How to Make a Hipster Braid
Popular among 20- and 30-somethings, the hipster subculture draws on fashion and style trends of counter-culture groups from generations gone by. Similar to the Beat Generation of the 1960s and the grunge or alternative rock movements of the 1990s, the hipster movement is known for reflecting a cool, urban, relaxed style often punctuated with skinny jeans, vintage T-shirts, thick-rimmed eyeglasses and handmade jewelry. A popular summer hair style, the messy, mermaid braid fits seamlessly with the simple, laid-back hipster style. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hair claw clips or alligator clips
- Elastic hair band
- Hair spray (optional)
Instructions
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1
Use a comb to part your hair down the middle. Divide hair equally into two sections along the part line. Secure the right side in place with a hair claw or alligator slip at the nape of the neck.
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2
Twist the hair on the left side back toward the nape of your neck. Start at the hairline and twist hair loosely in a clockwise motion. Secure with a clip at the nape of the neck.
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3
Repeat Step 2, this time twisting back the hair on the right side.
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4
Spray the twists lightly with hairspray to secure. The fishtail or mermaid braid is supposed to be laid-back and a little messy. Do not worry if small pieces of hair escape the twist.
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5
Remove the clips securing the hair at the base of the neck. Pull out three sections of hair, each about ½-inch thick. Hold two sections in your left hand and one section in your right hand. Allow the rest of your hair to remain loose.
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6
Use your middle finger on your right hand to grip the middle section. Bring that section to the right, crossing over the right-most section.
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7
Use the middle finger on your left hand to grip the middle section. Bring that section to the left, crossing over the left-most section. This completes one row of the braid.
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8
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 to complete two to three more rows of the braid. Grip the braid in your left hand. Pick up a ½-inch section of hair from the loose hair on the right with your right hand. Add this section to the right-most section of the braid.
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9
Grip the braid in your right hand. Add ½-inch section from the loose section of hair to the center and left-most sections of the braid.
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10
Complete two to three more rows of the braid. Add ½-inch wide sections of loose hair to the three sections of the braid. Repeat until all of the hair is gathered into the braid.
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11
Leave about 1 inch of ends unbraided. Secure the braid with an elastic band. Spray gently with hairspray to further secure the braid.
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Tips & Warnings
For a simple twist on this look, divide hair into two sections and braid each side according to the steps above. Pin up the braids with bobby-pins to create a messy, milk-maid inspired up-do. Left-handed braiders may wish to switch the hand placement in Step 5, holding two sections in the right hand and one section in the left hand. Shorter layers in a haircut may stick out from the completed braid, adding to the messy look.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
