Found: 13 Awesome Instagram Braids

At Brit + Co, we are fans of every kind of braid. Fishtails and Frenchies are fair game in our book, but sometimes even we can run dry on hairspiration. That’s when we turn to Instagram! We’re seriously amping up our braid game with these Insta finds from celebs and braid-junkies alike.

1. Braid Crown: Why not treat your hair like royalty and braid it atop your head like a crown. We love this look for special occasions, especially if you can’t whip up a flower crown. (via @undercoverpuppylover)

2. Edgy Side Braid: In lieu of the shaved side trend, this one-sided French braid is a less permanent alternative that’s equally edgy. And how rad would it look with an ear cuff? We love how Cara D is rocking this look with a metallic blazer. Totally rock ‘n roll. (via @caradelevingne)

3. Chunky French Braid: With some wisps of hair falling in the front and at the sides, you can’t go wrong with an easy-does-it French braid right down the center. You can keep it loose for a look with extra volume, or tighten it up to go city chic. This pic is giving us some highlight inspo, too. (via @ginaguerciahair)

4. Swirly Updo: This ‘do is from one of our social media faves, Anna Kendrick. For when you feel like going all out girly, braid an “S” shape from front to back, ending in a side bun. Flower pin is optional. (via @annakendrick47)

5. Y-Shaped Fishtail: What’s better than one fishtail? Two smaller tails that turn into one. This hair design may add a bit of time to your morning routine but the compliments will be well worth it. (via @braiding_witch)

6. Sideswept Fishtail: A looser fishtail can be a great balance between fun and elegant. Danielle Brooks aka “Taystee” shows us how it’s done with this sleek side braid at the Orange is the New Black premiere. (via @daniebb3)

7. Low and Loose: This is the perfect look for lazy hair days. The perfect wide-brimmed hat keeps down any fly-aways and the braid keeps it all contained and classy. (via @umareru_)

8. Messy Pigtails: Not many people can pull off the “I woke up like this” pigtails, but Queen Bey herself can… because she did. Your pigtails can look more mature and less yearbook with the right amount of imperfection and a touch of messy bangs. (via @beyonce)

9. Halo With Color: Looking for a way to redistribute your pink streaks? See how they look in a halo braid. Braiding straight to your head gives a less bulky look than the milkmaid braid and it doesn’t require as much hair. (via @hairbymbs)

10. Intricate and Wavy: With a loose braid at the front and waves cascading into a chignon bun, this is the most romantic braid we can think of for the most elegant of occasions. (via @_hair_obsession_)

11. Four-Part Front Braids: With a quick how-to you can master this crafty braid in no time. It’s a fun way to shake up your three-part routine and bring an extra touch of intricacy to a half-up ‘do. (via @f_coiffures)

12. Classic Milkmaid: Lorde tends to keep her locks loose and natural, but we love the way she styled the typically-tame milkmaid braid. Not quite sure what the all-black contact is about, but we can get behind the dark lips and netted shirt just for that touch of edge. (via @lordemusic)

13. Twists and Turns: And of course we couldn’t make a braid post without the queen of braids herself, Lauren Conrad. This look shows that you can really have it all: braid, bun and twists. Just have some fun with your locks, ladies! (via @laurenconrad)

Where do you get your braidspiration? Let us know by tagging us @britandco on Instagram.

Summertime, and you know what they say about the living being oh-so-easy. Your hair should be easy, too! The best thing about summer hairstyles is that somehow the more messy and undone the finished look is, the better. Can't really beat that, can you? Here are three super easy, super fresh updos to add to the mix this summer.

Now, can someone mix me up a refreshing cocktail? ;)

Totally Twisted

1. Start off by separating your hair on one side, a little behind your ear.

2. Use a clip to hold the front section in place and out of your way.

3. Do the same thing on the other side.

4. Now, working with the back section, split it into two sections (it is okay if it is not perfectly even) and twist each section.

5. Join the two twists together and secure in place with an elastic.

6. Remove the clip from one of the sections in the front.

7. Twist the front section until you get to the ends.

8. Cross the twisted front section over the back ponytail and then secure the end of the twisted hair with a bobby pin into the previously twisted section.

9. Repeat the same steps for the other side.

10. Back comb the hair that is in the original ponytail to create a messy, fuller look.

11. Pull out some random pieces in the front to keep the look more playful and undone.

We love this take on the low pony.

Effortlessly Tousled

1. Pick up a small section of hair from the front and twist it in the direction away from your face.

2. Using a fine toothed comb, backcomb gently to create a messy curl that will stay in place.

3. Do this all throughout your hair on both sides of your head remembering to twist away from your face.

4. Gently pull your hair back in a low pony trying not to pull out the shape you just back combed in.

5. Twist the hair around until it is in a secure place to pin.

6. Using bobby pins that match your hair color, pin the twisted hair into place. Don't worry about a few stray hairs — they add to the tousled look.

