The image of a bushy-haired, smugly obtrusive witch may be a fun fad, but it’s not the typecast on which to build a lasting career in the Hollywood Nouveau. So since the end of the Harry Potter franchise, Emma Watson has been busy reinventing her image. She cut her hair into a fashionable, mod-inspired crop; and now she’s the sexy, nefarious bad girl in Sofia Coppola’s new flick, The Bling Ring. Here she shows us how to make a beatnik milkmaid braid upscale and elegant. Keeping hair up and off the face, she raises the profile of her cheekbones and chin, while creating room for her dazzling jewelry to sparkle. The look exemplifies that twines can be used for more than the disheveled elegance of modern street stye; keep them polished, refined, combined with the right ensemble, and braids can also be a special occasion ‘do. For tips on creating milkmaids like Emma’s, see below.
Step: Prep hair with KEVIN MURPHY FRESH HAIR dry shampoo. Layer into hair, shake and tousle with hands, creating a gritty texture with lots of grip –– which is perfect for braiding.
Step: Divide crown into two sections. Loosely braid each of the two sections into its own two-strand entwine. Secure each side with elastic. Grab one of the braids and cross it over the opposite braid. Pin in place. Repeat on the opposite side, creating a polished milkmaid braid.
