Day 17: Double Crown Braid

ICan I just please take a moment to BEG all of you girls out there to retire your flat irons???  I watched a girl flat iron her hair yesterday and I about died!  If you have to pass over your hair more than twice, then it was meant to have texture.  Plus, texture is so much prettier and softer than straight flat hair.  I understand a sleek look every once in a while, but seriously, for the most part, lets learn how to embrace what god gave us and give up the drowned rat look.  Also, that emo thing....  Still doing you no favors, except to make every adult look at you and think "please don't make me ever have to interact with that teenaged thing!"  Sorry, I needed a short rant!  But back to business...

This is simple.  I curled my hair and parted it just off center.  Then I made two braids with the hair above my ears.  Then I stretched them all the way across the back of my head and pinned them into each other and also right up to my head. PRESTO!!  Fantastic hair!!!  Easy peasy 

right??

Day 16: Tucked in to the Side

I don't know how to intro this braid except to say I was feeling a bit pin-up girly this morning, and I needed something quick :)

I started by teasing my crown so that I would be able to hear people compliment the fullness of my hair all day (and I am super good at faking thick luscious hair!). Then I smoothed it and did a diagonal side braid.  I only extended the braid a bit and then made a small bun out of the rest so that it tucked better.  Then I shoved it under the French braid and pinned it in place.  PRESTO!!!! Fantastic hair!!

Day 15: Double French Messy Bun

This is a great style if you are in sports or are a runner and you need your hair to stay back, but you still want it to be cute.  I used to do it back in high school in my volleyball days...  Unfortunately, you look super cute, but it does not make you more coordinated :(

So first you're going to ignore my horrendous regrowth and pretend its shadowing.  That's what I did.  Next I parted my hair on the side and did 2 French braids going straight back.  At the crown I extended them both as loose braids to reach the messy bun.  Then I did a really fun messy bun :). And of course, I tugged at the French braids so that it would look like I worked out at some point today.  PRESTO!!!  Fantastic hair!

Day 14: Fishy Pigtails

So today was hot and I just swam all day.  His means that I gift to you an easy braid :). But that doesn't mean that it's not worth the blog!!

All I did here was split my hair in half.  I didn't make a definite part, because again, I like to look like I napped in my hair (I can't believe I just posted that on the Internet, and that after rereading it, I still like my phrasing).  Then I just fishtail braided both pieces of hair.  Next I distressed them so that on might as themselves "did she just nap in that or did she just wake up?", because thats what I think looks good in me :). I finished it off with a couple of really cute thin headbands and PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!!

Day 13: Fishtail Katniss braid

This is a nice twist on the ever popular side French braid that the world of long hair is obsessing over right now.  I like to put my own personal twist on trends that I love, so as not to look so much like a lemming...  But by all means, feel free to copy my twist on it, because I think it's great!

So I started with a French fishtail in the front to get my bangs out of my face and also because my framing is too short to fit in a side braid without falling out.  I extended the fishtail pretty far down and clipped it while I braided the rest.  I teased the crown a bit for body, then smoothed it over and did another French fishtail across the back.  When I got to my ear, I joined the small fishtail with the large one and extended the braid down.  Next I distressed both braids, because I just don't believe in a sleek fishtail braid :). At least not in my fine blonde hair....  Then.... PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!!

Day 12: Headband braid with bun

Ok, so we all have days that we wake up to our alarm and don't want to roll out of bed.  Today was that day for me, so yes, I recycled yesterday's do.  So shoot me.  But I still wore a dress so that makes up for it, right??

So for this style, you want to start with the headband braid (see day 11) and make sure you do follow those braids through.  Instead of securing the braids underneath, however, you want to fasten them on top of the rest of your hair.  You should probably still tease the top for some height.  You can also tease the loose hanging. Hair for some volume in that folded bun.  Next you simply fold the hair up and tuck it under the braids.  Bobby pin it in place and add a pretty bow or flower if you like to finish it off.  PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!

Day 11: Headband Braid

Whenever I wear my hair like this, I always have people ask if its all my real hair...  I think that's a pretty good sign :)

 Start by parting a long narrow section that follows your front hairline from ear to ear.  I prefer it to be approximately 1 inch wide.  Start at one ear and perform an inside out braid all along the hair line.  You can end behind the ear or extend the braid out (which is what I do).  Now make one more section parallel to the first with the same dimensions and start at the other side and do the same thing.  If you have extended the braids, you can attach them at the nape of your neck with an elastic band.  Then just tease the crown area and PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!

Day 10: Waterfall Braid

What is a braid blog without the ultra-trendy, ultra-chic waterfall braid??  Well it's not a proper braid blog...  So here you have it!

I chose to curl my hair and tease my crown area for dimension and height. Then you simply start the braid at the temple area of on side of your head.  As you French braid across, you are going to let the top price fall, but still pick up from underneath.  It takes a bit of practice, but it's learnable :). To finish it off, I always continue the braid to the end of my hair because I think it's cuter than ending the braid behind the ear, but to each their own.  Fasten with a clear elastic and PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!

