HOW TO: EASY CROWN BRAID TUTORIAL

There are certain things that physically stand out about me to people, besides being tall.

A photo posted by Mary Larsen (@mary__larsen) on Aug 3, 2013 at 3:20pm PDT

I’ve been dying my hair ever since I began going grey since I was in college, and have been able to lessen my trips to the salon by washing my hair with products like Garnier Whole Blends Color Care.

Using a color-protecting formula is key to preserving hair color after dying, plus I ADORE the way the shampoo and conditioner smell. It makes taking a 20 minute shower feel like a spa day for this busy mom.

I like this new care line because it is paraben-free and infused with the essence of argan oil and cranberry extracts to not only protect my color but also reveal radiance.

To help extend the life of my color even more, I don’t wash my hair every day, but more like every few days. In addition, I use a weekly hair mask, like the Whole Blends Color Care mask, to help hydrate and nourish my hair even more.

But those are both things I did before having kids, and now that I need to save my locks from the  Vulcan death grip of my ten month old, I now also rely upon braids.

My go-to hairstyle for the warmer months is a crown braid, which keeps my hair off of my neck and away from my child’s reach, and it also keeps me cool.

Plus, I adore braids for brunettes, since the braids help bring out texture and depth in dark hair.

I sometimes do the crown braid hairstyle with wet hair, and other times with dry hair. It depends how much time I have that morning.

If done with dry hair, I like to do this hairstyle on a 3rd, 4th or 5th day after a wash. I find it gives my hair a bit more grip, and also helps me mix up my hairstyles throughout the week.

1. Comb out hair so that it is tangle free
2. Gently part your hair, and section off a piece with an elastic
3. Start doing a french braid, at the base of the part (behind your ears) and follow the natural curve of your head. I often start this with my head pointed down, and bring my head back up once I pass my ears. 
4. Finish french braiding until you reach your part, and then continue to finish the braid tail. 
5. Braid other section of hair the same way. 
6. Lay braid tails over to the other side of the head, by criss crossing them once. I often see which one will lie better over the other, and switch it from time to time. 
7. Pin down end of braids.
8. Voila! You can spray fly-aways if you’d like, or pin down other pieces if they need to be secured. 

A photo posted by Mary Larsen (@mary__larsen) on Aug 22, 2013 at 6:56am PDT

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