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52updos 11. Dutch braid - Subscribe
This is a variation on the French braid (instructions can be found under style number 9). The only real difference is that the side strands cross under instead of over the middle strand.

The basic technique is the same, but since you cannot let go of a strand like is done in the French braid technique you will have to find a way to hold three strands in one hand.

The easiest way that I found to do this is to hold the outer strand (the one on the side of your ears) in your ring finger and pinky, the middle strand in your middle finger, and the inner most strand (the strand that gets hair added to it) in your index finger. This way you can get the fingers looped around the hair strands easily and it leaves the other hand free to grab the new hair from the scalp.

Though this technique is a bit harder than the French braid, it is much more forgiving in its neatness as the braid will lay much more snug against the head than the French one, since the actual braid is laying on top.

Here is the result on me:



Good luck!


Observances

For whatever reason when I finish braiding and put the pony tail holder in, I find that strands of hair are not making it to the end of the braid. Whether that is the braiding technique or an error on my part I don't know, however to avoid this you might want to tie the hair off a little higher than normal, leaving a longer tassel.
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Mood: ill
Time needed: 10 minutes

52updos 12. Topsy tailed Dutch braid Sunday, September 9th 2007 @ 10:51 - Subscribe
This is a fun messy looking variation to a Dutch braid. Basically you start out by making a Dutch braid, starting about halfway on the back of your head and tie it off just like normal.

Now you will need a topsy tail tool, you cannot do this style without it. Stick the topsy under the braid, starting at the nape, and then carefully slide it up till it pops out right above where the braid starts, in the center. It may be a good idea to invest in a second mirror at this point so you can double check your hands on this one.

Pull the hair through the topsy tail and slowly start moving it upward. Then remove the tie just before it gets sucked in so the braided tail stays braided for as long as possible. You don't want the braid to start undo'ing itself before you have pulled the tail through to keep things nice and neat as you are fiddling. You may want to keep your head upside down at this point to avoid the weight of the tail sliding it back out.

Pull the topsy through completely, at times maybe aiding the thing by pressing it a bit flatter to make it pass through tighter spots more easily. When it is fully through, check at the nape if there is nothing wonky there, pull the tail a little further or pull it down at the nape to correct things, and then grab your favorite hair toy (I used a Flexi-8) to secure the style. Make sure to grab all of the Dutch braid and slide it closely along the scalp to ensure you have the topsy tail secured. You can do this all the way up where the tail comes out, or even half way up or at the nape as your braid will keep the hair centered after all. It's your choice.

It looks a bit like a peacock twist, but much more even as you don't have to twist your hair, so it is also more hair friendly in fact.

Here is what this looks like on me:



And a bit wonky picture with the tail lifted to show the Flexi-8 that is holding it in place.



Good luck!
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Mood: emotional
Time needed: 12 minutes

52updos 13. Beaded lacer Sunday, September 9th 2007 @ 11:23 - Subscribe
This is a style that was introduced to me by a friend on a Dutch hair forum that I frequent. You will need quite a length of thick sturdy thread and a number of beads to make things look pretty. On my hair 1.5 meters of lacer was used, 10 beads in total and I am not bra strap length yet.

First of all you have to prepare the lacer. I used ten beads in total to make this one. Tie a bead to each end of the lacer, make sure it's on tight so it doesn't fall off. Now fold the lacer in half and slide the remaining beads on. Grab a hair tie and tie the lacer to the tie by making the folded end into a loop and pulling the beaded side through it, around the tie. Now you have the lacer ready to use.

Make a low pony tail and tie it off tightly, the lacer part on the side of your back. Not too tight, you don't want breakage of your hair here, but it has to be tight enough to ensure the lacer doesn't pull the tie down. You now have a pony tail and a string of beads handing off of the hair tie.

Now comes the tough work, arms up and behind the head. Training makes this easier! Make the two lacer strands go around the tail and come together on the visible side, slide a bead up and then split the two strands again and cross them on the back side (the side that cannot be seen). Now bring them back to the front, hold them together, slide another bead up and repeat the process. Make sure the beads are placed at an even distance for the best look.

Pull the ponytail free from time to time as it will flop back and forth in the lacer until all the loose beads are gone and you are left with two separate ends again. Tie it off firmly and voilà, one lacer applied.

This what it looks like in my hair. The picture was taken in a restaurant, is actually an action picture, and is thus looking a bit different than the other ones:



Good luck!
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Mood: natural
Time needed: 10 minutes

52updos 14. Two finger twist hairstick bun Sunday, September 16th 2007 @ 14:02 - Subscribe
This is an easy bun you can flip up in ten seconds, making it ideal for when you need to do the hair up really fast. What you need is one hairstick, two hands and at least arm pit length hair. When you have thick hair you might need either less fingers, or more length to pull this one off.

Form a ponytail to the right of the center and hold it with your left hand. Make a claw with your right hand's index and middle fingers.


Grab the hair with the two fingers. Your fingers are now going to make a full circle counterclockwise. First they were pointing left when you grabbed the hair, start turning and they point downward, right, up and to the left again. Don't let the hair slip away from your hands as you do this. You now have a small section in your left hand and a roll of hair around the two fingers of your right hand.


The bit you are holding in your left hand you tilt upward and then grab it with the right hand two fingers. Your fingertips are resting against your head now, making sure everything is anchored in place firmly.


Use your left hand to slightly press the roll from the two fingers and toward the head, this makes it easier to insert the stick.


Take the stick in your left hand and insert it right in front of the two fingers in the bun, pointed left and out, then grab some scalp hair and flip it over, making the tip face right. Gently push it through the hair. As you do this you can slowly let the right hand go and have it help push the stick through the roll of hair on the right hand side.


And voilà, one quick bun with funny fly outs on top. The stick used in these pictures is a bit long, but the principle is clear.


You can also build this do using hair scroos. It depends on your hair how many you need, I need three or four. Here is the same bun done with four hairscroos.


Good luck!


Observances

I had hair falling out from the roll a little bit. In itself it can look pretty however it can loosen the hold. To firm it up and avoid the roll having fly away hair, give the ponytail a twist or two. This will fix the problem.

Also this is a great trick to use if the lock that sticks up is a tad too long on your hair, as the twisting will shorten the length a little bit.

To add, I have changed a few things around on how I do things, but here is a video of me creating this bun.
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Mood: vexed
Time needed: 10 seconds

52updos 15. Flipped up braid Sunday, September 16th 2007 @ 14:48 - Subscribe
This is a very easy do, one I use for a day where I cannot be bothered to do something interesting with my hair, and it keeps it safe and snug in a clip.

First I make a basic low braid, but I do not tie off the ends. I hold them together as I lift the braid up, fold it inward in half and then clip the hairclip on.

Here is what it looks like on my slightly wet hair:



Good luck!
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Mood: smooth
Time needed: 1 minute