Mane Monday: Braids, braids and more braids
I am the first to admit I keep it simple with my hair. Most days its in a low bun, pulled back tight or soft depending on how greasy my hair is that day. If I do switch it up, its usually beach waves that make their way back to a low bun or a top knot. But I am trying to challenge myself to break away from the same old hair styles! Now that summer is quickly approaching and there are so many "festival" hair tutorials I got inspired to research some easy and not so easy ways to switch up my everyday look! Over the next few weeks I am going to focus on a different styles and break it down giving you a few options to test out on your own!
This week is all about BRAIDS!
I learned to braid when I was a kid, mainly because my mom was sick of braiding my hair in the morning, and the fact I was a brat and would complain about how she did it. Then I perfected my braiding skills (perfected meaning got descent) by braiding everyone on my lacrosse, field hockey and basketball teams hair. Yup I was that girl, I totally should have charged those bitches, but that besides the point. If you know how to do a simple french braid there are so may styles you can play with!
Ponytail Braid
This style is perfect if you are going from the gym to coffee, hell even gym to happy hour. You know you've taken a baby-wipe shower and gone out after the gym cause sometimes showering is just to much effort. Anyway, for this simple braid all you need is two hair ties, brush or comb, pomade (optional) and hair spray.
First, I put pomade on my hairline to help keep the flyways at bay, I have crazy baby hairs so even hair spray and pomade can't keep them down! Then I brush my hair out and put it in a pony tail, combing out all the bumps. For this style I find I prefer a high pony. After I get my ponytail at the right height I braid the ends dividing my hair into the most even sections I can make. I use a normal hair tie for the pony tail and I finish the braid with a small hair tie. The finishing touches are basic. Spray a toothbrush with hair spray and again brush over the flyaway zone.
Works best with medium to longer length hair.
Topknot Braid
This is the next level in the pony tail braid. All you have to do it wrap the braid into a bun and bobby pin it into place. Honestly, this is the best transition from gym to happy hour. All you need is a few bobby pins and you got a new chicer look! It will upgrade your typical topknot and gave it a sleeker look.
Works best with medium to longer length hair.
Plumbers Crack French Braid
Pardon my greys, I'm dying my hair this week. I call this the plumbers crack french braid since it goes right down the middle. Simple and easy to do as long as you can french braid. What I like about this is you can wear your hair down, or up. It adds a little detail, but it super simple.
I parted my hair along both side parts and then started with some pomade at the hairline. I probably would have added more just to make it a little more sleeker, or added some as I braided to the root of the hair. I stop braiding at the crown of the head and then finish with a normal braid and tie it off with a hair tie. I don't usually put hair ties near the root because I feel like they pull the hair out more, especially the small plastic hair ties for smaller braids. By braiding to the ends the braid will lay flat at the top.
What nice about this braid is you can wear you hair down, or put it up in a bun or ponytail and it adds a little detail to a normally simple pony or bun. Also, it's nice if your like me and feel like your "growing" out bangs are cooperating with you, but you want to wear your hair down, it takes those son of a bitches out of the equation, getting your hair out of your face. You will need a hair brush or comb, pomade(optional), hair tie and hair spray.
Works best with all hair lengths, except pixie, sorry!
Too Scared To Shave The Side Of My Head French Braid
Similar to the plumbers crack, you just need to part your hair and go to town. I've done this as a single, but depending on your skills you can have two to three smaller braids. I don't take the braid all the way to the nap of the head, I stopped towards the back side and then finished the braid so it lays nicely on the side. When I was done braiding I fattened the braid by pulling out the sides to make it look thicker. I also added some cute hair rings to the braid giving it a nice festival feel! I got a variety pack for $7 at amazon. You will need a hair brush or comb, a hair tie, pomade(optional), hair rings (optional) and hair spray.
Works best with all hair lengths, except pixie, sorry!
The Milk Maid
This is an easy "updo"/ "lowdo", is a go to of mine. For this final look you will need two hair ties and 4-6 bobby pins. All you need to do is divide your hair down the middle, make two braids and then cross the braids in the back. I tuck the ends of the braid under so they aren't sticking out, looking crazy. Throw on some lederhosen and go to town in a beer hall after putting together this look!
