The idea: You’re creating a French braid on each side of the head (from the ear up; not the top down); then crisscrossing them at the center of your head and bringing both braids around to the back, where they get secured with bobby pins.

Product note: Joico Beach Shake Texturizing Finishing Spray infuses the hairstyle here with “grabby” hold, and gives fullness to the braids after you’ve loosened them up.

The idea: You pull most of your hair up into a high top-knot, leaving several small sections loose in the back of the head. Each section gets fashioned into a super-thin mini braid; then pulled up and twisted over each other and secured into the top-knot. It’s a riff on much more elaborate cornrows, providing the look of texture without the intricate work. (Bonus, those braids “cage” any flyaways that might be unleashed from the top knot.)

Easy option note: If you want to skip the updo, simply let the rest of the hair fall loosely over your thin braids – they’ll play peekaboo throughout the day, adding interest to your loose ‘do.

The idea: It starts with simply pulling a section of hair from the side of the hair, braiding it, and then bringing it back and around, where it’s bobby-pinned to the head. And repeating the same move on the other side; effectively creating a “tiara” that’s glimpsed from the back.

Product note: Joico Beach Shake Texturizing Finishing Spray lends hold and volume to the rest of the hair, which is curled and worn loose; and “fluffs” up the braids that are loosened for a more natural touch.