X O Braid

[ladylafee]

Hi everyone!
I am 'new' here, I have been reading on this site for about 1.5 years and this is my first post. I have learned so much from all of you-thank you! I am growing out my hair from where it was about 1 yr ago (above my ears). I was looking around online for different braids to do (my hair now is just below my collarbone) and I came across this gorgeous braid and had to show it all of you, it's called the X O Braid.


http://dressytresses.com/hair/gallery/instruct/x-o-braid/


There are a lot of other beautiful braids on this site too!

http://dressytresses.com/hair/gallery/default.asp

[chopandchange]

Hello! Welcome!

That's a very pretty style, but I am not an accomplished enough braider to understand how exactly you braid one braid through another. The point where they cross...how does that work, exactly?

Also, I think putting the braids up onto the head covers up the French braiding you've just painstakingly done, and makes it look like you just did some normal braids and pinned them up on your head. I'd be tempted to leave the braids hanging down...it looks much nicer that way, in my opinion. But that's just my own opinion. :)

Thank you for posting it! I'll be interested to see if anyone attempts this style and posts pics!

[Calista]

chopandchange, I think at the point where the two braids cross you just keep on braiding for a little while without gathering up any additional hair. Once you´re over the crossing point into the opposite quarter you start French braiding again. Does that make sense?

I agree that the French braided part without pinning the hair up is very stunning and would look nice all by itself.

[chopandchange]

chopandchange, I think at the point where the two braids cross you just keep on braiding for a little while without gathering up any additional hair. Once you´re over the crossing point into the opposite quarter you start French braiding again. Does that make sense?

I agree that the French braided part without pinning the hair up is very stunning and would look nice all by itself.

Do you mean one braid sort of sits on top of the other, or do they actually weave in and out of each other?

Thanks for trying to explain, but I still don't get it. It would be interesting to see a video of this. (I bet Torrin could do it). It's not essential for me to understand, since I doubt I would ever do this style on myself. I was just curious, that's all (and am not very clever).

[enfys]

That picture with the ribbon isn't the same style is it?

I think that's throwing me. I like how the pigtails look though. One day I'll be able to braid like that...I need to keep up with the weights and arm muscles first!

[Shorty89]

I've done this only twice because it causes me horrible tangles. From what I remember you braid one braid completely, french braiding diagonally across your head. Then you french braid the other one diagonally across the other way. At some point you'll cross over the first french braid. I just kept french braiding as normal there and it looked okay. I don't think I have pictures though because it was pretty messy. Maybe I'll try it again.

[dame-dancealot]

That picture with the ribbon isn't the same style is it?

I was trying to decide that myself. I'm not sure if the foundation x is the same...

[Gumball]

I've done that style on other people. I prefer doing the dutch braids versus the french braids. Usually instead of wrapping the length along the outsides I bun them in a classic in the center. It's a neat style to do, but does take some length.

[Gumball]

That picture with the ribbon isn't the same style is it?

I think that's throwing me. I like how the pigtails look though. One day I'll be able to braid like that...I need to keep up with the weights and arm muscles first!

It's the same style, but dutch braids instead of french braids. You can still see the X O shape it takes on. It's just decorated a bit.

[spidermom]

Yes, the braid with ribbon is the same style.

I was obsessed with perfecting this braid a couple of years ago, but I couldn't get it to look right. Now I want to try it again ......... sigh. Thanks a lot! (just kidding)

[Calista]

Do you mean one braid sort of sits on top of the other, or do they actually weave in and out of each other?

Yes, I think the second braid sits on top of the first one. You French braid the top quarter (for instance, the top right one) and as you get towards the crossing point just do a few "turns" with the hair you have in your hand already, without adding more. Kind of when you do a regular French braid and don´t have any more hair to add. That should get you over the crossing. Then on the other side (in this case, the lower left side) you start adding hair again.

You could also just keep on French braiding, but in that case you would have to pull some strands of hair "upwards" over the hump of the first braid, I think.

[shadowclaw]

That's really cool, especially with the ribbons! I want to start doing more styles with ribbons... I think they add more versatility to the basic braid, and they also help keep the shorter hairs from poking out all over the place!

