Ask A Sacramento Stylist: Three Easy Braided Hairstyles
Debra Driggs
Hair by Debra
7076 Canelo Hills Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
(916) 723-7786
Debra Driggs is an accomplished stylist, with years of experience helping clients look their best all year long. With the right kind of cut, she says braided styles can be simple to do at home and can be "easily dressed up or down, depending on the occasion." She offers these suggestions for anyone interested in a quick coiffure that looks great.
Braiding works best on damp hair with a bit of gel that is not freshly washed. "You can braid just about any kind of hair," says Driggs, "but it works best with hair that is mostly all one length or has very long layers." For children with long hair, Driggs suggests braiding it at night, wet, for a style that will stay all day.
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Traditional braid
Divide the hair you wish to braid into three sections of the same thickness. Leave the center section alone and hold the left section in your left hand, right section in right hand. Move the right section over the center, pulling the center section underneath towards the right. Using a finger on your right hand, pull the left section over the center one. Repeat these steps, starting with pulling the right section over the center, until you get to the end of your hair. Use a hair tie to secure the end of the braid and you are good to go. It may seem complicated at first, but Gillett notes that once you practice a bit, you could almost do it in your sleep.
French braid
"A basic little French braid," says Driggs, "starts with the hair on the top of your head, also known as your crown." Brush hair well, then use a hair pick to lift the very top section of hair from the crown; this includes the hair from above your temples and across the top and center of your head. Divide that lifted section into three pieces, holding all of it up high. Start by crossing the right over the center and then pulling the left section over the center, as with a traditional braid. Starting on the right side, pull over a few strands of the hair that are below the lifted section from your crown. Add those strands to the right section you have already started braiding, and then pull that section over the center section. Repeat on the other side, pulling over strands below the lifted section of hair on the left. Add those to the left section of hair, and cross it over the center section. Continue this braiding process, each time adding in extra hair from the sides and back of your head. Once all of the hair down to the nape of your neck is braided, secure it with a hair tie.
Driggs says to roll the end of the braid under and "tuck in some flowers or hair jewels" to dress it up for a party or dance. Pulling the hair towards one side of the head while braiding it is makes the style look especially fun and elegant, and accentuates Gillett's lovely features and high cheekbones.
Upside-down French
"This one is just like it sounds," notes Driggs, "you do it like a regular French braid but start from the nape, or underside, rather than at the crown." Gillett leans forward with the top of her head facing the floor, and Driggs uses a hair pick to lift the top section of hair closest to her neck. Divide into three sections and follow the steps for a French braid as listed above. Since the braid ends at the top of the head, Driggs says the ends can be twirled into a bow or tousled in a loose knot.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
