Little Girl's Hairstyles -So You Think You Can....Twist? 20-30 Min

So, I'm always on the lookout for new 'do's, (aren't we all?) and one evening, I happened upon this hair do on one of my very favorite shows of all time: "So You Think You Can Dance". The little gal Mollee had her hair done up like this (or at least it's what I think her hair was like, thank goodness for a DVR, I had to rewind the closeups of her hair several times), and I just thought it was awesome! So I had to try it out. Here's our version of the SYTYCD do! (I have another one coming later--I'm so excited!)

I first parted off a circular shape in the center of head, leaving about 2 inches of hair hanging down around the perimeter of her head, and clipped off the top part.

I then gathered the 'headband' portion, and clipped that off underneath, since I worked with the top section first.

I did 4 twist rolls down this top section. Here's how to do a twist roll: Start with a rectangular small section of hair.

Split it in half.

Knot the two sections one time.

Twist the two sections a few times (this is what helps the roll stay in).

After twisting the sections, knot the two pieces again.

And pull both sides down evenly and tightly. Mine is a tad bit off centered, which I detest, but alas, I can only strive for perfection.

I did this four times down her head, using all the hair that I parted off on top.

Next, I did a french twist braid down each side. As I went, I picked up the pieces from the twist rolls I made, and weaved them into the twist braid.

I also only picked up hair from the bottom, not the top as I went.

I brought it down to the middle of her head and clipped it off so I could do the next side.

You can see here how I picked up the pieces from her twist rolls  a tad bit late as I was going down her head. Try to make the pieces go straight out from the twist rolls into the twist braid, and your twist rolls won't slant to one side like mine.

After I finished both sides, I put in an elastic, and then did a twist braid down her ponytail.

I got this super cute flower from Angela's Accessories.

Well, I hope this inspired you to do some fun hair (or at the very LEAST, get dancing!). I had fun trying to figure it out. If you ever have a picture of a hairdo you want to learn how to do, feel free to send it my way and I'll do my best to figure it out! It's rather ridiculous how much I would love to do it!

Little Girl's Hairstyles -Pull Through Pony Updo 10-15 Min

Here's one of those Christmas break updo's that mom did when it was just too darn cold to go outside and play. I'm not sure why all the different colored elastics and non matching flower, BUT, let's just say at the time, it worked. So here we go:

Part the hair at an angle from front to back.

On the right side, section off a small area and do your first pull through pony.

Next, section off a larger area on opposite side of your part, and do another pull through, angling it toward the part.

Part off section no. 2 on the right side, and incorporate the pony from the left side into this pull through.

Make section no. 2 on the left side, crossing over the first pull through's pony, over the top of the first crossover, and incorporate it into the next pull through, angling toward the part. (Pictures are SO necessary--because I don't think my explanations would make any sense otherwise!)

Make a 3rd section on the right side again, pulling in the existing pony on the left, but cross it over the top of the right pony this time, instead of under.

Grab both ponys and the rest of the hair that's still down and comb over and put into a bun (I did a stuffed bun).

Spray well with hairspray, and then this is when I stuck in my large non matching flower.

I include all the side and top shots to hopefully help you see what it looks like (and should look like) from all sides. If you are like me, I usually need to adjust at least one thing on one side to get it right. I hope this is another helpful updo for you ladies requesting those! It stays in tight, and out of her face. This is a great one to use those handy seam rippers to get the elastics out!

Happy Monday!

Little Girl's Hairstyles -French Twist Braids and Bun 15-20 Min

This hairdo was featured on Adopt A Do's blog back in December, for the HairDo of the Month. I posted about it, because I was so excited to be on her fantastic blog! I wanted to share it on mine as well, because I just really really loved how this one turned out! I called this one "Here's My Angle". (I have to apologize for the two off center pictures--I've tried redoing them and just can't get it to work, so forgive the crazies!)

First, part off the top of wet hair into a square in center of head, making both sides on a slight angle. You’ll be making 4 sections, and this is your first 2 sections.

