Holiday Hair-spiration

I have two brand new holiday hair tutorials posted over at Yes To Carrots: a low side ponytail and a fun holiday updo. Go check them out... click HERE!

PS>> Love the red bow in the updo? Snag one here!

Wedding Hair

Wedding Week is going on over at Aunie Sauce. To read the post all about wedding day hair, CLICK HERE. It's my very first Yes To Stylista post with Yes To Carrots... and yes, it covers all the details about the hair. Thank you for helping me decide which 'do to pick!

Wedding Week posts:
THE GUESTBOOK │ THE HAIR │ THE FLOWERS │ THE DRESS │ THE WEDDING │ THE HONEYMOON

Wedding Hair Styles

With our wedding just three days away (oh my—three days), I have been asked questions about my hair almost more than anything. "How are you going to wear your hair?" seems to come up every time the wedding does.

And guess what? I have no idea how I'm going to do my hair on the wedding day. NO IDEA.*

Recently, I had my hair curled for my bridal shower, and afterward, I went home to play around with some styles. I took some photos to help make a note about what I liked and didn't like. I have a little archive of wedding hair ideas on Bye Bye Beehive, so I adapted some of those styles to make new ones.
Here are a couple of my ideas for wedding hair styles.

THE TWISTED HALF-UP STYLE. This one is so easy. It's the base hairstyle for most of the other ones featured here. It's really similar to this style, but instead of just pinning it back, I twisted the hair as I pulled it back & before I pinned it, creating a pretty and soft design in the back. It would be great to add a little pearl or flower hair clip to hide the bobby pins or gap between the twists.

THE PINNED UPDO. I took the Twisted Half-Up pictured above and simply pinned my bottom half all up to make this easy updo. It took about 10-15 extra bobby pins. I would just grab a strand of hair, twist it and then pin it into place, creating a little "poof" (best word I could come up with) of hair with each pin. In the end, I had about 10 poofs that came together to create the definition in this updo. I pulled and tugged at each one to make this style look nice and full.

THE TWISTED PONYTAIL. You've seen this one before. This time, I didn't pin the last couple pieces up so high, so instead of creating a waterfall look, they simply cascaded down the ponytail. To create this look, all you do is just twist & pin (going under the curls to hide the pins). It's so simple and stays in place all day if you add a little hairspray.

THE TWISTED LOW CHIGNON. I started again with the Twisted Half-Up style, and instead of pinning smaller pieces of hair all over the place and higher up like the Pinned Updo, I took a couple large sections of hair, pinned them in a low bun, and then tugged on them to make the chignon just a bit bigger. I think this style would be really pretty with a couple loose curly strands falling down from the bun.

THE SIMPLE TWIST & PIN. As the name implies, this one is simple. You tease the hair at the crown of your head, twist back the front pieces & pin them under your hair, and you're set. This style is perfect for the easy-going-hair-all-down kind of bride.

And there are 5-easy wedding hair styles. Each of these took me less than 10-minutes, with some of them taking much, much less.

*FYI: in case you're wondering, I will not be wearing a veil, and my dress is not strapless.

Which is your favorite?

Topsy Tail Twist

Glasses: c/o Firmoo.com

Last week, The Beauty Department posted an amazing tutorial for a funky topsy tail bun. 
First, let me just say, I'm a huge fan of the topsy tail.
Second, this style is so easy.

1. Gather hair in a ponytail at the nape of your neck.
2. Secure with an elastic band.
3. Pull the elastic band to the bottom of your ponytail, leaving about 1-2 inches of hair at the end of the ponytail (or until your shorter layers don't start falling out).
4. Separate the hair in the gap of the ponytail right down the middle into two pieces.
5. Bring the ponytail up and through the gap, creating an upside-down topsy tail.
6. Repeat, repeat, repeat... the hair will begin to twist into coils! 
7. Once it's all coiled into a bun, secure the end of the ponytail underneath the bun with bobby pins.
8. If your shorter layers fall out (like mine did), let them hang loose or pin them back. I gently twisted mine back and pinned them underneath one of the bigger twists (top right photo).
9. You can tug on some of the pieces to give it some body and hide the part in the back.
10. You can also tug on the coils to make them look a little bigger and more full. I had to do this because my bun was so small at first!
11. A visual learner? Want to see how it is done? Visit TBD!

