Master a braided crown once and for all with this Valentine’s Day hair gif tutorial

What people say about a woman’s hair being her crowning glory has never been truer than it is with braided crowns because they look like, uh, literal crowns—it’s in the name. Jared Leto may have stolen our hearts when he flaunted that sexy man braid (is mraid a thing?) at the Golden Globes, but we’re one-upping him and going big for Valentine’s Day.

Believe it or not, it’s not that difficult to master braided crowns. They only require a comb, a few bobby pins, elastic bands and steady hands.

1. Use a comb to divide your hair into two sections, making sure each side has an equal amount of hair that can be used for the braiding process. Next, grab your brush and start combing both sides. The best way to achieve this easy, yet so glamourous, look is to work with straight, knot-free hair. For curly ladies, no need to grab the straightener, simply comb your hair through.

2. For those familiar with a typical French braid, this next step will be easy. Simply start braiding around the bottom of your head while grabbing two to three-inch sections of hair as you braid to create an even look. Make sure to cross your hair under (not over) during the braiding process.

3. Once you have braided around the circumference of your head, simply continue braiding the end pieces and tie with a rubber elastic (don’t worry, we’re cutting them off at the end) and place carefully at the top of your head.

4. Attach the braid to the top of your head with bobby pins to create a never-ending halo. Then snip off the elastic bands and throw away. If you want a messier look, simply widen the braids with your fingers. Voila! A braided crown that won’t budge all night.

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