Braids: the braided hairstyles to wear in fall 2013

Braids can be girlish, they can be classical, they can be traditional or elegant or punkish. It all comes down to the particular style you’re wearing, and indeed the way in which you carry it. Braids are a staple part of any girl’s hair reportoir, a constant rather than so much a trend; and yet, as far as fall 2013′s hairstyles go, the question is of which braided hairstyles to try.

There are by no mean set rules, but instead it’s worth taking inspiration from the runways in order to find out which braided hairstyles best work for the season’s fashions. Find out after the break.

The braid.

The best way to describe a braid is that it’s a pattern made from intertwining three or more strands of hair together. This pattern has adorned the hair of women for centuries and was said to have originated from the tribes of East Africa. Braids are a part of the traditions of different tribes from Africa to South America and young girls learn how to do them as the grow up – a rite of passage and inherited skill. In the West they’re an ingrained part of fashion, ever being experimented with to create different styles and looks.

Braids in 2013

Since braids are such a constant in the world of beauty, the question isn’t so much whether they’re in but in which ways to wear them now. The runways for fall 2013 provided plenty of inspiration on styling your hair in ways that use plaits and braids.

Here are some of the key braided styles spotted on the runways, that can easily make the transition to your own beauty routines.

Side braid.

The side braid is basically what it says: a braid that falls to one side of the hair. The brilliant thing about the side braid is that it takes only minutes to create, but has plenty of impact. In recent years it became associated with tomboyish, sporty cool; but for fall 2013 it was reignited in a smooth, elegant light.

Spotted at Valentino, this look was reminiscent of a dutch good girl who’s born into a rich family. What makes this side braid standout is the glossy finish that it was given to get that modern look. To add a seasonally on-trend touch to your side braid, make it slick and add a ribbon around the head for a fresh burst of femininity.

Side braid tutorials.

How to: Valentino's easy chic side braid

The side braid gets a chic and elegant makeover for fall 2013, with Valentino's smooth, ribbon-headbanded take. Styled on the runway with modest floor length dresses and florals, it'll also serve you with any number of feminine outfits. Create your own side plait with headband by following our tutorial at that link.

Crown braid.

The crown braid, just as it’s name suggests is a type of braid that goes around the head (like a crown). It’s a hairstyle that you would like see while watching “Game of Thrones”. When done cleanly or in a sleek way, it exudes an almost royal vibe but do it a little messy and you get this vintage and playful look like this one from Viktor and Rolf 2013.

This type of braid might require more work but as you can see, it’s very much worth all the trouble.

Crown braid tutorials.

How to: Alice + Olivia's messy crown braids

For another fall 2013 take on the crown braid, try this version from Alice + Olivia. Crossing all the way over the top of the head for a Heidi-esque look, this style was messy and effortless and yet charming. Find out how to create the messy Heidi braid at that link.

Fishtail braids.

Modern and with a bohemian edge, this version of the braid has been gaining a lot of popularity these past seasons. The main difference with this braid is that it uses four strands instead of just three, giving it that fishtail look. Here are two fishtail variations we spotted on the runway:

Tory Burch’s spring collection was a perfect example of the fishtail braid in all it’s boho glory. To really get long braids, extensions were added to the models’ hair. The result is a chic yet youthful hairstyle that’s note-worthy.

Very intricate yet still very clean, Christian Siriano incorporated the fishtail braid with a chignon. Who would’ve thought that fishtails will look just as good when worn up?

Braided buns.

Buns are always a go-to for women who want to keep their hair in place. Sad to say, buns can be a bit boring but not when they’re fused with braids.

Rodarte created a half up hairstyle featuring a bun and two braids; a romantic and simply stunning look for their fall 2013 show. This very feminine look is great to wear day or night.

If you’re on the punk rock side of the spectrum, you should try wearing this look from Badgely Mischka. The upside down braid that goes all the way from the nape to the crown of the head is like a surprise from behind. You can follow a similar braided topknot tutorial at that link.

For a whisical take, Miu Miu’s double braided buns are one to try. Who would have thought such a girlish style could look so chic?

Braided bun tutorials.

How to: Miu Miu's double braided buns

High shine and not a hair out of place, Miu Miu's double braided buns were both pristine and yet ultimately girlish. Try them for yourself by following the double braided buns tutorial at that link.

