Equal parts chic & sophisticated, along with a solid spot of edgy rock & roll, the fauxhawk braid is a playful balance of the two worlds.

This tutorial is the first of many projects in conjunction with badass wedding blogger Jessica Poole’s Storyboard Wedding. If you have been itching to try this look, read on for how to do a fauxhawk braid!

If thinking about an updo for your wedding gives you flashbacks of the senior prom with the accompanying flop sweat, try stepping outside of the box and trying this edgy yet relaxed faux hawk braid instead. Braids are super on trend right now, and the best part about this look is that it can be dressed up or down with flowers or decorative pins or combs or some tweaks to the texture.

Materials Needed:
Bobby pins
Hair elastic
Mermaid Mist Volume & Texture Salt Spray or spray dry shampoo
Tail comb for sectioning
Optional: Mid sized curling or crimping iron

Preparation for very straight or fine hair:
Curl or crimp hair before starting step 1 for additional volume and texture like I did here with Laurel’s hair. The texture of this look works best on second or even third day hair; if it’s too clean it will slip right out.

Step 1: Spray entire head of hair with texturizing spray and scrunch lightly to activate texture. Dry shampoo works ok but I find the texture can be a bit “clumpy” or sticky, so I prefer my trusty Mermaid Mist Volume & Texture Salt Spray. Lightly finger comb through the hair to separate any tangles or use the tail of your sectioning comb.

Step 2: The base of this look is a French or Dutch braid. They are very similar, but a French braid lays flat whereas a Dutch braid has a raised effect to it, so I am using a Dutch braid for this tutorial.  To start this braid, create a rectangular section on the top of the head from eyebrow to eyebrow and then section off the sides of your hair in front of your ears. Allow these pieces to fall freely or clip them out of the way if it’s easier.

Create 3 even sections starting at the front hairline. You will be working back and drawing hair to add to the main 3 sections solely from the abundance of hair from the center of the head, so don’t worry about those side pieces, they will come in handy later.  Weaving the left section UNDER the center section, making it the new center. Without adding any hair to any of the sections, now cross the left strand under the center strand. Continue this pattern without adding hair for two-three passes to establish an anchor for the braid.

Step 3: Start adding hair to each of the side sections {3a} as you continue working down the back of the head {3b}

 

Step 4: When you get near the nape of the neck, grab the front sections that you left loose and start incorporating these pieces into the main braid to incorporate them into the fauxhawk.

 

Step 5: Braid to the end of the hair and secure with an elastic.

 

Step 6: Now you can go back and loosen the plaits to create a looser texture.

 

Step 7a: Tuck the end of the braid underneath and pin.

Step 7b&c: Secure the style {as well as the sides of the hair for a tighter look} with pins by crossing them into an “X” formation along the length of the braid underneath, into the sections, and anywhere you feel the style needs more security.

 

Step 8: With the pins in place, you can continue to fluff or move the braid as needed.  Remember, you can basically tweak anything to look as you like with a few pins!

et voilà!

Model: Laurel Flynn

Photographer: Melissa Kruse