Braid style question

[shadowclaw]

I have always liked Princess Leia's hairstyle when she is staying with the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. It is the one where she has a braid that resembles a head band and extends down into the length of her hair on either side of her head. There is some sort of ribbon or cord woven into it. Here is a picture (http://costumestudy.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/leia-ewok-dress.jpg). Here is another (http://www.rebelshaven.com/SWFFAQ/images/ewok/09.jpg).

I have been trying to figure out how to do this braid, and I figure that it is probably a variation of the crown braid. There is an article in the hair styling section on the lacebraid (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=113), but as there are not very good pictures of what it looks like in the length of the hair, I'm not sure if it is the right braid. I am also a bit confused by the directions. I think that the lacebraid may start on one side of the head and end at the other, which is not what I want to achieve.

If anyone knows how to do this or has a link to a video or website with instructions, it would be most appreciated.

[Debra83]

I like it too. But never thought to look for it.

[spidermom]

That does look pretty. I believe the style was done with hair pieces. My hair is thick, but if I braid only a small portion of it as an accent, the braids look puny compared to Princess Leia's. One way I can conceive to do this is go to the bottom-most layer of hair (nape area), separate into two 1" to 2" wide sections, make a regular 3-strand braid behind each ear, then bring each braid up across the top of the head and pin into place, leaving the end of the each braid hanging down.

The lace braid does start on one side of the head and end up on the other, but if you do 2 of them parallel, one going right, the other going left, you will end up with a look similar to your pictures.

I think I'll try these ideas and post pictures on this thread. Anybody else?

[dragonfrog]

Is this the style you're looking for?
http://imaginary-styles.iwarp.com/hair/rotj3.html
I think the original was done with a hairpiece.
This website has directions for lots of movie hairstyles, it's pretty cool.

[rovylern]

I did this on my daughter. She has fine, thin hair so the braids weren't as thick as Leia's, but I think it turned out pretty neat.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3507498780_6292874b07.jpg

I parted out the front section of hair and made two Dutch braids with it. I started in the center, but to keep the illusion of a single continuous braid I took a small piece of hair from the front of the left side and added it to the right, then a small piece of hair from the back of the right side and added it to the left.
Then I used two pieces of ribbon and, starting in the center, wove them around the braid all the way down and tied the ends in a bow. Leia's hair uses leather, but leather is kind of a pain to weave through hair because it tends to pull.

[DragonLady]

I did this on my daughter. She has fine, thin hair so the braids weren't as thick as Leia's, but I think it turned out pretty neat.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3507498780_6292874b07.jpg

I parted out the front section of hair and made two Dutch braids with it. I started in the center, but to keep the illusion of a single continuous braid I took a small piece of hair from the front of the left side and added it to the right, then a small piece of hair from the back of the right side and added it to the left.
Then I used two pieces of ribbon and, starting in the center, wove them around the braid all the way down and tied the ends in a bow. Leia's hair uses leather, but leather is kind of a pain to weave through hair because it tends to pull.

That is awesome! I have to give that a try one day.

[AnneAdeline]

rovylern - That looks great! What gorgeous hair your daughter has!

I think you'd have to have really thick hair to pull off something like Princess Leia's braid.

[Firefly]

Wow, very nice, Rovylern! I think that's a very good likeness.

[Nyghtingale]

Rovylern-your daughters hair is beautiful. She is very lucky to have a long hair loving mom.

[rovylern]

Thank you! I think I'm pretty lucky to have a kid who likes having her hair done, it's much more fun than a plain ponytail every single day.

[Dementia1013]

I did this on my daughter. She has fine, thin hair so the braids weren't as thick as Leia's, but I think it turned out pretty neat.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3507498780_6292874b07.jpg

I parted out the front section of hair and made two Dutch braids with it. I started in the center, but to keep the illusion of a single continuous braid I took a small piece of hair from the front of the left side and added it to the right, then a small piece of hair from the back of the right side and added it to the left.
Then I used two pieces of ribbon and, starting in the center, wove them around the braid all the way down and tied the ends in a bow. Leia's hair uses leather, but leather is kind of a pain to weave through hair because it tends to pull.
Oh that is so cool. she looks so cute too. :D

[JamieLeigh]

I think my hair is too thin to pull off a hairstyle like that without a hairpiece! The photo of rovylern's daughter looks so cute! That really turned out well on her. :D

[Kiraela]

It looks like something similar could be done by taking the front section of the hair (probably from the ears up) separating it into two halfs and braiding each section. then cross the braids over and lace them together into a headband with the leather. It would probably look similar.


Rovylern:That style on your daughter is so cute! I hadn't even thought of doing it that way.

[AprilElf]

rovylern, I think that's a brilliant way of replicating the style! It looks great on your daughter! :flower:

[shadowclaw]

rovylern - that's great! I knew there had to be some way to do the style without criss-crossing two braids. Even with fine, thin hair, your daughter's hair looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing. All I have to do now is learn how to do a dutch braid :) I'm sure it would be a bit easier doing it on the top of my head than on the back, since I can see what's going on.

[tarn]

rovylern, that's awesome! Your daughter's hair is gorgeous!