Say so long to classic braids: Plaits have seen fresh new twists on both the runway and red carpet. While stars Kate Bosworth and Rachel McAdams recently flaunted textured, sideswept versions like those seen on the Alexander Wang and Miu Miu spring 2010 catwalks, others are opting for cinnamon-bunlike chignons (see Anna Kendrick and Maggie Gyllenhaal's Oscar dos). Braids are also being used as a way to give elegant updos edge; for "dimension and substance," Frédéric Fekkai stylist Renato Campora incorporated plaits on the sides of Kristen Stewart's Oscar hairstyle.
Of the recent crop of braided coifs, the slightly messy side-plait emerges as the most versatile—and popular: Hair guru Leonardo Manetti, co-owner of New York City's trendy Ion Studio, says the SoHo salon is twisting its fair share of this braid. While most undone dos are deceptively tricky to achieve, Manetti says this one is quite easy to master—especially when working with an unwashed and un-brushed mane. But if skipping a shampoo isn't in your genetic makeup, you can imitate the effect on clean hair by roughing up locks with mousse or texturizing spray before braiding. Rubbing product-coated strands between your fingers will also "add more texture and create a crinkly effect similar to wrinkled fabric," says Kattia Solano, owner of NYC's Butterfly Studio salon.
Once locks are made sufficiently malleable and mussed, braiding can begin. For a messy-chic finish, Manetti says to "gently tug the braid at the sides with your fingers to open the loops a little, and flatten them."
