Get Merida’s Fiery and Curly Red Hair | Disney Princess Hairstyles

July 02, 2013

Since we have been creating content for Disney Style during the past 18 months now, I am often asked which of all the Disney princesses I most closely relate.

It really isn’t a hard question anymore, after Brave came out in theaters last year!

I do not have red curly hair like Merida does, however, like her, I do have an independent and driven personality with a very laser-like focus.  I guess you would have to be to manage the daily schedules of an eight-person household!

Just this past May, Merida was coronated as the newest member in the Disney Princess family, and I was invited to attend.  To help celebrate this occasion, my girls and I decided to show you how to replicate Merida’s spiral curls using an easy straw no-heat curling method.  It really is a beautiful hairstyle!

This no-heat curling technique is similar to that of “rag curls” or “paper bag curls” that many of our grandmothers used on our moms when they were little.

The idea is to take small sections of slightly-damp hair, wrap/roll them tightly with a straw, and then tie the straw into a first-stage of a knot.  The straws actually hold up fairly well.

{I purchased a box of flexible, accordion drinking straws from Wal-Mart for only a couple of dollars.  I use these straws, because the flexible bend actually makes it easier to tie the straws into the hair.}

You can sleep on the straws for next-day curls by tying a silk scarf around the head, or simply wear the straws around for a few hours.  You can also simply use a hair dryer, like I did, to have the curls dry in only 10-15 minutes.

When you untie the straws, you will see beautiful corkscrew curls {like  old telephone cords} in the hair.  You can then separate the curls to your liking, and style the hair as desired for an everyday look.

To get Merida’s fiery red color, we used a mix of orange and red temporary “spray-in” hair color, which you can find in small cans at your local beauty supply or party supply store.  This sprays in and washes out easily.  {Be sure to use an old bath towel to drape over the shoulders to prevent  wet spray getting on the clothing.}  Once the spray dries, it holds up pretty well all day.

 

 

Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, spray bottle, bandana, and approx. 40 plastic drinking straws. Optional: 1-2 cans of orange and red temporary spray-in hair color and an old bath towel.

Time Requirement: 20-30 minutes to tie the straws. 5-10 minutes to remove the straws and style hair.

Skill Level: Medium

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Begin with washed and dry hair.
2. Separate off the top ¾ of hair, and secure on top of the head with an elastic…
3. On the bottom section, take a small 1 inch section and spritz with water once or twice… just enough to dampen the strand. {If you drench it with water, the knots will not dry and the curls will not set.}
4. Holding the straw where it bends, begin to wrap the hair around and around the straw away from the face. Keep the hair tight and close together on the straw…
5. When you run out of hair to wind, and while holding the hair end against the straw, take both ends of straw and tie them like you would tie the beginning  step of a shoelace. When secure, let go and move on to the next strand…
6. Continue Steps 3-5 until the entire bottom row of hair is finished.
7. Now release the next layer of hair and repeat the same steps….
8. Continue winding and knotting until all the hair is done. {When I was doing the top layer of hair, I parted the hair to one side and curled it all away from the face.}
9. If you are going to sleep with straws in overnight, tie in a silk scarf or a bandana to help the straws remain in place. You can also let the straws sit in the hair for a few hours before removing, or even sit under a hair dryer for 10-15 minutes to set the curls.
10. To remove the straws, simply untie them and let hair fall off straw.You will have amazing corkscrew curls that will loosen into soft curls over time.
11. Separate the curls to your liking and style as desired. {Be careful to not brush out the curls!}

Please feel free to leave me a comment below letting us know what you think!  As always, if you loved this hairstyle, please feel free to share it!

Happy Hairdoing!

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Wrap-Around Prim Braid | Catching Fire | Hunger Games Hairstyles

April 14, 2013

It looks like Lionsgate has been releasing sporadic photo stills from the upcoming Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire!

The one that I am most interested in shows Prim embracing Katniss right after her sister returns home from the games.

What I love about this photo is that it symbolizes Katniss’ promise to her younger sister that she would return to her, a promise that she kept.

