A few French Braid variations

I keep wanting to do a week-of-braids series, but keep forgetting either to braid my hair or to take photos. While looking through our Israel photos, I saw the hubby snapped a nice one of the back of my head! (must've been bored or something) So we shall call these the Monday and Tuesday braids. The top one is basically an off centered french braid and the bottom one is a diagonal.

Wedding

*Video the hubby made for the couple*

I figured I should finally post about the whole reason we went to Switzerland! Joel & Rahel's wedding in Aarberg. There is so much I could write about. It was only my 2nd European wedding to attend and the first one where I could understand what was going on.

Once again I decided I am so glad we got married in the US of A. I got to have one last thing 'my way.'

In our PURPLE

The bride asked me a week or so before the wedding if I would do her hair. Talk about scary stuff!!! I did a practice on her future SIL and we all liked the results.

So glad we could be there to share the special day!

I ended up not only doing her hair, but a few other heads as well. I enjoyed doing it. It was fun to work with someone's head besides my own. I don't always feel as motivated, but thankfully I was that day! 

The 'dos

Success Book? Posts? Folder?

I am feeling pretty good about today. I had 2 successes. Good hair day and a tasty meal for visitors.
I was thinking that I should start a notebook or something of "Things I Did Right" or "Things That Worked Out" and put the details, so I can have repeated success.

My question is how should I do this because there are so many different categories. My first thought was here. Then at least it is digital and I don't risk losing it.

Starting with the hair. I wanted to practice something for the wedding we are going to next week. I smothered it in mousse, mainly the top, but moving down. Did lllleeettle strands all the way up. The front third of my head was curlers (made for a slightly uncomfortable night). I did a pony with a clip and curled up the rest. I had only 3 curlers left.
This morning I was amazed with how good it looked. Just being honest here. I thought of wearing it loose, but good judgment got the better of me. I have a crazy son, so into this curly braid it went.

I was pretty happy with the results. I took the photos right before I went to bed, so it was fuzzier and flatter than in the morning.

Hair Dare

http://www.beautyriot.com/hairstyles/hair-dare-30-days-30-styles-g6363

I came across this site and want to try this...I wanted to start today, but I considered it a sick day, so maybe tomorrow. I might post a slideshow per 10 days or something, not a post each day. We'll see how it goes.

What I also have planned for this month is SIT-UPS. Hopefully as close to every day as I can...I picked this month, because it only has 29 days :D

A few braids and a bubble...

It has been a long time since I posted any hair ideas. My sister has recently got inspired and posted tons of ideas on pinterest. I love so many of them, but with my length hair, most are not doable. I do love that braids are in right now, because that is something I can do! My style was inspired by the braids from this one. I decided this girl must have THICK hair to be able to have the bangs, braids and still no scalp showing.

I did 2 little french braids and pulled them together into a side pony, but did not pull it all the way through, then braided the ends and wrapped it around.

No one to take pictures of me, so I have to try to do it myself...

I still am not sure about the off-centered look, but I keep trying it.

What I want to try next! Not sure how it will look without bangs, but will give it a shot...

A New Favorite of Mine

Half the work, twice the results

Thanks Stephanie for the great inspiration! I have done this hairstyle several times and every time been very pleased. I use hotsticks or sponge rollers instead of a curling iron and it works great.

Hair Idea

I was looking through some old pictures and found these of a day I just was messing with my hair...I actually like this idea, but do not remember how I did it!

Great Giveaway at my Favorite Hair Site

Little Princess Hair

First we used Hotsticks. This little girl was quite brave. Since her hair is thin, they started burning her scalp, so we clipped a towel underneath them to help.





I started with a side french braid and put in lots of hair spray.

When I took the curlers out, I separated all the curls to give it a little more body and then started pinning. Underneath all the curls are a few clippies to make it more secure.

Up-do with braided headband

This was my quick formal dinner hair on the cruise...

1. It was still slightly damp, so that made it easy to work with...

2. I made a low ponytail and braided a piece of it.

3. With all the hair, except the braid, I made many finger/fake curls.

4. Once the hair was all 'curled,' I secured the braid around with bobby-pins in the braid going horizonally.

'Extension Cords"

Another creation by Leah...this is a really bad picture (after I slept in the hair-do), but the only one I have...I discovered this in the car. I was playing and made a chain wth my hair. To make it into a style, I made a few in the front and pinned them (as you can well see). After that I made a ponytail and made 4 chains from it and pinned then up. It looked like I spent a lot of time curling the hair! *I think this would probably have to be for someone with quite long or thick hair, because the chains were probably only 8 inches long.