Now if only I could french braid properly! My hair turns into a giant mess when I try it. Maybe someday I'll have the skill to attempt this one.

[Gumball]

That's really cool, especially with the ribbons! I want to start doing more styles with ribbons... I think they add more versatility to the basic braid, and they also help keep the shorter hairs from poking out all over the place!

Ribbons baffle me something good. I'd like to try using them at some point to try some stuff, but I really don't know how to anchor them properly at the beginning nor how to keep them on the top of the hair (although I'm sure that could be finagled). Hrm!

[little_acorn]

This looks awesome and I might have to have a go - if anyone has done it/feels like doing it could we have action pics?

[ladylafee]

Shorty89-I think that is awesome that you have done this braid. How long did it take you to do it? I know how to french braid my hair, but nothing that amazing. If anyone else has some good braiding up do's I would love to see them! :)

[Rivanariko]

Oh, I like it! And I really liked some of the other styles on there as well. I did a similar style on a friend of mine for her wedding last august, but used dutch braids and bunned the ends at the nape of her neck instead of crossing them back over, then accented with sparklies instead of ribbons and flowers. Either way it looks lovely though! This makes me really want to play with ribbons in my hair... Maybe I'll make that my goal for easter :D

[tinker bug]

This looks awesome and I might have to have a go - if anyone has done it/feels like doing it could we have action pics?

I was sitting here browsing LHC and figured, "Meh, might as well give the XO braid another go...". This is my second attempt at the XO braid; the first being while I was between APL and BSL. This attempt was definately more successful. Here are the piccies!

http://i49.tinypic.com/2vcbw8x.jpg
Before pinning

http://i46.tinypic.com/2zh08cg.jpg
I think I should try to cross them lower on my head next time, but overall--Success!:cheese:

[shadowclaw]

Ribbons baffle me something good. I'd like to try using them at some point to try some stuff, but I really don't know how to anchor them properly at the beginning nor how to keep them on the top of the hair (although I'm sure that could be finagled). Hrm!

Thus far, I've only incorporated ribbons into the basic English braid, because I'm miserable at every other kind! I like to sort of wrap the ribbons around the braid... usually I criss cross them to make an X shape... like Princess Leia's braids in Return of the Jedi in the Ewok village. I also start my braids from a ponytail most of the time, so I just tie my ribbon around the band and go from there... and as long I keep them tight, they stay put, too.




http://i49.tinypic.com/2vcbw8x.jpg
Before pinning

http://i46.tinypic.com/2zh08cg.jpg
I think I should try to cross them lower on my head next time, but overall--Success!:cheese:

Lovely! If only I could french and dutch braid on myself!

[IcarusBride]

Thanks for sharing, I really like this!
In my opinion, "shorter" hair is better for elaborate braids, because it won't tangle as much. Like, when you have shorter hair, you can just braid it without having to run your hand AAAAALL the way to the end every time you cross the strands to keep them from tangling at the end. It's hard to explain, but do you get what I mean? Especially when you have to do multiple braids, it's really difficult on your arms when you have seriously long hair.
Of course, longer hair always looks better . . .
And some styles do require extremely long hair, especially when the braids are looping around a lot.
I think this style would look really cute with just the "X" part (I'm not crazy about the "O") and that could be done with pretty much any length of hair beyond shoulder-length.
I wanna try it! Thanks again for sharing!

[Shorty89]

Shorty89-I think that is awesome that you have done this braid. How long did it take you to do it? I know how to french braid my hair, but nothing that amazing. If anyone else has some good braiding up do's I would love to see them! :)I honestly don't remember. I'll oil my hair and try it again soon and let you know :-)

[little_acorn]

Here's my very rough and ready version done whilst catching up on the forums and I missed a couple of hair strands (serves me right for not using a mirror) but I thought you might enjoy the pics

First atempt at pinning the ends
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af129/little_acorn/IMG_0313.jpg

Second slightly neater end pinning
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af129/little_acorn/IMG_0315.jpg

[Shorty89]

Wow little Acorn, your attempt is much neater than mine!