The released photo shows a good side shot of a super-cute braid that Prim is wearing! The hairstyle looks like a variation of the Katniss braid, but leaving some hair down in the back. {The movie still is credited here.}

Taking a quick look at the photo, my girls and I deducted that it is a winding braid, using a lace braid technique along the partline and forehead. Then, right about the right temple, the braid turns into a Dutch braid until just behind the right ear, then back into a lace braid diagonally around the back {allowing for hair down}. The braid is then finished into a simple braid that can be worn down in the back or over the shoulder.

For another super-cute look, you could continue the diagonal braid as a Dutch braid instead of a lace braid… giving your a beautiful variation of the Katniss braid from the original movie and Catching Fire!

If you would like us to replicate more “Catching Fire” hairstyles, simply let us know in the comment box below! And… if you loved this tutorial, PLEASE BE SURE TO SHARE IT!

Get practiced up on this hairstyle, because I feel it will be one that millions of young girls will wear to see Catching Fire when it releases in November, 2013!!!  I know Brooklyn and Bailey are anxious to see it!

Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, curling wand, 1 small hair elastic, hairspray {if desired}.

Time Requirement: 5 minutes without texture, 10-12 minutes with curls added.

Skill Level: Hard

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. {Optional} You can use a TopStyler to add curls previous to braiding, which is what the Hunger Games hairstyle team uses, but I used a NuMe curling wand to add texture to the hair.
2. Begin by creating a deep side part on the left side of the head…
3. Pick up a small section of hair at the back left of that part, closest to the crown. Separate that section in to three smaller strands, and begin a Dutch Lace Braid.
4. Creating a lace braid, you add in hair only on the side of the braid closest to the part line.  Continue directing the Lace Braid towards the face…
5. As you get to within about an inch of the hair line, begin to curve the braid slightly to create a soft arc shape…
6. As you complete the arc, just above the right temple, you will need to begin adding hair into both sides of the braid by using a few stitches of a regular Dutch braid.  This is because you will also want to incorporate the bottom hair so that it isn’t in the face…
7. Continue the Dutch braid till you get to right above the ear…
8. angle using the Dutch lace braid technique seen in the video.Once you reach directly above the right ear, you will want to switch back to forming a Lace Braid.  {You will only be adding hair into the top side of the braid nearer to the top of the head.}  Remember that Prim has long hair remaining below the braid that flows down her back.  Using a lace braid for the diagonal braid in the back will allow the bottom hair to remain, like a half-up/half-down hairstyle, just as in the photo.  From the top of the right ear to the bottom of the left ear, you will want to create a 45 degree angle using the Dutch lace braid technique seen in the video.
9. When you get to the bottom of the left ear, make sure you tug the hair into the braid a little tighter, in that last stitch, to keep the hair from hanging awkwardly over the ear.
10. Once you have gathered up all the hair into the Lace Braid, finish it off using a simple braid, and secure with a hair elastic.
11. Spritz with hairspray, if desired.

Here is the video tutorial… enjoy!

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Google Reader will be shutting down on July 1st, so if you want to follow our blog… you can do so at BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader for women!

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Double Braid Sparkly Headband | Braided Headbands

March 31, 2013

We wanted to do a hairstyle this week that would be different than all of the other braided headbands you see out there.

This one promises to get lots of attention because of how simple it is, yet it can be accented with thin sparkly headbands that you can find inexpensively at Walmart, Target, or Claire’s, etc.

This style is perfect for girls of all ages, and would be particularly beautiful as an accent to an updo for Prom, Homecoming, or any other formal occasion!

This hairstyle incorporates two thin braids, on either side of the head, which are then brought up over the head and pinned down just below the opposite ear.

Then the sparkly plastic headbands are placed in to accent the braids to your liking. {I pancaked the front braid just a bit to add a contrast to the braids themselves, which ended up being a very good touch!}

Items Needed: Curling wand, brush, rat-tail comb, 2 small hair elastics, 4 bobby pins, hairspray {if desired}, and two thin sparkly headbands.

