Hairstyle for a Celtic woman warrior?

[SwordWomanRiona]

I'm playing a Celtic woman warrior (an Irish banlaoch) in Saint Patrick's Day (we students of Irish are preparing a kind of performance dressed up as Celts and Vikings :)). I'm thinking about how to wear my hair...So far I had thought of trying a multi-braid style like the one Morgaine wears in The Mists of Avalon, or maybe like the one shown in this picture oft he Goddess Brigid:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j03anToF4sQ/SYfMNgIm7xI/AAAAAAAAE44/8SIBA3-iIDI/s400/brigittrio.jpeg

This is Morgaine's style:
http://www.listal.com/viewimage/707272

This kind of styles look comfortable and attractive, and seeing as I am to fight and dance, it is perhaps better to braid all my hair than leaving it loose...I'm only worried about the hard work - all my hair in little braids! :D

What do you think? More ideas?

[Fingolphin]

I like the Morgaine style! I suppose any number of cool braided styles could work if you have to do a lot of movement. Whatever you decide on, be sure to share picture with us! :eek:

[Demetrue]

Morgaine's hair looks like rope braids. Totally cool!

[darklion]

I too vote for the Morgaine style. The other one has a pretty princess look to it.

[princessp]

I too vote for the Morgaine style. The other one has a pretty princess look to it.

Yeah I agree!

[RecklessCharlie]

The Morgaine style is nice and would be functional for what you'll be doing. I understand that Celtic women often braided their hair and then pinned it up or left it down in various braided styles. Have a wonderful 'Irish' day :)

[pepperminttea]

Not strictly Celtic-y, but the Elling woman's braided bun (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=14032) came to mind if you fancy something that keeps your hair more out the way. :) The Morgaine style is also really pretty. :crush:

[Coan-Teen]

The Morgaine style actually doesn't look that dissimilar from the Brigid style. Both are multi-braid whole head hairdos. I like the look of Morgaine's and it seems very appropriate.

[skyblue]

Yep I agree with the Morgaine style too, a fighting woman would want to keep her braided up
and maybe with some sharp implements tied in it too so she could inflict harm by just swinging her head around lol!
Sound really cool!! Have fun!

[abbatabba1137]

I second(or third? fourth?) the Morgaine Braids... another variation of this style is worn on 'young Morgaine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFpdJ0q1hj4&feature=player_embedded)'. Same type of style, but slightly different...

Something else you could try is a stlye like this (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/894/dk3predatorybh0.jpg), but it might not be the "right" northern culture for what your after.

[Fingolphin]

I second(or third? fourth?) the Morgaine Braids... another variation of this style is worn on 'young Morgaine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFpdJ0q1hj4&feature=player_embedded)'. Same type of style, but slightly different...

Something else you could try is a stlye like this (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/894/dk3predatorybh0.jpg), but it might not be the "right" northern culture for what your after.

What's that second pic from? It's cool hair.

[squee]

oooo
I wana try some of these :)

good excuse for practicing french braids and other braids. :)

[abbatabba1137]

What's that second pic from? It's cool hair.

Its from a movie called Dark Kingdom: Dragon King.....
Lots of cool hair throughout the movie!

[AnnaJamila]

You could always just do one big rope braid with ribbons or leather cords wrapped around it in various places if the others seem too time intensive. The other style I've seen is two thick braids on either side of the head with the remaining hair hanging loose down the back or the two side braids wrapped around it in a kind of criss cross keeping it together. That keeps it somewhat out of the way but if you'll be moving around a lot the hair can pull itself out.

[nucleardelusion]

I just need to say that I love the hairstyles popping up on this thread! Morgaine is probably my favorite. :)

[abbatabba1137]

Although it's EXTREMELY impractical, this (http://lastatus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Picture-51.png) style would make anyone thing twice on a battle field!

[AnnaJamila]

Although it's EXTREMELY impractical, this (http://lastatus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Picture-51.png) style would make anyone thing twice on a battle field!

O_________________________________o

Nice armor.

[Fingolphin]

Although it's EXTREMELY impractical, this (http://lastatus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Picture-51.png) style would make anyone thing twice on a battle field!

Ha ha, your enemies would be stunned with shock and then you could dispatch them straight-away. :D

[selderon]

I imagine such a style would move quite a bit, in a springy sort of way. You could slay them while they were distracted by your hair.

