Trend alert! Everyone has been loving the side braid trend.  Celebs such as Lala, Kim Kardashian, and Rihanna have all been spotted wearing this fun and flirty do.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve recently worn a long side braid.  However, I think it’s time for everyone to spice it up and explore new options for loose braiding.  Nicholas Penna Jr., owner and lead stylist at SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham gives us some basic instructions for how to create this unique look. 

1.  Start with dry, straight or wavy hair. Brush through hair with a wide tooth comb to remove tangles.

2.  Part hair at your natural part using a fine tooth comb and apply a dime-sized portion of smoothing serum, starting at the hair shafts through the ends. Nick uses L’Oreal Professionnel Textureline Smoothing Serum.

3.  Collect a small section of hair at the top of one side of your head, close to your part, and begin by braiding the strands three times like a French braid.

4.  After you’ve French braided the left section of hair (now in the center) drop the right strands and let them fall along the side of your head.

5.  Pick up a new piece of hair in the dropped section’s place, as well as a new piece on the left side like a traditional French braid, and braid the three sections again, dropping the right portion after you’ve completed the braid.

6.  Continue this process, wrapping the waterfall braid toward the back of your head as you go.

7.  Once you’ve passed the back of your head with the waterfall braid, end with a traditional braid and secure the end with an elastic.

8.  If desired, add some style with a flower or jeweled clip where the waterfall braid and traditional braid meet.

9.  Finish with a light spritz of hair spray around the braid. Nick suggests Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer.

{Photo Credit: pleasantriesandpitbulls.com}

**Snappy tip:  If you have shorter hair, try tucking you hair in a small side bun.  It’s fun and cute!