Going to one of our STAY FIT 305 events means two things: 1) you're going to SWEAT... hard. And 2) you're going to leave with your hair braided by Elle Air Beauty Bar. We want you to enjoy those fly ass workout braids any time you want so we worked with Elle Air to put together 5 easy braids you can do at home before your workout, guaranteeing you're looking good while you're working out.A few tips before getting started...
Use dry shampoo before your workout so it's working while you're working! It'll absorb sweat and oil as your hair releases it vs. trying to fix it after your workout. Pick one up for $5 at your local pharmacy.
Use small elastic bands instead of the traditional pony holder - clear for Blondes, black for Brunettes, colorful to jazz it up!
Every time you finish a braid, lightly pull it apart as you go down so it looks extra voluminous
Now onto the braids, done by Elle Air stylist Shannon Atily, (@inthenameof_hair):
Dutch Braids
Part your hair from the crown of your head, between your eyebrows, to the base of your neck - this will create two even sections of hair on the left and right sides of your head. Section one off with an elastic band. With the other section, start at the top by grabbing a small section of hair toward the front of your part and part that into three. Start to braid, left section under the middle, right section under the middle, and grab a finger’s width worth of hair each time you braid sections under each other. Fasten on end with elastic. Repeat on other side. Braiding under is what gives you that raised braid look - and what makes it Dutch vs. French!
Fit Space Buns
Part your hair from the crown of your head, between your eyebrows, to the base of your neck - this will create two even sections of hair on the left and right sides of your head. Secure on section with an elastic. With other section, part from the top middle part to the top of your hair each ear to section off the front piece. Start at the top by grabbing a small section of hair toward the front of your part and part that into three. Start to braid, left section over the middle, right section over the middle, and grab a finger’s width worth of hair each time you braid sections over each other. Braid to the top, back of your head. Grab bottom section of unbraided hair and bring up to the braided hair to create a bun. Repeat with other section.
Quick Crown Dutch Braid
Part your hair from the crown of your head, between your eyebrows, to the base of your neck - this will create two even sections of hair on the left and right sides of your head. Section one off with an elastic band. With the other, starting at the ear, section into 3 sections and braid the left over the middle, the right over the middle, down to the bottom. Secure with elastic band and repeat on other side. This will be two simple braids toward the back of your head. Take one braid and flip it out and up to fasten at the top, middle of your head with a bobby pin, being sure to run the bobby pin through the elastic to make it more secure. Repeat with other side.
Lazy French Braid
Brush hair back, away from the forehead and face. Part top and bottom evenly into two sections. Secure bottom with elastic. With top section, part into two sections vertically, and tie as you would a knot - this makes the braid secure at the top. Untie bottom of hair and part separately into three sections. With the top left section, grab the bottom left section and pull over the bottom middle section. Repeat the same process on the right side. Braid down to the bottom and secure with elastic band.
Half Up, Half Down
Part your hair from the crown of your head, between your eyebrows, to the back top of your head. Part both sides to the top of the each ear to section off the front pieces. Brush front part back, away from the face. After your ear, part section into three and braid the “legs” of that section of hair to the bottom. Fasten braid with a small elastic band. Repeat on other side. Cross two braids in the back and secure with another elastic band or a bobby pin.You can get your hair braided by Elle Air at any time, starting at $25. They also are a full-service hair salon, offering color, cut, blow outs and more. Elle Air is located at 9480 Harding Avenue, Surfside, FL 33154.
Leigh Daniels is a South Beach local running her own public relations consultancy from the comfort of her yoga pants and latest pair of Nikes. When she's not putting out client fires or hopping from conference call to conference call, she is riding her bike along the beach, kayaking with her dog, or checking out the latest workout craze in Miami. Barre, spin and pilates are among Leigh's favorite workouts, but she's willing to try anything once.