Time Requirement: 5 minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Begin by brushing out the hair, and curling with your favorite curling tool {I used a 25 mm NuMe curling wand} or overnight no-heat method…
2. Hairspray the curls when you are done curling, and leave them alone for a few minutes to let cool and set…
3. {Optional} Tease the top of the hair a little, from the crown down the back, to add mega-volume…
4. Pick up a section of hair near the ear and begin to braid it over the head {make sure to braid in the direction you want the braid to lie, which is up and over… otherwise, the braid will lay funny when you are done}…
5. When braid is finished, secure with a hair elastic.
6. Repeat Steps 4 & 5 on the other side of the head.
7. Now, finger comb through the curls and smooth the top of the hair lightly with a brush, as needed…
8. Bring each braid over the top of the head, and secure behind opposite ears with bobby pins {two crossed bobby pins works great}…
9. {Optional} You can tug on the edges of the braids, like I did to the front braid, in order to pancake them.  It adds a subtle differentiation to the style.  I left the back braid alone.
10. Now, place one sparkly headband in front of the first braid, and place the second headband between the first and second braids…
11. Adjust the braids and headbands, as desired.
12. Finish off with hairspray {if needed}.

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know what you think! If you enjoyed this hairstyle, please feel free to share it!

Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Google Reader will be shutting down on July 1st, so if you want to follow our blog… please don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader for women!

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Dutch Lace Braided Headband | Braid Hairstyles

March 17, 2013

Be sure to subscribe to our twins’ new YouTube channel, BrooklynAndBailey! They uploaded their very first video upload today and want to know what you think!

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Many people have recently been asking for more Shorty Do hairstyles…

Well, CGH#4 wanted to film a tutorial yesterday so we sat down and discussed some ideas together. {She usually isn’t one to volunteer, so I jumped all over it!} Since she has shorter hair, she really enjoys braided headbands… styles that she can wear with her short hair to keep the hair out of her face!

Since we have been loving Lace Braids lately, we thought it would be a great idea to show you how do to a Lace Braided Headband!

This braid is different from a traditional braided headband, because you pull the hair strands only from one side… which creates a more distinct stranding effect from the forehead into the headband.

We think this hairstyle turned out super cute, and lasted very well throughout the day!

As a base, you can leave the hair straight, if you want.  I used a NuMe reverse curling wand to add texture before completing the braid. We have a NuMe coupon code CUTEHAIR {all one word and all CAPS} that will give you $110 off any regular styling wand until May 1, 2013, if you want one. That is a HUGE discount, and fans are saying that some items are already out of stock!  I have been told by the company that it will have them re-stocked by the end of this month.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, 1 small hair elastic, 1 hair band, 2 bobby pins, hairspray and curling wand {if desired}.

Time Requirement: 3-5 minutes

Skill Level: Medium

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Part the hair, using the rat-tail comb, from ear to ear across the top of the head…
2. Secure the back half of the hair with a hairband to keep it out of the way for now…
3. Now begin a Dutch braid near the left ear. As you go along, try to keep the braid as close to the part line as possible, away from the front of the face…
4. Please be sure the you only add hair into the braid from the front, do not add hair into the hair from the back side of the head. This creates the lace/feather stranding effect from the forehead into the braid…
5. Continue braiding, in this same fashion, up and over the head until you reach the other ear…
6. At this point, you have two options to secure the braid. First, you may continue on by finishing a simple braid down the remaining hair, and secure with an elastic {good for younger girls}. Secondly, you may choose to us using 2 bobby pins, crossing them, to pin the remaining hair directly behind the right ear {recommended for older teens and women}.
7. Now, simply release the back hair from the hairband, helping it to fall around the face and nicely frame this gorgeous braided headband.
8. I prefer to pancake the braid, by tugging on the elbows of the braid, to flatten it and help the braid look more pronounced.  {You do not have to do this, but I LOVE how it looks!}
9. Add hairspray to help control the flyways and baby hairs on the forehead.

If you enjoyed this hairstyle, please feel free to share it!

Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader that will be replacing Google Reader!

