Milkmaid braids: a gorgeous, ever-evolving hair trend

They come and go but never really lose their romance. A braid encircling the head – often known as a milkmaid braid or a crown braid – can ooze folkish innocence and an underlying sensual awareness that not many hairstyles in themselves can muster. We’ve been spotting them recently both on the street and on the runway – and just as they’ve been a key hairstyle in 2013, they’re also making the list of hair trends for spring 2014, too.

A cute style that can be pulled off by many, there’s one minor problem with milkmaid braids: you either need really long hair, or a very well-matched hair piece. If you do have the hair length to pull it off, then look to a few different variations for inspiration. After the break: more about the milkmaid braid trend as it was on the spring 2014 runways, along with tutorials on creating different variations for yourself.

Milkmaid braids for spring 2014

Embodying the easiness of the hot summer days, speaking of nonchalance and building upon romance in a way that still feels relevant in today’s world, the milkmaid braids introduced on the spring 2014 runways are all about colliding the young with the modern. From sleek and classic milkmaid adaptations, to messy crowns playing upon texture, the 2014 styles talk about a cool makeover and this is exactly how they came into sight: effortless and feminine, yet a little bit rock ’n’ roll.

The milkmaid braids for spring 2014 are finally setting to build a bridge between the old-world romantic look and the modern-day rebel aesthetic. Leaving plenty of room for interpretations, the crown braids need only the hair length allowing you to pull them off, and the right amount of inspiration to make it happen.

Sleek and classic milkmaid braids

A modern take on Frida Kahlo’s iconic milkmaid braids is what inspired the sleek hairstyles we witnessed styling Naeem Khan’s glamorous take on Latin culture for spring / summer 2014.

Classic milkmaid braids at Naeem Khan S/S ’14

Looking strong without calling to mind the bohemian attitude that often accompanies the braided hairstyles we see take on the runways, these smooth milkmaid braids are merely meant to update a classic. The slicked back roots and the two braided ponytails, wrapped up and pinned around the top of the head are made to look easy and super-chic.

Milkmaid braids at Naeem Khan S/S ’13

Slightly undone milkmaid braids

The braided crown with a deep side part seen at Rebecca Minkoff spring/summer 2014 was created as to perfectly complement the designer’s signature downtown, sexy tomboy aesthetic.

Undone milkmaid braids at Rebecca Minkoff S/S ’14

But the deep side part that added an element of asymmetry to the super feminine braided look wasn’t the only sign of novelty, as Rebecca Minkoff’s crown for spring 2014 was made out of three ponytails, braided in chic four-strand braids. Separated into one braid on one side and two braids on the other, and built upon a rough and dry texture, this style exemplifies what the young and the modern is all about.

Milkmaid braids at Rebecca Minkoff S/S ’14

Messy, romantic milkmaid braids

A lived-in updo that pais tribute to the modern take on castle life brought together Nicole Miller’s spring / summer 2014 collection inspired by the18th-century opulence.

Messy milkmaid braids at Nicole Miller S/S ’14

Romantic but messy, featuring purposely left flyaways for more of a deconstructed take on the crown braid, the style at Nicole Miller married the French aristocracy with today’s rebellious attitude. Marie Antoinette gone punk would be the perfect way to describe the textured braided updo styled with rich berry lips.

Milkmaid braids at Nicole Miller S/S ’13

Video tutorials for the milkmaid braid.

Having explored the season’s newest interpretations on the style, it’s time to get experimenting with it ourselves. To help you along, here are 5 video tutorials we collected earlier outlining different ways to create crown braids.

The simple and classic milkmaid braid.

An ornamented, boho braided hairstyle from Free People.

Another variation on Free People’s bohemian inspired messy crown braid.

A neat and classic take on the Heidi braid / milkmaid braid.

A crown braid that works on medium length hair.

