Going up in bubbles

Hyuna flaunts her bubble braids. Pics/Instagram

From Doja Cat to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, bubble braids are experiencing a resurgence of sorts, thanks to their versatility and the air of playfulness they lend to the overall ensemble. The latest new entrant on the bubble brigade is K-pop star Hyuna, who sports hers in vibrant colours, with early 2000's-inspired outfits to match. "Of the recent Instagram-inspired hair trends, these are actually the easiest to recreate and can be worn in numerous ways. Their versatility, in terms of hair texture or even the ways they can be worn, makes them the perfect hairdo, especially for bad hair days," shares Bony Sasidharan, a hair expert at Schwarzkopf Professional.

The most popular way to wear this style is in two braids, on either side of your head. However, celebrities (including Chopra-Jonas) have been more partial to a Princess Jasmine-like voluminous single bubble braid. "Start by sweeping your hair into a ponytail. While a high ponytail works well for more casual looks, lower ponytails [near your earlobes] lend a more glamorous air. You can either pull out any baby hairs or your fringe to keep the look more relaxed, or use a little wax (mixed with serum) to lend a little shine and control, especially for curly, unruly hair. Fasten another hairband a couple of inches further down your ponytail. Use your fingers to tease the hair between the two bands to create a bubble shape. Repeat until you reach the bottom of your ponytail. A light texturizing spray can help to add even more volume," Sasidharan advises. He recommends using multi-coloured or embellished hairbands to add some spunk to your look, or even experimenting with clip-on extensions. Adding braids to your look can make it even more interesting visually, he signs off.