I thought a video might help to show how to make them. This video shows the idea...sorry for the strange music...

Big Girl Version

I saw this hairstyle on a blog that I LOVE! I wanted to try it, but my hair is probably 25 times longer than the little girl's, so I made my own version. There are great directions listed on the site, so I will list my variations...1. I made my ponytail with a bit of a pouf, so the front wasn't so flat, since I don't think that looks good on me.

2. I made the twists and to hold them while I was making the others, I used a bobby pin to hold them. I made the additional 2 ponies the same, but due to time restriction, I did not do the weaving (when I have more than 6 minutes, I will try).

3. Instead of the flipped pony, I made a knot and twisted strands to look like the upper half of the hair and just started pinning. I was pleased with the results.

Tidy Donut

1. I did a little backcombing with the hair above my clip and a bit in the front.

2. I put all the hair in a ponytail, added my headband and separated the ponytail into 4 pieces.

3. I made large finger curls with the 4 strands-Top, Side, Side, Bottom. They are pinned with the rolled part under and facing 'out'. To secure them to my head, I used a claw clip on one side and a large bobby pin on the other. With the bobby pin, I had the bottom part against the scalp and the rest goes flat over the inside of the loop.

4. After making the 'donut' add extra bobby pins to make the shape even.

*Voila*

Little Girl 'Crown'

I love to experiment with my nieces' hair...this one has hair a few inches long...I made a 'crown' from little rubber bands.

It's not perfect, but looked cute for a summer day...I was not sure how to end it, so I did matching clips on the front and the ends laid flat on her head.

Leah's French Twist

Since I have long hair, I make a knot with my hair, right against my scalp and pin around it, so that it is secure. If you have shorter hair, you can grab the hair like you are making a ponytail at the nape of your neck and start twisting it up.

Once there is a 'base' secured, the ends of the hair should be loose on the top of the head. I take small sections and make 'finger curls' and pin (shows at 4:35) them above the base.

I normally check in the mirror after every other curl to see if the placement of them is making a normal shape. This hair style takes me typically under 5 minutes, but looks nice :)

Hair Site Giveaway

www.shimmyshimmyhairstyles.blogspot.com is having a wonderful giveaway. Go check it out!!

Back to my childhood

This morning I wanted just a plain braid in my hair,
Then decided, not just a braid -a spiced up braid.
I first made a french braid, but don't like the front of my hair to be flat,
(step 1) I put some hair into a little pouf in the front-secured with pins.
(step 2) made the french braid,
(step 3) decided to flip it up...
(step 4) thought I'd go for a little-girl-look, so I searched for a matching ribbon
(step 5) tied a bow around the braid.

Now I have a *problem*...I don't know where my camera is?! I had it Saturday and now it is misplaced. I used a broken camera to try to take pictures, but it shut off after every photo and really is messed up, so I only have bad photos. What else is happening in my life, besides hair posts? Nothing much. School (same old story). I find blogging relaxing, so normally anytime I make a post, it is to avoid something I don't want to do :)

New Idea

Friday I got inspired to check on youtube for hair videos. Wadda know? I found some! I found some posted by gossgirl2 that were nice. (search Apostolic hair) This hairstyle is a combo of 2 of her videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-71vzC62O5Q was how I learned to do the pouf that I LOVE (because you don't have to backcomb) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq8SgFFwi_g&feature=channel_page was the inspiration for the rest.

1. To make the pouf, take 3 sections from the front and roll them under and place enough pins to hold it secure (Image 1 & 2)

2. Make ponytail and on the last time of pulling the hair through, leave it as a loop and pin it up. Clippies in each side also works well. (Image 3)

3a. For long hair, make a knot with the ponytail and secure it with the ends hanging down, then twist the ends up in 'fake curls' and pin them-voila!

3b. For shorter hair, separate the hanging hair into a few sections and roll them up and pin them.

I loved how this hair style turned out and it was quite comfortable...I actually wore it 4 days in a row, which is probably a record for me! (rolls eyes at self)

Side French Braid

I saw a girl in Germany with this hairstyle, so I decided I needed to try it. I normally am not a fan of side styles, because I like symmetry (something to do with being a Capricorn). I found this hair style easy to do and very comfortable...normally a side braid gives me a headache from the weight all on one side of my head, but not today. I do not have details of how to do this french braid, except to start on the side of your head and continue along the edge of your head...