In honor of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, we must discuss braids. Obvi. I'm loving headband braids as they're "as practical as they are chic." I turned to Jackson Simmonds, the Lead Stylist at the Julien Farel Salon at the Langham Place on Fifth Avenue, to get the step-by-step on how to create the look. Turns out, it's easier than you think and makes for a great holiday hairstyle.
- Prep the hair. Damp or dry hair works for this braid, just make sure it's well brushed. Remove all tangles and if fly-aways are present mist with water. Brush hair straight back with no part.
- Gather your hair, starting with a piece from the top front. To include bangs, begin your section directly above forehead, otherwise start behind the bangs. Gather a piece ranging from 3-5 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
- Cross the right strand under the center strand.
- Cross the left strand under the center strand.
- Repeat the pattern and cross the right strand, then the left strand, under the center strand.
- Cross the right strand under the center and pick up another small section from the right side of your head.
- Cross the left strand under the center, and pick up another small section from the left side of your head.
- Add more hair to your braid by picking up small strands every time you cross pieces under the center strand.
- Continue the Dutch braid to the nape of the neck.
- Finish your braid with a regular under braid when you run out of hair to add. Either secure with a small elastic or, to avoid the damage of a hair elastic, use my special trick - tease all the way around the end to lock in place.
