Braided Prom Hairstyles
The prom is a special time and you want to look your best. Braiding your long or medium-length hair is a way to add visual interest, bring attention to your face, or simply create an elegant look for a once-in-a-lifetime event. There are many types of braids, and each type can be created in different parts of your head, or combined in different ways, to culminate in your own, unique design. Adding pins, ribbons, rhinestones or glitter makes your braided hair even more spectacular. You might want to get a skilled braider to do your hair for you, since the complex designs can be difficult if you can't see what you are doing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Lace Braid Styles
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A lace braid is similar to the common French braid, except that you add new hair only on one side. This type of braid looks pretty draping over your head just behind your bangs, or "lacing" over each ear to the back of your head and pulled into a bun with the rest of your hair at the nape of your neck. For more flair, French braid the hair at the nape of your neck, moving upward, and have the three braids meet in a bun further up.
Twist Braid Styles
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The twist is a type of braid made with only two strands of hair; they are each twisted in one direction and crossed over the other. For a dreamy, 19th-century look, create twists on both sides of your head, finishing to the end of your hair, and twist together the two resulting hanging braids into a bun at the nape of your neck. If you prefer to allow your hair to hang long, twist on each side without adding new hair as you go, and then pin together the two resulting small braids at the back of your head with a pretty accent.
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Perimeter Braid
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A perimeter braid is complicated to create properly, but if you have long, relatively thick hair it allows you to wear a complex braid while also allowing your hair to hang down your back. Making a perimeter braid involves making a French or lace braid over each ear and carefully adding very small sections of new hair as you work down the outside of each side of your loose-hanging hair. The two resulting braids are then folded up and together and pinned to each other, so that your hair is now sweeping from each side into a long braid down your back.
Multi-Braid Styles
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For a modern, dramatic look, pull your hair into multiple ponytails (three to seven, depending on the look you want) using hair bungees that match either your hair color (more elegant) or your dress (more dramatic). Divide each ponytail into sections and braid each section, using smaller hair bungees at the ends. Then, either twist each braid into a tiny bun, or loop the ends of each braid back to the base of the ponytail and pin it there. (If your hair is very long, don't braid all the way, or the loops won't "stand up" away from your head.) For extra pizzazz, allow the tails of the braids to spike out from your head.
Crown Styles
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A braided crown, evoking Greek goddesses, is a French or Dutch braid made around the crown of your head. For extra visual interest, leave out a section of hair to create an accent braid, which will hang in a loop from one side of your head to the other.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit braid image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
