Congratulations – you’ve finally made it to the official start of the holiday season! Are you excited for the charm of these festive wintery weeks?
Whether you prefer bundling up at home or love the buzz of a full social calendar, we’re always on the lookout for excuses to experiment with our hair. And with the days getting shorter and extra outings on the horizon, we’ve been eyeing one hairstyle in particular: braids.
Anyone else feel like we’re entering a braiding renaissance? With the right CLEAN styler and a dash of festive inspiration, you can rock your braids everywhere from office parties to pajama parties.
If you’re as excited as we are for the opportunity to get creative with our locks, keep reading for the Neuma guide to simple braid solutions!
Dueling Dutch Braids
Dutch braids are the definition of cottage core chic. Who doesn’t want their hair to capture the cozy cuteness of a simpler life?
While the traditional single Dutch braid is perfect for a relaxed night in, there are a few ways to spruce up the look for a more formal event. For example, double Dutch braids beginning closer to the forehead and winding back behind the ears have a nice formal effect.
If that look is already part of your rotation, try stopping the braids at the base of your neck and curling the rest of your hair! You can even wrap a strand or two around your hair ties for an extra dose of creativity.
For an extra sleek feel, apply our best-selling Neu Moisture Argan Oil spray before braiding. The ultra-lightweight formula will get your braids shiny, smooth and flyaway-free.
Braided Space Buns
Think space buns are too youthful for a formal party? Think again! With a few creative twists, space buns can be the perfect low-effort updo.
That’s right – we’re talking about braided space buns. And for this look, you have quite a few ways to customize your style.
For the buns themselves, you can place them at the crown of your head OR at the base of your neck, depending on what features you want to highlight. If you want to highlight your cheekbones or show off statement jewelry, we recommend the crown of your head. To emphasize your eyes or jawline, go for the lower buns.
For the braids, you can add dueling braids along your forehead leading into the buns, along the back of your head trailing the buns, or both! You can also get creative with the tightness or looseness of your braids.
Don’t want to spend the evening worrying about your braids falling out of place? Lock everything in with Neu Styling Texturizer, a non-greasy way to add support to your locks all night long.
Half-Up Half-Down, Braid Edition
Like Dutch braids, half-up half-down hair is soft, subtle and sweet. It invokes the mellow charm of winter that we all love! With a few braids, however, you can turn this modest look into an eye-grabbing, compliment-inducing hairstyle. Here’s how:
- For a quick style solution that maintains a part, simply French or Dutch braid your side pieces back instead of pulling and tying them. For a more advanced option, you can try French braiding the pieces on the top of your head back into a bun or pony, replacing your part. We recommend aligning them over each eye!
- If volume is your goal, try teasing the hair at the crown of your head before braiding with our Flexible Hairspray. If your hair is naturally curly, don’t forget to pre-treat your hair with our Curl Perfecting Creme to show off your sheet of coils!
Crown Braid into a Low Bun
The season wouldn’t be complete without the classic cozy bun and thick sweater combo. But before pulling your hair back into your usual low bun, consider adding a crown braid to the mix!
This one has plenty of room for creativity as well. You can do two French braids, double Dutch braids or a single Dutch braid sweeping across from one side. A mid-height bun is an option for this look, too, but there’s something so lovely about a large, low bun – especially during the holidays!
For an extra strong hold that has you feeling like a ballerina in the Nutcracker, our Neu Styling Clay will deliver the moldability you need.
A Quick Braided Pony
No time to spare on styling? No problem. Your go-to pony is surprisingly easy to braid with!
For a casual option, you can French braid one segment of hair from root to hair tie, and leave the rest unbraided. You can also do a few quick twists from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck and tie back the rest quite quickly. Or, for a tighter look, you can do double braids starting above your eyes and traveling back to your preferred pony spot.
If you’re really in a rush, our Neu Air-Dry Shaper will turn wet hair into textured, shiny locks that are sure to last all day.
The Fishtail
To become the boho queen you’ve always dreamed of, a fluffy fishtail braid is essential!
If you have a lot of time and plenty of patience, it’s hard to beat the single fishtail mermaid braid, either winding down your back or wrapped to the side. For advanced braiders, you can even combine a fishtail braid with French-style braiding!
Or, for a less time-consuming fishtail, you can incorporate this unique braiding style into any of the above looks. The key to a strong fishtail is volume, so be sure to use the Neu Volume Styling Spray for that extra fullness.
Braiding With Accessories
For a braid that captures the attention of everyone in the room, you can’t go wrong with accessories. Try braiding your hair with festive ribbons, topping casual braids with a beanie or finishing your look with pearls or bows.
We’re always sharing the latest CLEAN hair tips and styling trends on Instagram (@neumabeauty) and TikTok (@neumabeauty), so make sure you’re following along this holiday season! We can’t wait to see your beautiful braids come to life!