In appearance, they are similar to mazes but with the same texture as silk. Braids are one of the many female mysteries. They twist, they turn, they wrap around each other. Braids have captured the high school community in new phenomena. Originally, there was only one braid, the classic “Over ‘n Under.” The majority of girls by age five knew how to create the classic braid, especially after Lara Croft: Tomb Raider made it famous. Yes, there were some girls who sported the pigtail braids, but the majority did not deviate from the classic.

“I used to be obsessed with braids,” junior Christina Wu said. “I used to wear my hair in them all the time as a girl.”

If one was really fancy however, they knew how to French braid. Now that one was difficult to learn and extremely impressive for a preteen girl to accomplish. The easiest way to learn is to do it on yourself. The concept is the same when performed on anyone else.

“My braids are horrible,” junior Baylee Luther said. “They are always messy and falling apart.”

Now there are all different types of braids such as waterfalls, fishtails, inside out braids, messy braids, Grecian braids, Dutch braids, etc. The list goes on and on. There are never-ending possibilities of braid styles.

Braids look uncomfortable. Trendy or not, they look like they were a pain to create. Secondly, unless perfection is achievable, at some point in the day the braid is going to fall and look messy, and no one wants messy hair. Despite their drawbacks though, braids are as equally tantalizing for girls as they are for guys. Perhaps more so for guys since they do not know the secret to the magic.

“A braid is like a flower,” junior Michael Fine said. “It’s delicate and beautiful at the same time.”