Braided Bun Pictorial

The thing with a braided bun is to make two or three braids to form the bun with, otherwise there isn't enough texture and you end up with big chunks of hair at the base and teeny ones at the ends. So you start with a ponytail. This one is high upon her head, at the crown, but you can also do one at the nape of the neck. Or even use pigtails and put two on each side. Quick- name the Vintage Sci-Fi character with that hairdo? Yeah- on a side note, I have never seen Star Wars. I have never had any desire to. Or parts two, three and whatever else. I get lost in the whole written scrolling opening credit thing.

Anyhow- so you start with a ponytail and then you split it into a few different sections and make a few rope-like braids. When each one is braided, you twist them together into a bun. The smaller your braids, the more texture you'll end up with. Her hair is pretty fine, so I just used two smaller braids.

Herringbone Braid Pictorial

A herringbone braid is a two-strand braid and it is so easy. The first time I saw one I couldn't imagine how it was done. I played with my daughter's hair forever until I figured it out, it is so very simple. In the picture, it's a french-style herringbone braid. Begin with two sections and add hair from the opposite side into each section, alternating from one side to the other. Once you get to the end of the french-braiding part, when it's time to braid the "tail" just remove small sections from the backs of each side and send them across the front to the other side. Putting it into words makes it sound far more complicated. No worries; I'll be producing a children's hair styling video series soon that will make this far easier!

Dutch Braid Pictorial

Love how the braid magically appears in only three pictures, huh. I plan to reshoot this and add more pictures, I actually snapped these myself while I was braiding and it was just too confusing to braid backwards and take pictures at the same time. The funny thing is- none of these braids will ever stay because every time I buy rubber bands for their hair they end up being used as slingshots, to seal up a roll of paper, or for Barbie dolls, or they use them to make doll clothes by looping one around a washcloth for a cape. Anyway- so all these braid pictures are of braids no one ever sees is real life.

Criss Cross French Braid Pictorial

A Criss-Cross french braid is an adorable little braid for a flower girl or even just to wear every day. OK, maybe not every day. Have fun trying this one.

It begins with a 4 part section, one goes over the head from ear to ear and the other goes from front to back straight down the middle. You might notice that my middle part sucked and that's OK.

Begin by french braiding (or dutch braiding) one of the front sections. Have the girl lay her head on one shoulder so you don't have to be a contortionist to braid comfortably.

Make each of the two front french braids go toward the point on top where the parts intersect. It will probably take practice. No big deal, just practice. I happen to have 6 daughters, so practice is really not hard to come by.

Once the two front pieces are braided to the ends, release one of the back sections, Braid its opposite side into it. In the pictures, I did a french braid, but I think I prefer using a dutch braid for this part, it gives the illusion that the braid is lying on top of the hair and it's realy prettier, I think, in this situation.


Once one is done- do the other.

That was easy, right?

For bridal hair or special occasions, you can add ribbons or flowers into the braid, it's really versatile.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday- The Halo Braid

What do you think of Braids?

I'm thinking of doing an entire series on Braids. Hair Braids. Nothing simple and boring, like Laura Ingalls, but fancy cool complicated braids. Whaddaya think, gals? Would you be interested in seeing funky braiding techniques and tutorials? I might need to end up getting a new camera or something. Just for you, of course. I can't teach you how to do cool braids if I keep using this crappy camera. Hmmm, maybe I'll try ebay or something. Let me know if you're getting rid of a camera or anything, OK.

Here are a few braids I can think of off the top of my head; If you have a preference of which ones I should start with, let me know. With 6 girls 5 heads of hair to practice on, I am sure I can come up with something.

French Braids, Dutch Braids, Braided Buns, Braided Ponytails, Braided Updos (so many to choose from) I am sure I'll come up with something. In the meantime, check out some of these cool Braid websites that I like;

Dreamweaver Braids
Braids by Niecy

I have never had a facial

Really- I am not a makeup wearing girl either. I think makeup causes pimples and I never remember to wash it off. I wear lip gloss sometimes. I have some Cover Girl mineral foundation that I've been using lately, but my pores are looking big (is that an age thing?) so I don't wear it very often. I get to go to a Mary Kay party and get a facial next week. I hope it's luxurious and not cheesy. I don't intend to buy anything because I am broke. I want my face to look young again, though. I hate aging skin. Olay regenerist isn't fixing it.