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Photo: A. Roy Chowdhury

Swinging time To go super traditional or beyond trendy, the simple plait is the ticket

According to style guru Gouri Kapur: “Hair braiding is a fancy technique to keep the hair together. Braids can be styled for a traditional, formal or an informal occasion”.

Swati Gupta, hair and make up artist in Body craft says: “Braids are not just innumerable thin, small plaits all over the head, but also small sections of hair twirled and clipped with a bead or tied with colourful ribbons.”

“‘Fresh and crimp look’, which looks funky and sophisticated is the mantra for this season”, says Gouri. For collegians, braids in front are the last word in trendy and the style is most suited for frizzy hair, as it helps hair to stay in place.

A thin braid in front can be pinned to one side while the rest of the hair can be pinned as a pony tail in the opposite side. This fashion complements girly outfits like frocks, dresses, skirts as well as ethnic wear. For the sporty look, two to three braids with the rest of the hair left loose conveys a devil-may-care attitude.

Jeans and t-shirts, or t-shirts and shorts or short skirts enhance this look. For a splash of adventure go for colour extensions. To add more drama, beads or ribbons can be tied at the end of the extensions.

If you favour boho chic, go for the Afro hair style (tiny plaits all over the head, braided from root level). “This style suits Indian skin very well. The only draw back is the braids can cause a headache”, says Nazia, a model. Such braids stay for over 20 days. “Hair products like gel, wax and spray are important as it makes the hair crisp, soft and manageable. Such products also allow the style to stay for a longer period”, she adds.

And if you thought braids are only for the beach, you got another think coming as braids add a punch to power dressing. If you are leaving your hair loose, create a side parting and braid the back hair mid way. For formal or informal parties, a small thin braid looks chic as it creates a frame for the face and also enhances the emphasis of the face. The rest of the hair can either be left loose or worn in a neat pony tail. For the mature look, a chignon, a low bun or a French roll is the ticket. Accessories like brooches, clips, beads or fresh flowers add colour. If you want to flaunt long hair, braids can make way for the crimp. “To avoid mishaps, the hair must be treated with good quality gels and hair sprays,” advises Swati.

These hair styles complement traditional outfits like saris, salwar kurta and ghagra cholis. Make-up should tend towards the sensible. Since the hair would be the highlight, make up should be in synch with the occasion.

The style gurus in tinsel town have also suggested wearing braids like a band across the front of the head to hold the rest of the hair in place.

The best thing about braids is that they are simple and can be done at home and cost next to nothing except a little patience. So go ahead and put your creativity to work with some rocking braids to become the next Bo Derek – remember her look in “Ten”?

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