One of the most popular girls’ hairstyles from my book: Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair, is the Heart Braid. Girls love this beautiful braid, and luckily for parents, it isn’t that hard to do! All you need is 15 minutes, and a little practice.
To create the Heart Braid, you need:
- A Wide-Toothed Comb
- A Fine-Toothed Comb
- A Hair Clip
- Ponytail Holders
Step 1: Starting with damp hair (either towel-dried or misted), use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair. Then, using a fine-tooth comb, part the hair down the middle of the head. Clip one side up right above the ear.
Step 2: On the other side of the part, use the fine comb to gather a thin section of hair from the crown. This section should measure about 2 inches from the hairline to the top of the head.
Step 3: Divide this section into three, and begin a French braid starting at the crown and curving toward the temple, then toward the back of the head, like the top lobe of a heart. You will be lifting hair into the braid only from this side of the part. Leave no loose hair in front of the ear.
Step 4: When you reach the center part at the back of the head, secure the braid with a ponytail holder. If the hair is very long, end the braid about mid ear; the ends will hang down the back.
Step 5: Clip up the hair on the other side of the part and repeat the process. Secure with a ponytail holder.
Step 6: Join the two ends of the braids together in the back with a ponytail holder to form the bottom point of the heart.
And Voila!—a picture perfect plait for special occasions, or as a fun alternative to everyday braids. If you’re worried about the style surviving a long day of play, read my earlier advice on Making Braids Last.
For detailed instructions for this and more wonderful hairdos, check out my book here.
Have you mastered the Heart Braid? Let me know!
-Cozy
