I was standing at a crosswalk waiting for the light to change the other day. My dress was completely sticking to me. My hair was frizzing more and more by the second. And when I closed my eyes, I could have thought I was in an oven. Not Union Square.
This heat wave thing is not fun. It’s seriously hotter here than it is in Florida and it’s a different kind of hot too. Plus, the air conditioning isn’t as a great and we don’t just get in our A/C-on-full-blast cars to get around.
High ponytails and super tight (hair sprayed) buns are great for the summer. But I’ve been kind of getting sick of those… especially when I have to go somewhere after work. There’s no way that I’m going to wear my hair down all day.
My solution. Braids. Pretty much every single day.
I learned how to braid on my American Girl Dolls when I was in elementary school and then perfected the braid when I danced and everything. It’s turned into one of those skills that come in handy at the most random times.
Here are five braid tutorials on Youtube that are great and perfect for summer. If you’re not a braid expert, you may have to get a friend (or a mom!) to help.
Lauren Conrad (have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE her?) has a website called The Beauty Department and it’s a super great resource.
(ONE)
The Beauty Department | The Classic French Braid
This tutorial is really just a simple introduction, but super great for learning the basic braid. (The classic French braid is what I typically turn to on a daily basis.)
Yes, I love Dance Moms. This braid is seriously quite easy… once you get the hang of it. And there’s so much you can do with it. Bring it into a bun, pull it into a pony tail, pin it back with your hair down… etc.
(THREE)
LetsMakeItUp1 | Spencer’s Braids from Pretty Little Liars
This is the tutorial I watched to figure out how to do my hair like Spencer’s. #TrueStory. If you know how to do a dutch braid, Spencer’s braid isn’t that hard at all!
(FOUR)
LuxyHair | Everyday Fishtail Braid
Fishtails take a little bit of practice, but I think they’re SO cute. I typically braid mine super tight and then have to pull apart and separate the sections a little bit to really get a full looking fishtail.
(FIVE)
Cute Girls Hairstyles | The Crown Braid
This is hard. So you definitely need a friend for this one!!! OR you can go to Dream Dry and get your hair braided there. A bunch of girls at the office have been getting their hair braided in the morning and then keeping it for a few days!
I love this post! It's so nice to see that we all agree that wearing hair down in the summer is just not logical! I'll often just throw my hair back into a ponytail, or wear a side braid! Great post!
P.S. I learned to braid on my American Girl dolls too!
Braids really are the perfect hairstyle for sweltering, hot days! I usually wear a side braid as I'm terrible at doing any other kinds of braids on my own hair. I'll definitely have to give these a try! Thanks for sharing!
I absoloutley love the idea of braids to keep your hair out of your face! I found your blog when looking for new hair ideas for work actually! So glad I did! You have a new follower, check out my blog im just starting out
I need to watch a couple of these, I tend to stick to waterfall braids and french braids for summer. Love Maegan has a great tutorial on how to braid your hair across the back of your head and then tuck and pin it into an updo. I wear my hair that way a lot too.
I love this post!! I am obsessed with braids they are my go to for every day hairstyles when I'm not in the mood to curl or straighten my hair. This post definetly has given me some new ideas to try… I love how there are so many different braids you can do. Anywho love this post and hope you are enjoying your summer 🙂
When a stranger offers to take a photo of you and your boys and it ends up being a framer 🫶🏻🥹 Jack is at the perfect age for fun adventures like a trip to the farm (and not just any ole farm, @oldmcdonaldhasafarm!). 🌽 🐄 🐷 👩🏻🌾 We fed the cows, played with the kittens, said hello to bunnies, watched piggies race, saw one month old calves… so much fun for an almost three year old! (And Rory is more than happy to come along for the ride!)
