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Hair How-To: Messy Reverse French Braids

March 2nd, 2015 by Karen 22 Comments

Messy reverse french braid

I rue the day that sleek, perfect, not-one-hair-out-of-place hairstyles come back into fashion because, duuuuude! — when that happens, I’m pretty much screwed.

Take this messy reverse French braid, par exemple. I don’t know why, but whenever I wear it, I usually get one or two compliments, and it seems like the messier and crazier it looks, the more it makes an impression.

Long live messy hair! 😀

Here’s how I do it…

  • I start by prepping my roots with a dry hairspray to add some lift and volume (here I used Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle for oily Hair).
  • Next, I spray a texturizing spray from mid-shaft to the ends, and my ride-or-die is Kerastase Spray a Porter (SERIOUSLY THE BEST!!).
  • Then, I part my hair and do a reverse French braid (which is basically the same thing as a regular French braid, but instead of pulling the hair over to create the braid, you pull it under) on one side, and secure it with an elastic ponytail holder.

    Then I do the same thing with the other side until it meets the first braid. After that, I gently pull the elastic off the first braid and use it to secure both braids together at the point where they meet.

  • A quick spritz of an uber-hold hairspray (like Kerastase Laque Noire Extra Strong Hold or something similar) all over, and I’m done.

Messy reverse French braid

Messy reverse French braid

Messy reverse French braid

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Nettle
Klorane Dry Shampoo With Nettle
Messy reverse french braid
Kerastase Spray a Porter
Kerastase Laque Noire Extra Strong Hold
Kerastase Laque Noire Extra Strong Hold

I love how easy this style is (takes less than 10 minutes once you get the hang of it) and that it doesn’t require any heat styling or fancy doodads. Plus, because it’s purposefully messy, I can pretty much let the hair do whatever it wants and just say, “Yeah…I meant to do that.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hair How-To: Messy Reverse French Braids / Originally published March 2nd, 2015

There are 22 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Comments

  1. LindaLibraLoca says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    I love this braiding technique. The messier the better.
    It has become my go-to hairstyle since the hair lost due to having a baby grows back. No chance in making anything look sleek…
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Whats in my travel skincare bag?

    Reply
  2. Agata says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 6:35 pm

    I love this! Unfortunately I’m not very good either at a French braid or a reverse one. I will have to practice although right now I think my hair is too short anyways.
    Agata recently posted … Voluminous Hair in 1,2,3…

    Reply
    • Agata says

      March 3rd, 2015 at 7:24 am

      Btw, Karen what makeup are you wearing in this post? The lip color and the cheeks look so pretty!
      Agata recently posted … Lorac Unzipped Gold Palette- Review and Swatches

      Reply
  3. Laarni says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    I love it, Karen! Well, I am the most boring person when it comes to hair! hahaha!
    Laarni recently posted … Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks in Pleasure Me Red

    Reply
  4. Erin says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    I wish I could braid better. I’m hopeless!
    Erin recently posted … Derma E Soothing Series

    Reply
  5. Alyssa Melanie says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    You make it sound so easy! I’m going to try it now and see if I can do it too. 🙂
    Alyssa Melanie recently posted … Chanel & The Face Shop International Giveaway (March 2015)

    Reply
  6. Rae // theNotice says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    Karen, this messy braid is so cute!! I’m not sure if I still have enough hair to make it work, but I’m definitely going to give it a try 😛
    Rae // theNotice recently posted … A week away | theNotice goes to Toronto!

    Reply
  7. Bits says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    I know I’m supposed to be looking at your hair but… what are you wearing on your cheeks?? Love your makeup in these photos!

    Reply
  8. Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says

    March 2nd, 2015 at 10:46 pm

    You looking so prettyyy Karen.. the french braid totally suits you..u should do it more often!! 😉

    I suck at styling my hair but you are inspiring me to try my hands on it 😉
    Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters recently posted … Lancome Le Crayon Kohl – Noir Review, Swatch, EOTD

    Reply
  9. sone says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 12:38 am

    Really digging the look on u Karen! Sweet ,laidback n fun!

    Reply
  10. Kim says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 7:49 am

    It’s been forever since I’ve done a french braid (or reverse) and I’ve only ever done a single, straight down the back. I like this “pig tail” version. I think I’ll give it a whirl before tonight’s workout. Even if it’s a disaster, it’s just to keep the hair out of my face and only my fam will see it. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Fancie says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 9:51 am

    This is such a cute style on you! I suck at braiding but I think I want to give this a try lol
    Fancie recently posted … MAC Bao Bao Wan Collection for Spring 2015

    Reply
  12. Kelly B. says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 10:53 am

    This is so pretty on you! I love to wear braids in my hair so I’m definitely going to give this a go!
    Kelly B. recently posted … Spring e.l.f. Haul!

    Reply
  13. Adrienne says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 11:37 am

    THIS is the kind of stuff I really need a video for! I cannot figure out how to get my arms up high enough or at the right angle or how to hold my hair or what, which is strange because I learned to braid really quickly (lanyards were my first for what it’s worth, not hair).

    Reply
  14. Gloria says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    Oh, this is interesting!! I was trying to do a loop of reverse french braids last saturday but couldn’t finish.. I spend maybe 30min and 3 tryouts… However I failed at the back side or from back to the other side (if you know what I mean). I was so confused when I changed the way to hold the braids (from left to right), and messed up.
    Gave up.

    Instead, I’ll try this style. It looks way easier to manage!
    It’s always fun to see your post, btw. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Mary says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    gorgeous as usual! love the earrings….spill

    Reply
  16. Tatiana says

    March 3rd, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I’ve had short hair for most of my adult life. I am hopeless when it comes to hairstyling, but somehow my daughter has figured out how to french braid her hair all on her own.
    I love your makeup in these photos, what are you wearing on your cheeks and lips? It’s just so beautiful. Also love that nail polish color.

    Reply
  17. Kiss & Make-up says

    March 4th, 2015 at 5:33 am

    So pretty! I’m a big braid fan. Plaits for life!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector in 03 My Pink

    Reply
  18. Heloisa says

    March 5th, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Hi, Karen! If messy hair ever gets out of style, I’ll probably stick to the old times and gladly settle for “démodé” 😛

    Your reverse French braids look amazing, and this is such a beautifying, sweet makeup! I love it on you and think it would look great for everybody. Sadly, it would me look super young, TOO young. Like a 15 year old or something (I’m turning 25 next week). Yesterday, I talked to a boy around 12 years old when I was heading home after eating sushi at the local mall. We were chatting about the alligators in the local stream that crosses the neighborhood and leads toward the mangrove swamp. I told him I was studying to become a Geography teacher. He asked me my age, got surprised, and said I looked MUCH younger, emphasizing the MUCH part. 🙁

    I’m gonna try the hairdo tomorrow night for a party. Usually I think the messier, the better, but somehow, I feel my braids will need a lot of effort to achieve the rocker, cool, “I don’t give sh*t” messy level, instead of “just got out of bed with a hangover” 😛

    Reply
  19. Amanda G says

    March 7th, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    Also commonly called a Dutch braid. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Maddie says

    March 31st, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Great tutorial! This hairstyle is so cute, I love it. I will definitely have to try to out for my hair and see how I like it. Hopefully it looks as good as it did on you! Your makeup is gorgeous, by the way. You look great!

    Reply
  21. Maddie says

    April 1st, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    By the way, in addition to my last comment, here is a great blog that I highly recommend going to for some more hair tips. It’s really great: http://www.aroundthehair.com

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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