Day 9: Flower Bun Re-examined

So...  I love this little flowerbun thing...  It is a bit tricky to nail, especially on your own head, but keep trying!  It's so darn cute :)

First, I back combed the top section of my hair.  I smoothed it out and did a simple braid.  Then you only pull hair from one side of the braid, the loose pieces will be your petals.  Now start at the end of the braid and turn it in the direction of the tight side.  Once it is swirled together, bobby pin it in place.  Now to get rid of the Elvira look, I just put a super cute headband on....  And PRESTO!  Glamorous hair (as one of my clients called it)

Day 8: Side Braid and Flower Bun

Here's a braid that looks more complicated than it is :). The hard part is pulling out the petals for the flower.  I also choose to make the bun more of a circle than a flower, so that it is bigger.  You can also put embellishments in the center of the bun, which can be super cute as well....  Lots of personal touches you can put in this bad boy!

So you'll want to start an inside out braid on on side of your head.  Continue the braid across the back and extend the braid to the end of your hair.  Along the French part of your braid, you can pull each priece to make it look bigger.  Once you get the loose part of the braid, you only want to pull out the outside pieces of the braid.  Now you simply roll up the braid to look like a flower or a circle and hide the end piece.  Now.... PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!

Day 7: Double French Fishtail messy Bun

As promised, I have provided a challenge in today's braid :). But just work on it a bit and you'll master it soon enough!

You want to start by parting your hair and splitting it into 2 sections.  I chose to do a side part and angle it to the center of the nape of my neck.  You are then going to French fishtail the braid to the end of your hair on both sides.  Of course at this point I recommend you distress the braids for a more romantic look.  Next you take the hanging braids and twist them into a messy bun tucking the end prices under the bun and pin it in place.  Then PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!

Day 6: Big Bang Braid with Bun

The alliteration in this title kills me...  Also, I did easy again.  I was supposed to color my hair and didn't, so your gonna want to ignore my regrowth for the next week or so as well :)

So start a part that goes on a diagonal fashion from the corner of one eye to your parietal ridge, about 2" from your hair line.  (Your parietal ridge is where your skull turns down btw). Extend that part across to the parietal ridge on the other side of your head and french braid it.  I like to do it kind of loose with bigger sections so my hair isn't pulled to tight from my face.  Extend the braid until you run out of hair and secure it with a clear elastic.  This is going to add some adventure to your messy bun :). Now just pt a good old fashioned messy bun really high on your head and PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!

 

Day 5: Fishy bun

Another simple braid today!  I've been too easy on myself I fear, and I feel a toughie coming on for tomorrow!!

Soooooo...  You're gonna want to put your hair into a very high ponytail, almost on top of your head.  Next you're gonna fish braid the pony tail and fasten it with a clear elastic.  Now of course I choose to distress this fishy braid, but for a sleeker look It is t necessary :). Now just wrap the braid around the ponytail and bobby pin in in place.  Aaaaaaaaaand PRESTO!!!  Fantastic hair!!!

Day 4: Tucked in big one

This braid is very simple, but its a nice touch to your traditional french braid.

My face is too round and full for a hairstyle that is completely pulled back from my face without any height so I start by back coming the top of my head.  After smoothing it out I simply did an inside out French braid and finished it through the hair shaft.  After fastening the braid with a clear elastic, guess what I did...  I pulled each strand to distress it and make the braid look as full as possible :). Then I tucked the hanging braid under the French part and fastened it with bobby pins, then PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!!!

Day 3: side braid with curls

Disclaimer:  today I used lotsa heat, but Sunday is the one day a week I allow such a cheat :)

So today's braid is really quite simple.  I started by blow-drying my hair with a good moisturizing serum (matrix exquisite oil) and a fantastic volume mousse (Redken guts).  Then I curled all of my hair with a 1 1/2 inch barrel iron.  I always curl my hair starting at the scalp and working down the hair shaft.  Then I made a deep side part and start braiding down the side.  Once you get behind the ear and are braiding across the nape of your neck, only add to the braid from the bottom so that your hair can fall over it.  Once you get to the other ear, fasten with a clear elastic and PRESTO!  Fantastic hair!

  

Day 2: Rising sock bun

This style is a great go-to when you get the hang of it.  It does take some patience to get down, but once you have it it's pretty simple.

First you tip your head upside down.  Starting at the nape of your neck you braid an inside out braid which will end at your crown.  I like to end it right where I want to put my bun, which I wear pretty darn high.  You want to fasten the braid with a clear elastic.  Again I like a distressed look so I tug at each strand of the braid (this also makes your hair appear thicker).  Next you put your hair in a high pony tail, almost at the top of your head.  Take everything that is hanging from the pony tail and roll it up into a sock that you have cut the toe off of and rolled into a donut.  Pin it in place with bobby pins and Presto!  Fantastic hair!

Day 1: Braids for Days

I promised this a very long time ago and it's time for me to make good on my word!  I have made extreme efforts to cut heat out of my everyday hairstyling which is a real challenge when you have wavy/straight hair.  So I've taken to adding braids to my styling, which is a fad I'm digging hard core!  Most of these Styles are going to be styles I've done on myself, so with a little practice they should all be achievable, everyday hairstyles.  Whiteout further adieu, I give you Day 1

FISHTAIL PRINCESS

This style is very simple.  Just take a section of hair from your ear to your part and fishtail braid it.  I like to fasten it with a clear elastic and distress it my pulling on each of he strands.  I repeat on the other side.  I make each strand chin length and then connect them with another clear elastic above the other two elastics.  I then remove the extra elastics and presto. Fantastic hair :)