Disney Darling Dove Cameron Shows Off Five Braids You Need to Try
In this story: hair, Jeanie Syfu for Atelier Management; makeup, Kajsa Svanberg at Art Department; nails, Rieko Okusa for Susan Price NYC; backgrounds, courtesy of Paper Source.
1/7When 19-year-old Disney star Dove Cameron appears on screen during the premiere of her new movie, Descendants (directed by Kenny Ortega, the man behind the High School Musical phenomenon), that airs tonight on the Disney Channel, you might not recognize her. The usually glam blonde beauty plays Mal, the offspring of the ultimate villain, Maleficent. For her epic evil transformation, Dove ditched her bombshell strands for an edgy purple wig and lashes and a gaunt visage. "The wig was ridiculously cool-looking," says Dove. "I'd get home at the end of the night, look in the mirror and see my blonde hair. I just wanted my purple hair back!" she says. Dove's new role is just another step in the impressive young star's evolution. The actress/singer has experienced a string of pinch-me moments over the past few years, including not only working with, but being the on-screen daughter of her ultimate idol, Kristin Chenoweth, who plays Maleficent. "When I met her, I was so excited I started ugly crying," says Dove. "The experience was perfect. I learned so much from her," she adds.
When Dove isn't acting, singing, hanging with her BF-slash-BFF (actor Ryan McCartan), or baking ("I just really love donuts," she jokes), she's a normal 19-year-old. "I had the longest awkward phase. I had braces for 3 years, I cut my own bangs too far back and they looked like a bowl cut, and I broke my nose twice," she reminisces. Well, she came out of it flawlessly, and she looks amazing.
We teamed up with Dove to show off the season's coolest braids. From intricate twists and turns, to cool updates on your fave classics, consider this your ultimate braidspiration.
2/7Making An Entrance
"I'm made up so much of my life," says Dove, who started acting at the age of 8. "So my every day look is usually some kind of oil in my hair, a topknot, tons of moisturizer, and tinted lip balm. I'll maybe add a little mascara. Also, I'm recently obsessed with cream blush. I love the ones by Tarte," she says. And her thoughts on the Hollywood contouring craze that so many of her peers play with? "I'm too pale! It looks stunning on other people, but doesn't work for me. I'm into highlighting. That's the pale person's version of contouring," she says. Pre-plaits, Dove is as gorgeous as ever.
Express shirt, $20. express.com. Her own necklace.
3/7A Twisted Tale
"The florals and minimal makeup kept it feminine and fresh, while the clothes and hair made a bold statement for the perfect balance," says hairstylist Jeanie Syfu. Pair a haphazard woven wonder with a structured headband for an ultra-chic juxtaposition. A touch of soft pink blush like Sephora Collection Colorful Blush in Love At First Sight and a swipe of lip balm like Chanel Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip Care completes the tough-yet-pretty spirit.
Simone Rocha dress, Dover Street Market New York, NYC. Tees by Tina turtleneck, $58. teesbytina.com. Jennifer Behr headband, $298. jenniferbehr.com. Pearl Collective ring, $400. pearlcollective.com. On her right ear: Stylist's own ear cuff. On her left ear: Pearl Collective earring, $420 for the pair. pearlcollective.com.
4/7Crowning Glory
"Dove has such a sweet, angelic look, so I wanted to go in the opposite direction and give her some edgy braids that she could have fun with," says Syfu. "All the styles were up and pulled back from her face. I created some unexpected shapes that you wouldn't normally see her sporting." To achieve Dove's modern milkmaid, start by parting hair down the middle. Then, gather hair in two ponytails — one behind each ear. Next, weave each pony into a fishtail and wrap the braids across the top of the head, securing with bobby pins. Pull the plaits apart for an undone feel.
Cynthia Rowley jacket, $450. cynthiarowley.com. Bond Hardware brooch, $90. bond-hardware.com.
5/7Two Timing
Amp up your average pigtails by weaving them into two braids. "I started with a three-strand braid and then picked up small sections of hair and added as I worked my way down," says Syfu. Leave the braids loose for a more relaxed feel. "Tighter braids are polished and sophisticated, but the cool new way to braid is more youthful," Syfu says. Spray the finished style with Tresemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for a deconstructed vibe.
Red Valentino dress, $595. Similar styles at Red Valentino, Las Vegas, NV. No. 21 top, shopbop.com. Fallon necklace, $440. fallonjewelry.com. On her right ear: Stylist's own ear cuffs. On her left ear: Meadowlark earring, $1,285. meadowlarkjewellery.com.
6/7Bun Head
What goes best with braided Bantu buns? Blasting Bjork, of course. Dove had a full-on dance party when this look was complete. "Because today is all about the braids, we wanted to keep the makeup very fresh," says makeup artist Kajsa Svanberg. She even added some adorable freckles using Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe and Caramel. "Alternating the colors made the overall feel more natural," she adds. Not all freckles are created equally!
Markoo top, $540. markoostudios.com. Tibi top (worn underneath), $295. tibi.com. Martine Ali necklace. martineali.com. On her right ear: Stylist's own ear cuffs. On her left ear: Wouters & Hendrix earring, $175 for the pair. Annelore, NYC.
7/7Rebel Yell
"Each braid turned Dove into a new person. She became different characters with each one," says Syfu. If hours spent on YouTube still have you totally confused when it comes to mastering the art of the braid, Syfu has a trick for you. "Try a two-strand rope braid," she says. "That's just twisting your hair. Adding the third strand can be difficult. It becomes easier with practice," she says. Whether you try a full-on faux-hawk or simple side braid, first apply Tresemmé Perfectly (Un)done Wave Creation Sea Foam, made with sea kelp, to give strands a mattified, plump texture. "It makes hair not-so-slippery, so it's easier to work with and creates amazing texture," says Syfu.
Daniel Silverstain jacket, danielsilverstain.com. Fallon ring, $110. fallonjewelry.com. Stylist's own earring.
