Braided Side Bun. Countdown #5.

What says spring more than flowers blooming?  How about instead of a flower bud tucked behind her ear there was a braid blooming there instead?  This sweet hairstyle is just right for Sunday morning as it goes really quickly.  Grab your hairstyling tool kit and let's get started!
Begin with smooth, tangle-free hair that is parted on your preferred side.  This time we will plan to have the braid tucked behind the ear on the small side of the part.

 At this point I sectioned out the front of the hair and did a half French Braid back to the ear with the intention of adding the cascading strands into the Twist Braid below.  Since it did not really show up well in the final style I will not bother to give the tutorial on that today.

 Here I am adding in the hair from the braid above to the twist below.  All you will need to do is separate the front of the hair into two small sections and begin your Twist Braid.  The tutorial is here if you need it.

 Twist braid continues down past  her ear and along the back of the head.

Along the back until just behind the ear.

 Braid the small section of hair from the side of the part that is just in front of her ear.  Stop when you get behind her hear.

 Add the hair that is hanging free below that small braid to the two strands from the Twist Braid.

 Braid them together for however long her lovely locks are.  We have layers at the ends so I had to stop short so they would not pop out.

 Secure with a small elastic and begin to roll hair like a cinnamon bun.

Roll and coil the hair so that it resembles a blooming flower.  Place it behind the ear where you desire.

 Hold firmly in place and secure with bobby pins or clips.  Here I am using my "Good Hair Days" plastic pins that you can read about on my Tools page.

 I really like how well they secure the hair and blend so well.  They require far fewer than bobby pins if you have a lot of hair to secure.

 And voila! A pretty bud bursting from her hair.

Here are some shots of the finished style.  You can see in these just how the top braid is barely noticeable.  That is why I didn't bother giving a tutorial for it with this hairstyle.

Such a cute hairstyle for girls who are ready for spring!

This weeks code for Free Shipping in my shop is: BLOOMERS.  Now go enjoy your day with an adorable head of hair!
-HoneyBee

Katniss Braid Inspired Side Twist. Countdown #6.

The Hunger Games movie is coming out soon and I've seen several trailers for it.  The gorgeous hairstyles in this movie have me really intrigued.  While this is not a copycat tutorial of Katniss' Hunger Games hair style since it is twists rather than braids I did want to say it is definitely a nod to the great soft and simple life that twists and braids from the Hunger Games remind us of.  I think this style suits both the fun and playful or the serious and soulful.  If you love the flower clip, you will find it here in my shop.  This look is great for those with some natural wave as you can basically get up, do the style and go.  Otherwise, you may have to do some work on your ponytail once you are finished.  Grab your hairstyling kit, let's get started, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Start with tangle free hair that is parted on your preferred side.

 Part out a section of hair from ear to ear.  Think an imaginary headband.

 Pull the back section of hair into a clip of some sort to keep it out of your way.

 Begin by separating the front hair into two small sections and start to literally twist.

 Remember from previous styles this is and easy motion: right over left, add new hair to the left strand, right over left, add new hair to the left strand, right over left...  See my Vimeo tutorial here if you need a refresher.

 Go all the way across the forehead with this same pattern.  Keep adding in even, tangle-free sections of hair.  Continue past the ear following the hair line.

 Come all the way across the back of the neck with smooth, lump-free twists.

  I like the hair above the twist to have some softness and "movement" for this hairstyle, rather than having it combed down nice and tidy and tight.

 Bring the small section of hair from the side part back behind the ear and secure it into an elastic with the hair you've twisted.

  At this point I like to go back to the forehead area and gently pull on some of the loops to give them a little more softness and fullness too.  On the older girl this is especially nice as it keeps the style from looking too structured.

 Here it is from the front.  So lovely.  I can't believe she'll be 13 at the end of the summer!

 

 Here are a few shots outdoors for a better look at the entire hairstyle.

I think any girl, including Katniss Everdeen, would be proud to sport this beautiful hairstyle!

Now go enjoy your day with a great hairstyle!  By the way, this week's Coupon Code for my shop is: MAYDAY.
-HoneyBee