From sophisticated and avant garde to more everyday, wearable styles, Nogodar Martinez has been slaying the hair game for 25 years. As Aquage artistic director and a lead facilitator at the Aquage Master Class Academy, some might call Martinez the "king of education," and he fills those shoes quite well. Earlier this week, Martinez joined us for a live braided updo demonstration and we've got all the details in case you missed it.
Four-Strand Braid
- Apply Aquage Uplifting Foam from roots to ends and ensure it covers every strand of hair.
- Starting with the Aquage Detailing Brush, backcomb the front strands of hair and push the short hairs closer to the base.
- Continue adding hair to the front section as you move towards the crown of the head.
- Spray Aquage Finishing Spray on the sides of the head in direction of the hair's cuticle.
- Using a rubber band with two bobby pins, secure a low pony tail at the nape and disguise with a strand of hair.
- Divide hair into three sections.
- On one section, create a three-strand braid and braid all the way to the bottom. Rather than using a tiny rubber band, spray with Aquage Working Spray and press with flat-iron to seal.
- With remaining strands, divide one of those sections into two. You should now have four strands.
- Repeat over-under technique as you would with a three-strand braid.
- Secure loosely with rubber band and then deconstruct.
- Can be wrapped up for an updo or worn as a regular braid.
Three-Strand Braid
- Prep hair with Aquage Finishing Spray.
- Apply Detailing Cream on the ends to add softness and control flyaways.
- Take a thick section and create a base for the braid.
- Begin a traditional three-strand braid and add in hair from underneath as you go.
- Repeat until you've braided the entire base strand.
- Secure with clear elastic and spray with Aquage Finishing Spray.
- Grab the top of the braid base and "pin" it to the side of the head with your fingers. Secure with a large bobby pin and fold the tail underneath to create a chignon.
Tune into the video above for another exciting and detailed updo.