7. Repeat the same steps on the other side of your head. Done!

Va va voom!

Ultimate Texture

1. Pick up a small section of hair from one side of your head leaving out some of your bangs or front section of your hair.

2. Braid that section and use a bobby pin to hold in place. You can set this braid aside for now.

3. Backcomb the back section of your hair to create volume.

4. Place another small braid on the same side.

5. Repeat the same thing on the other side of your head.

6. Pin the braid towards the back of your head in the lower back section of your head.

7. Pick up another small section of hair and this time twist it back and then pin it as well.

8. Pull all the hair from that side into a low pony in the back of your head, twist it up and secure it with a few bobby pins.

9. Now, pull the original braid you placed in the front section back and pin it in place.

10. Repeat these steps on the opposite side of you head.

11. For all those stray hairs that fell out and the section of hair you left out in the front, use a ½-inch curling iron to place tiny random curls for a contrasting texture.

12. Use your fingers to pull some of the curls a little looser for an even more textured look.

That's it!

We can't wait to lounge on the beach, go window shopping, and grab our favorite lattes this summer. After a year spent indoors, we're ready to throw our hair up and get outside. Good thing these summer hairstyles only take five minutes!

Follow us on Pinterest for more beauty inspo!

This post has been updated.

I truly feel like I’ve been living under a rock when it comes to what’s good at Whole Foods. Turns out, they’ve been hiding some really impressive deals on groceries in the shadows, but I’m here to shed some light on ‘em. Whole Foods offers savings every week, and I’m fully convinced that my local Whole Foods will be seeing a whole lot more of me from now on.

Scroll on for details on Whole Foods’ top deals to shop starting today!

Kaboompics / PEXELS

1. BOGO 50% off packaged soups (Tuesdays)

Tuesdays and Fridays are the main days of the week that Whole Foods offers savings on their groceries. The first amazing deal for Tuesdays is BOGO 50% off packaged soups – perfect for this time of year!

They’ve got every kind of flavor from minestrone and chicken noodle to Italian wedding and broccoli cheddar. Their packaged soups average out at about $9 per 24-ounce tub, so saving 50% on one when you buy one is pretty good, especially for meal prep purposes.

Lukas / PEXELS

2. $2 off classic and organic rotisserie chickens (Tuesdays)

You can take $2 off two kinds of Whole Foods’ rotisserie chickens every Tuesday. Their classic rotisserie chicken goes for $9 while the organic version sells for $13. I love using rotisserie chicken for soups, sandwiches, wraps, and pastas, so getting a whole chicken to use for recipes all week long for just $7 is so nice!

Nadin Sh / PEXELS

3. $8 large cheese pizzas (Friday)

Sometimes you just do not feel like cooking on a Friday evening after work – that’s where this Whole Foods savings hack comes in! Every Friday, you can get a large cheese pizza for $8. While there’s nothing wrong with a plain cheese pizza (nostalgia galore!), I’d take advantage of this deal then bulk up my slices with various toppings like peppers, pepperoni, and olives.

Nadin Sh / PEXELS

4. 12 for $12 wild caught oysters (Friday)

Ooh, fancy! Every Friday, Whole Foods’ wild caught oysters go for $1 a pop. Buy a dozen for just $12, and you’re golden. This deal would be perfect for a bougie at-home date night.

Pixabay / PEXELS

5. BOGO 50% off packaged sushi rolls (Friday)

This is another great date night pick! Buy one packaged sushi roll, and get another 50% off on Fridays only. From rainbow rolls to California rolls, this Whole Foods savings hack has my cravings going crazy.

Minchephoto Photography / PEXELS

6. $10 family-sized tiramisu (Friday)

Got a hankering for a sweet treat? Don’t fret – you can shop a whole family-sized serving of tiramisu at Whole Foods for just $10 every Friday.

Kseniia Lopyreva / PEXELS

7. $12 bottles of prosecco (Friday)

The death of the work week and start of the weekend is obviously a cause for celebration, and Whole Foods has you covered with $12 bottles of Presto prosecco every Friday. Cheers!

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more deals!

Deciding who to marry is arguably the biggest decision of your life (no pressure). But even after you've chosen the person, the decisions just keep coming: the place, the cake, the dress, and, of course, your hairstyle. With seemingly endless options out there, we're here to assist you with the best look for your big day. Are you leaning towards soft, romantic waves? Or perhaps a classic updo? Or maybe you're all about standout accessories? Whatever the case may be, below you'll find 37 wedding hair ideasto help you decide on a 'do to say “I do" in.