Next, split this section down the middle into two sections, and clip off one section to prep for the first french twist braid. I do have a video tutorial on these, if the pictures don't make sense.

                                                       

Take a small section at the front and divide it into two pieces.

Cross the pieces to begin the twist.

After initial twist, pick up and add hair from one side, just like when french braiding. Then add hair in the same manner to other side of twist, and twist the two sections around each other again.

Continue in this manner: Add hair to both sides of twist, then twist around once.

Finish off by twisting tightly without adding more hair, and secure with elastic. Do the same thing in next parted off section. Now prep for side section. Part down to her ear and follow the same twist pattern as I described.

Do the same with the other side.

This shows the four finished sections.

Next comb the rest of the hair, including the 4 ponys, to the side, going at the same angle.

If you have shorter hair to work with, then make it into a pony, or a pull-through pony. I did a stuffed bun. Do a pony, then on last time through, pull through halfway. Take long tail and loop around and ‘stuff’ it back into the elastic. Keep stuffing until it looks nice and messy. I don’t like the double loop look, so I just keep stuffing in until I like it. Spray well with hairspray.

I also added some snap barrettes, since side ponys can have escapees out the back easily.

Stick in a super darling doodad (this one is from Madibu Bows) to draw attention to your girl’s Angle!

                                      

   And there's that grin! Get ready for some positive attention!

Little Girl's Hairstyles -Q & A: How to keep hairdos in?

I have been getting a lot of questions and I try my very best to respond to them, whether through email or if there's a link to your blog. BUT sometimes I can't find a way to respond directly back to you, and my only option is to just add another comment. And frankly, ladies, I just don't think that's sufficient! SO, I've decided to post some of your questions from time to time, and hopefully give you a decent answer, and perhaps some of the rest of you will find it helpful as well.

So, my first question comes from Caroline:
"Any suggestions for preventing the children from taking the hair down? My girls are ages 4, 2.5 and 14 months. We can get the hair up, but then they want to take it down later. I've explained to my 4 year old we have to keep it in (esp. when she starts school this summer). Anyway, would love any tips in that department."

Well, my friend Caroline, this is something I actually get asked a lot! And honestly, it wasn't until my girls were a little older (maybe ages 2 and up), that they did leave their hair alone. For us, I think it was a combo of some of the following:

1. Mom is hair crazy and you know you'll be forced to endure another 15 minute hair doing session if you touch that ponytail.
2. There's so much hairspray and elastics in your hair that it will hurt if you try to rip it out yourself.
3. You get SO many compliments from mom (and others hopefully) that you start liking having neat and tidy hair.

I think mostly I've badgered my kids enough about their messy hair, they've just finally accepted that when we are around other people, their hair needs to stay pretty. But when we are at home in our PJ's (like now), their hair can be as crazy and messy as they want.  I know if you consistently sit them down and do their hair, from a young age, they will get used to it and understand it's just that part of being a girl! Good luck! (oh and tiny elastics work great in teeny girl hair--harder to pull out!)

And here's a handy tip to getting out the elastics when it's bathtime or bedtime: Use a seam ripper! Also, only use nice coated elastics (see my Goody Elastics post) on little girl hair. The normal regular rubber bands are MURDER on fine little girl hair (on any hair really). Ones like the Goody elastics can usually slip right out of their hair if you take it out carefully.

Here's a wonderful tip from one of you lovely readers:
Just a note about using the seam ripper to remove tiny elastics... Make sure you don't catch any hair as you cut the elastic out or your girly will end of with a bit of a "haircut". Maybe that's common sense to some (LOL!!) but I learned it the hard way! ;P

Thanks for your question! Keep them coming!

Little Girl's Hairstyles -How to do a Daisy Chain Braid Video Tutorial

This one is a tad overdue. I posted pictures a while ago on how to do this braid. It looks like this:

Have a great time daisy chaining hair today!!