Banishing Bad Hair Days since 1997!™

Hair Tip - Ashlee Simpson Braids

Introduction

Image of Ashlee Simpson wearing tight hairline braids 19th Annual Fulfillment Fund "Achievement Awards" at the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA 06-11-05

Image of Ashlee Simpson as a red head Unveiling of XBOX's Next Generation Console Avalon, Hollywood, CA May 5, 2005

In 2004 HairBoutique.com did a survey of visitors asking whether they preferred Ashlee as a blonde or brunette. Of the 1,379 people that voted, 677 or 49.09% indicated that they preferred Ashlee in her former blonde shade.

A total of 272 or 19.72% preferred her brunette version. Approximately 21.7% or 292 respondents simply don't care whether she was blonde or brunette.

Surprise! Ashlee recently added yet another hair color to her repertoire.

Recently Ashlee changed her hair color from her charcoal black to a soft multi-hued red with the help of her favorite and long time colorist, Rita Hazan.

The beautiful younger Simpson also went with a newly designed shorter razored bob style with soft sultry side swept bangs that harkens back to some of her blonde bobs that she wore when she was appearing on TV's 7th Heaven.

Ashlee has stunning eyes and shorter hairstyles, especially when worn with side swept bangs really draw attention to her beautiful face and eyes.

Image of Ashlee Simpson as a brunette 2004 Billboard Music Awards MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, NV December 08, 2004

Ashlee has been gravitating to shorter styles since the late Fall of 2004 when she had her longer locks chopped off. In fact, the actual chopping event was included in one of Ashlee's Reality TV show episodes. Her mom was filmed right after the chop commenting on her displeasure at Ashlee's shorter style.

On June 11th (shown at the very top of the page) Ashlee appeared at a Hollywood awards show with her bobbed red locks slicked back off her face, parted to one side and captured in the back in a tiny pony. Along either side of her hair was a charming accent braid that honors the hot new braided hair trend.

Braids are sweeping Hollywood and have been seen on Jessica, Paris Hilton and Mandy Moore, to name a few of the celebs adopting the cool summer style.

The braided pony look is stunning and gives Ashlee a fresh, All American look that is completely different from her previous Joan Jett look.

Image of Ashlee Simpson as a blonde Premiere of "EuroTrip" at The Chinese Theatre Hollywood, CA February 17, 2004

The rocker looks fabulous, bright and shiny. Although her hair is basically red, it appears that the color has softened and gives Ashlee almost a strawberry blonde hue with lots of soft highlights and glints. Her color looks as beautiful as the fresh new style.

Steal Ashlee's Braided Style

Ashlee is wearing a simple three strand braid that forms a border on either side of her head.

If your hair is the same length as Ashlee's, a tighter braid may be needed to neatly tuck all the hair in.

It's also perfectly OK to cheat a little and use bobby pins the same color as your hair to help hold any strands in place that might pop out.

STEP 1

Image of Ashlee Simpson with braid at the Kodak Theatre Hollywood, CA June 11, 2005

Start by washing and conditioning your hair with your favorite shampoo and rinse-out conditioner designed to address your specific hair type (normal, dry, oily), texture (straight, curly, wavy) and current condition. Keep in mind that it's easier to braid hair when it is either newly washed or damp. This allows the braids to dry tighter in place against the scalp.

(Shampoo to try: Paves Professional - FLAWless No Sulfates Allowed Repairing Shine Shampoo For Dry Damaged Hair, Phyto - Phytocitrus - Vital Radience Shampoo for colored hair, Rene Furterer - Fioravanti Silkening Shampoo - 5.1 oz)

STEP 2

Towel blot your hair to remove excess moisture. Apply your favorite leave-in conditioner, detangling product or a styling cream, mousse or gel. Distribute product completely through strands avoiding the root area.

(Products to try: Rene Furterer - Fioravanti No Rinse Detangling Spray, Phyto - Phyto 7 - Daily Hydrating Cream, Paves Professional - FLAWless Red Carpet Firm Hold Repairing Styling Mousse For Dry Damaged Hair)

STEP 3

Use a wide tooth comb to detangle strands. Ashlee has her hair combed completely back off her face and parted on the right side. Note: It's possible to create a similar look that includes bangs. If you desire bangs, use the comb to create at this point. Clip bangs off to one side.

STEP 4

Starting on either side of the part, use your fingers to pick up a section of hair that is approximately 2-2 1/2" inches wide and is even with the hair part.

STEP 5

Pull the new section up and angle it towards the back of your head. Separate the new strand into three equal strands continuing to direct the strand towards the back of the head.

STEP 6

Pull the new section up and towards the back of the head. Separate the new strand into three equal strands continuing to direct the strand towards the back of the head.

STEP 7

Cross the bottom of the three strands that is closest to the ear over the middle strand. The bottom strand, after it is crossed over, becomes the new middle strand. Tighten the braid and then cross the middle strand under the top strand which then becomes the new middle strand. Tighten the new plait.

STEP 8

Continue braiding the entire strand until it gets to the end of the strand. Tie off the braid with a Blax or elastic coated "hair friendly" band that matches the hair color.

STEP 9

Complete the same process on the other side of the head.

STEP 10

Temporarily clip the two new braid to the side. Use a wide tooth comb to smooth the remaining chunk of hair at the back of the head.

Pull the hair up into a small ponytail so that the base of the ponytail is positioned in the middle of the back of the head. Fasten the ponytail with a Blax or pony elastic the same color as your hair.

STEP 11

Unclip the two braids. Pull the ends of the two braids together pin them under the base of the ponytail to help camouflage the bobby pins.

Style any bangs if desired.

STEP 12

Spray with hairspray and add a slight dab of shine serum. Smooth any loose strands with a dab of gel or with a spritz of hairspray.

(Hairsprays to try: Paves Professional - FLAWless Convertible-Proof Firm Hold Repairing Hair Spray for Dry Damaged Hair - 10 fl oz).

(Shine products to try: Paves Professional - FLAWless In The Spotlight Greaseless Essential Oil Shine Serum For Dry Damaged Hair).

Summary

Ashlee Simpson understands that a brand new color, cut or style can instantly change your whole look - or simply freshen up your image - like in the case of her recent braided style. Bravo to Ashlee for a fabulous new do.

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

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