. Once parted, take small 2 inch sections to part hair and curl each strand with a curling iron (1 inch or 2 inch curling iron is best. Spritzing each strand with hairspray before curling can help your curls stay in longer
3. Leave each piece to cool without running your fingers through them. You can break the curls apart later.
4. Keep dividing each section and curl away. Once you get to the top, part your hair where you'd like and create two top sections to braid.
5. Gather one section, then braid to the bottom, tying it with a clear hair band, leaving a few pieces of hair out for softness and texture.
6. Braid the section on the other side the same way, securing at the end with a hairband.
7. Next it's time to fluff up the braid. Lightly tug and pull apart the braid to loosen it slightly.
8. To make the crown, grab one braid and wrap back until it meets the other braid and secure with a bobby pin.
9. Grab the other braid and wrap below the first braid, all the way around to meet the braid on the other side, and secure with a bobby pin.
10. Last, run fingers softly through curls to break up them up, and there you have it--a beautiful crown of braids.

 

PULL OUT BRAID

You will need your favorite hairspray and clear rubber hair bands.

1. Starting at the top, part a small section into a soft, loose ponytail and secure with clear rubber hair band. Pro tip: Wrap a small strand of hair around the rubber band to hide it.
2. Tie a second hair band into the upper 2/3 portion of the ponytail.
3. Part the next section of hair below and tie into another soft, loose ponytail and secure with clear hair band.
4. Grab the previous ponytail and part the area in between the first band and the second band into two pieces.
5. Pull the second ponytail through the in between area of the first band and the second band.
6. Tie a second hair band into the upper 2/3 portion of the second ponytail which should be looped through the first pony tail.
7. Part the next section of hair below and tie into another soft, loose ponytail. Secure with clear hair band.
8. Grab the previous ponytail (the 2nd one at this point), and part the area in between the first band and the second band, dividing into two pieces.
9. Pull the third ponytail through the in between area of the first band and the second band.
10. Repeat until you have looped and pulled through all of your hair.
11. Last, lightly tug each portion of the looped hair out to fluff the braid, to pull off the perfect Pull Out Braid.

 

DEUX TRESSES FRANÇAISES, a.k.a. TWO FRENCH BRAIDS

You will need your favorite hairspray and clear rubber hair bands.

1. Part hair down the center and divide into 2 sections.
2. Start with one side. Take 3 sections of the side and begin to braid.
3. Pull in more hair as you work your way to the ends, and secure with a hair band.
4. Next, work on the other side by starting at the front as well.
5. Braid and work your way all the way down until you secure with a hair band.
6. Last, lightly pull each portion of the braided hair out to fluff the braid, et voila! Deux tresses françaises parfaites.


 

FISHTAIL BRAID

You will need your favorite hairspray and clear rubber hair bands.

1. Starting at the middle of your head, gather a large section of hair to begin fishtail braid.
2. Divide into 2 large sections.
3. From those 2 sections, gather a piece from behind one section, beginning with the right side.
4. Wrap the piece around that right section and under the left section.
5. Gather a piece from behind the left section and wrap around that left section, as well as under the right section.
6. Next, gather a piece from behind the right section and wrap around that right section as well as under the left section.
7. Repeat until you have braided until the bottom of your hair.
8. Secure at the bottom with a hair band.
9. Last, lightly pull each portion of the braided hair out to fluff for the perfect fishtail braid, just what you need to lounge poolside in style.

Got another beautiful braid for summer? We can't wait to see. It's as easy as tag, post, and share the love with #MadisonReedColor.