You may not know her by name, but chances are, if you have so much as glanced at Pinterest, you’ve definitely seen fashion and beauty blogger Amber Fillerup’s famous braids. Her mermaid-like locks and romantic braids have inspired millions of women, from young brides to the pros at Tresemme. Recreating Amber’s braided updos might seem like a daunting task, especially for those without waist-length hair. But a few short steps and a little bit of patience will result in an enviable braided half-updo in no time.
[how to]
1 | Start with slightly curled hair. If you don’t have naturally wavy hair, use a curling iron to create a few low-hanging curls. Apply an anti-frizz serum as needed.
2 | Take a section of hair, preferably above your ear and twist it to the back of your head. Pin it in place. Take a similar-sized section from the other side and twist it back
3 | Once both sides are pulled back and twisted, take a clear elastic hair tie and tie the two sections of hair together. If your hair tends to shift, you can remove the hair pin or pin down both sections.
4 | Because Amber’s braids are known for their signature thickness, loosen your twisted sections with your fingers, but don’t completely pull the hair out of the twists. It will give your hair a thick, full appearance. Smooth bumps as needed.
5 | Take your ponytail and the hair underneath and divide it in two sections. Working from top to bottom, create a regular fishtail braid. If you’re not a braiding aficionado, you can create a regular braid and still get the same effect.
6 | Like you did with your twisted hair sections, pull out some of the braided sections without unraveling the braid. It will make your hair look much thicker. Frame your face and pull your front layers out to create a more boho-chic look. You can always keep your front strands perfectly in place if you want a slicker, more polished appearance.
Photo: barefootblonde.com
