4 Tips For Creating The Trending Snatched Loop Braid
Loop Braids Are A Celeb & Runway Fave: Here’s How To Recreate
Looking to diversify your styling offerings? The slicked-back braided loop ponytail has been seen on celebs like Tracee Ellis Ross, Barbie Ferreira and Bella Hadid and on runways for designers like Tanner Fletcher. And now, we’re predicting the look will be on your clients’ reference pics over the next few months. (The braided ponytail is on our Fall/Winter 2023 Style Guide after all.)
Becca Ashley (@beccanc) Director of Artist Education at Blo Blow Dry Bar created the look for Tanner Fletcher’s spring 2024 show and has a few tips for how you can recreate it behind the chair.
1. How To Avoid Bumps & Loose Hairs
In order to create the sleekest ponytail possible, Becca recommends sectioning the hair in three sections: the front, middle and back section. She then connects the middle and back section first to create the pony at the crown. She leaves out the front section so she is working with a smaller area to create the ponytail—ultimately making it easier to gather the hair, avoid loose hairs and bumps and makes for a smoother part at the front of the head.
See inspiration for the look below:
2. How To Achieve A Sleek Part & Snatched Base
Once the ponytail is created, Becca unclips the front section and attaches it to the rest of the ponytail in three steps:
- First, Becca creates a center part in the front section of the hair.
- Then, she uses Color Wow Pop + Lock Glossing Serum and UNITE Expanda Volume Hairspray to create that glossy texture and slick the sections to the sides of the head.
- She works the hair to the back of the head, gathers it at the base of the ponytail and attaches it to the ponytail with a bungee hair tie.
Join Becca and countless other styling specialists around the country with a career at Blo Blow Dry Bar!
3. How To Feed Braiding Hair Into The Braid
When styling a braided loop that connects the roots to the ends back at the base, you need the density to match along the entire ponytail. That’s why Becca starts her braid on the client’s natural hair until she gets about 2/3 of the way down the ponytail. Then, she feeds in braiding hair:
- Take a section of braiding hair that is about the same density of one of the braid’s three sections. Fold the braiding hair in half over the right section.
- Place the folded end of the braiding hair under the base section of your natural hair, creating a loop.
- Keep your right thumb on top of where the braiding hair is sitting while you start braiding the natural hair along with the folded braiding hair. Cross the left section over the middle section, then cross the right section over the new middle section.
- As you continue braiding, add more sections of the braiding hair every time you get to the right section.
- Once you get to the desired length, secure the braid with a hair tie and cut off any excess braiding hair.
The best braiding hair for a loop braid is loose, synthetic hair that is folded into a loop and doesn’t have a weft or attachment, says Becca
Pro tip: Each section of braiding hair should be the same size so the ponytail remains the same density and natural-looking throughout the entire length of it.
4. Tips For Taming Layered Flyaways
When braiding layered hair, we all know flyaways are inevitable. To tame those flyways for a smooth, sleek braid, you can do any of the below:
- Apply mousse or hairspray to adhere the flyaways to the braid.
- Take a bobby pin and pin the pieces into the braid.
After all loose hairs are secured, create a “loop” with the braid attaching the end of it underneath the base with a bobby pin. And voila!—you’ve got your trending sleek, loop braid!
