Chic Hairstyles: Part 4

Dutch Braid Pigtails

By: Marley Smith

I have tired many new braids through my previous posts and decided to build my skills on a particular one, the Dutch braid. The Dutch braid is created by adding in strands while you braid. But instead of crossing the new hair over like in a French braid, you're passing it from side to side underneath.

For this hairstyle, I decided to do Dutch Braid Pigtails. The braids are created by splitting the hair down the middle of the head into two equal sections. Next you Dutch braid along your hairline until you reach the level of your ear. Once reaching the ear add in all extra hair and start braiding normally (Butcher,65). Make sure to secure the hair with an elastic so the braid won’t come apart. Do the same on the other side of the head. You will then be left with a beautiful style that frames your face!

While creating this style I learned that it is easier to use a comb to ensure that your hair is parted evenly. I also learned it could be worn in different ways. In the book Butcher claims “By stretching out the braids you’ll emphasize their shape.. to keep the look modern” (Butcher, 64). This is an important tip because it helps the braid elevate from a simple look to a more complex one.

After completing this look I was amazed with the results. It was so

simple, fast, and looked great! The braided pigtails perfectly shaped the face leaving an elegant look. Best of all it took only about 5 minutes to complete and is a perfect go to hairstyle for someone in a rush!

Would you wear a Dutch braid in pigtails?

What would you do to get creative with this hairstyle?

Citation:

Butcher, Christina. Braids, Buns, and Twists!: Step-by-Step Tutorials for 82 Fabulous Hairstyles. Apple Press, 2015.

Eve Waters Braid #3

Eve Waters
Braid #3
My Favorite braiding "cornrows"
The final challenge.

Good afternoon bloggers!
My goal this time around was to challenge myself by doing a harder hairstyle. I decided to go with cornrows. On page 45 by the authors still using by Sarah Hiscox and Willa Burton on the book "The Braid".  This braid is one of the most challenging in the book and I thought i should push myself to try these tiny little braids on a friend to see how they will turn out. I will go through the steps and then just show you the outcome of what the braids look like in the end. I struggled with taking pictures during the process but did have a successful outcome in my opinion. My model this time was Liv Lager. I hope you enjoy!


First you should know that this is just small, complicated dutch braids. Depending on the person you should shoot for 6 or more cornrows. My model for the day was Liv, she had sort of thin hair so I decided to go for 5 braids. Make sure you comb your hair out or there will be a lot of tangles you wont want to find later in the process.

Continue on the process by sectioning the hair into 5 sections. This is the little dutch braids remember, so don't make them either to small or to large. Start the process at the top of the head and keep close to the root. Example A:


This should be the rules for every time you start a new braid. Repeat the steps for each braid that you continue to do.



Finally this is the end product of what the hair should look like...






Hope you enjoyed the process and try this at home if you want a fun challenge! I defiantly think this was my favorite braid to try so far from the book. This book is 10/10 recommended if you want a fun experience that's also challenging. Thank you for reading my blog and check out my other 2 blogs under the name "Eve Waters". Thanks again!! See you soon bloggers.

Chic Easy Hairstyles Part 2

Welcome back to my blog! In my previous post I asked how you would personalize the Full Fishtail Pony, because in this post I will continue off of that braid. In the introduction of the book 5-Minute Hairstyles by Jenny Strebe, she talks about how the braids in the book look great but it’s even better if you add your own special touch (Strebe 6). Meaning to be creative and add your own twist! 

                 After reading Strebe’s introduction, I began to look at the hairstyles and thought of ways to make them unique to me. On page 66 I had found the Braided Bun, looking at the picture steps I found them to be similar as the Full Fishtail Pony. I added my own unique touch to the Braided Bun by combing the hairstyle with the Full Fishtail Pony. Taking off where the Full Fishtail Pony ends, all I did was wrap the fishtail around in a bun and there I had a Braided Bun. The only difference between the two hairstyles was that the Braided Bun was a regular braid and you just wrapped the braid around into a bun. 

Images 1-3 Braided Bun modeled by Angela

                By making a little change in the hairstyle, I had made it personalized. The hairstyle was still quick and easy but it looks totally different. As Strede says on page 6 “Weather its adjusting the style of braid you use, or adding a special accessory, you can make each of these styles your own.” So get creative and have fun with your hair, it’s all whatever you think looks good on you.  

                How do you like your hair? Add a little twist and see what happens. Read my next blog to find out what hairstyle is next!

Chic Easy Hairstyles Part 1

Waking up in the morning is trouble enough, but what’s even more stressful is taming that hair! We tend to stick to morning routines and the basic boring looks because we just don’t have enough time in the morning. A book called 5-Minute Hairstyles by Jenny Strebe, including 50 hairstyles for the typical girl on the go, inspired me to experiment with some of the hairstyles to see if they are quick and easy while still looking good.

5-Minute Hairstyles by Jenny Strebe

This first look I tried was called a “Full Fishtail Pony”. I tried this look because "it looks great lived-in, so you don't have to worry about getting a little messy throughout the day" (Strebe 18), which means if throughout the day your hair gets messy, your hair will still be looking good. My friend Angela had volunteered to be my hair model, so getting started I gathered her hair in a high pony tail securing her hair with an elastic. Secondly I started fish tail braiding the pony tail by dividing it into two pieces and taking one small piece of hair from each side and bringing it over to the other side repeatedly. I fish tail braided until I got to the end of her hair and secured the end of the braid with another elastic. Lastly I went back to the top of the braid and slightly pulled the sides of the fishtail to make her hair look more voluminous, a tip from Strebe on page 18.

"Full Fishtail Pony" modeled by Angela

In all I recommend this look because it was very easy and quick to do. The Full Fishtail Pony is an effortless yet a very pretty braid. You can wear this braid neat or messy, which ever suits you. 

Would you wear a Full Fishtail Pony? And how would you personalize this braid? Read my next blog to learn what my following easy chic hairstyle will be!