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Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 10 mins

Stunning Braids
No fancy updos here—you’re the type of princess who spends her days singing in the forest or daydreaming about life outside your lonely village or tower. The Half Crown Braid is great for the next ball, wedding, and formal event, but still adds some personality paired with loose, flowing locks. Luckily, you won’t need too much help to master this look. I recommend starting with wavy or textured waves as a base; that way, loose hair will have some volume and texture. The super-simple, easy Dutch Braid is the main focus of this style. It can be replaced with other braids as well, like the Basic Fishtail or Knot Braid. However, once you’ve mastered these techniques, you might want to try upgrading to a more formal updo.

TIPS FOR PREPPING
I really enjoy how waves dress up this style. To get this look, spray hair with a thermal setting spray and curl it with a 3⁄4-inch curling iron. For a more casual look, I recommend bypassing the iron and using the hair’s natural curl.

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Step 1
Create a side part starting at the arch of the left eyebrow. Create another part, horizontal, from ear to ear.
Step 2
Backcomb the wider, right section of hair. For more manageable hair, backcomb in 1-inch-wide sections.
Step 3
Select a small subsection from mid-crown of the right section. Divide hair into three strands. Begin a Dutch Braid. Cross the right strand under the center strand. Cross the left strand under the center strand. Pick up hair on either side each time a strand is crossed. Direct Dutch Braid toward the hairline.
Step 4
Once you reach the hair- line, transition to a lace braid, adding in sections only from the left side to the braid.
Step 5
When all of the top section hair has been laced in, continue with a standard Three-Strand Braid. Secure with an elastic band.
Step 6
On the left side, take up a small subsection of hair from mid-crown. Divide hair into three strands.
Step 7
Begin a Dutch Braid, working toward the hairline.
Step 8
After reaching the hairline, transition to a lace braid. Pick up sections only from the right side of the braid.
Step 9
Once all hair has been laced in, transition to a stan- dard Three-Strand Braid. Direct braid toward the back of the head.
Step 10
Continue the standard Three-Strand Braid to ends. Secure braid with an elastic braid.
Step 11
Sprinkle texture powder throughout the hair and on the two braids for added body.
Step 12
Let the braids hang free. The next steps will concentrate on the wavy hair in the back.
Step 13
In 1-inch sections at the crown, hold up and back brush toward the scalp for added volume. Use a grooming brush.
Step 14
With the same grooming brush, smooth the top of the hair to create a natural bump, or smooth volume.
Step 15
Gently pull on the out- side loops of the Dutch Braid using the pancaking method. This creates more volume and texture. Add texture powder to the braid if needed.
Step 16
Continue pancaking the braid throughout its entire length. Make the braid as wide as possible.
Step 17
Take the braid from the right side and cross it over the back of the head to the left side.
Step 18
The braid should sit just under the bump of volume created by the back brushing. Use bobby pins to pin the braid in place. Cross the bobby pins for added security.
Step 19
Cross the left braid across the back of the head. Place it above the right braid. If it’s too long, tuck it underneath the right braid and flat against the head. Secure with bobby pins.
Step 20
Fluff curls to create desired volume. If volume is uneven, simply use the tail of a comb to lift it into place.
Step 21
Finish the look with a spray serum and holding spray.