We’ve been getting a little twisted here at Crown Hair recently…twisted into braids that is!  The braid has been ‘back’ endless times throughout the years; which leads us to believe it never went away.

Braids were used throughout the ages by different cultures as a functional style to keep the wearer cool and comfortable as they worked or played, although the style itself dates back 3,500 B.C and steeped throughout history.

We asked Crown Hair’s Junior Stylist Diana Jalo about the benefits of braiding.

“It’s a good way to keep hair our of your face, but also looking neat. It’s a protective hairstyle, so it protects the rest of your hair from being frayed from hair ties as much.”

Diana explains that braiding is a good way for the heat-tool obsessed among us to give their a hair break. If you leave your braids in for long enough, braiding can also stimulate the scalp, which can promote growth.

Wondering what to use if you’re planning to plait at home? “If you’re braiding hair, I like to use a paste, or something that provides a bit more grip, because traditionally you’d be braiding Afro hair which naturally has quite a bit grip to it. Caucasian, or even silkier hair types tend not to grip. I would use something like R+Co’s Mannequin paste, or R+Co’s Motorcycle. Any kind of paste or wax will work,” explains Diana.

Diana says she’s particularly a fan of braiding because of the endless possibilities as a style.

“There’s so much you can do with a braid, a braid doesn’t have to be three strands, or two plaits, it can be a whole cornrow of braids, upside down into a bun, as a headband, partial braiding… it has a lot of diversity, and there are a lot of different ways to do it. “

“If you’re using treatments at home, or even leaving the salon with an Olaplex treatment in your hair, and you don’t want to walk around with damp hair in your way – a braid or plait can make your hair look neat and it looks good on any age group,” says Diana.

Want to be part of the braid brigade? Next time you visit us at Crown Hair, ask us about booking an appointment to get your hair braided by Diana or our Senior Stylist Sophie Mosca.

All photo’s courtesy of Crown Hair Instagram @crowndarlinghurst