Milkmaid Braid Updates

A midsummer night's dream meets '70s erotica (15 Oct 2013)

Northern women in Chanel

Braided: Aline Weber

Keeping it demure

More than a milkmaid braid

The sexy side of lederhosen

Exclusive: Olga by Vivienne Mok

Milkmaids & brides

So Frenchy so chic

Why the milkmaid braid never goes away

Old meets new for Marie Claire

Sienna Miller + others in Love's epic shoot

Art Class with Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann

Lara Stone: milkmaid braids in Vogue Paris

Haystacks, youth and milkmaid braids: Vogue China

Constance Jablonski, leather-clad milkmaid

Zippora Seven: innocently braided

Milkmaid braids at Oscar de la Renta, NYFW

Military milkmaid: Chanel Winter 2009 Ad Campaign

Jessica Alba in Jason Wu at the Met 2009 Gala

Drew Barrymore cute in milkmaid braids

Miranda Kerr wears the milkmaid braid hair style

Milkmaid Braids in Sisley's 2009 Ad Campaign

Leighton Meester's milkmaid braid hair style

Flair Magazine and the Milkmaid Braid hair trend

Source : fashionising[dot]com

How to: Ruffian’s side soft waves

Variations on softly waved hairstyles comprise one of spring 2014′s key hair trends – making waves both literally and figuratively for the season.

Perfect for spring, this very feminine take from the Ruffian show is great to wear day or night. Nick Irwin, Global Creative Director for Catwalk by TIGI, was the one behind this look that – aside from the waves – also features a side part that adds to it’s gorgeousness. Whether you have short or long hair, this hairstyle is one that can easily work for you. Read on after the break for instructions on how you can recreate this look.

How to: Ruffian’s soft waves

This hairstyle should be started with dry hair. If you have damp hair, let it dry naturally or – if you’re in a hurry – dry it off with a blow dryer but make sure the setting isn’t too hot because that might cause damage to your hair.

Create a low side part. Keep in mind that this look should be casual so no need to make it really clean or strong.

Take a curling iron and curl your hair section by section (a 1-2 inch section is fine). Once you’ve done a curl, secure it to the head with a pin to let it set.

Ruffian’s soft waves for short hair.

Do the previous step over and over until you’ve finished all sections of your hair. Once done, take the pins out and let your curls down.

To create the soft waves, take a paddle brush and use that to brush through your hair.

Finish this look off by misting on some hairspray like CATWALK by TIGI Your Highness Weightless Shine Spray. This will add gloss into your hairstyle.

Quick and easy, this variation of the soft waves hairstyle is one that you can’t go wrong with. It’s flexible yet gorgeous, fun and flirty yet still sexy.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

Mix the concept of a messy up-do with the grunge trend and you’ll end up with something rather different.

As far as spring 2014 hairstyles go, this one seen on the Margiela runway is part up, part down, and wholly grungy. Redken’s Guido Palau was responsible for putting together this rather unconventional look that works for that very reason: it’s unconventionality. For the complete how to, keep on reading after the break.

How to: Margiela’s grungy up do

This look is best started off with clean dry hair. If your hair is damp you can leave it to dry naturally or you can blow dry it using your fingers as a comb for a natural look.

Create a center part and mist on some lightweight hairspray like Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist from root to ends. This will give your hair the right amount of shine.

The grunge look of this hairstyle comes from leaving the front section of your hair (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick) hanging free. Section the rest of the hair off very roughly: you don’t want neat partings for this style, it should look as if hair has fallen free rather than been sectioned off deliberately.

Pull the back section of hair into a french twist knot at the back of your head. Again, this should be a little haphazard and messy. Secure the twist with pins, letting some strands from the front section of your hair frame your face.

Secure your hairstyle by misting on hairspray. For the Margiela show Redken Control Addict 28 High Control Hairspray was used for a strong hold.

