HAIR BOW

STYLE A HAIR BOW

Love bow like lady gaga style? So here we go...

1. Start with a loose pony tail.

2-3. Take the rubber band (or pony tail holder) and pull the hair through half-way.

4. Flip the tail to the other side and repeat, leaving a small tail remaining.

5. Take the tail, fold over the middle, and pin in place. From underneath pin both sides of the "bow" in place. Tug on the loops until you have a perfect, messy bow!

Here's a second option. Try a mini bow with a half pony tail! So cute and casual too.

BRAIDED CROWN

STYLE A BRAIDED CROWN

1. You want to start by pulling the majority of your hair forward (in front of your face) from nearly the back of your hair line. This is going to feel very Cousin It but you want most of your hair to be toward the front of your head before you begin. Start on one side of the base of your neck and separate three strands of hair. 

2. Begin braiding these three strands together. 

3. As you braid, follow along the crown of your head and add a little hair to each strand as you braid around. 

4. Once you've braided around the front of your head finish the braid and use an elastic band to secure it. Pin the braid in place, tucking and pinning any loose pieces.

If your hair is not long enough to braid all the way around your head you might consider adding hair accessories, such as bows or pins to where your braid ended, to sort of disguise any loose ends. Oh, and don't be discouraged if your very first braided crown is a little messy, mine was too! It takes a little practice to get it looking just right. 

SIDE BRAID 2

STYLE A SIDE BRAID 2

1. Gather a large section of your hair starting from one side of the crown of your head and sweeping to the other side. 

2. Begin braiding three small strands from the top of this section. 

3. As you braid add more strands from the original section. 

4. Be sure to braid so that your hair wraps around the top of your head. 

5. Finish by wrapping one strand around the entire braid, securing it in place. You could use a hair tie as well and wrap the hair around the hair tie, hiding it.

If you want to give your side braid more volume and go for a bohemian styling.

1. Once you have gather your large section from step one above, tease this hair to add volume. 2. Follow the directions above with the teased hair. This side braid will have more body and will look messier.

BEACHY WAVES

 STYLE BEACHY WAVES

There is nothing more sad than spending an hour curling your hair, only for all the curls to fall out thirty minutes later! I had this predicament for years until I finally switched to curling my hair with a flat iron. It was the best hair decision I ever made! When I used a curling iron, no matter how much product I used, it would always fall out by the end of the night. But since I've started to use a straightener it holds throughout the night with little or no product and it only takes me about five minutes to style! I couldn't keep this secret all to myself, so I thought I'd share!

I used a one inch GVP flat iron and heat protection spray to make sure I didn't damage my hair.  Here's how I style "beachy waves" with my flat iron in 5 minutes...1. Part your hair into three sections. If you have thicker hair or lots of layers, part it into four or five sections. 2. Begin curling each section at a time. To do so, start at the highest point you want curled (I started about five inches from the bottom) clasp it to your hair and curl your hand outwards as if you're turning a door knob. Once you've turned your hand as far as possible, release. 3. Then, return the straightener at the end of where you just released and repeat the process. 4. Curl each section into one large curl so that you end up having 3-5 curls all together. 5. Next, gently run your fingers through your hair, separating the curls. 6. All done! This hair-do is perfect for any occasion and took less than five minutes. Hooray! 

Here's another variation- mermaid curls! 1. Begin curling your hair, one thin section at a time. You'll want each piece to be thin and wide to create more volume. 2. For the top sections of your head you'll want to begin curling at the root. Do this by clasping the straightener to your hair and curl your hand outwards as if you're turning a door knob. Once you've turned your hand as far as possible, release. 3. Then, return the straightener at the end of where you just released and repeat the process until you've reached the end of the strand. 4. Continue this process until you've curled the top half of your head. 5. Tip: Want to make your hair look longer? Instead of curling the longest layer underneath from to root to end, only curl the last four inches. The uncurled section of the strand will be hidden by the top curls and with less curl it will make those long strands peek out the bottom and won't take away your length! It also prevents it from having too much volume in the middle section of your hair which can make the top look flat. 6. All done!

VICTORY ROLLS

 STYLE VICTORY ROLLS

Victory Rolls are a classic 1940s hairstyle. This season we are loving this pretty style! Katie is here to teach you how to get this timeless look...

1. Separate hair down the middle forming two sections (as if you were doing pigtails). Starting on one side of your head, take a section at the top and back-comb it from behind and then use a brush to smooth out the front.

2. Wrap the end of the section around two fingers and begin rolling in toward the scalp. 

3. Roll all the way to the scalp and pin in place with bobby pins. 

4-6. Repeat on the other side. You can leave the back of your hair down (like the photos above) or pull it up. 

7. Take a remaining section of hair on one side, and starting at the end again wrap around one finger and begin rolling in toward the scalp. You want to roll this section tighter because there is more hair. 

8. Pin in place until completely secure. Repeat on the other side.

Tips: Wetting the ends of your hair a bit will help keep the control of it while rolling. You can add a scarf to complete this look whether you wear it up or down. 

DOLLY HAIR TUTORIAL

DOLLY HAIR TUTORIAL

Step 1: Beginning at the top of the head (near the part), take a section of hair and spray the underside with hair spray.  

