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!
Lace Braid Heart | Valentine's Day Hairstyles
February 05, 2012
One of my favorite hairstyles for Valentine’s Day has to be the Lace-Braid Heart…
I’ve had this requested via emails and comments from fans, and we are seeing versions of the style on Pinterest, and even in a book called Cozy’s Guide to Girls’ Hair. You can style this on your daughter, your neice, or even yourself (YES, you can do it)! I have done it on myself and it still looks great! As long as you have at least shoulder-length hair, you are good-to-go!
{We posted a Lace Braid hairstyle tutorial previously, that you may want to view first since this tutorial really doesn’t demonstrate how to do the braid, but rather the hairstyle using the braids.}
This one is sure to impress anyone and everyone that sees it, especially during Valentine’s Day season. I’ve had teachers, neighbors, and even strangers stop my girls to take photos of this hairdo! For a more mature version, try making the braid look messier by using the Pancake Braid technique we showed you last week.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- I started with dry, straightened hair. To begin the hairstyle, create a DEEP part down the center of the head… about six inches long. The part should go from the middle forehead all the way down to the base back of the head.
- Secure one side of hair out of the way with a rubber band.
- On the other section, about 4 inches back from hairline, begin the lace braid using three-sections of hair. {This means you will only pick up hair from ONE side of the braid}. Begin the braid by braiding toward the face. After you have created about three braid weaves, “turn” the braid by now braiding toward the ear to create the heart arc.
- Continue to create the shape of a heart as you lace braid down to the ear. At this point, stop gathering hair into the braid and continue with a regular braid until you reach the middle of the head. Secure with a rubber band.
- Remove the ponytail holder off the hair on the other side of the part ,and repeat the lace braid process.
- Remove the rubber band on the first half of the braid and join the two ends of the braids together in the back with a ponytail holder to form the bottom point of the heart.
- Add a red or pink ribbon for a little added flair.
Enjoy!
Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, 1 hair band, 1 clear hair elastic, hairspray and ribbon {if desired}
Time Requirement: 10 minutes
Skill Level: Hard
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
Comment on this post »Double Waterfall Braid | Cute Hairstyles
October 11, 2011
I promise to keep bringing you updated Waterfall Braid hairstyles from time to time, since this braid is so popular.
This tutorial incorporates a very beautiful double-version of the braid…
To just prep the style, I had her hair in simple braids the day before. Taking them out left a very subtle curl with waves that really accented well the waterfall braids. {This style will look just as cute on straight hair, but I wanted those of you with curly hair to see that the Waterfall Braid looks great on you, too!}
I started by joining two waterfall braids from the front going backward, and secured them together with one clear hair elastic. {If you do not know how to Waterfall Braid, please see the links below the video.}
Now, for the lower waterfall braids I repeated the exact same process… however the hair I pick up from the top is actually a cascaded strand from the upper waterfall braid. I then finished it off into a hair-wrapped ponytail, to hide the elastic.
One of the best parts of this hairstyle is that it can be incorporated in any number of combos.
For example, yesterday I did this on myself {I have shoulder-length hair} and finished it off into a low messy bun. Yesterday was my shopping day and I must have had 1o comments or so on just my hairstyle, with a few of the girls really wanting to know how to do it. You could also finish it off by separating the remaining hair into messy/loose side braids, or pull it all back up into a fun and curly updo.
Items Needed: Brush, rat-tail comb, spray bottle, 2 clear elastic bands, hairspray and accesory {if desired}.
Time Requirement: 10-15 minutes
Skill Level: Hard
Our other “Waterfall Braid”-based tutorials…
- How to Waterfall Braid {basic instruction}
- How to Waterfall Braid on yourself {very popular}
- Waterfall Braid | Crimped Strands {a little 80′s flair}
- Spiral Curls | Waterfall Braid {gorgeous}
- Same Side Lace Braid {an inverted, dutch braiding version}
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
Comment on this post »Spiral Curls | Waterfall Braid
May 02, 2011
Continuing on with our Waterfall Braid series, we wanted to show you this one which incorporates the use of spiral curls on the fall-through strands of the braid. (For those of you who do not know how to braid this style, please review our how to waterfall braid tutorial.)
I think this hairstyle turned out absolutely darling!
We offset my daughter’s part a little, and then did a waterfall braid on both sides – meeting up together in the back.
We then took a Conair Spiral Styler and curled the loose strands of the hair and left the rest of the hair straight. You could curl all of the hair, but we really wanted to accent the loose strands of the braid against the hair. It is just a matter of your preference. We bought our spiral styler off of Amazon, at the following link…
Just like other curled styles, you will find that throughout the day the style will “curl crawl” {curls migrate into one another}. All you have to do is run your fingers through the strands, and the curls will separate back to original form!
Items Needed: Rat-tail comb, one hairband, spiral curler (iron), heat protectant, hairspray, accessory (if desired).
Time Requirement: 20 minutes
Skill Level: Hard
In fact, I think you moms should try this hairstyle on that Friday night Date Night with your awesome husbands!
Happy Hairdoing!
* Note from Mindy: Don’t forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
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