Alicia Keys' Braided Updo



Alicia Keys braided updo

Side shot of Alicia Keys' braided hair

Alicia Keys wowed the red carpet at the Billboard Music Awards with a beautiful and elegant braided updo. I wondered how she acheived the look, so here are step-by-step instructions from her stylist Tippi Shorter as told on Essence.com.

Keys has always been quite the naural hair maven, in recent years sporting a fuller, curly look.

Here are instructions on how to achieve her look:


1. Alicia Keys' hair was shampooed and conditioned with the smoothing collection from HAIR by Tippi Shorter.

2. Ojon Revitalizing Mist was used to detangle and protect the hair from the hot Vegas sun.

3. Her hair was blown smooth using the Brazilian Heat After Dark 1900 watt AC motor dryer.

4. Her hair was gathered in a high ponytail and secured with a bungee band.

5. Control pliable hairdressing wax from HAIR by Tippi Shorter was used to smooth the hair and prevent any flyaways.

6. Using a small amount of Control on her fingertips, she braided Alicia's ponytail, adding in pieces of human hair to make the braid bigger and then wrapped the braid around, crown-like, until she came up with the shape that Alicia "rocked" on the red carpet.

7. Baby bobby pins and finishing spray were used to secure the braid so it wouldn't move.

Will you try this look?