Celebrity hairdresser reveals why PLAITS are the key to hiding roots and pesky greys

Tom says a boxer braid (pictured) looks best on someone with bright blonde hair who has dark roots

BOXER BRAID: The whole concept of the braids is to embrace the roots and work with them rather than against them – it is all about making your grey roots a feature. The boxer braid is great for this!  

This type of braid looks best on someone with bright blonde hair who has dark roots, as this style makes a feature of your roots and works with your hair rather than fighting against them. 

Step One: create a middle parting. This can be straight or zigzag if you need to disguise any greys or roots, and section one side away for now.

Step two: take three small sections of hair at the middle front of one of the sides.

Step three: holding the three sections separately between your fingers, cross the left UNDER the middle.

Step four: then with the new positioning of the three strands cross the right strand UNDER the middle.

Step five: this is ‘one knot’ done. Add some extra hair to both of the outer strands.

Step six: repeat the ‘left UNDER middle’ and ‘right UNDER middle’.

Step seven: add more hair to the outer strands and repeat until all the hair is included in the three strand braid and secure with hair tie.

Step eight: repeat on the other side.

FRENCH PLAIT: Long, overgrown roots add dimension to this intricate braid. 

Step One: take three small sections of hair at the middle front of your head.

Step Two: holding the three sections separately between your fingers, cross the left OVER the middle.

Step three: then with the new positioning of the three strands cross the right strand OVER the middle.

Step four: this is ‘one knot’ done. Add some extra hair to both of the outer strands.

Step five: repeat the ‘left OVER middle’ and ‘right OVER middle’.

Step six: add more hair to the outer strands and repeat until all the hair is included in the three strand braid.

Step seven: continue ‘left over middle’ ‘right over middle’ till you reach the end of the hairs length and secure with a hairband.

Long, overgrown roots add dimension to French plaits

A zigzag parting can help conceal regrowth

Long, overgrown roots add dimension to French plaits (left) while a zigzag parting (right) can help conceal regrowth

ROPE BRAID AND ZIGZAG

Step one. Create an ‘off centre’ zig zag parting from front to back. (You can cleverly avoid any grey areas and dont make the zigzag too perfect to avoid that 90’s look.

Step two: clip or tie away one half of the hair for now, you will braid one side at a time.

Step three: working on the side that is left loose first, take two strands from the front, close to the front parting and cross them over twice, twisting gently.

Step four: add a little extra hair to each strand and twist and cross over once more. Repeat this until you have added all the hair from one side.

Step five: continue twisting and crossing over until you reach the end of your length and secure with a hair tie.

Step six: repeat this on the other side making sure to include all the remaining hair.

Step seven: gently loosen the twists using your fingers in the same order, from top to tips.

The milkman braid works with a zigzag parting which will further distort roots

The milkman braid works with a zigzag parting which will further distort roots

MILKMAID BRAID: This style also works with a zigzag parting which will further distort roots – and the braid across the head serves as a braided headband which draws attention away from your regrowth and makes the most of what is still coloured underneath.  

Step One: create a middle or side parting. This can be straight or zigzag if you need to disguise any greys or roots, and section one side away for now.

Step Two: take three small sections of hair from the parting at the front of one of the sides.

Step three: holding the three sections separately between your fingers, cross the left OVER the middle.

Step four: then with the new positioning of the three strands cross the right strand OVER the middle.

Step five: this is ‘one knot’ done. Add some extra hair to both of the outer strands.

Step six: repeat the ‘left OVER middle’ and ‘right OVER middle’. Allow the knots to curve down closer to the face and then back over the shoulder.

Step seven: add more hair to the outer strands and repeat until all the hair is included in the three strand braid and secure with hair tie.

Step eight: repeat this on the other side.

Step nine: take your left braid and cross it behind your back, in front of your right shoulder and then up over your ear and secure with a curby grip or hair pin close to the parting.

Step ten: repeat this on the other side the opposite way. Right braid behind across your back over the left shoulder and up over the ear to meet the opposite braid at the parting. The hair needs to be longer to do this – if your braids don’t reach the parting just pin them as far up as they go and then tuck the loose ends under the braid at the front. You’ll see more of the braid detail from the back in this case.

Step eleven: gently loosen the braid knots and pull out some soft strands around the face as desired.

SIDE PLAIT: A sleek side-parting is a no-go when in-between salon visits. However, a very volumised, wavy side parting braid can be beneficial to ailing roots! 

This braid takes inspiration from Frozen’s Elsa (and Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague); use volumising products directly at the root and blow dry hair to one side before plaiting to one side. 

To achieve this look, follow the same steps as French braid but start on one side and gradually angle the knots sweeping around the head, finishing by bringing the braid in front of your shoulder.

Finish by using your fingers to gently loosen each knot, starting from the top and working your way down, and pull out any loose strands around the face to create a softer modern look.