Step 2: Tease the underside of the hair and continue down until all of the hair is teased.  

Step 3: Flip the hair over and smooth only the top. 

Step 4: Begin rolling the hair into the hot rollers by starting at the top middle section.  

Step 5: Continue rolling the hair-- doing the sides next, and then finish up with the back.

Now let the hot rollers sit in the hair and cool down.  Tick-tock... tick-tock...

Steps 6-7:  Unroll the hair from the curlers.  Start at the bottom and work your way to the top.  

Step 8:  Tease your bangs or front section of hair.  

Step 9:  Curl the bangs and any other face-framing pieces that may not have made it into the hot rollers.  

Steps 10-11: Pulled the curled bangs up and to the side.  

Step 12: Hair spray!  Use lots of hair spray to keep that volume and help the curls stay in place.

TOP KNOT

STYLE A TOP KNOT

We love a pretty top knot! This is a great hair style for those warm summer months since it's a stylish way to keep your hair up and off your neck and shoulders. We love how top knots can be styled to look casual for a day out shopping or more polished for an office day. Sarahdemonstrates how to get the perfect amount of body for a top knot on our model Kinsey.

1. Gather your hair into a high pony tail at the top of your head.

 2. Use a comb to brush down and through your hair, teasing it. 

3. If you have thin or fine hair be sure to tease as many strands of your pony tail as you can. This is what gives the bun volume and body. 

4. Twist your hair around your hand and pony tail base. 

5. Pull the end of your hair through, this puts the knot in top knot! :) 

6. Tease and style your top knot and, if needed, spray on a little hair spray to finish.

You can change up the look of your top knot by leaving bangs our strands of hair out before you begin, or by adding a scarf or ribbon to the base. Dress it up however you like to show off your style!

SIDE BRAID

STYLE A SIDE BRAID

Here's a brand new, extra magical hair how-to by Katie of Skunkboy. 

1.Start with a dramatic side part.  

2. Separate a small section of hair on the side. This will be the beginning of your braid. 

3.Taking that section, separate it into two smaller sections. 

4. Using a fishtail braid method, begin braiding. 

5. Continue the french braid until you reach behind the ear. Then finish your braid all the way down using the regular fishtail method. 

6. Gather hair into a side ponytail and add accessories like headbands, barrettes or flowers! 

KNOT HAIRSTYLE

STYLE A KNOT HAIRSTYLE

This style is super easy to achieve. First, pull your hair into two low pigtails. 

Divide each side into two pieces and tie as many knots as your length will allow for (I do four on each side).

 I pull the pieces upwards as I am tying the knots.

 Before you pin, use your fingers to loosen each knot. 

Secure with as many bobby pins as needed. 

I don't use any hairspray, but if you have finer hair it might be a good idea.

 :) That's it!

FLAT IRON CURLS

STYLE FLAT IRON CURLS

Emma has really fine hair and doesn't keep curl very easily. She has always had very straight hair, even when we were little girls. Our sister-in-law, Sarah, showed us a new technique for curling this type of hair. This simple technique gave Emma the curliest hair she's ever had. Enjoy! 

1. Roll small strands of hair around your finger and pin to your scalp.

2. Continue until you have pinned all your hair up. 

3. Use a flat iron to press each roll flat. 

4. Unpin the rolls. As your unpinning if you notice that you forget to press one simply pin it back up and press before letting it out again. 

5. Use your flat iron to finish curling the tips. Spritz on a little hair spray and you're done!

Sarah did this technique on Emma's hair early in the day and it lasted the whole day! Even if you don't have fine hair this a fun and unique way to curl your hair. It creates a different look than using a curling iron. 

 

DIY Curl: RAG ROLL YOUR HAIR

D.I.Y. CURLS: 

I love the look of naturally curly hair! My sweet friend, Katie, told me about rag rolling. It's a quick and simple way to get natural looking curls without using a curling iron! I asked her to share her method here on A Beautiful Mess because I knew you'd be itching to learn like I was! Enjoy...

You'll need some cut fabric strips, a comb and some water. All things you probably already have laying around the house (yay!)

How to rag roll your hair- First, dampen the bottom of your hair (the part you plan to roll) using a spray bottle. Next, separate a section of hair and twist it around one strip of fabric. Then, tie the fabric strip in place and repeat until the entire bottom section of your hair is rolled. After that, all you have to do is sleep on your rag rolls and remove them in the morning for pretty curls! You can feel great because this method won't damage your hair the way a curling iron can. 

STYLE A LOW BUN

 STYLE A LOW BUN

It's the perfect season for easy and elegant up-dos. Maybe you are getting your outfit together for a friends wedding or for your senior prom. Here's a simple style for a cute low bun, you could dress this up with little flower blooms or ribbon!

1. Seperate a few thick strands from the top of your head (where your part naturally ends) and tease them by brushing the hair up toward your head. 

2. Pull your hair down, styling it into a low pony tail.

3. Fluff up the teased part of your hair. 

4. Now that you have a volumnious low pony tail use a hair tie to keep it in place. 

5. Seperate the hair of your pony tail in half, tease the upper half. 

6. Use the lower half (the unteased hair) and flip over the top or your teased bun.

7. Wrap hair around the base of your bun and pin it in place. 

8. Style any loose strands.

Have fun styling your own low bun!