Maiden Braid
The maiden braid… When I look at it, it seems to capture the scent of the steppe, warm bursts of sunlight, and the faded hues of evening twilight. Great painters have celebrated the maiden braid, and countless poems have been written about it. Just think of all the folk songs composed in its honor! And then there are the documentary images that linger in memory: the girls of ’41 donning soldiers’ overcoats. In a moment, with a hurried motion, they cut off their braids. Those severed locks, tied with rainbow ribbons and left for their mothers, are unforgettable.
Perhaps that’s why I find it hard to understand a girl who sits in a salon chair and asks for a trendy haircut instead of a braid. When you have a solid grasp of hairstyling, it’s not hard to tell which hairstyle suits a given face shape. But first, I want to convince you that no trendy cut beats the beauty of long, healthy hair.
Today’s fashion leans toward a soft, feminine look, and hairstyles have followed suit. Braids, once sidelined, are confidently coming back. They do take more time to maintain, but long-haired styles make a woman look graceful and charming.
As I recommend a few styles to young women and girls, I also want to remind you that your grandmothers and mothers can be great guides on modern braided styles. After all, what’s new in fashion is often just something old that’s been well forgotten.
Long, thick hair can be braided into a single plait that runs from the nape to the crown, then fanned out and secured with large pins. One fashionable style is the “crown” — part the hair down the middle and braid two sections, placing one braid higher and the other lower. The “Basket” style also looks great — two braids pinned high at the back of the head. Young girls can wear braids twisted into circles around their ears. A waist-length braid looks elegant; tied into a bun, it highlights the face.
There are also plenty of options for medium-length hair. Loose, straight hair that falls freely over the shoulders and back suits many girls. The key to this hairstyle is impeccable cleanliness. If your hair gets oily quickly, wash it every three to four days.
Heading to the theater or a formal evening event? Adorn your hair with a velvet or satin ribbon tied at the nape. Hair gathered high and woven with a silk ribbon at wide intervals looks romantic.
Use large curlers to create curls or waves.