I have been an avid audiobook listener for years. @audible makes it so easy to listen to books by my favorite authors, and discover my next favorite read. Now through 7/31, @audible Prime members can try three months free of an Audible Premium Plus membership; find out more in the link in my bio. I just started The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan 🎧– what should I listen to next??? #ad #audible #audiblepartner #primeday #amazoninfluencer
Reposting because my brother in law was right, this is the better photo and I want it on my grid!! Can we pretend like it’s the first time you’re seeing it 🙊
@mackenziechilds’ biggest and best sale of the year is here! Now through July 22, get up to 60% off iconic MacKenzie-Childs pieces. Whether you’re an avid collector or picking out the first piece for your collection, this is THE time to get the best pieces at the best prices. #MCPartner
The night this photo was taken was one of the most beautiful evenings– we had dinner with our friends outside at Millie’s. Taking turns bouncing Rory and keeping Jack on track to eat his dinner. I couldn’t tell you a single thing that was discussed between rushed bites and standing up and sitting back down only to stand back up again. (In my memory, I was just completely preoccupied with trying to keep Rory out of the sun.) When the final drop of our margaritas were sipped and the last chip with guacamole was consumed, we all got up to go catch the sunset on the beach– bedtimes be damned! As we were walking, my brother in law carrying Rory and Jack on Mike’s shoulders (I was trailing behind with my phone snapping pictures), a man walked by us and said “it may not seem like it, but these are the best days of your life.” He got choked up telling us about his children; I got choked up thinking about how lucky we are. The air was cool and the sun was painting the sky with cotton candy colors and I said to Mike, “I’m so overwhelmed all the time but it’s the best kind of overwhelm.” I feel like I’m drowning most days– there’s always more to do and less time to do it in– and I’m touched out and overstimulated and my brain is most definitely mush. And they’re still the very best days. 🫶🏻
I’m Carly! I have been creating content online for over fifteen years- I started my blog my freshman year of college and now I’m a 34 year old mom of two little boys.
Right now I am finding the sweet spot of mothering and working. I am creating a magical, simple childhood for my boys while still finding time to do things that fill my own cup like working out, reading, practicing photography, and needlepointing.
I feel best when I put on a cute outfit in the morning and a tiny bit of makeup and have my hair blown out… but I also want to be comfortable and I am embracing my wrinkles and I’m letting my hair go grey.
My dream is to own a bookstore (one day!!), I am a huge homebody (major JOMO), and I’d love for to follow along! 🫶🏻
I love this post! It's so nice to see that we all agree that wearing hair down in the summer is just not logical! I'll often just throw my hair back into a ponytail, or wear a side braid! Great post!
P.S. I learned to braid on my American Girl dolls too!
xoxo, Katelyn
preppydaily.blogspot.com
Braids really are the perfect hairstyle for sweltering, hot days! I usually wear a side braid as I'm terrible at doing any other kinds of braids on my own hair. I'll definitely have to give these a try! Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo,
Christine
there will always be a special place in my heart for the classic french braid! it has always been a favorite and stays in place all day!
xoxo
makeshiftmunch.blogspot.com
love the new layout! esp the tortoiseshell + pink you mentioned previously ~ great post
this is a great post!!! i love braided hairstyles.
🙂
Carrie
http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/
the fishtail braid is always fun!
I just love these styles! One of my favorite braiding styles is the french braid! It is so classic!
Hunter
preponabudge.blogspot.com
I have the blonde version of this print 🙂
braids are such a cute go to hairstyle for me! They always make an outfit look more done up even if its just jeans and a tshirt.
Annie
A College Confession
These braids are all great solutions. I really like the Spencer inspired braid!
Katlyn
youngclassyandsassy.blogspot.com
I absoloutley love the idea of braids to keep your hair out of your face!
I found your blog when looking for new hair ideas for work actually! So glad I did! You have a new follower, check out my blog im just starting out
xox
dTm
holyprepter.blogspot.com
I need to watch a couple of these, I tend to stick to waterfall braids and french braids for summer. Love Maegan has a great tutorial on how to braid your hair across the back of your head and then tuck and pin it into an updo. I wear my hair that way a lot too.
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things
i love these braids (especially that painting!)
bellesinbows.blogspot.com
I love this! I've started to braid my hair too because my hair is long and way too thick for a pony tail.
Nice! I love Spencer's braid. I love her whole look. 🙂
–Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
I love this post!! I am obsessed with braids they are my go to for every day hairstyles when I'm not in the mood to curl or straighten my hair. This post definetly has given me some new ideas to try… I love how there are so many different braids you can do. Anywho love this post and hope you are enjoying your summer 🙂