View Full Version : A braid tip (and how to make updos more comfortable)
Entangled
April 12th, 2016, 06:31 PM
I realized that I've been doing this when I braid automatically; I've been doing it or a while, since my braid got too long to braid down my back. To make it more comfortable and have the right tension, after I pull it over to finish braiding, I continue on one side to about collarbone length or APL, then pick up the braid and switch it to the opposite side to finish braiding. This makes sure the tension pulls evenly, not skewed to whatever side I finished the braid on. As for buns, I've noticed that a stick bun is more comfortable than a bun with multiple pins when my hair is dirty and scalp sensitive, and that a few small, loose twists (not enough to for the hair to be visibly twisted, just enough to keep the ponytail together) to a LWB or Spidermom's bun makes the loops neater.
What tips and tricks do you have to make hairstyling more comfortable and neater?
Sarahlabyrinth
April 12th, 2016, 06:40 PM
I realized that I've been doing this when I braid automatically; I've been doing it or a while, since my braid got too long to braid down my back. To make it more comfortable and have the right tension, after I pull it over to finish braiding, I continue on one side to about collarbone length or APL, then pick up the braid and switch it to the opposite side to finish braiding. This makes sure the tension pulls evenly, not skewed to whatever side I finished the braid on. As for buns, I've noticed that a stick bun is more comfortable than a bun with multiple pins when my hair is dirty and scalp sensitive, and that a few small, loose twists (not enough to for the hair to be visibly twisted, just enough to keep the ponytail together) to a LWB or Spidermom's bun makes the loops neater.
What tips and tricks do you have to make hairstyling more comfortable and neater?
I must try this. My braids always have a strange curl in them, almost like a ringlet, instead of them sitting flat down my back. Hopefully this will cure the problem.
MsPharaohMoan
April 12th, 2016, 06:47 PM
Another braid tip for those of us with layers: add hair into the strand that is getting short/thin from one of the strands that is still long/thick
gthlvrmx
April 12th, 2016, 06:48 PM
I do this thing with my cinnamon buns where I make a cinnamon bun and then I lay it flat on it's side against the back of my head. After that, I grab 1 mini spin pin and pierce it through the top of the bun (so coming from the top of my head), grabbing some scalp hair at the same time, and screwing the spin pin in all the way to the bottom of the bun. It's a pretty secure bun if you get it right with the spin pin and this is my go-to style for when I have to go walking at night for around 3 miles. It's not too tight, it's secure, it stays when I run and do ab workouts, and it even stays for a good amount of time when I lay on it.
gthlvrmx
April 12th, 2016, 06:50 PM
Another braid tip for those of us with layers: add hair into the strand that is getting short/thin from one of the strands that is still long/thick
Yes, I do this as well to make the braids have more "bumps" all the way to the very end. It's very helpful and make your hair look longer.
MsPharaohMoan
April 12th, 2016, 06:53 PM
gthlvrmx your avatar inspired me! When french braiding and you come to the last two strands you're going to weave into the braid, grab the strand on the opposite side you would normally add to your strand to tighten the bottom.
That probably makes no sense so visit torrin at 4:30 ish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC_unKDz_JA for a better understanding
SparrowWings
April 12th, 2016, 08:45 PM
To make it more comfortable and have the right tension, after I pull it over to finish braiding, I continue on one side to about collarbone length or APL, then pick up the braid and switch it to the opposite side to finish braiding.
I have quite flexible shoulders, so I actually braid behind me until at least collarbone, and it's definitely secure against my head when I pull it over my shoulder at that point. I do still have to be careful that the braid doesn't get a twist in it when I pull it around, though. If it does, it's invariably because one section got pulled too tightly, so for the next two cross-overs, I'll give the crossing section a slightly harder tug, and it straightens the braid right out. Alternatively, you could try loosening the tight section, but that has never come out looking tidy for me.
Entangled
April 12th, 2016, 09:20 PM
I have quite flexible shoulders, so I actually braid behind me until at least collarbone, and it's definitely secure against my head when I pull it over my shoulder at that point. I do still have to be careful that the braid doesn't get a twist in it when I pull it around, though. If it does, it's invariably because one section got pulled too tightly, so for the next two cross-overs, I'll give the crossing section a slightly harder tug, and it straightens the braid right out. Alternatively, you could try loosening the tight section, but that has never come out looking tidy for me.
For me, it's not so much about looking straight (though it may help!) but about getting good tension that doesn't tug on one half of my head more than another. That's what this really helps me with.
meteor
April 13th, 2016, 11:35 AM
Lots of great ideas here! :thumbsup:
I love borrowing hair from another strand when one of the strands is getting thinner than the others - this is really helpful, since it's pretty hard to take equal amounts of hair for each strand from the very beginning. ;)
Also:
- For using a ribbon/narrrow scarf: fold ribbon in two, add each half to opposite strands and keep braiding until the end (treating the ribbon as if it's part of hair), tie a knot with the 2 ends of the ribbon at the tassel.
- For making sure that the English braid starts as high up as possible (to avoid loose, hanging nape hair issues): before you start to braid, look up at the ceiling and at that moment divide hair in three sections as high up and close to scalp as you can and start braiding while looking up - this will allow to start the braid high up and tight.
- For those who love the look of French braid, but can't section hair so easily: Faux French technique (start with a half-up section and 2 bottom sections and English-braid them) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOyGD_KOoA (by torrinpaige)
- For those who love the look of Dutch braid, but can't section hair so easily: Luana braids (start with a small English braid and add it into a bigger English braid, this technique is used in the Ellingwoman bun, for example) - https://rapunzelsresource.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/luana-braids/
- For braiding hair longer than fingers: just pull up the braid and let it sit over the shoulder as you are getting to the bottom sections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYqJX9gGb0 (by gossamer)
- For making complex-looking braids easily:
just braid a few English braids and rope braids together ("battle braid", Hawser braid, cable braid, etc) or
add a few accent braids into a simple braid or
pin outside edges of a few braids side by side - to turn them into one wide multi-strand braid.
- For braiding multiple-strand braids: use braiding graphs and phrases/mantras like "over-under-over-drop" as you go - this helps not get confused by the long weaving pattern.
PixieP
April 13th, 2016, 11:37 AM
gthlvrmx your avatar inspired me! When french braiding and you come to the last two strands you're going to weave into the braid, grab the strand on the opposite side you would normally add to your strand to tighten the bottom.
That probably makes no sense so visit torrin at 4:30 ish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC_unKDz_JA for a better understanding
I need to try this!!! I can never get the neck hair part of the french braids to work, they always get really loose and messes up the whole thing.
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