DIY Hair Friday……The Geisha Bun

Posted on April 12, 2013

Happy #DIYhair Friday my dears!

This little beauty is sleek and sweet and quite simple to do. It is a low bow-bun!

This hairstyle works on medium to long hair of any texture……If your hair is very thick, make sure you have some large bobbies on hand to secure the style. If your hair is very fine and slick, use a texture spray to give it some grip. I like this DIY beach spray.

Here is how to do it.

1. Begin with the hair in a low, sleek tight ponytail at the nape of your neck.

2. Back comb gently throughout the ponytail to give it some fluff and oomph.

3. Now, take your ponytail and section out a small strip from the bottom. Leave this part out. Take the rest of the hair and hold it tightly to the head on the left side of the ponytail. Criss-Cross pin the ponytail to the side tightly.

4. Now take the ends of the ponytail and roll them over the criss-crossed pins to the opposite side of the ponytail. Pin the sides of the roll to the head vertically with large bobby pins. Use the small section that you left out to make the wrapped center of the bow by bringing it up and around the top of the bow, and pinning it behind.

SO pretty! Will you send me a photo of your version of this gorgeous low-bow Geisha hairstyle?

XOXO, HTHG

Roll ‘n braids….A modern take on a classic vintage hairstyle.

Posted on April 5, 2013

I have gotten some requests lately for unique medium-length hairstyles.The scarf roll came to mind because itis so retro classy and eye-catching. But It needed a little element of modern so I added accent braids to it and Voila!

Putting little braids in the hair is like putting a bird on a handmade messenger bag. They add instant ironic coolness.

Here is how this ‘do is done…..You will need a long skinny scarf and some clear elastics

1. Begin by lightly back-combing at the crown of the head.

2. Now, section off both sides from behind the ear forward.

3. Make a small dutch braid on one side. Braid all the way down the free end of the hair, and secure it with an elastic.

4. Repeat on the other side.

5. Now join the braids together at the back of the head with another elastic. Take out the elastic from the ends of the braids.

6. Take the rest of the hair into a ponytail it at the base of the neck and secure with a tight ponytail holder. Pull the holder down the pony till it is at the ends of the hair.

7. Take your scarf and lay the center of it across the top of the ends of the ponytail.

8. Slowly roll the ends around the scarf.

9. Keep rolling all the way to the head. Now take the free ends of your scarf and wrap them around the front of your head and back around.

10. Tie the ends of the scarf into a loose bow above your scarf roll.

*At this point, if your roll seems loose and sloppy, tuck and pin it until it looks right then pin the braids down behind the scarf to finish the look.

This hairstyle turns heads and makes people wonder how you did that. It is much easier than it looks!

XOXO, HTHG

#DIYhair Friday: Low chapeau twisted bun

Posted on January 18, 2013

Photo on 11-14-12 at 11 Do you have your grandmas old wonderful vintage hats and feathered chapeau stashed somewhere?

It’s time to get them out of storage, dust them off, and rock them. This #DIYhair style is perfect paired with a chapeau. It is a low, soft intricate twisted bun.

I am currently reading a fascinating book called Hairstyles and fashion: A Hairdressers History of Paris by hair historian and my new found friend and mentor, Steven Zdatny. In the book, the author illustrates the tension between french milleners (hat makers) and hairdressers. The hat designers basically ruled the fashion and hair scene in Paris during the early 1900′s, and hairdressers were constantly at the mercy of the hat design du jour. If big hats were in fashion, hairdressers were basically out of work because the hair would be covered. If small hats are in fashion, than hairdressers have the freedom to design hairstyles around the hat. Today, HTHG has designed for you a little hairstyle that would surely please both hairdressers and milleners.

There is nothing like the feeling of a dainty hat and pretty hair. Give this pretty #DIYhair style a try with your favorite dusty chapeau.

Here is how to get this look…..

low chatp

Divide the hair into 3 sections.

Top of the head to behind each ear, and one big section in the back. Twist the back section into a low twist.

1.Wrap the twist into a bun and pin it into place.

2. Now take one side section and twist it.

3. Lay it over the top of the bun, and wrap the tail around the bun. Pin it into place so that it feels secure.

4. Twist the other side section.

5.Lay it over the top of the bun and wrap the tail around the bun, tucking it in and pinning it into place.

Now comb your bangs down, arrange your lady parts, and put on your hat. Use pins if you need to secure it.

Lovely!

#DIYhair Friday: Big retro cocktail bun

Posted on December 28, 2012

Here is one for my retro hair lovin lady’s. The big retro cocktail bun is your perfect cocktail party or New Years Eve hairstyle, for medium to long hair. Get you hair rats ready, because this one is BIG.

Ready?

Start with all the hair in a high ponytail. Make sure it is nice and smooth and tight.

1. Divide your ponytail into 2, so 2/3rds of it is in the front, 1/3rd in the back.

2. Get your hair rat in hand….

3. Wrap the ends of your ponytail forwards around the hair rat. Roll it gently down to the scalp.

4. Spread hair around to cover hair rat.

5. Pin into place.

6. Now take the back 3rd, and gently back comb behind it.

7. Roll it backwards to the head, and pin it on both ends into a stand-up roll.

Now, pull down your lady parts, and arrange your bangs if you have ‘em. Add a sprig ‘o something, and put your heels on! Or if you are like me, put on your Chuck Taylors. I can’t wear high heels because I have scared ankles. XO!

Need a little more cocktail hair inspiration? Here are some Mad Men inspired hairstyles to check out!

DIY hair Friday: Dorothea Dust bowl bun

Posted on December 21, 2012

Dorothea Lange was an iconic American photographer who’s known for her photos that humanized the perils of the great depression and the Dust bowl. They told the stories of the life of migrant workers and poor farmers across the mid west and south.

Her photography captured the souls and hardened beauty of women who had to fight tooth and nail to survive and feed their families. Times were tough, and these were some bad ass women.

So, to celebrate the work of the late and great Dorothea Lange I put together this DIY hair tutorial for you that is both beautiful and

simple. It is a great hairstyle to wear when times are tough.

I want to thank my friend and fabulous handbag designer Sarah Nunn for introducing me to Dorothea’s work. Cute bag, Sarah!

Here is the tutorial….

!. Start with a section on one side that comes from the top of the head to behind one ear. Take it all and twist it into one twist from root to end. Wrap the twist into a bun just behind your ear.

2. Pin the bun into place.

3. Make a vertical section of hair straight down the back of the head. It should go from the top of the head, to the middle of the hairline at the nape. Take that section and twist it in the same direction of your first twist.

4. Wrap it around the front of the bun, and pin it into place, tucking in the end.

5. Now take the rest of the hair and twist it in the same direction.

6. Wrap it around the front of your twisty bun.

7. Pin it into place, tucking in the end.

Now you have a twisty bun made of 3 twists that are all going in the same direction and you look like a beautifully hardened bad-ass woman.

Did anyone else watch the Ken Burns Dust bowl special on CBS last month? I did, and I was inspired. I won’t get into it now, but watch it if you have a chance.