With a background in hair and makeup, Hester van Overbeek loves nothing more than helping people get creative with fun and easy-to-follow ideas that anyone can try.

With the new term just around the corner, we couldn't think of anyone better to help us brush up on a few new hairstyles for the busy school mornings ahead. So, with a little help from her daughter Kiki, Hester's put together three simple tutorials that you can try at home. 

1. Prep the hair by brushing it smooth, apply a small amount of styling cream if necessary to tame flyaways. You can add more product if you prefer a slick look, but I prefer a softer look with a bit more texture. 

2. Take a section of hair from the front of the head, near the hairline. Divide into three equal strands. 

3. Cross the right strand under the middle strand. Then cross the left strand under the new middle strand.

4. Before you cross the next strand, add a small section of hair from the right side to the right strand. Repeat on the left side, adding hair to the left stand before crossing it under. Smooth each section as you go. 

5. Keep going, pulling more sections of hair in, maintaining even tension and smoothing the hair as you work your way down the head.

6. Once all the hair has been added, continue with a standard three-strand braid to the ends.

7. Secure with a hair elastic.

1. Brush the hair until it is smooth and free from tangles. Add a styling cream if necessary to help control flyaways. 

2. Create a straight middle parting and divide the hair into two equal sections. 

3. Gather one section of hair into a medium-high ponytail. Secure it with a hair elastic.

4. Repeat on the other side, making sure that both ponytails are positioned at the same height and look symmetrical. 

5. Twist one ponytail from root to end and wrap the twisted hair around the base of the ponytail to create a bun.

6. Hold the bun in place and secure it with a few hair pins. Repeat on the other side.

7. Wrap a bow around each bun for a picture-perfect finish.

1. Give the hair a good brush so it’s nice and smooth. Apply a serum if needed to tame flyaways and add shine.

2. Pull the hair into a high ponytail and secure it firmly with a hair elastic. 

3. Measure approximately 8 cm down from the base of the ponytail. Secure a small clear elastic around the ponytail.

4. Using your fingers, gently pull the hair outwards on the sides between the two elastics. This will create a rounded "bubble" shape. Carefully loosen and adjust the hair until the bubble looks full and even.

5. Continue adding clear elastics at regular intervals. And after each elastic, gently pull and shape the section to create another bubble.

6. Repeat until you reach the end of the ponytail.

7. Leave the clear elastics visible for a simple style, or cover them with bows, ribbons, or other accessories.