[jenhow]

These hairstyles are fabulous - I'd be leaning toward Morgaine though in terms of authenticity. Make sure you post photos!

[SwordWomanRiona]

Thank you for all your replies! :)
I think I'm choosing Morgaine's braids for my hairstyle. Young Morgaine's hairstyle and the first one abbatabba1137 suggested are great too, but seeing as it's next Thursday and I haven't mastered the inside-out French technique yet...seems a bit unfeasable :D. I will have enough trouble as it is with grown-up Morgaine's style :rolleyes:.

Fingolphin and jenhow - Whether I manage this style or not, some pictures will follow, be sure about that! :D
RecklessCharlie - Thanks :). Lá Fhéile Pádraig! to you too!
Pepperminttea - The Elling woman's braided bun's completely awesome! Might try that if the Morgaine style doesn't cooperate :)
Coan-Teen - Yes, what attracted me of Brigid's style is that apparently you don't need to braid into your hair...Although you can't be sure, as the picture doesn't show much detail...
Skyblue - I'll leave the tight implements for the serious battles, don't you think? :D
AnnaJamila - the ribbon or leather cord braiding is another good option.
Abbatabba1137 - your second suggestion would be too much for me + the audience. I would look like a Warhammer Dwarf-slayer minus the beard!!!! That if I managed that style in the first place... :D:D
Selderon - That's the general idea! Diversionary tactics, people! :D

[selderon]

I rather like Abbatabba1137's second suggestion. One day when I have long, magnificent hair, I shall do this style. Not sure how I'm going to deal with the short little hair horn thingies I always end up with...

[Xandergrammy]

I have a multi-braided braid as my profile picture if you'd like to take a peek. It looks great and is way easier to do than it looks.

[irishlady]

Yay! I'm glad you asked this because I have been trying to find similar styles myself! I think you can't go wrong with the Elling bun (I know it's Scandinavian, not Celtic, but it looks really ancient).

I would also suggest some kind of half up with small braids, and you can find celtic hair holders, I saw one on a site...hmm I'll have to find the link and give it to you.

Another suggestion, is something like Keira's wild woad updo in King Arthur. It's difficult to see what exactly she did, but to me it looks like a mix of a loose gibson tuck or something, perhaps you could come up with something? Just leave it very loose and natural with wispy pieces of hair framing your face and maybe something like leaves or a small feather.

The Celts are a people who are at one with nature, especially back in old times, as you may know since I can see you love the history as I do :D so the main thing is that you have it natural but try to somehow make it look untamed too.

Good luck!

[Finnenna]

I found this while looking for hair toys:

http://www.dressytresses.com/hair/gallery/instruct/avalon-braids/

[SwordWomanRiona]

I rather like Abbatabba1137's second suggestion. One day when I have long, magnificent hair, I shall do this style. Not sure how I'm going to deal with the short little hair horn thingies I always end up with...
Then you will be able to tell me how to make those crests stay up for a reasonable space of time (and how to make them, in the first place!) :rolling:. I wouldn't mind to appear with that style, if only to see the priceless expressions I would get!! :D:D

I have a multi-braided braid as my profile picture if you'd like to take a peek. It looks great and is way easier to do than it looks.
Your multi-braided braid looks lovely, Xandergrammy. I've tried a similar thing before, but because my hair's not so thick as yours, I feel the effect is not as 'wow' as I would like...I want your thick hair! :( All right, this is off-topic :p.
Yay! I'm glad you asked this because I have been trying to find similar styles myself! I think you can't go wrong with the Elling bun (I know it's Scandinavian, not Celtic, but it looks really ancient).

I would also suggest some kind of half up with small braids, and you can find celtic hair holders, I saw one on a site...hmm I'll have to find the link and give it to you.

Another suggestion, is something like Keira's wild woad updo in King Arthur. It's difficult to see what exactly she did, but to me it looks like a mix of a loose gibson tuck or something, perhaps you could come up with something? Just leave it very loose and natural with wispy pieces of hair framing your face and maybe something like leaves or a small feather.

The Celts are a people who are at one with nature, especially back in old times, as you may know since I can see you love the history as I do :D so the main thing is that you have it natural but try to somehow make it look untamed too.

