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

Over The Top Twists

Try this for: Short to medium hair.  Skill Level - 2.5 Time Factor - 2.5 Cuteness Factor - 3
Warmer weather will be here soon.  Do you need a fun Sunday Morning hairdo?  Is your little girl in a wedding this spring?  Then this hairstyle may be the answer you are looking for.  Grab your toolbox, plug in your heat styling tool of choice and let's begin.  We are going to need about 30 minutes for this trendy updo.
1- Part out a circular section of hair right at the crown and secure it with an elastic or clip.

2- Spray and part the bangs in your favorite location.  We are side parters.

3-  Take the bangs on the right side and separate into two sections and begin to twist.  Go here if you need a twist tutorial.  You may want it soft.  I like to comb as I go to keep it very tight and neat.  Keep it rather high and straight rather than following the hairline down.  When you get to the center back, secure with an elastic or clip.

4-  Repeat on the left side of head as well.

5- Gather the two twists into an elastic at the back of the head as shown below.

6- Using your fingers or TT tool, pull the ponytail up from the bottom and out the top.

7- Fluff and tease this hair as desired.  This will help fill out and "fluff" your updo.

8- Gather and prepare several bobby pins for use.  Twist the center section of hair and secure with as many bobby pins as you need to make it secure atop her head.  Be sure to anchor them by criss-crossing for best staying power.

9- Spray remaining hair with heat protectant.  We like Aussie because it smells good :)

10- Use your curling iron or favorite heat styling tool to curl SMALL sections of hair.

11- Repeat as much or little as desired to create piles of curls, strands of ringlets, or just fullness with the hair.

12- Take some photos and enjoy your lovely little girl and her special day!

This would look terrific adorned with tiny fresh flowers, a sparkly headband, or even a simple ribbon.
For some great accessory ideas be sure to check out my shop.  Enjoy 15% off any item with THIS WEEKS COUPON CODE: BRRR2012. 
Now go enjoy your day!
-The Homestylemom

Wash and Wear Hair

Summertime Standby Style: With summer swim team practice first thing in the morning, I often need to go run an errand as soon as we are done.  Wet, drippy pool or beach hair is not always easy to style attractively.
We've come to appreciate this style on such occasions when it's necessary to get out and go with wet hair.  I call this standby Messy Bun Piggies and it's great for short or medium hair fresh from the pool or shower.

Skill Level -2 Time Factor -2 and Cuteness Factor -3. Remember to be careful when working with wet hair as it is easier to break or damage it in this state.  You'll only need 2 elastics and your rat tail comb.
1- Part the hair into two sections from the front to the nape as desired. 2- Comb and smooth each section. 3- Secure each of the two sections into an elastic but on the last time through only pull through halfway. 4- Top off with the "icing" of your choice and you are on your way.  Firefly is modeling my Firecracker Loopy Bows.

Enjoy your day together!
-The Homestylemom

The Accessory Aisle: Headbands

My girls, especially Firefly, love to wear headbands.  I may be stubborn as a mule, but I really hate headbands!  I go through the trouble to get their hair all smooth and silky and then I carefully arrange the headband in their heads and away we go.  Moments later, the headband is out, being played with or repositioned, and she looks like her hair was never combed today.  I want the girls to wear and enjoy the lovely accessories I take the time to create for them, but I won't sacrifice them having ratty looking hair for that.  I am working on some 'dos that will be headband AND mom friendly.  I'll get back with those as soon as I can.  In the meantime, here are some of the headbands I've been working on.

These are just the plain grosgrain-wrapped headbands with interchangeable loops.

And here are some with the bows permanently attached.  They are so delicate and sweet and look great in the girls' hair.  I just need them to stay in like the hairbows do! Maybe I'll have to weave them in place...hmm?
-The Homestylemom