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Aug 24 2007 01:00 PM ET

Beauty Trend Alert: Grown-Up Braids

Andrew Shawaf/Pacific coast news; Jill Johnson/jpi

No longer confined to playgrounds or dorm rooms, the newest interpretations of the classic style are sophisticated and chic. For a super easy nighttime look, Los Angeles celeb stylist Byron Williams recommends making two side braids, then wrapping them around each other to create a messy bun (or try wrapping them around your head like Mary-Kate Olsen). Even easier is just tossing in a french braid to the hairline, like Jessica Simpson — perfect for unruly bangs. Whatever style you choose, it’s important to add texture first so that the hair has enough grip to hold the braid. Apply a texturizing product like, Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Defining Pomade, Texture & Shine, $5 at drugstore.com to dry hair. After you’ve finished the braid, spritz your whole head with touchable firm hold hairspray, like Byron Power Hold Hair Spray, $25 at bybyron.com, to keep hair in place.

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I love braids! I think they look best when “imperfect”. Its when they are so tight and put together they look childish. Both Jess and MK look laid back and super cute with them.

- Heather on August 24th, 2007

Totally cute. I love the look on both of them. :)

- Frugalfashiongirl on August 24th, 2007

I am african american and I love braids they are a huge part of my culture- rather tight, straight to the bac corn rolls or loose and well put 2gether-braids are very cute… I love this look :)

- Krissy on August 24th, 2007

I love brads. But those are not the kind normal people would wear. I give Mary-Kate props for being an origonal but she has gone too far!

- Jenna on August 24th, 2007

mk looks GREAT! i’m super excited to see her in WEEDS. what a smart girls she is.

- jill on August 24th, 2007

Both their hair looks extremely messy.

- Pauline Carter on August 24th, 2007

i like mk’s look the best, she actually looks pretty decent!

- k on August 24th, 2007

I like the braids, what I don’t like- is Jessica’s hair. She used to have really nice hair, but since she began adding the fake- it’s took a drastic turn for the worse, poor girl. It looks so dry and brittle, not a good ad for her extensions. Nicole Ritchie too, when I see her hair it looks like it’s in need of a fake-hair rest. I think Britney and Mena did a good thing shaving their heads- if they can stop the addiction to instant long hair, because not everyone can wear a crewcut well.

- katie on August 25th, 2007

Very cute. I wear messy braids on occasion when I’m just lounging around. I also do my hair in a braid before I go to bed. I don’t like the tight braids at all, I remember my hair being done that way when I was little by my mom for school, so now I opt for the messy, loosy sort of braids, so this style really works for me.

From what I can see, MK actually looks decent here. Her hair is cute, and her make-up looks really nice. I like Jessica’s braids as well, she looks very laid back with her messy braids, very cute.

- Emilee ♥ on August 25th, 2007

MK’s style is a classic. Even “Aunt Mame” did that style to look “responsible” in the 1958 film by the same name. Actually both ladies have very clasic styles, braids have just been out of vogue for a few years.

- Seanan on August 27th, 2007

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