{Beauty Tuesday} Boring Short Hair and Other Myths Part Two

It's been a long time since I've had a hair-related post! I love doing different things with my own hair and I take every chance I can to play with my cousin Maggy's long, silky locks. In August I demonstrated the curling technique I used for my chin-length hair, and since then I haven't shown you how I do my even shorter hair. I chopped it off a month later, and one trim and a dye job back to my natural color later I think I've decided to grow it out again. Today I realized, I ought to take advantage of what I have while it lasts! Here's a simple way to play with hair that can't just be tossed into a topknot.

Start with clean, dry hair. Create a deep side part.

Spritz all over with a thermal protection spray.

Using a straightener, flip the ends of hair upward. Move from the bottom
layers about halfway up the head.

Section off hair and create tight curls (about one inch) layer by layer.

Work toward your part. Curl hair back in the opposite direction
of your face.

Don't be concerned about a missed spot or two. It should be messy. 

The flipped up ends in the back make a growing-out pixie seem
a little longer and help to cover up uneven growth.

Grab a pintail comb and tease away. Create enough volume in the back that
your head won't look misshapen.

Beginning at the part, French braid the front half of your hair (bangs)
parallel to your forehead. Secure with two bobby pins tucked into the braid.

Rough up the braid a little and smooth out the crown. Next, walk barefoot
on the beach or milk a cow. Your preference.

{Belated! Beauty Tuesday} Those Messy French

So sorry for yesterday's absence; I was dashing about town all the day long and my routine obligations completely slipped my attention. As today I also have many busy things to do, Beauty Tuesday will take the place of Wednesday's innate wedding (ahem. I already had my beauty post all planned out...and weddings take much more time than I have on my hands at the moment...).

As anyone who has followed my blog - or my life, for that matter - would know, I have had long hair and short hair and everything in between. During my junior year, my favorite style to throw my mid-length strands into was a French twist. It's classic and sophisticated, and a whole lot less complicated than most people expect. My good pal Brontë volunteered her gorgeous hair to model a messy version of this simple updo.

Begin with second-day hair in your natural texture.

 Brush hair out completely.

 Brush all hair to one side.

 Pin loosely into place.

 Gently tease hair toward bobby pins. When I say gently, I mean it! Use a light touch section by section and it'll give you rough texture all over instead of a clump in one spot.

 Hold all your hair together and roll in toward the center of your head. Tuck the ends inside the roll and pin into place. Yes, you'll probably need quite a few pins.

Make sure all the pins are hidden underneath the twist.

Brush lightly over each side of your head to smooth any weird bumps. You can pin the twist tighter to keep your head from looking oblong, but don't smash it down to your scalp. It should feel comfortable. Leave a few strands out to keep your style from looking too constricted.

Happy twisting!