Statement hairstyles: how to do dutch braids & Afro bubble pigtails

HOW TO DO TEXTURED DUTCH BRAIDS

Dutch braids are the easiest braided style to pull off for all hair textures and are the perfect solution for lazy summer days or quick protective styling all year round.

Make your braids look effortless and lived-in by adding texture and volume with hair extensions and wisps of hair around the face.

Get the look:

1. Section about a third of the hair in the front and clip aside. This will be used later to create face-framing texture.

2. Create a middle parting along the other two thirds of hair from mid-crown to the nape of the neck, as you would when creating pigtails.

3. From the top of the parted sections, start to create a French braid, gathering more hair as you go.

4. For added volume and length, braid in Afro-textured hair extensions or a hair extension with a texture close to your natural hair - the more drama, the better. Once you reach the end, secure the hair with a thin hair elastic.

5. Repeat with the second section of hair and secure with an elastic.

6. Unclip the reserved hair section in front and prepare to texturise.

Beauty editor's tip: "All that you need is a spray bottle filled with a mix of water and a leave-in conditioner of your choice. After spraying the hair, apply a generous measure of curl-activating cream. I love the Cantu curl activator cream."

7. Accentuate the curly texture by using a hair diffuser in an upward scrunching motion to add volume and dry the hair slightly.

8. Finger-style the hair around the forehead and sides of the face to create framing pieces.

9. For a final touch, gently tug on the braids in an outward motion at random sections to make the braid look fuller and more lived-in.

HOW TO DO BUBBLE PIGTAILS

Incorporate Marley hair extensions to create braids, add length and volume.

Get the look:

1. Make sure you secure the hair extensions as much as possible. I like to secure the hair extensions tightly to the natural hair with bobby pins — no-one wants to lose their extension mid-hug.

2. To create these bubble pigtails, continue to tie elastics down the length of the ponytail at intervals to create the "bubble" effect.

HOW TO FINISH OFF BRAIDS WITH PERFECTLY TAME BABY HAIRS

We want edge control for many reasons. Make sure you are realistic about what you want to achieve based on your hair type.

Follow these tips:

• For less kinky hair, a simple edge tamer works applied with a toothbrush or fine-toothed comb. My favourite is the Design Essentials Edge Tamer.

• This will also work on more kinky hair, just add a bit of Eco Styling Gel.

• Allow product to set hairs in place by wrapping hair with a head scarf for a few minutes.

THE KIT

1. Eco Styler Gel Krystal Professional Styling Gel, from R80, available at Clicks.
2. Design Essentials Natural Edge Tamer, R180, available at Clicks.
3. ghd Tail Comb, R200.
4. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Grow Leave-in Conditioner, R250.
5. Cantu Shea Butter Moisturising Curl Activator Cream, R84.

• Photographer's assistant: Masixole Ncevu. Hair: Khomotso Moloto using Frika Marley Afro Extensions. Make-Up: Kelli Fuchs-Rosen/One League using Mac & Swiitch Beauty. Models: Anita Jansen/Boss Models, Gladys Brown/Boss Model and Reabetswe Fila Ranamane/Ice Models Cape Town. Fashion Assistant: Keneilwe Pule.