Good luck!
I'll be rehearsing the Morgaine braids tomorrow, or Wednesday. If they don't behave, I suppose I will try a mix between that and a half-up with small braids, like you suggested...
About Guinevere's battle style in King Arthur...I think it's a kind of messy braided bun, I found a nice image of her hair from the back:
http://www.jamesshirley.com/images/Movies/King_Arthur/king_arthur021.jpg
It's nice, but I think I prefer to wear my hair down :) It will look untamed and warrior-like, don't fear! That's why I'm not using ribbons. I love them, but in this Patriarchal society you have to tread with a lot of care - I might be considered 'too delicate' for a warrior if I wore green ribbons braided in the plaits :confused::confused:

I found this while looking for hair toys:

http://www.dressytresses.com/hair/gallery/instruct/avalon-braids/

I found that too! It's really lovely, but I've got no time to practise that kind of French braiding before Thursday!!!

[SwordWomanRiona]

By the way, this is not hair-related, but I've received the lovely penannular brooch I purchased in The Crafty Celts website! It's gorgeous!! It's the bronze gemmed zoomorphic one set with carnelian:
http://www.craftycelts.com/Jewelry/Brooch/Zoomorphic_Penannular_Brooches.html
Love it! Now I'm beginning to look like a Celt! (Well, I already have the square jaw) :D

[irishlady]

By the way, this is not hair-related, but I've received the lovely penannular brooch I purchased in The Crafty Celts website! It's gorgeous!! It's the bronze gemmed zoomorphic one set with carnelian:
http://www.craftycelts.com/Jewelry/Brooch/Zoomorphic_Penannular_Brooches.html
Love it! Now I'm beginning to look like a Celt! (Well, I already have the square jaw) :D

Oh my goodness that brooch is absolutely stunning! Please do show us pics of your finished look :)

[SwordWomanRiona]

Oh my goodness that brooch is absolutely stunning! Please do show us pics of your finished look :)

I will! :) I'm 'rehearsing' the Morgaine braids this afternoon + some spiral designs on my face for a more 'Celtic warrior look' :D.

[selderon]

Then you will be able to tell me how to make those crests stay up for a reasonable space of time (and how to make them, in the first place!) :rolling:. I wouldn't mind to appear with that style, if only to see the priceless expressions I would get!! :D:D

Me? Crests? I'm confused.

[SwordWomanRiona]

Well, you did say you were going to try the 'crest style' when your hair got longer! :D

[SwordWomanRiona]

Tried the Morgaine braids this afternoon - I like the result! With the spirals on my face, I think I look very much like a Celtic warrior!

[selderon]

LOL! I meant Kristanna Loken's warrior braids (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/894/dk3predatorybh0.jpg).

I'm pretty sure the fashion picture with the geometric braids is stabilized by coat hangers. :P

ETA: Please, please, please post pictures of you with hair and war makeup!

[Fingolphin]

Tried the Morgaine braids this afternoon - I like the result! With the spirals on my face, I think I look very much like a Celtic warrior!

Show us! Show us! Freak us out with your pictish self revealed in your wrath! :D

[selderon]

Does this warpaint spell woad to the enemy? :P

[SwordWomanRiona]

LOL! I meant Kristanna Loken's warrior braids (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/894/dk3predatorybh0.jpg).

I'm pretty sure the fashion picture with the geometric braids is stabilized by coat hangers. :P

ETA: Please, please, please post pictures of you with hair and war makeup!
I thought you were referring to the other style! :D:D I want to try Kristanna Loken's braids too, but I need to learn to French braid properly before that :)


Show us! Show us! Freak us out with your pictish self revealed in your wrath! :D


Does this warpaint spell woad to the enemy? :P

It's this afternoon, folks! I think they're going to make some videos, but I'll make sure I have some photos made too :).
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get my hands on some woad :p. I'm using my newest blue-green eyeliner. Actually, it looks very much like woad, which is very convenient :D.

[SwordWomanRiona]

It came out to be SO great. I enjoyed myself thoroughly! :DI'll be posting some photos tomorrow!!

[Fingolphin]

It came out to be SO great. I enjoyed myself thoroughly! :DI'll be posting some photos tomorrow!!

Yes, yes, please! :hollie:

[selderon]

Woo hoo! :D I'm so excited.

[Katze]

Well, I actually do do Viking fighting on occasion and my husband, also a long hair, fights about 3x a week at the moment. Getting your hair OUT OF THE WAY, especially of things like chainmail, buckles, seams on helmets, etc. is key for use - we are both finehairs (me on the crown) so our hair gets caught and damaged very easily.

