Chances are, you've seen hairstylist Kylee Heath's braided and knotted hairstyles on the red carpet, Instagram, or in magazines. She's quickly becoming one of the most in-demand hairstylists in Hollywood for one good reason: The looks she creates on her A-list clients are the perfect mix of casual cool and look-at-me badass. Plus, even the most intricate ones never look laboured over. So, it follows that her client roster is filled with celebs, including Kristen Stewart, Ashley Benson, Sofia Vergara, Rashida Jones, Diane Kruger, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Rosario Dawson, Kiernan Shipka, and more.
Fun fact: Heath taught herself to French braid before she could read. By fourth grade, her classmates were lining up to ask her for braids. But she says she never spends more than 10 minutes on her own hair in the morning. Her focus is on her clients and the red-carpet trends she's setting — knotted mohawks, braids in a braid, and pretty loops. They're also really simple to do at home. (Some even pass her 10-minute rule.) Just in time for the end of summer, we tapped Heath to share the secrets behind some of her standout creations.
The tips, tricks, and trends you need to know about, ahead.
The Trick: Forget braids — try knots
"This look is great for those who are braid-challenged," Heath jokes. But it's actually true: This style she gave Kristen Stewart may appear to be a braided mohawk, but it's actually a series of knots.
To begin, create two sharp parts — over the arch of the eyebrows is a universally flattering spot to start — and section off the hair on the sides of the head. Then, simply tie knots starting from the front and working your way back. Add the leftover hair from each knot into the next as you go. The trick? Drive a small bobby pin into each knot before moving onto the next for hold. (Heath prefers pins that are an inch or smaller, which can be found at the drugstore.)
This works on every type, texture, and length. "The rumours about being able to do less with shorter hair are not true," Heath insists.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Add some bling
Adding gold twine, elastic, cuffs, or thread to a style is an easy trick that many Hollywood stylists are loving. Here, Heath gave Jordana Brewster a gilded touch for a photo shoot.
Think of this trend as really chic jewellery for your hair that costs next to nothing — the craft store is the best place to buy your supplies. Simply twist twine around a braid and tie off. Easy!
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Put a braid in a braid
"This, to me, is the definition of business in the front and party in the back," Heath says about the look she gave Diane Kruger. "You just need to know how to French braid."
This can be done on any hair texture, but you will need some length. The secret? While these plaits appear to be connected, they're actually two totally separate braids.
Section off the front half of the hair — everything from the ear back should go into the bottom braid, which you'll do first. Create a tight cornrow (pulling the new strands under, not over) and secure with a clear elastic. Then, release the front half of the hair and create a loose braid over the first.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Add dimension to a topknot
It's tempting to go with your classic ballerina bun on rushed mornings — but don't. Why? Because it's easy to copy the style that Heath gave longtime client Rashida Jones.
Make a tight ponytail, then braid the length of your hair and secure that with a small, clear elastic. Then, create your bun.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Pin your braids up
Pigtail braids are having a huge moment, but they also look really rad as the base of an updo, like the one Heath gave Emma Roberts this May. This look is a cinch: Weave your braids, then pin them against the nape. Those mini, one-inch bobby pins Heath loves are key here, as is her favourite product to prep a braid: Oscar Blandi's Pronto Braid Paste.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Try a loop, instead of a bun
Heath created a chic loop on Whitney Port for her wedding last fall and we still can't stop looking at it. It's the perfect, simple style to temper a formal outfit or a full face of makeup. It works best on second-day texture and longer haircuts.
Heath gave Port a deep side part, added bends to her strands with a 1-inch curling iron, and pulled the hair into a low ponytail. She created the loop by adding a second band over the first and not pulling the hair all the way through.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Try an all-knot "French braid"
At first glance, actress Melissa Benoist's style looks like a really interesting braid, but — no surprise here — it's actually all knots. Don't be intimidated to try this intricate look, just take it section-by-section and heed Heath's important tip: "I used small elastics to create ponytails where I wanted the knots to live for a stronger hold," she explains.
Translation: Create a mohawk of tight ponytails with clear elastics. Then, start knotting, feeding the length of each section into the next.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Embrace flyaways
The biggest mistake people make when braiding? Overthinking it, Heath says. While the crown braid isn't new, this one (worn by Rashida Jones), is pure perfection thanks to its easy, imperfect finish. "I actually prefer some flyaways," she says.
To score the look, create pigtail braids, secure each with clear elastic, then pin them up like a headband.
Photo: Getty Images.
The Trick: Add tons of texture before braiding
Heath prefers to braid second-day hair, because it has more grit (read: more hold). But if clients arrive with clean hair, she simply layers in texturising products. One of her favourites is Kevyn Murphy's Easy.Rider.
For this braided updo on Ashley Benson, she layered in product, then created two rows of braids. Next, she pulled the length forward and tucked the ends into the beginning part of the braid. "That way, they just merged into one," she says. "I loved the braids crossed, because it created a woven, almost basket-braid look."
Photo: Courtesy of Kylee Heath.
The Trick: Pin your pony
Sure, this isn't technically a braid, knot, or loop — but we couldn't resist including the creative look that Heath gave Kruger for a premiere. "This look happened by accident, which is my favourite type of style," she says. "It was going to be a ponytail with another elastic an inch or two down, but then I pushed it to the base of the neck and pinned it."
To copy it, start by making your pony and wrap a second elastic halfway down the length. Then, cover both with a small piece of hair before pinning the bottom elastic to the scalp.
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