Under the Dryer (UTD) provides a tutorial on goddess ‘ram’ braids by way of a Cosmopolitan how-to video posted recently on the beauty website. The updo was created by top Cosmopolitan hairstylist Stasha Harris, and is a trendy look that comes highly recommended by your UTD hairnistas. These braids are easy to recreate, low-maintenance, and keep the heat at bay. Lastly, add a little Bohemian charm with a cowrie shell earring connected to the cornrows…talk about unconventional!

Items You’ll Need

3 cowrie shells

Several jump rings (about 10)

A rattail comb

Hair extensions (of course)

Hair gel

Hair’s How…

1. Part your hair into two equal sections. Start from the tip of your nose, following the path upwards to your forehead to perfect the part.

2. Use styling gel to tame flyaways and baby hairs. Use a comb and a generous amount of Shine ‘n Jam’s Conditioning Gel to lay the flyaways down. Create swirls with baby hairs along the forehead using more gel.

3. Start your braid and add in extensions for length and body; the longer and thicker the braid, the larger and fuller the bun appears. Use a half-pack of hair extensions and create a “T” shape with them in your hand. Grab one section and start at the nape of the neck, then braid upwards and toward the forehead. Add hair at the end of the braid for length, if needed.

4. Create a coil and secure it using pins first, then a needle and thread. Once the braid is finished, roll it into a coil starting with the end of the braid and angle it away from your ear. Use a needle and thread to secure the coil and keep it flat. Achieve the baby hairs with a creative touch.

5. Repeat the braid, coil, and baby hair on the opposite side.

6. Create the earring: start a box braid using loose or remaining pieces of hair extensions. Insert gold hoops into the shells and attach to the braid as you go along.

7. Attach a gold hoop to the end of your braid when it’s completed. Attach the braided earring onto your earring or into your pierced ear, and pin the other side into the hair at the nape of your neck with bobby pins.

Senior Associate Editor – Lifestyle & Social Content: Novia McDonald-Whyte

Contributor: Kadeem Rodgers

Photos: Courtesy of YouTube

Art Director: Rorie Atkinson