Dressy Braids

• Braided updo hairstyles can be dressy or casual. The braided face frame, for example, which is made only from the hair around your hairline, can act as a hairband, holding your hair partially off your face. For a dressier look, braid the rest of your hair into this hairline braid and pin it up. (Until you get used to how to make this braid, have someone do it for you, so you know it is done right.)
  
  

Variations

• If you have medium to very long hair, you can take the hair from your front hairline and weave a hairline Dutch braid that creates a kind of "net" for the hair that is staying loose. You can dress this style up with flowers, clips or ribbons.
  Another way of braiding your hair is to create the Elizabethan braid. This is a looser, softer style that also leaves some hair down.
  
  A very soft, romantic look is the combination hairline face frame braid with a two- strand twist. For this, you take hairline strands and very loosely incorporate them into your braid. While you're doing this, you're also making two braids and a "hair veil" with your hair. Instead of pulling each lock snug against your head, allow them to drape very softly around your face, neck and shoulders.