The Beauty Department recommended wearing this style slicked back and straight,
but I actually prefer it a little more loose and casual-looking.
I think it's perfect for a day at the office or a nice wedding updo.

I'd love to see your version of it. Tweet me or Instagram a photo with the hashtag #topsytailtwist!

Braided Updo

Do you remember the adorable girl I talked about, named Emily, who sent me the email asking me to do the Holiday Updo?

Welp, she's amazing because she sent me another Hey Kayli video and asked me to give it a go. Kayli had titled the video New Year's Eve Updo... but I think it's just more of a braided updo. I gave it a shot, and almost followed her directions to a T (but had to make adjustments because she does a lot of teasing and hairspraying). Would you like to know my version? I knew you would.

1. Begin with brushed hair. 
• I think mine would have worked better if it had a it of a curl at the ends.
2. Separate out two sections toward the front of your hair to be braided. Pin them aside so you can do your braids.
3. Kayli did her braids first, and then did the bun. I think it's easier to do it the other way around. Gather the hair at the back of your head, twist it into a ballerina bun, and secure it with Spin Pins.
• Spin Pins are awesome for days when you're on the go and don't have time for a fancy updo, or if you're looking for a really classy, sleek look.
4. Begin braiding the side sections that you had pinned. 
• Instead of making a regular plait like Kayli did, I instead did a French braid with my hair. I think it makes it a bit fancier.
5. Take 1 section of your braided hair and wrap it across your bun. Secure with a bobby pin.
• One side may have a longer braid if you part your hair on the side. 
• I chose the shorter side (right side) so the ends could be covered by my longer side braid.
6. Take the second, longer braid and wrap it over your bun, across the first braid. Secure it with a bobby pin on the other side of your bun.
7. Wrap the loose end of the braid under your ballerina bun to cover it.
• If you have longer hair, it would be cool to also wrap the ends of the braids around the bun to give it a cool, multi-dimensional look.
8. Tug on a couple pieces (lightly) to give the bun and braids a bit of volume.
9. That's it!

I hope those directions make the slightest bit of sense. If they don't... just head to YouTube and check the video that Kayli made. 

So>> want to know something random? The girl who got her hair done in the video (CarlieStylez) used to live in Idaho. We were all friend with the same people. I saw the video and was like... wait, I know that face!

What a small world it is, huh?

I hope you like it! Try it and send me pictures! xo

PS>> PS>> I'm having a GIVEAWAY over at Aunie Sauce. It's open until January 24th and is for a beautiful leather bracelet. Get yourself entered!!!

Half Updo.

 

Just the other day, one of my best girlfriends, Alyssa, sent me a Pinterest pin and asked me to try this style.

So I did what any decent friend would do and whipped it up the next day. Granted, mine looks NOTHING like the photo (because hers it totally teased and awesome). I'm fairly certain that mine turned out way different because there were no instructions to go along with it. So hey, I just went for it.

Since the style didn't come with a how-to, how about I provide some sah-weet step-by-step action for you? You're welcome.

1. I began with crimped hair that I had loosely braided the night before.
2. I gathered the top section of my hair (still with a part) and secured it at the back of my head with a barette. 
• In hindsight, I should have used bobby pins or a clear hair elastic. That would have been much easier to cover than my big old barette.
3. Then, beginning with small sections below the top portion that was already baretted, I would take a section from each side of my head and pull it back to cover the barette and then pin it. I let the loose end hang down. In fact, they kind of add different dimensions and layers to my hair which is pretty cool.
• If your hair was curly, the loose ends could make a really cool layered look.
4. I criss-crossed sections like that until I had half of my hair pinned up. 
• I'm a little disappointed the criss-crossing didn't show up better. It just looks like 2 pieces that were crossed, when it was really 4 or 5. I'm going to follow my instructions a little better next time and maybe not try to hide the bobby pins so much. 
5. I added 2 flower pins to hide the last big bobby pin that just wouldn't disappear under the criss-crossed strands.

