If you've been bored to tears lately with your hair and/or have been looking for a super-cute hairdo to go with your summer night dresses, then I think adding a few little braids is going to turn your world upside down. A subtle touch of angel braids framing your face will instantly make you feel more inspired by your hair and make your outfit look kind of magical. There are three ways to do this. They are as follows:

Braid No. 1

This look is best for those who love to sport a center part. Start by making your part with a sharp comb. Then take your comb and run it down the side of your head, making a clean break from your scalp down to your ear (perpendicular to your center part). Divide your hair into two front quarters, situated in front of your ears. Rub a little grooming cream into your front sections so that it will look neat and shiny in contrast to the rest of your hair, which should be tousled and a little textured (bedroom hair, for reference). Brush your front-quartered sections flat against your forehead, then start braiding the section right above your ear. Make little neat braids and use rubber bands that disappear into your hair color. These braids will draw attention to your cheekbones and lovely jawbone—a striking-yet-subtle look indeed.

Braid No. 2

A unique and beautiful way to wear a braid is having one fall along your forehead and temple. This technique is done with a side part that finishes with a gentle braid that reaches across the face. It also has a little mate coming from behind the ear on the opposite shoulder. This asymmetry balances the face and looks fucking cool slash incredibly romantic.

Make a clean side part with a comb, then section out a square chunk on the side of the part with more hair. Braid diagonally from the part across your forehead. Then, on the opposite side of your head, pull some hair out from behind the nape of your neck and make a braid to compliment the front braid.

Braid No. 3

Another sophisticated way to wear braids is two pony-style braids. Women in the '60s wore braids like this with their short, shift dresses. I think it's modern and very exotic-looking. As I divided my hair into two pigtails, I decided last minute to do twists instead of braids, and it actually worked and stayed in place all night. The twists look a bit more dressier than the classic braid.

Brush out hair throughly, and make a center part. With a damp bristled brush, brush hair into two pigtails and fasten with rubber bands firmly right below your ears toward your jawbone to create a curtain effect on your face. Then, brush out each pony and spray with hairspray. Divide the pony into two sections and tightly weave into a simple twist, securing with a rubber band at the end and leaving two inches of hair untwisted.

This is a cute look for any length of hair. I personally love it with a formal dress.

—Stacey Nishimoto

Photos courtesy of the author.

Got your braid? Good. Throw some flowers in there. You deserve it.