Perfect Hairstyles For A Windy City Winter

The only thing worse than dressing up like the Abominable Snowman this time of the year?Having a perpetually bad-hair day. Seriously, between the notorious Chicago wind and coiff-crushing hats, conquering the elements seems like an exercise in futility. Well, hold on to your (winter) chapeau, ladies. We're here to prove otherwise. 

We called upon celebrity-hair guru (and Trump Tower salon owner) Anthony Cristiano forsome serious winterizing-style advice. This master of manes has three, chic braided-looks that are guaranteed to keep you looking gorgeous no matter what Old Man Winter has in store. Whether your goal is to simply keep your locks out of your face (and lip gloss) or you're in need of a full-blown, snow-proof 'do, we promise, you'll be able to whip up one of these styles faster than it takes to dress up in all those layers.

Gorgeous Ways to Braid Hair This Fall

Here’s my roundup of fabulous ways to braid your hair this fall.

Off to the Side

This is such a fun, flirty hairstyle. I've started with a French braided fishtail on the far side near my ear. Once I got to the nape of my neck, I started an alternative braid and left out the front section of hair so that from the front, this style looks like all my hair is left down.

A Quick Fishtail

I absolutely adore this hairstyle. You take two sections from the front and secure them in back with a clear elastic. Then make a little topystail out of it by pulling the tail up and through the gap that's between your scalp and your elastic. Then do a simple fishtail. I pulled out the pieces and made it look extra messy!

Inverted Braided Bangs

This is such a fast hairstyle that can easily be added to. It gets your bangs and hair out of your face, but leaves you feeling feminine with hair still left on your neck.

French Braided Messy Bun

In a hurry? Didn't have time to wash your hair? French braid it back and pull it up into a messy bun. Done!

The fabulous Waterfall Braid

This is one of my most favorite braids.

How to Fishtail Braid

1.) Divide your hair into two large sections, parting straight down the middle. 

For a sharper look, you can use a comb to part your hair evenly. If you'd prefer the tousled Katniss Everdeen (from The Hunger Games) look, though, simply part it with your hands.

2.) Pull a thin strand of hair from the outside of the left section. 

Pull it over the top of the left section, and grasp it under the right section.

• In other words, the strand of hair has gone over the left section and finishes under the right section. 
• In general, try to use the same thickness for each strand throughout or your braid will look uneven. 
• For a more intricate braid, use skinnier strands. It takes more effort, but it looks gorgeous. Using skinnier strands is very lovely. 
• For a beginner, pulling it tighter helps you to learn the method properly. 

3.) Repeat on the right side.

Pull a skinny strand of hair from the outside of the right section, pull it over the right section, then weave it under the left section.

The History Of Braid

       A braid (also called plait) is a complex structure or pattern formed by intertwining three or more strands of flexible material such as textile fibres, wire, or hair. Compared to the process ofweaving a wide sheet of cloth from two separate, perpendicular groups of strands (warp and weft), a braid is usually long and narrow, with each component strand functionally equivalent in zigzagging forward through the overlapping mass of the others.

   The simplest possible braid is a flat, solid, three-strand structure in some countries/cases called a plait. More complex braids can be constructed from an arbitrary (but usually odd) number of strands to create a wider range of structures: wider ribbon-like bands, hollow or solid cylindrical cords, or broad mats which resemble a rudimentary perpendicular weave.

Braids are commonly used to make rope, decorative objects, and hairstyles^[1] (also see pigtails, French braid). Complex braids have been used to create hanging fibre artworks. Braiding is also used to prepare horses' manes and tails for showing, polo and polocrosse.^[2]

Four Strand Braid

Headband braid trial