Simple and double pig tail, pony tail, half-up, messy bun, chignon (at a push): that’s the extent of my up-do repertoire. Our School Editor, Yvette Ferrari, manages all sorts of intricate weaves and waves. Here are the best of the web’s braid tutorials, inspired by her digital dexterity, and perfect for your kid’s back-to-school noggins in September’s still warm and muggy temperatures.
Lots of the following tutorials recommend styling day old hair or using dry shampoo to give hair texture and grip. Tara Gillan, head of Marketing and Communications at House of Knowledge International Kindergarten recently alerted us to the presences of Batiste dry shampoo at Watsons in B1 Sanlitun Taikooli. Unfortunately for brown haired girls they haven’t thought to stock the brunette range, (which prevent ashy tones on darker tresses and would make far more sense in China). Still beggars can’t be choosers!
Our pick of ways to get it twisted after the jump.
The Waterfall Braid
This waterfall braid from the Popsugar network is advertized as easier than it looks, and so seems a good starting point if you’re all fingers and thumbs (like me). Because of being plaited, tied, and pinned, this should be a stayer.
The Twisted Sister
Not so much a braid as a collection of pinned coils, this coiffure really is simple enough for the most uncoordinated of us. On the downside, this is a loose style which I doubt this will stay put all day at school without a scrapyard’s worth of bobby pins.
The Halo Braid
The halo braid represents a significant jump in terms of skills required: a wrap around french plait is frankly far beyond my capabilities or patience. This sort of tightly woven braid has the advantage of staying rock solid, regardless of activity; a perfect choice for PE.
Maiden Braids
For a similar look, using a simpler technique, follow this step-by-step, with an option to wear up or down. Again as this is tied and pinned it should have reasonable longevity through the school day.
The Faux Side Shave Braid
The side shave has been around for a while, but regardless of it’s popularity with the likes of Rhianna, and beijingkids’ Managing Editor, Sijia Chen, it may not be to all parents’ (or schools’) tastes. This braid gives the edgy look of the side shave, but without the razor.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons. Braid photos and instructions from
Popsugar, the Beauty Deparrment, weddingchicks, abeautifulmess, and kouturekiss.
