Fashion plaits unite! Make over your hair with the latest braided hairstyles
Beyonce
High-drama highlights emphasise the texture of Beyonce's side-braid, with darker strands tracing the plait's lines.
Miley Cyrus
For her highly textured look, Miley Cyrus first adds waves to her hair and then selects intentionally varied sections before braiding.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning takes the braided updo trend to elegant heights, first braiding sections from roots to tips and then wrapping and pinning around the crown.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana loosely pulls back the front of her hair while building up the back with a crown of braids.
Rachel Zoe
After curling her hair into beachy waves, Rachel Zoe plaits them into the loosest of French braids.
Marion Cotillard
More than just flattering, a milkmaid braid like Marion Cotillard's is also incredibly simple to do yourself.
Blake Lively
The Gossip Girl star mixes textured braided strands with her tousled waves, pulling the style to one side and affixing it with a golden barrette.
Jessica Alba
Balancing red-carpet glamour and a laid-back attitude, Alba circles her flowing hair with two half-French-braids pinned at the back.
Diane Kruger
Nimble fingers aren't needed for the actress's side braid. First pull your hair into a side ponytail and secure with an elastic to make off-centre braiding easier.
Nicky Hilton
Wearing one of the easiest braided looks - just braid two pigtails, wrap up and pin at the crown - the heiress looks equal parts sophisticated and sweet in this Heidi-inspired
Nicole Richie
Forget headbands - the star gives her beachy waves get a boho update by wrapping skinny accent braids over the crown of her head.
Ashley Tisdale
A single fishtail braid gave the High School Musical alum's look an instant fun and flirty makeover.