By Olivia Walmsley
Last updated at 11:11 AM on 21st February 2011
Plaits are this year's hottest hair trend. The humble braid has weaved its way on to the red carpet, with stylish stars such as Diane Kruger, Emily Blunt, Kate Hudson, Kate Bosworth, Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba and Sienna Miller all sporting one variety or another.
In short, the plait has become less Heidi and more haute couture.
The trend originated on the catwalk — there were fat, messy side plaits at Alexander Wang, multiple fishtails (a sort-of inside-out plait) at Jean Paul Gaultier, and at last week's New York Fashion Week messy milkmaid braids and multiple loose weaves abounded.
Braids on the red carpet: From left, Jennifer Aniston, Sienna Miller and Kate Hudson sporting plaits
But can normal women recreate these catwalk looks without an army of hair stylists and a battery of products on hand?
Plaiting expert Stevie Tungate, stylist at John Frieda's London salon, thinks so — and has launched a service that aims to help clueless clients become plaiting experts in a matter of minutes.
At the 45-minute tutorial, clients can choose from three techniques: the side-swept fishtail, the messed-up braided Heidi bun or the more sophisticated French plait — with step-by-step instructions in how to recreate these looks when you're home alone. Combs at the ready...
PREPARE YOUR HAIR
Don't worry if your hair is in bad condition — the more 'textured' (hairdresser-speak for over-dyed and dry) it is, the easier it will be to work with.
These plaits aren't supposed to look lacquered or fresh from the salon — it's a bed-heady, flyaway mussed-up look that you're creating.
These braids work best on long hair but, as Carey Mulligan demonstrated recently, sporting a tiny plait in her fringe, you can still have braids in short hair — the techniques are the same.
If your hair is short, or very fine, and you'd like a big statement plait for a special event, adding some temporary clip-in hair extensions (available from some salons and from the beauty section of asos.com) to the hair at the nape of the neck means you have more to play with and more to feed into your plait.
Braiding is perfect for hair that's a bit dirty — so if you haven't time to wash your tresses before work but still want to look fashionably pulled-together, this is the style for you.
PRODUCTS
No matter what plait style you're going for, the initial stages are the same for each: wash your hair and, while drying, load the hair with styling products designed to boost volume and 'stickiness', such as sea-salt spray or a volumising mousse.
If your hair is very silky, it will be difficult to work with, which means the plaits are likely to slip out.
If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a sea-salt spray, simply make your own with salt and water, mixed and decanted into a spritz bottle.
Blow-dry your hair until there are no traces of moisture at all — turn your head upside down and use your fingers to work in a bit more volume. Warning: you will look scary at this stage, but it's all part of the masterplan.
Versatile style: A French plait, left, and side-to-side, right
THE FRENCH PLAIT
This schoolgirl staple must be mastered before you move on to more complicated styles. Begin at the top front section of the hair — where your fringe might be — and separate into three small sections.
As you work towards the back of your head, draw in the rest of your hair. Don't worry about being too neat as you pull the sections in towards the plait itself.
Once the plait is completed, go back over it and insert your fingers into the twist to loosen it up.
If you're in need of extra guidance, there are lots of helpful view-torials on YouTube.
THE SIDE-TO-SIDE PLAIT
This plait curves and winds from ear to ear around the back of your head. To begin, start just above one ear using the French braid technique (start with a small section, then work in more hair as you fold it).
With this style, you need to take bigger sections from the bottom half of the head than the top. Once you reach the opposite ear, there will be hair left depending on the length of your locks.
Carry on the plait until you reach the end of your hair before winding the excess plait around into a bun, securing with pins.
The end result is a kind of French plait around the back of your head, finished with a Princess Leia-style bun. Again, loosen the whole thing up once it's secured.
THE FISHTAIL
Bring all your hair round to one side of your head and divide it into two sections — like pigtails, on the one side.
Practice makes perfect: The fishtail plait is worth mastering for a brilliant braid
Take fine sections of hair from underneath the head (near the nape of the neck), and fold these through the parting between the pigtails and loop over the pigtail — from the outer edge into the parting.
Add that strand of hair back into the pigtail, keeping it in place with your fingers. This is the bit that needs practice. Carry on weaving the underneath hair over until you reach the end of your hair.
The Plait masterclass service starts at 55, for a one-hour appointment, and is available at: John Frieda, 75 New Cavendish Street Salon, London, 020 7636 1401, and John Frieda, 4 Aldford Street Salon, London, 020 7491 0840.
Styling: BARBARA McMILLAN. Pictures: Ben Lister
I used to have long hair and my friend taught my husband how to do a fish tail I used to get a lot of comments on it too.
- colette, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, 23/2/2011 21:44
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