Possibilities for braids are near endless, but the key thing is to find a way to incorporate one that fits with the style of what you’re wearing: for that, the choice is yours.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

5 chignon hairstyles to try this weekend

Much like the french rolls we looked at last time, the classic chignon is near fail-safe in adding some elegance to your look. With fall 2013′s hair trends spanning the cinematic and the dramatic, keeping a few variations of the chignon up your sleeve might just prove handy.

After the break, here are 5 chignon hair tutorial videos to try.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

Men’s hair: how to get Gucci’s slicked back hair with side part

A number of the most popular hairstyles for men this year involve short sides and a longer top. Wearing this type of cut with a side part is just one option: be it textured and to the side or fully side slicked.

And then there’s another variation. Easy to create, easy to carry off, this style shown on the runway at Gucci takes the side part but also slicks the hair sideways and back away from the face.

If you want to have a go at creating this style, read on. Our resident hair guru Annika Bowen shares steps on how to style it, and how to get the exact cut (for those who are handy with scissors, or to take along to your salon visit).

Styling.

Prep the hair by spritzing it with either a salt spray or root lifting product (focusing on top section).

Create a deep part in the hair then dry it into the direction desired for the final result. Dry the sides back away from the face, the front dried up and across, and the back dried straight down flat.

Once dried, make sure the side parting is neat and clean. Use a comb to section and direct the hair into place.

Use either a wax or a styling cream that has strong hold and some shine. Alternatively, if you want a slicker look you can use a wet look gel. Run the product through the hair with your hands and then use your hands and a comb to slick hair back and shape it into place.

Spray with hairspray to set for an all day.

Haircut.

Section top from recession to recession to create a horseshoe section. Leave out of the way while cutting the sides and back.

Starting at the front side burn hairline area, use scissor over comb technique to create shortness blending up sides (about an inch up). Once you get to behind the ear still use same technique but follow the hairline down to nape area.

Once you have cut the perimeter short using scissor over comb, blend the next section up to recession (tailor to suit depending on bone structure). Start to blend shortness to a build up of weight (Annika suggests taking diagonal back partings cutting short to long – using perimeter length as a guide).

Take top section out and over direct top sections to weight line created on the sides.

Blend back crown area in the same way. It will be more like a V at back of head (you can cut the corner off the V at back centre if too thick).

If front is to heavy and long: take corner off front by combing straight out in front from the head, and cutting square vertically up.

For more men’s hair trends and tutorials, head to that link.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

Hair how to: clean & chic side part at Witchery

Straddling the space between timeless classics and modern sporty-chic is the spring 2013 collection from Australian retailer Witchery. The key story of the season is a monochromatic one: crisp white and pitch black facing off in a multitude of minimalistic ways, complimented by occasional bursts of colour and slick snakeskin prints. The collection – titled “Bold Vision” – was shown on the runway in Sydney last week, and it could only be considered mandatory that a clean, chic hairstyle be presented with it.

Jamie Furlan for L’Oréal Professionnel created a side parted hairstyle that mixed textures of matte and shiny, bringing a wet look to the top while the bottom remained dry.

Healthy hair is key to making this style work. “Summer can be torture on your hair with all the time you spend outside in the sun, sand and surf. So in the lead up, I always recommend using treatments to get your hair in shape for summer,” Furlan notes.

Read on for the full tutorial after the break.

To make this style really work in a slick and modern way, you’ll need smooth, healthy hair. You can get this by applying a few drops of a hair oil. The teat at Witchery used a few drops of L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil Nourishing Oil through the lengths and ends to help smooth the cuticle and add shine.

Next, create a deep, clean side part by using the arch of your eyebrow as a guide.

Run a hair straightener through lengths for silky straight hair.

Secure the top lengths either side of the part to just behind the ear with gel. Furlan and team used L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.art Contorsion Fix.

Tip: Use a sponge to apply the gel if you wish to avoid comb marks and for the smoothest finish.

Finish with finishing spray through mid-lengths and ends for a natural looking hold.