1. A Braid Crown (via Brit + Co)

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2. Pony Perfection

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3. Voluminous Twist Updo

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4. Khaleesi-Approved Side Braid

5. Twists and Vines (via Angelo Pantazis/Unsplash)

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6. Half-Up Twist

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7. Classic Wrapped Pony

8. Pearl Pony (via With Love Caila)

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9. Messy Center Part

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10. Feather Headband

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11. Braided Pony

12. Nourished Natural Curls (via Brit + Co)

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13. Loose Top Knot

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14. Sleek Swoop

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15. Pancaked Pull-Through Braids

16. Wispy Face-Framing Curls (via 小谢/Unsplash)

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17. Shimmering Chignon

18. Statement Accessory (via With Love Caila)

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19. Daisy Side Braid

20. Touch of Feathers (via Brit + Co)

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21. Boho Crown Braids

22. Edgy Bubble Braid (via Kimson Doan/Unsplash)

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23. Sleek Side Pony

24. Sophisticated Low Pony (via VellaSyah/Unsplash)

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25. Piecey Braid

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26. Floral Hair Accessory

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27. Vintage Headpiece

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28. Twisted Rainbow Updo

29. Bubbled Half-Up Look (via Lindsay McGrath/Unsplash)

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30. Shiny Low Bun

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31. Piecey Updo

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32. Rapunzel-Esque Mane

33. Half-Up Half-Down Braid (via Maria Nila)

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34. Flirty Fishtail Waves

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35. Lace Details

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36. Flower Clip

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37. Beachy Curls


What wedding hairstyle do you love? Tell us @BritandCo!

This piece has been updated.

As much as I love celebrity couples, I love celebrity sibling relationships even more. And Elle and Dakota Fanning are two sisters I've grown up watching since I first saw Dreamer in 2005. Considering Elle Fanning is only five months older than me, and I have a sister of my own, this is one relationship that feels particularly familiar. And while Elle has also watched Dakota Fanning act since we were kids, Dakota just revealed seeing Elle onscreen is just as special for her.

Here's why Dakota & Elle Fanning get emotional seeing each other onscreen.

Elle remembers "sobbing" during one particularly emotional Dakota Fanning movie.

“When Elle’s in anything, it makes me feel it deeper,” Dakota Fanning said at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit on December 3. “She never can fully disappear into a character totally for me as her sister. She obviously does an amazing job, but I’m always gonna see my little sister a little bit.”

And Elle is just as touched by Dakota's roles, and remembers "uncontrollably sobbing" after seeing Now Is Good, a movie where Dakota's character was dying of cancer. “Because it was my sister, I had a real traumatic reaction after that premiere and the screening,” Elle says. “Obviously the acting, but it was something felt on a deeper level.”

“I’m doing this job, I’m an actor because my sister started before me and I watched her,” Elle continues. “I wanted to do exactly what my big sister wanted to do.”

And their movies have also made an impact on everyone who watches them.

When Brit + Co caught up with Dakota Fanning at the world premiere of The Watchers, I had to ask about one of her most iconic movies: Uptown Girls. "I love it," she says of TikTok memes and edits giving the movie new life. "It's nostalgic for people who are kind of around my age, who grew up watching that movie, I think it's like a comfort movie for people. And so I love that people are still revisiting it and loving it. And maybe now that everyone's older [they're] understanding different things about it."

Dakota starred opposite Brittany Murphy, who also had roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted. Brittany passed away in 2009 when Dakota was 15. "I loved Brittany so much and I still miss her," she says. "So anytime that she has, you know, a moment where people think about her is also nice."

You can see Elle Fanning in A Complete Unknown, in theaters December 25, and you can also stream Dakota Fanning's new show The Perfect Couple on Netflix now.

If there’s one recipe you 100 percent need to crank out some seriously festive Christmas dessert ideas, it’s the classic, basic sugar cookie. Some of the most intricately ordained, masterpiece cookies (like pink Christmas decorations, jolly reindeer, and llamas) begin with a simple foundation. Let’s start with this recipe we love for a vanilla-bean-speckled version that’s sure to hold its own under all that royal icing.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (room temperature + cubed)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cups flour

Directions

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add vanilla bean and egg. Mix until just incorporated. Stop mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

Gradually add flour (you may not need the full three cups), and mix until dough forms and pulls away from the bowl. Divide dough into two even discs and wrap in cling wrap, then refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.

When ready to roll dough, pre-heat oven to 350°F and line baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Using a rolling pin, roll cookie dough between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4-inch in thickness, and use cookie cutters to cut out cookie shapes.

Transfer cookies to a baking tray using a lightly floured spatula. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes before baking.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or when edges begin to brown. The time will be dependent on size and thickness of cookies.

Allow to cool on tray until warm to touch, then transfer onto a wire cooling rackbefore decorating.

Decorate your easy Christmas cookies to you and your family's liking!

Check out our baking and cooking classes for more recipes to make at home!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

See our ‘Grammable Holiday Cookie Guide.

Recipe via Vickie Liu; photos via Brittany Griffin/Brit + Co