Five {5} Strand Messy Braid | Top Hairstyles
February 26, 2012
I am a HUGE fan of messy braid hairstyles, and you can see them pretty much anywhere right now in movies, on TV, in magazines, etc. They are so popular that we decided to give you the 5-Strand Messy Braid tutorial today!
When you braid hair, whatever the braid variation, it is important to understand the stranding. For this braid, the stranding is a bit complex, since you are using five strands instead of three. Once you get the hang of it, this gorgeous braid will take very little time to create.
{If you do not know how to braid with five strands, make sure you are comfortable with a 3-stranded braid first.}
Be sure to watch the video carefully to see how we incorporate the additional two strands. Then, as we finish the hairstyle, we tie off the braid and then loosen the “elbows” of the braid {we call this pancaking} for that messy boho look.
Wherever I go with this braided hairstyle, I receive so many compliments because you can easily tell that it does not look like a regular braid. Other girls want to know exactly how I did the hairstyle, and I am sure that you will get the same reaction! Enjoy!
Items Needed: Brush, comb, ponytail holder, hairspray {if desired}
Time Requirement: 5 minutes
Skill Level: Hard
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
Pancake Braids | Bohemian Hairstyles
February 01, 2012
Many of you noticed the cute braids that we included in the photos of the No-Heat Sock Curls Hairstyle tutorial, and asked if we could do a tutorial on it…
Great news, we actually filmed those braids on the sock curls that very day! I think you will admit that these braids are so super easy to do!
Now, I know you are going to ask… but my twins started calling this style of braiding “Pancake Braids” since they were little, because the braids are flattened like pancakes. {I thought it was cute… so the name stuck!}
In order to flatten a braid, you simply make a normal three-strand braid and then tug on the elbows while holding the end of the braid loosely. Once you like the way the braid looks, you simply tie it off with a clear elastic band.
In this hairstyle, we used two pancake braids, one on either side of the top/front of the hair, and then pinned them up around the back of the head. This is what actually gives the hairstyle a beachy-Bohemian look that is so popular today.
Just imagine the compliments you will receive on this hairstyle with such gorgeous curls {using no heat, of course) and these cute braids as an combo! I promise you that I will be the first to compliment you!
Enjoy!
Items Needed: 2 clear elastic bands, 2-4 bobby pins, hairspray {if desired}.
Time Requirement: 3-5 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
Comment on this post »Sock Curls | No-Heat Curls Hairstyles
January 18, 2012
By popular request, and because no-heat hairstyle ideas are very popular right now… we decided to share one of the curling techniques my grandma used on me when I was little.
This hairstyle curling tip uses a little bit of water and socks! Yes, mens socks {clean ones, of course} to curl hair!
Now, like we did in the Headband Curls, you want to start with dry hair. Then gently spritz the hair with a water spray bottle. You will want the hair to be slightly damp, but not wet.
{If you do this directly out of the shower, your curls will likely not hold when you take out the socks. It is important that you start out with dry hair.}
I also decided to try a little bit of curl enhancer {my first time using it} that I rubbed into the ends of the hair, to see how it works.
I then grabbed a section of hair from the top of the head and rolled the hair around the sock until I reached close to the scalp and then tied the sock. I did the same for the back-lower hair, as well as one each on the sides of the head. That makes a total of 4 tied socks.
If you are worried about the socks becoming loose or untying, you can sleep with a silk scarf over the hair.
After a good night’s sleep, you are ready to take out the socks. You will be amazed at how easy this hairstyle is, and how wonderful your curls will look after using only socks!
I guarantee you will get compliments on your curls, and when you tell everyone you used “socks” to get them… just watch their faces!
Enjoy!
Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, water bottle, curl enhancer, 4 mens socks, hairspray and accessory {as desired}
Time Requirement: 5 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
Comment on this post »Chalk Highlights | Teen Hairstyles
December 14, 2011
Aside from feather extensions, I am starting to see quite a trend towards color highlights in girls hairstyles. I am not a fan of permanent color in my girls’ hair, for obvious age reasons, but also because it can be damaging and a big commitment to that color.
My girls are coming home stating that many girls in their classes are using highlighters or Sharpies to color strands of hair {I about died hearing this}! That certainly cannot be good for the hair, even if they believe it washes out!
Just a few weeks ago, a Facebook fan commented that she thought we had used chalk highlights on a hairstyle we posted for our #3 daughter. We didn’t… however, intrigued, we looked into what it would take to use chalk as highlights and this tutorial is the end result.
What is great about these highlights is that they are fairly easy to apply, are non-toxic, last for one day and then easy to wash out. I bought our chalk pastels at Michael’s {with a 50% off coupon}, but you may buy similar pastels on Amazon. I, personally, would not use oil pastels as they will be messier and much harder to wash out.
I had my daughter’s hair in a soft braid the day before, to help add some body to the hair, so this is perfect 2nd day hairstyle! Be sure your daughter is wearing a shirt that you do not mind getting a little dirty {or use a plastic cape or towel over the shoulders}. You can create these highlights with minimal mess, if you are very careful.
Next, I take a bright colored pastel chalk and gently wet it with either the spray bottle or faucet. I then take a small strand of hair and, by gently rubbing the wet chalk in a downward motion. I color the bottom 4-5 inches of the strand. {Do not rub the chalk up and down the strand as this will ruin the hair.} I do the same on another 2 strands or so, and then switch to another color, and vary the colored segment lengths a bit.
After I have colored the desired strands, you can {if you wish} gently brush through the strand once with a brush, and then take a curling iron or wand and help set the chalk by curling the highlights. This also allows for the strands to fall beautifully within the rest of the hair. You may also choose to spritz the strand with hairspray to help the chalk highlights stay in longer.
Chalk highlights can work with many different colors of hair, including dark. Obviously, the darker vibrant colors show better on blonde hair with the lighter vibrant colors showing better on dark hair. You can use any number of colors, and it can be fun to experiment!
Fans on YouTube are going nuts over this hairstyle, because it is so easy to do and easy to wash out. As this is a chalk application, when you wash the hair… be sure to use a good conditioner. Chalk has a tendency to remove oils, so it is important to keep the hair conditioned.
This hairstyle tip is perfect for holiday hairstyles, school spirit day, cheerleaders, crazy hair day, or for use in many of our hairstyle combinations. It is a way to have a little color, which is becoming popular, without the committment! Enjoy!
Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, spray bottle, towel, pastel chalks, curling iron, hairspray.
Time Requirement: 5+ minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
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