This style is so simple to create it really needs no other steps; the key things to note here are to ensure the hair is healthy and smooth and with no fly-aways in order to work the chic, modern appeal to full effect.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

French rolls: 5 luxe updos to try this weekend

The classic, cinematic nature of fall 2013′s hair trends means luxe yet unfussy up-dos like the French roll are key ones to learn. This particular style can be created in minimal steps, swept up into an effortless day-to-night style, or given more of a vintage feel with backcombing and slightly more complexity. To cover off on both takes and in between, here are 5 hair tutorial videos for creating a French twist.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

Faking the fringe: side-swept faux fringes for fall

The fringe / bangs hair trend is one that keeps reappearing, but going for a fringe is a commitment that some of us are not ready to make. That’s why this trend paved the way for another 2013 hairstyle, the faux side fringe. This hairstyle does not require the use of scissors to get a fringe: all you need to do is to “manipulate” your hair so that some of it sweeps sideways across your forehead. Voila! Instant bangs!

Numerous runways used this technique causing it to become a trend of its own. You can pair a faux-side fringe with any kind of up-do you want from a ponytail to a wet-look chignon, and it can be a great way to flatter your face shape – especially if you have a large forehead – without the need for scissors.

The simple side fringe.

For the Rag & Bone fall 2013 show, a simple side fringed look was used to add edge to an up-do. This look has a bit of a tomboyish feel to it when kept a little rough, but you can also give it a more elegant look by sweeping the hair across the forehead and pining or tucking it neatly behind the ear, then applying a few drops of a smoothing serum for a polished finish.

For a more vintage-inspired look, tease the hair a little for some volume; sweep it all the way across the forehead making sure the bangs are kept thick instead of wispy. At Tracy Reese fall 2013, this one done with hair straight and out, the faux fringe pinned behind the ear for a slightly ’60s take.

The wavy faux side fringe.

Dries Van Noten amped up a simple look by adding a wavy faux side fringe. The result is like a modern, pared back take on a 1920s finger wave. Adding the wave shape helps the hair to sit across the forehead for that faux-fringed effect, and also flatters the face shape.

The wet look faux fringe.

Infusing two hair trends was Marni. The faux side fringe was done with a wet look hairstyle, allowing the fringe to cling to the forehead in a slightly matted and messy yet enigmatic way.

Reem Acra incorporated another, slicker take on the wet look faux fringe, with hair deeply side parted and pulled back into a chignon.

A lot of women love the look of the fringed hairstyle but are afraid to take that leap of faith which makes this hair trend one of the best ones for this seasons. Now it’s easy for anyone to get the youthful and edgy look bangs give out without having to go to the stylist and manage regular cuts.

Source : fashionising[dot]com

How to: Marc by Marc Jacobs’ messy hollywood curls

Old Hollywood glamour has been one of the most sought after looks for quite some time now, with a desire to recreate the enigmatic allure of the women of the silver screen. It’s only natural that we’ve spotted hairstyle inspired by this era on the different runway shows like Marc by Marc Jacobs.

With cinematic curls as a fall 2013 hair trend, Guido Palau of Redken looked to create a more modern take. He wanted to create a look that was glamourous but still playful – one that would not get washed out by the collection itself. What he came up with are gorgeous, playful and messy Hollywood curls that is a good mix of vintage and modern. No need to travel back in time to get this look for yourself because we got the complete how to right after the break.

How to: Marc by Marc Jacobs messy soft hollywood curls

Start by prepping damp or towel dried hair with volumizing spray like Guts 10 by Redken. This will give your hair the volume needed to pull this hairstyle off.

Once you’ve prepped your hair, dry it using a blow dryer and the make a deep side part.

Now it’s time to make a curls. To do this, you will need two curling irons preferably one that has a 1 inch barrel size and the other 1 1/4 inch in size. Starting from the top, take a small section of your hair and then pin it on your head with setting pins or bobby pins. Then take another section and do the same thing but using the other curling iron to create the variation in size. Continue doing this until you’ve curled all of your hair.

Leave the curls to cool and set for a few minutes to really get that cinematic effect. Once they’re ready, unpin the curls.

To create more volume and the playfulness of the look, run your fingers through the curls and brush it with a boar bristle brush.

Next, back brush the front section of the hair while sweeping it across the forehead. Secure this section with a pin keeping it away from your face. If you parted your hair on the left then you should clip your hair on the right or vice versa.

Finish this hairstyle by securing everything in place with the help of some hairspray. For the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, Redken Fashion 12 Versatile Working Spray was used.

Who says that you have to be a movie star to wear cinematic curls? This gorgeous and glamorous look can be owned by anyone and can easily be done at home. It’s a perfect look to add movie star playful sophistication into any outfit.

Source : fashionising[dot]com