Get the Look: Milk Maid Braids Lazy Day Protective Style

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Last updated on January 6th, 2023 at 09:55 pm

braids on fine hair

Sometimes you wake up and your hair refuses to cooperate. Other times it’s more about you and how you’re feeling. Maybe you just don’t feel like doing your hair. I can relate.

Whatever the cause for your lazy day hair, it’s good to have a few lazy day hairstyles to turn to. After all, you may have a few consecutive days of lazy hair styling but you want to look non-repetitively cute while still being lazy right?

Protective styles work very well as lazy day hairstyles. Share on X

That’s because you can often set them at night and have little to no maintenance to refresh the style in the morning.

bun comparison
A bun on curly hair vs straight hair

Protective Style: Milk Maid Braids

For the past month I’ve shared several protective styles that could be used as lazy day styles. Last week it was a roll with flat twists but when it comes to my go-to lazy day style it is more often than not, the bun. Buns are my favorite but I also love to do Milk Maid Braids.

Milk Maid Braids are a protective style that are not only super cute; you can dress them up or wear them down in a more casual and relaxed way. What’s more convenient is they are easy to maintain and keep neat when you tie them down with a scarf over night.

And, not to worry if your hair isn’t long enough to do Milk Maid Braids. Keep reading for two alternatives to milk maid braids for protective styling.

How to Do Milk Maid Braids on Fine Hair

braids on fine natural hair

Tools/Accessories Needed: Bobby pins, rat tail comb for parting (optional), clips

1- Starting with clean hair that’s slightly dampened with a leave in conditioner (this makes it easier to manipulate and prevents breakage), part hair down the center (or on the side…your choice) using either your fingers or a rat tail comb (If using the rat tail comb, work very carefully using your hands to help you gently separate as you part)

2- Clip 1/2 of the two sections out of the way

3- Smooth a little oil down the length of your hair to seal in moisture before braiding

4- Using your hands, gentle smooth the section and apply a little gel for hold on your edges and the crown area

5- Commence braiding the section (not too tight) until you reach half an inch from the end (NOTE: If your hair is medium length, create braids that start higher up toward the top side of your hair vs starting the braid down low by your neck)

6- Twist the last 1/2 inch of hair (this makes it easier to unravel when the time comes)

7- Smooth a little of that oil on the ends to seal and protect

8- Release the other side and repeat the smoothing and braiding process

9- Use your fingers to loosen the braids by gently pulling them apart from so they appear thicker

10- To make this a true protective style, pin one braid across the top of your head toward the other side ensuring the ends are tucked in.

11- Then, repeat on the other side

If your hair isn’t long enough to create the traditional Milk Maid Braid style, try wrapping each braid around itself to form 2 small knots/buns OR pin your braids in a criss cross fashion in the back. These are just alternatives to try until your hair gets longer. Otherwise, feel free to use braiding hair to create longer braids to do traditional milk maid braids. The goal is to just make this a protective style.

milk maid braid alternatives

Products used:

– Shea Moisture Zanzibar Marine Complex Conditioner (as a leave in)

– Camille Rose Naturals CurlMaker Gel

– Organic East African Shea Olean (liquid Shea Butter)

What’s your favorite lazy day hairstyle? Share it by leaving a comment!

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