This is not your typical everyday look and that’s the main reason it’s a fun one to try. Wear it with a plain shirt, a dress or even on an evening out. What’s great about this look is that it retains the flexibility of the classic up do while adding an edge.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

The hair trend you can look great in every day: soft, flowing waves

While the braids and wet-look slicks and quirky up-dos are the ones that stick in our minds after we leave a fashion show, it’s the most effortless of styles that we turn to day to day. And whether your hair is chin-length, waist-length or in-between, there’s nothing quite so simple yet effective than some soft, easy, waves.

As we count the spring 2014 hair trends that stem from both the runways and the streets, we’d be amiss not to mention the number of variations on flowing waves. And while it’s easily argued that such a hairstyle is a mainstay that never really goes out of style, the question then is which variations have captured the eye of the fashion world for the season.

After the break, a look at the soft waved hairstyles spotted on the runway for spring / summer 2014.

Soft waved hairstyles: what’s in for spring.

While there were plenty of waved hairstyles to draw inspiration from – from ultra-textured and grungy to the perfectly polished Hollywood starlet waves – if we had to narrow the trend for spring 2014 down we could sum it up thus: the trend lies in between. Most of the runway styles didn’t look like they’d just rolled out of bed, nor did they look like they’d taken hours to create. The key for spring / summer 2014 is effortlessness.

Textured soft waves.

Soft yet undone, this variation of the soft waves hairstyle incorporates some of that bed hair tousle and beachy texture. This hairstyle is relaxed yet still flirty, with that little bit of an edge, making it very natural looking and perfect for spring.

At Jonathan Saunders, the hairstyle had the appearance of gentle waves that had dropped out – almost like beach hair that had been slept on, or hair after being kept in a braid for a while and then let down. None too deliberate, opt for this take on days when you want nothing other than effortlessness.

Beachy textured soft waves at Jonathan Saunders S/S ’14.

Angelo Marani’s spring hairstyle was a little bit textured but with more defined curl to it. Easy to create using a curling wand or even a straightening iron, leave the top section straight and curl just the mids to ends to get this relaxed waved effect. Leave a little tousle and texture for this variation.

The “out-of-bed” messy soft waves at Angelo Marani S/S ’14.

Soft waved hair with a side part.

The deep side part was another standard on the spring 2014 runways, with various styles opting to go side over center. It’s not surprising that the softly waved hairstyles were also spotted on runways coupled with side parts.

Ruffian’s side parted waves had a glamorous, classic look. For more of that old Hollywood feel, the waves should start at or above the brow so they fall over one eye.

Ruffian spring / summer 2014 soft waves.

Valentin Yudashkin waves were subtle and natural looking. For this look, keep the parting clean and tuck the hair behind one ear to show off some statement earrings.

Natural looking soft waves with a side part at Valentin Yudashkin.

For an entirely different interpretation, look to Pucci for inspiration. Rather than a clean part, Pucci’s style was more of a flick over to one side, a little bit grungier and messier than other side parted styles.

Pucci’s messy soft waves with side part, S/S ’14.

Polished soft waves.

This type of the soft wave hairstyle requires a little bit more work. This look requires less texture and more smoothness – plus a little extra hair product to add shine. Though still effortless and not ultra-sleek or impeccably waved, this variation is more polished which makes it perfect for night time or a more sophisticated daytime look.

Less textured soft waves at Lacoste, S/S ’13.

Diane Von Furstenberg’s interpretation took hair away from the face for a look that was a little bit ’70s glamour-inspired. These kind of soft waves have a lightly retro, jet-setting appeal.

Diane Von Furstenberg’s glammed up soft waves.

A barrel curling wand was used backstage at Krizia to create these soft yet polished waves. This kind of style leans more to the old Hollywood style, still without feeling too fussy.

Polished soft waves at Krizia S/S ’14.

If keeping it effortless is key to a beautiful and on-trend softly waved hairstyle in the coming spring / summer season, then the runways were filled with plenty of inspiration. We’ll have more tutorials for creating the above look soon, so do keep an eye on our spring 2014 hairstyles page at that link for more trends and how-to guides.

Source : fashionising[dot]com