The Five Coolest Braids Ever for Prom
1/5Fly Girl
One sweet braided detail turns a simple style into a high-impact look. Give your hair a weightless quality like Eline's with Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème. Eline wears a Sister by Sibling cardigan. Mike Frederiqo T-shirt, $66. David Yurman earrings. Chanel necklace.
2/5Undercut
"Braids are great for changing the shape of your hair without cutting it," hairstylist Sam McKnight muses about this commitment-free homage to model Alice Dellal's famed punky undercut. "They have to be tight to emulate shaved hair." To give strands some grip—and a cool nineties-grunge edge—try rough blow-drying with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray. Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet jacket. Meadham Kirchhoff T-shirt. Sister by Sibling skirt. Suzanna Dai earrings, $215.
3/5Plaits, Please
Take a classic French braid and make it your own. To get this look, "gently pull the loops of the braid out. Tease them with a brush and loosen them up so it looks slightly unfinished," instructs McKnight. "It's a bit tougher—less pretty, but very modern." J. Crew shirt, $110. Lela Rose lace blouse. Coldwater Creek earrings, $40.
4/5Halo Effect
With braided updos, be careful to not go "too Heidi," warns McKnight. Pile braids on top of the head, securing loosely to keep them from looking stiff. Finish with a soft-hold hairspray, like Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Lasting Volume Hairspray. Chanel jacket. Kate Spade New York top, $228. Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, $163.
In this story: hair, Sam McKnight at Premier Hair & Makeup; makeup, Lauren Parsons at Premier Hair & Makeup; manicure, Trish Lomax using OPI.
5/5Haute Hawk
For the Chanel pre-fall show in Scotland, Karl Lagerfeld provided two rather disparate references for inspiration: an African princess and Mary, Queen of Scots, recalls McKnight as he translates the look for teens. "A mix of homegirl braids in the back and a little rockabilly coif in front make for a really good juxtaposition," he explains. Give limp hair a texture boost with Tresemmé Fresh Start Color Care Dry Shampoo. Ryan Lo vest. R.J. Graziano earrings, $85.
