2 Hidden Braid Trends to Update the Hairstyle this Season
Check out two ways to upgrade your hair with the easy and fun hidden braid hairstyle!
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As far as quick and easy braid hairstyles go, the hidden braid (aliases: the peek-a-boo braid, festival baby braid, or “bored in Algebra class” braid) takes top marks. It’s a popular add-on hairstyle that we’re all familiar with, and is a sleek way to bring out each gal’s inner boho babe that’s just been stunted by the stuff of life, like office dress codes and, well, general adulting. It’s something that can upgrade nearly any other hairstyle and inject it with some personality, without doing all that much! And the fact that it’s so inconspicuously nestled inside your regular hair, acting like regular hair, but really isn’t? Genius!
Look 1: Hidden Braid on Straight Hair
The hidden baby plait is one of those braid hairstyles that can take your look to the next level without going overboard. And the beauty of this look is just how versatile it is where you can rock it on straight or wavy hair. To help you get in on this easy braided hair trend, we’re sharing two ways to rock the hidden braid in our easy tutorial. Read on and have fun with this unexpected braided look.
Start with clean hair.
Shampoo and condition hair with a volumizing wash and care system like TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Shampoo and TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Conditioner for that telltale freshly washed fluff. A lot of these small, braided hairstyles adhere (and look) better on clean, fuller-looking hair.
Prep hair with a detangler.
For hair that’s to be left loose, prep your hair with a leave-in conditioner. These products help moisturize dry strands and detangle any knots, as well as helps keep frizz at bay.
Blow-dry your hair.
Use a round styling brush to help you to blow-dry your hair straight, moving in a downward direction with both the brush and the nozzle. For a flirty touch, create a small flip at the ends by curling the brush over hair and pointing it towards you.
Pull your sections.
Take three small sections on your chosen side for a basic three-strand braid. For a true peek-a-boo effect, choose a lock on an unexpected area, like the middle of your head.
Create a three-strand braid.
Braid your hair using a simple three-strand technique. Start one inch from the root and move downwards till you reach the ends of your hair.
Secure with a hair tie.
Finish off your braid with a tiny hair tie at the ends, or if your texture or strand thickness can handle it (or if you’re jonesing for a loose, dreadlocked effect), just a bit of tacky hair wax. Done!
Look 2: Hidden Braid on Wavy Hair
Step 1: Wash and condition your hair.
Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner for your wavy or curly hair. This will ensure that you put some some moisture back into your strands, leaving it smooth and manageable for your braided hairstyle.
Step 2: Dry your hair.
Air-dry your wavy hair or dry it with a diffuser. Make sure that it is at least 90% dry before you start your braid.
Step 3: Enhance your waves.
Apply some mousse in your hair to enhance the texture of your waves, like Suave Simply Styled Flexible Definition Wave Mousse. This formula won’t make your hair feel sticky and soft as you still score some touchable volume.
Step 4: Braid your hair.
Figure out where you want to place your hidden braid. In this instance, we sectioned off the very front part of the hair to create a deep side part, then braid. The secret to the 3D texture of this style is creating a Dutch braid and pulling the pieces of hair under, instead of over, while moving away from your part and down towards your ear where you can stop adding hair and finish off with a regular three-strand braid. Finish this style off by pinning the end of the braid underneath a layer of hair towards the back of my head. When your braiding is done, spray some of Dove Style+Care Compressed Extra Hold Hairspray throughout your hair to ensure that your style stays in place, without leaving your hair feeling crunchy.
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