While the older sisters have been in school this week, my 3-year-old has been my hair model, and we’ve done some pictorials for you!

I’ve been asked so many times for tutorials on hairstyles! I decided to do step-by-step instructions on the two most popular hairstyles from my festival braiding: the star braid and the corset braid. (These two pictures are my two older girls)

 

In both of my festival braiding gigs this summer (I did another one last Saturday), I’ve had lots of printouts of different braids, but these two always catch the eye of my little customers, so I could probably do these in my sleep now.

THE STAR BRAID

. Start by making a little ponytail on top of the head

2. Divide the ponytail into two sections, then make two basic 3-strand braids

3. Do another little ponytail on the left, divide it into two and make two 3-strand braids

4. Take one of the braids from the left and some hair from the right, and combine them into a small ponytail on the right

5. Make a 3-strand braid with the hair in the right-ponytail

6. Take half of the rest of the hair, left one of the braids from step 2 and the braid from the right

7. Secure with an elastic and remove all other elastics (the dark ones in the picture)

8. Tie all the rest of the hair and small braids into the right and remove extra elastics.

THE CORSET BRAID

. Divide the hair into two

2-3. Do a 3-strand dutch braid on the right.

4. Do a 3-strand dutch braid on the left.

5. Thread a ribbon through one of the top stitches of the dutch braid. The easiest way is to use a topsy-tail, but you can also use your fingers or a bobby pin or something else

6. Thread the ribbon through the other side and back to the same side, going through every other stitch of the braid

7. Keep going from side to side as threading a shoe lace

8. Tie the two braids together and finish by tying a bow.

These two hairstyles are perfect for any beginner, they look much harder than they are, and always get lots of compliments.

I will be braiding again at Lasten Festarit Festival in Töölönlahti, Helsinki on Sunday  17.8.  at 10-15h.