The 8 Unique Braids I'm Loving (And How to Do Them)

I love -- repeat, love -- braided hairstyles. They're so perfect for summer, especially if you're trying to not wash your hair every day (which is hard but SO much better for your hair). When I see celebrities like Jessica Alba and Sienna Miller wearing unique braids, I immediately want to recreate them on myself. The hitch? I have always been a terrible self-braider. Those cute halo/milkmaid braids? Not happening. If it's not pigtails or a regular French braid -- or even worse, if it involves braiding sideways -- I will default to a boring ol' bun every time.

Thank goodness a visit to Nine Zero Salon in West Hollywood, Calif., where you can get a super-stylish braid done at their braid bar (for as little as $25!) recently burst my no-can-do bubble. I was so inspired by their signature braids, I had to ask how to do them. Fortunately, Nine Zero One Salon celebrity stylists Florido Basallo and Amber Maynard were more than happy to demonstrate the steps.

I was also able to get braiding tips from celebrity stylist Marcus Francis, who caused a hubbub with the gorgeous braided style he did for Bryce Dallas Howard at the Cannes Film Festival. And after soaking in all this advice, I had a revelation: Those intimidating celebrity braids aren't so hard to do after all. In fact, with a little practice, you can probably do them with your eyes closed.

Check out these how-tos on the coolest celebrity braids I've seen yet, as well as tips on how to be a better braider... SEE SLIDESHOW NOW