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Romantic and Edgy 2-in-1 Side Swept Look | with Kandee Johnson

February 24, 2013

We are so happy to introduce you to a YouTube icon, and a good friend of mine, KandeeJohnson!  {You can also find more of her on Kandee’s blog.} She is one of the most influential makeup gurus on YouTube, and a fellow mommy, too {four children}!

We want to give our sincere thanks to Kandee for helping us with this collaboration and for being such a wonderful friend!

For this hairstyle tutorial, we wanted to show you two different side-swept looks, romantic and edgy, that are equally beautiful using my twins as models.

The first look on CGH#2 is more like something you would see on Taylor Swift, and the second on CGH#1 like something Rihanna would wear.

                        

Over on Kandee’s channel, she shows us how to complete the looks by applying each girls’ makeup to match the hairstyle. You can watch her video here…

Here’s how to get each hairstyle:

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Romantic Side-Swept Hairstyle

Items Needed: Curling wand, brush, 3-5 bobby pins, hairspray {if desired}, and a headband, if you want to accessorize.

Time Requirement: 10 minutes (curl time included)

Skill Level: Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Begin by curling your hair to your liking {You can use a wand, curling iron, rollers, or a no-heat curling method.  I did tighter curls for this look, think Taylor Swift curls, to give it more of a romantic and girly feel}…
2. Do a deep, side part and sweep your hair behind your head to the other side and let lay over your shoulder {we left her bangs down on her forehead and swooped them to the side as well.  We also left a few bangs out on the opposite side of her face.  Leaving the bangs on the face softens the look and adds to the romantic feel}…
3. Using bobby pins, begin to pin the hair so that is stays sitting over your shoulder {it took about 4 bobby pins for me.  Make sure you cross your bobby pins for extra security, and don’t panic if you cannot hide the bobby pins perfectly.  On this style you will likely see the bobby pins, so make sure you use bobby pins that match your hair color}…
4. Add hairspray the hair to give it a little more structure and hold…
5. To finish the look, I added a flower headband on CGH#2 that is super cute and something that Taylor Swift would likely wear with this hairstyle. {You can find the headband on Etsy.}

Don’t you agree that this hairstyle would look adorable with a cute summer sun dress?  Side-swept hairstyles are “in” right now, so I expect to see a lot of these when the weather gets warmer!

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Edgy Side Swept Hairstyle

Items Needed: Curling wand, brush, teasing brush or comb, 3-4 bobby pins, and 1 hair elastic.

Time Requirement:  10 minutes (with curl time)

Skill Level: Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Begin by curling your hair to your liking {you can use a wand, curling iron, rollers, or a no-heat curling method.  I used a curling wand, but I made very loose, soft curls so that it looked a little more natural and less styled}…
2. Do a deep side part and begin to tease your hair to add volume and fullness on the top and side.  Remember this is an edgy look so you want lots of volume.  We even teased her bangs up and over to give a more dramatic look…
3. Once you have teased the hair, sweep it all behind the head and over the opposite shoulder…
4. Then, pick up a section of hair behind the ear {the side without the hair} and begin a small simple braid…
5. Braid it downward around the back of the head and let it fall near the nape of your neck…
6. Secure the end of the braidwith an elastic for added security.
7. Now, using bobby pins, begin to pin the hair so that is stays sitting over your shoulder.  It took about 4-6 bobby pins for me.  {This may be  a little harder to pin because you are also pinning the braid.  Make sure you cross your bobby pins for extra security and do not panic if you cannot hide the bobby pins perfecty.  On this style, you will also still likely see the bobby pins so make sure you use bobby pins that match your hair color.}
8. Add hairspray the hair to give it a little more structure and hold.

Don’t you agree that this look would be great with some jeans or cut-off shorts, a cute skeleton or print t-shirt, and red nails?

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Please do not forget to check out Kandee’s tips for applying makeup to match these two hairstyles over on her YouTube channel!  Again, you can see her fun video here.

If you liked these hairstyles, please do feel free to share! Happy Hairdoing!

* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!

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