Flower crowns and feather headpieces are so passé. If you’re meeting us in NOLA for ESSENCE Fest or heading to another summer destination, prepare to be the ‘mane’ attraction in some of our favorite Black girl-approved festival hairstyles.
Contrary to popular belief, ponytails are anything but basic. With just a few adjustments, it can easily transform into a standout style that we guarantee you’ll want to wear more than once. Keep scrolling to see how we spruced it up with braids.
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Step 1: Begin with freshly washed and blow dried hair.
Step 2: Create a part down the center of the head.
Step 3: Using a rat tail comb, create a diagonal part on the front right side of the head.
Step 4: Create a small cornrow, braiding from the temple toward the ear.
Step 5: Be sure to clip away excess hair so you don’t lose the part as you’re braiding.
Step 6: Repeat on the opposite side.
Step 7: Take the remaining hair in the center of the head and create a thick cornrow. Braid from the forehead toward the crown.
Step 8: Be sure to braid from root to tip; you’ll see why later.
Step 9: Unclip the back section and brush the hair into a secure ponytail.
Step 10: Take the bottom half of your bottom cornrow and begin to wrap it around the ponytail holder.
Step 11: Secure the braid with a bobby pin that’s the same color of your hair.
Step 12: If you’d like decorate your braids with hair charms.
They’re the easiest way to upgrade a basic look and cost next to nothing at the beauty supply store!
Finish off your look by teasing out the ponytail with a rat tail comb.