We do focus on authentic, so I usually oil our 'dirty' hair, braid it, and 'forget about it.' It does seem like you are focusing on appearance, so the styles people have already linked seem OK.

I think there is a pic of me in fighting gear in my album and I just had a loose side braid that I had slept in, so my hair from the chin up looks like it's down. The best style (and one that gives padding under a helmet) is a tight herringbone braid, but I can't do it tight enough on myself.

[selderon]

One of my favorite re-enactment researchers teaches history at college for his day job. His philosophy is that if it doesn't work, it isn't accurate. So he field tests traveling kit, hunting gear, makes his own clothing and the like. His period is American Fur Trade, but I imagine the principle is the same no matter what era you choose.

So the next question is, besides looking fabulous and having way too much fun, did you feel like your hair worked for you?

[SwordWomanRiona]

Well, I actually do do Viking fighting on occasion and my husband, also a long hair, fights about 3x a week at the moment. Getting your hair OUT OF THE WAY, especially of things like chainmail, buckles, seams on helmets, etc. is key for use - we are both finehairs (me on the crown) so our hair gets caught and damaged very easily.

We do focus on authentic, so I usually oil our 'dirty' hair, braid it, and 'forget about it.' It does seem like you are focusing on appearance, so the styles people have already linked seem OK.

I think there is a pic of me in fighting gear in my album and I just had a loose side braid that I had slept in, so my hair from the chin up looks like it's down. The best style (and one that gives padding under a helmet) is a tight herringbone braid, but I can't do it tight enough on myself.
That's nice about your Viking fighting! I'll be peeping at your photos as soon as possible :D
Yes, my hair's just SO fine!! This is why I don't do little braids very often: because my hair is so long and so fine, I almost invariably end up with some breakage. Like yesterday :(. But it wasn't severe.


One of my favorite re-enactment researchers teaches history at college for his day job. His philosophy is that if it doesn't work, it isn't accurate. So he field tests traveling kit, hunting gear, makes his own clothing and the like. His period is American Fur Trade, but I imagine the principle is the same no matter what era you choose.

So the next question is, besides looking fabulous and having way too much fun, did you feel like your hair worked for you?
Yes it did, it worked wonderfully! It didn't bother me in the slightest during the fight and the dancing, and it looked very Celtic-like.
So I'm posting some photos in my album now :).

[SwordWomanRiona]

So here are the links to the pics:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=7126&pictureid=98481

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=7126&pictureid=98482

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=7126&pictureid=98483

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=7126&pictureid=98484

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=7126&pictureid=98485

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=7126&pictureid=98485

My new penannular brooch is in my profile pic, too :)

[mellie]

That's super cool!! You look great!!

[abbatabba1137]

It looks awesome!

[Fingolphin]

Well done. Any pics in action, with sword blazing? ;)

[Alvrodul]

Seeing those pictures was inspirational - I have a "thing" for braided 'dos these days, and you have given me a couple of ideas. ;)

[SwordWomanRiona]

Thanks, everybody! :)
I wish I had some pictures in action, but I'll have to wait until they give me a copy of the video they made. I'm looking forward to seeing it. :D:D

I have left the hairstyle on - I wore it to university today. Comments were generally positive :). One told me it looked like dreads at a distance...Umm...They're braids...

[selderon]

Wheee! :D I like. I especially like the war paint. You make war paint and braids look wild and regal.

[Phexlyn]

That turned out awesome! I love the braided style and warrior paint! :D

[SwordWomanRiona]

Thanks, Selderon and Phexlyn! :flowers:

[Katze]

Great pics! Is that Temptu on your face? Years ago we were playing with blue Temptu as 'temporary woad' since real woad stinks so much...

[SwordWomanRiona]

Nope, it's just a bluish-green eyeliner! :D

[Finnenna]

Your hair looks wonderful!

[washurei]

personally I've done "the mists of Avalon" style and it worked out quiet well even though I have really thick hair.

[SwordWomanRiona]

Your hair looks wonderful!
Thank you! :)


personally I've done "the mists of Avalon" style and it worked out quiet well even though I have really thick hair.

Yes, I often wish my hair was a bit thicker when it comes to these multi-braid hairstyles, but I liked how this one turned out!

[Mrspuddinhead]

Have you thought about a cage braid or even a fish tail braid? I saw a very pretty hair style on the show Game of Thrones. I will see if I can find a picture for you.