Huffington Post – Gina Rivera Endless Variety of Braids

Braids are a hit headed into fall, and there are so many ways to rock a braid with very few rules.

What we’ve seen on the runways and headed fast toward the streets in catalogs for the coming season is a lot of interesting textures and bold colors in clothing, often in natural, earthy tones making big statements. The fall hair is also gorgeous in simple, low-maintenance cuts and natural colors. Braids are a great way to add texture to the hair, mix up the symmetry or change a look entirely, while keeping that natural, practical appeal.

Here are a couple of the most basic techniques, but don’t be fooled, you can create endless variations.

• We love the traditional French braid, which never seems to go out of style. This is a fast, cool way to get the hair out of your face when you’re hiking, running and still look great. Basically, you create three strands from a section of hair, then alternately bring the outside strands over the middle strand.

• We also have a classic fishtail braid. This creates a really interesting look, and it is very easy to do. Take a ponytail and divide it into two sections. Take a small piece of hair from the right side and cross over to the left side. Then take a section from the left and cross over to the right side. Continue this all the way down until the pony tail ends. “Voila!” This is a little more complex than a French braid. Work with a friend or ask your stylist for a quick demo. Do it once and it’ll be as easy as riding a bike.

There is no wrong way to braid. You can cover your entire scalp in corn rows of beautiful, thin braids with an endless variety of beads at the ends, or you can quickly accessorize your current style with a very small section of hair. You can, for example, create a natural headband with a thin braid of your own hair. Or you can add an asymmetrical look with a single thin braid down one side, either near your bangs or further back. Add a thread of gold filigree into a braid to make it pop.

What makes braids different now is that we see people taking the classic techniques and creating beautiful variations, sometimes extremely simple, other times complex, creating very different moods. The French braid, for example, can have a very controlled, slick look, or it can be loose and wispy, and either way, your hair is out of the way, whether you’re hovering over a laptop in the boardroom or pumping iron at the gym.

If you haven’t done braids in a while, go for it now to join this trend headed into fall.

As always, be open to change!