So it took a while for me to catch on to this trend. I was not entirely feeling it for a while. But then I did the Sail away braid and I loved it. A couple days later, I happened to have my house to myself for several hours which literally never happens. I felt absolutely free and untethered. I played with scarves and braids all damn day. It took me a while to find my groove with scarf braids but I feel as if I hit my personal holy grail by the end of the day.

You will need a long silk scarf like this boho silk scarf wrap for these looks. You also might need some earrings like the ones I am wearing ( My holy grail of earrings) by Nikki J.

Here is how to get the look.

Scarf braid look 1.

This is a half up hairstyle that involves making a small french braid on either side of the head, incorporating a scarf into the braid, and then tying them together in the back and letting the free scarf ends hang loose.

1. Start by making a side part. Center the scarf on your head, about an inch behind your front hairline.

2. Take a small section of hair from either side of the braid. These 2 pieces along with your scarf will make up your 3 braiding strands.

3. Start your braid, and begin adding in hair with each overlap. Be careful not to pull the scarf off center.

4. Work your french braid back until you reach the point just above and behind your ear. At this point, your french braid turns into a regular braid.

5. Braid the free end until you get to the very ends of your hair. Now pin your scarf braid to the very back of your head.

6. Repeat on the other side with the other end of the scarf in another french braid.

7. Stop your french braid above and behind the ear and then braid down the free end.

8. Attach your second braid to the back of your head by criss-crossing another pin over your first one.

Now situate your scarf ends and rock your flow-y scarf-y retro boho  hairstyle this summer.

Or maybe you want something more polished and less hippie. If you do, then continue on with the holy grail….

Scarf braid look 2.

So pretty, right? And pretty easy, too. I love how this hairstyle shows off just a hint of color from the scarf without being too dramatic.

Here is how to do this one.

1. Start by doing scarf braid look 1.

2. Tie the ends of the scarf into a flouncy bow.

3. Take all the hanging loose hair and neatly twist the ends while drawing the hair up into a basket like shape. Use your fingers to tuck the scarf bow into the basket of hair. The scarf acts as your hair rat, which is awesome!

4. Now wind the ends of the twisted hair into a bun and pin it discreetly into you previously criss-crossed bobbies (see step 8 of look 1.)

Pretty from all angles. Are you inspired? Need more scarf inspiration?

xoxo, HTHG