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=70&pictureid=66455
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3518&pictureid=66454

[little_acorn]

Shorty89 I love yours :D

I found the braiding quite easy but I think I'll have to figure out end tucking before I wear it out

[squiggyflop]

*resurrects*:magic:
ive been thinking about this braid a lot.. i want to do the dutch version of this style.. ive been practicing on my styling head.. im hoping to get it nailed by next sunday.. im going to post the pics in this thread once ive nailed it..

i dont really like the french version because it would be harder to pin the braids..

[triumphator!]

I love this ! I wish I could french braid!

[ButterCream]

I actually liked it a LOT when the braids just formed an X, before it was put up further, it looked soo cool!:D
Just my humble opinion though:o

[pepperminttea]

Ooh, I love this - will have to give it a go when I've unpacked my bobby pins.

[Lunnafindel]

So in a (very successful :undecided) effort to procrastinate writing my final paper, I decided to give this a try.
I did the dutch braid version, which worked quite well. Here's just the X part:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5462&pictureid=76010
I think I crossed too low though, so I wasn't able to do the exact same style as instructed, but I think mine still looks cool.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5462&pictureid=76012

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5462&pictureid=76011

Ok. back to work on that paper.:writer:

[zombi]

Lunnafindel, yours looks LOVELY! Good job!

[squiggyflop]

Lunnafindel yours looks great.. im even more convinced that dutch is the way to go for this style.. although my hair is much shorter than yours so i know mine wont look nearly as good as yours..

[FlowFlow]

Holy cow! That's fabulous! An easy braid that looks super insanely hard and gorgeous. I like that there is a casual and formal option, too. I'll definitely try it on the kiddo first, my arms will probably fall off when I try it on myself!

[squiggyflop]

AAARRGG!!! ugh im not going to be attempting this one again on myself any time soon..
1. my hair refuses to stay seperated
2. i cant braid and tilt my head at the same time
3. took forever
4. its hot in my house and when its hot i get frustrated easily

well i did take pictures as promised.. but they arent good..
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg69/squiggyflop/Xbraidcopy.jpg
here it is in the x braid form.. i had so much trouble with the front half on both sides..

and here is it pinned
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg69/squiggyflop/XObraid.jpg


eta: is it just me or does it look a lot like the regency bun thing i did before?
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg69/squiggyflop/regencybun.jpg
and the regency bun was super easy.. *frustrated stomp*

[Lunnafindel]

squiggyflop did you use hairties to separate the sections? I did, and I didn't have any trouble keeping them apart, tho it was sort of hard sometimes figuring out which hair was part of which section when I got to the cross point.
I bet the hot day also made your hair more uncooperative - heat always makes my hair into a (disorganized) rebel army.
I have to say, besides the new pattern and the very beginning, I found it surprisingly easy. Mentally challenging, sure, but it worked out pretty well for my hands. I was also doing it on wet, well-combed hair, so that might have had something to do with it.

[squiggyflop]

squiggyflop did you use hairties to separate the sections? I did, and I didn't have any trouble keeping them apart, tho it was sort of hard sometimes figuring out which hair was part of which section when I got to the cross point.
I bet the hot day also made your hair more uncooperative - heat always makes my hair into a (disorganized) rebel army.
I have to say, besides the new pattern and the very beginning, I found it surprisingly easy. Mentally challenging, sure, but it worked out pretty well for my hands. I was also doing it on wet, well-combed hair, so that might have had something to do with it.
my hair was dry and fluffy.. that might be why i had trouble.. my hair is always more happy to be braided wet but my french and dutch braids look lumpy if i do them wet for some reason..
i think i was just too upset being stuck in that hot stuffy 85 degree bathroom..

maybe ill try again in the fall when its nice and cool and ive had more practice braiding (ive only been french and dutch braiding for like 2 weeks now (this style was only my third dutch braided hairstyle ive ever done on myself.. its not too bad for the third one.. ive been concentrating on french braids too much)

oh and yes i used hairties..