Works best with medium to long hair!
Check out my Instagram izzababy9 for the live review! It only lasts for 24 hour so hurry before it's gone!
This week is all about BRAIDS!
I learned to braid when I was a kid, mainly because my mom was sick of braiding my hair in the morning, and the fact I was a brat and would complain about how she did it. Then I perfected my braiding skills (perfected meaning got descent) by braiding everyone on my lacrosse, field hockey and basketball teams hair. Yup I was that girl, I totally should have charged those bitches, but that besides the point. If you know how to do a simple french braid there are so may styles you can play with!
 |
| Products I used in my looks! |
Ponytail Braid
This style is perfect if you are going from the gym to coffee, hell even gym to happy hour. You know you've taken a baby-wipe shower and gone out after the gym cause sometimes showering is just to much effort. Anyway, for this simple braid all you need is two hair ties, brush or comb, pomade (optional) and hair spray.
First, I put pomade on my hairline to help keep the flyways at bay, I have crazy baby hairs so even hair spray and pomade can't keep them down! Then I brush my hair out and put it in a pony tail, combing out all the bumps. For this style I find I prefer a high pony. After I get my ponytail at the right height I braid the ends dividing my hair into the most even sections I can make. I use a normal hair tie for the pony tail and I finish the braid with a small hair tie. The finishing touches are basic. Spray a toothbrush with hair spray and again brush over the flyaway zone.
Works best with medium to longer length hair.
 |
| Those damn flyways defy the laws of physics, but they match my personality so I guess I'll keep them. Or one day I'll pull a 2005 Britney and shave my hair! |
Topknot Braid
This is the next level in the pony tail braid. All you have to do it wrap the braid into a bun and bobby pin it into place. Honestly, this is the best transition from gym to happy hour. All you need is a few bobby pins and you got a new chicer look! It will upgrade your typical topknot and gave it a sleeker look.
 | |||
| I embraced the baby hairs. They usually win the battle, but one day I will win the war!! |
Pardon my greys, I'm dying my hair this week. I call this the plumbers crack french braid since it goes right down the middle. Simple and easy to do as long as you can french braid. What I like about this is you can wear your hair down, or up. It adds a little detail, but it super simple.
I parted my hair along both side parts and then started with some pomade at the hairline. I probably would have added more just to make it a little more sleeker, or added some as I braided to the root of the hair. I stop braiding at the crown of the head and then finish with a normal braid and tie it off with a hair tie. I don't usually put hair ties near the root because I feel like they pull the hair out more, especially the small plastic hair ties for smaller braids. By braiding to the ends the braid will lay flat at the top.
What nice about this braid is you can wear you hair down, or put it up in a bun or ponytail and it adds a little detail to a normally simple pony or bun. Also, it's nice if your like me and feel like your "growing" out bangs are cooperating with you, but you want to wear your hair down, it takes those son of a bitches out of the equation, getting your hair out of your face. You will need a hair brush or comb, pomade(optional), hair tie and hair spray.
Works best with all hair lengths, except pixie, sorry!
Too Scared To Shave The Side Of My Head French Braid
Similar to the plumbers crack, you just need to part your hair and go to town. I've done this as a single, but depending on your skills you can have two to three smaller braids. I don't take the braid all the way to the nap of the head, I stopped towards the back side and then finished the braid so it lays nicely on the side. When I was done braiding I fattened the braid by pulling out the sides to make it look thicker. I also added some cute hair rings to the braid giving it a nice festival feel! I got a variety pack for $7 at amazon. You will need a hair brush or comb, a hair tie, pomade(optional), hair rings (optional) and hair spray.
Works best with all hair lengths, except pixie, sorry!
The Milk Maid
This is an easy "updo"/ "lowdo", is a go to of mine. For this final look you will need two hair ties and 4-6 bobby pins. All you need to do is divide your hair down the middle, make two braids and then cross the braids in the back. I tuck the ends of the braid under so they aren't sticking out, looking crazy. Throw on some lederhosen and go to town in a beer hall after putting together this look!
Works best with medium to long hair!
 |
| traditional/ simple in the front |
 |
| Party in the back!! |
Check out my Instagram izzababy9 for the live review! It only lasts for 24 hour so hurry before it's gone!
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