And voila! A hairdo that can be casual, formal, or as Alyssa is thinking "perfect for her wedding day hair!"

Right-on girl. That makes me so happy. What do you think?

xo

----UPDATE----

After checkin' her blog, I discovered she's a professional hairstylist. Sheesh! No wonder hers looks so much better than mine! Don't judge, ya'll!!!

NYE Hair.

I had absolutely the hardest time trying to figure out what to do with my hair for New Year's Eve. There was the Holiday Updo, the Braided Bun, the Headband Chignon... I just had too many ideas.
I resorted to asking Daniel and his family what they thought. They immediately said a messy bun with a braid up the back. Done. No hairspray, teasing or curling required.

As you can see, I switched it up this time. Last time I did a regular French braid up the back, but this time I opted for a reverse French braid. I loved it~!
Happy New Year!

The Braided Bun.

As I promised yesterday, I said I would try a new style, inspired by this style from The Beauty Department. The braided bun.

Let me begin by saying, I followed their tutorial to a T, minus the added hairspray spritz in the end. It is so easy. I did make one modification by changing my top 2 braids to corn row French braids instead of regular plaits.

My only complaint about this hairstyle, in my eyes, is that if you have thin or fine hair... this one will be tricky. It's not hard to do, by any means, but making the bun look nice and full is definitely a trick. I pulled my braid plaits apart like they suggested, and even tried to strategically pin my hair... but I couldn't do anything to make it look more full. Clearly, the girl from TBD has amazingly thick hair. Her bun is outstanding. Mine is just so-so. I also apologize for my visible clear elastic bands. Those buggers were tough to hide with my fine, shorter hair!

Nevertheless, it is a gorgeous style that I can't wait to wear more often. I am seriously considering it for a New Year's Eve style. Any plans yet on what you'll be doing with your hair?

xoxo

Twist & Pin Updo.

This weekend I attended a holiday party, and I wanted an updo that was feminine, romantic, and simple. Taking the romantic cue, I put together this look inspired by this style from Hair Romance.

It's the classic twist & pin. Ready for the steps? Grab a section of hair. Twist. Pin. Repeat. Voilà.

I don't think it could be more simple. Each twist used between 1-2 bobby pins. And remember, this lasted all day without any hairspray or teasing. It's a fabulous holiday party look, and takes less than 5 minutes to do. My vote? It's a winner.

Formal.

With so many photos to share today... I don't need to do too much writing! Today I have decided to show you my step-by-step process to create a formal hairdo without a formal styling process. You know, since I can't use any hairspray, products, heat or tease my hair at all... I've got to make do with the basics. And you know what? Surprisingly the basics did the trick (this time).

I hope you enjoy the following photo montage of my before-to-formal look:

Put in Wrap Snap & Go curlers the night before and sleep
 on them to give your hair some good body the next day.

Take out curlers... and behold: Shirley Temple.

Adorb? Not so much.

Shake your head up, down, and all around to loosen
the curls and separate them a little bit.

I prefer to "shake" my head to separate and fluff the curls,
instead of brushing my hair because then it doesn't make
them too fluffy and still keeps the curl in place.

Whoops!!! During the formal event setup, I wrapped my curls
 in my scarf because I didn't want to sweat too much
 (we had to put 300 chair covers on!) and relax the curls all the way!
Oh, and P.S. ... that's Zoë from From A to Zoë.
This was our FATZy and Bee picture :)

Event time! You just know I rocked the Aunie Hawk
 for the event. Boo yah.

The Aunie Hawk delivered volume, oomph, and surprisingly
 didn't fall out at all. I skipped the bun with the longer hair
underneath and just let the whole back hang loose.

FATZy and Bee at the event! Finally... the event is here.

So, as you see... frumpy to formal can be done without products, processing and poofy hair (though I would've killed for some hairspray at one point in the evening)!!!  Do you think you're willing to give the Aunie Hawk a go yet? Or is it still to much of a mullet-look, as my sister says?