Help me understand this braided updo

[Arctic]

I saw instructions of a braided updo that I assume I might like, but I don't quite understand them. My own hair right now might be too short for this too. I was hoping if someone would be able to interpret the instructions and maybe even take photo of this updo? I don't think I have seen it before.


Hair Slide Style Braid Loop

First create one braid down the back. This hairstyle works with the French Braid but the plain plait is more ideal. If your braid tends to loosen easily, secure the end. Lift the braid up the back of your head, and place fingers at top, permitting the rest of the braid to fall downwards. Taking the tail end of the braid you wrap it underneath the main section without tucking too much of the braid under. Take a firm grip of the braid until you replace your hand with the slide. It is vital you catch the outer loop of the braid as the stick slides through. No tugging or pulling of the stick or the hair if you're not successful on the first attempt, just simply slide the stick back out and try again. You can make the loop wide or close together. You can move the braid and the stick through as you do it to hold in place. A heavy hand for doing this is not recommended, but patience is.


(Source (http://searchwarp.com/swa487573-Stylish-Long-Hair-Hairstyles-Trendy-Long-Wavy-Hair-Chic-Creations-Braids-And.htm))


Thank you in advance!

[Arctic]

Hmm, I think I am starting to understand this. I tried it on my hair and it really seems a bit too short and they layers stick up every which way :) The end result of the first try look messy but it's very comfy and sturdy feeling.

[lacereza]

...........................

[Arctic]

Thank you Lacereza!

Turns out I imagined this would look complitely different. Pictures speak thousand words, I managed to find a photo of this updo from the net: here (http://www.network54.com/Forum/242462/thread/1059988000/Hair+Slide+style---+Simple+Braid+Loop).


What I had imagined it would be like is something like this, sorry about horrible picture, lol!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/LingonberryMist/Hiukset/Hairslidedrawing.jpg


I actually like my "own" updo better, and even though my hair is a bit short for it, it was super comfy in every way as I tried it on yesterday! I'm definitely going to use this especially when my hair will be a bit longer than it is now.

[FrannyG]

Are there any pictures? :wannabe:

[Arctic]

Not yet, no. It wasn't very photo worthy with my layers sticking out and my hair being so short right now :( I'm hoping someone with a bit longer hair would try this :D Anyone interested??? I'll wash my hair later today, I'll try to make a neat version with damp hair and snap a picture.

[blue_nant]

how is the braid end secure?
This seems sorta like an infinity w/a braid.
I just take my braid and do an infinity (sideways 8), then wrap the excess around the base of that and use the loops as a hair slide. That way the tail is secured. I can't see how that one is secure, but the instructions are ... unclear

[bumblebums]

When I read those instructions, my brain hurt.

Then I thought of this: http://www.io.com/~cortese/hair/styling.html#ficcare

Not sure if it's supposed to be the same style, though. Nobody can, with those directions. :)

[Bunnyhare]

WOW, those instructions are...not specific..i can't help at all...?

[SimplyViki]

I just tried both methods. :D Pics:

The "Simple Braid Loop":
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/vharrod/Hair%20Pics/1266789692.jpg
This one is very easy to do, and quite well balanced on me (although it looks much different to me than the one in the picture you linked... :suspect:)

Arctic's method:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/vharrod/Hair%20Pics/1266789674.jpg
I had to try this a couple of times to get it to work. I usually braid using Dianyla's parting technique, but that makes the braid too high for this updo, I think. So I did it by just dividing my length into three sections close to the nape, and braided snugly. I think my hair would have to be longer and with less taper/damaged ends for this to work properly - the left side is where my braid ends, and it's much smaller than the other side.

[Arctic]

SimplyViki, wow your hair is gorgeous! Thank you for trying these updos! :flowers: The first, original updo looks really great on you! The second is also good one, but the first is in my opinion lovelier on you!

My hair is so slippery today after an SMT I can't get the braid to stay up at all today. I will keep on trying when hair is less slippery.

[SimplyViki]

Aww, thank you for the compliment! :cloud9:

I'm wearing updo #1 today, actually. It's quite comfortable.

[countryhopper]

Simplyviki, those turned out BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!! i can't wait to have hair that long to be able to try this!

[JamieLeigh]

Wow...I've got to try that, lol. SimplyViki makes it look easy. I can't believe how wordy the instructions were that Arctic originally found, but the style looks fantastic once you figure it out. I too agree that Viki's version looks better than the photo on LHL, the circle looks very balanced and the loop looks a bit lopsided. Nice find!!

And Arctic's version looks very nice too - what are you going to call it? :eyebrows:

[SimplyViki]

Thank you, countryhopper and JamieLeigh! :inlove: I'm so flattered. :D

I think Arctic's method would work very well for me after I've got a bit more length to my braid. The wrapping eats up a lot of the length, so I think it'd work well for packing away a really long braid (maybe one like yours, JamieLeigh? You've got almost a foot on me).

[Arctic]

I have had heck of the time trying to make a photoworthy version of this in my slippery-after-SMT hair, but today I finally succeeded! Like I've said before my hair bit too short for this :) I used my version of the updo, used one short stick and couple of u-shaped hairpins.

Here's a full head photo, taken without flash:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/LingonberryMist/Hiukset/20100224019_muoks.jpg


And here's a close-up, without flash:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc33/LingonberryMist/Hiukset/20100224004_muoks.jpg

[Arctic]

I think Arctic's method would work very well for me after I've got a bit more length to my braid. The wrapping eats up a lot of the length, so I think it'd work well for packing away a really long braid (maybe one like yours, JamieLeigh? You've got almost a foot on me).

SV, you probably have much thicker hair than me, I think for me, about shoulderblade length hair would be good. My hair is quite thin at the moment.

[Arctic]

And Arctic's version looks very nice too - what are you going to call it? :eyebrows:

Hum hum... :ponder: I have no idea, I am terrible of thinking names! Maybe just braided hair slide as it forms a slide from the hair and stick?

[Anje]

Your version looks kinda like a larkshead knot (http://www.ian.ourshack.org/images/larkshead.jpg). I'm not sure that's a great name for a bun, though.