So, have all of Halle Bailey's The Little Mermaid red carpet looks taken over your social feeds and left you with a relentless urge to give cool loc styles a spin? Because yeah, same. And while we can't provide you with a vocal range worthy of Ursula's theft, what we can do here at The Braid Up is direct you to a protective hairstyle that'll have you looking real regal this summer.
Today, we're highlighting the snatched extended sister-loc ponytail. It was expertly done in today's episode by loc connoisseur Vernell Boatswain, so get ready to gag over it. Watch the ep to see the style come together, and read along for the advice you'll want to keep in mind while you wear this look.
1. Lay your edges the right way. Swooping your edges levels this ponytail up big time. Coat your baby hairs in edge control, then gently create swirls with a mini edge brush. Vernell swears by these hair strips to set the style in place, as you can see in this ep.
2. Choose water-based stylers. FYI: Mousse is the secret weapon to making your locs look shiny and fresh, but make sure you're using a water-based formula. Why? Because it'll make washing it out way easier than with mousses filled with waxes and oils that can build up on your hair strands.
3. Dress up the ponytail! An updo like this demands a bit of accessorizing. If you want to switch things up when you're wearing it, tie a patterned silk head scarf on, or throw on some adorable hair rings.
4. Swap for a silk pillowcase. Hi, if you've been the victim of a wandering satin bonnet a night, you should def try a silk pillowcase instead. It'll limit the friction against your locs while you're sleeping, which helps avoid flyaways and keep your hair shiny.
Hair: In collaboration with Stasha Harris of Magic Fingers Studio
Makeup: Ashley Johnson
Videographer: Rob Mroczko
Production Assistant: Jay Aguirre
Director of Digital Series: Tara O’Connell
Annabel Iwegbue is a culture editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers pop culture, lifestyle, relationships, and digital trends. She previously wrote for Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
