ROCKAHOLIC ... New Detangler, New 'Do

We created a fun new 'do today inspired by our new "BORN TO ROCK" detangler by TIGI. It was really fun and too cute! Alex was full of attitude, so I have a lot of pics. And then there's the product review, so this post is just a bit longer than usual. ;)

This style works best with clean, damp hair. I used water and a little of Alex's new detangler/defrizzer to re-wet her hair. I made a very deep part on the top, on the opposite side as her natural part -there's a good reason for this. ;) Then continue the part down the middle all the way down.

Next, separate the top section of the smaller side, leaving out a piece in the front. Make a pull-through knot.

Braid the front piece, then pull it and the remaining hair from the top section together in a low pigtail. --For toddlers or shorter bangs do the front piece first. Put it into a pony or pull-through, then add it to the top section.--

For the other side, leave the bangs and front piece out but do the same for the top and bottom sections.

Okay, this top part may look funny and this is one of those moments I Really wish I had video capabilities. ;) You want to take the bangs and a small part of that side-front piece, brush it all straight forward to the hairline and then straight up. I suggest holding it in place here and adding hairspray for umph. Add an elastic several inches up.

This is the really important part to getting that 'bouf' rather than a flat twist. You want to twist the elastic straight down. For Alex's short hair, it was just two little turns. Then comb that side piece straight up, lay it in line with the 'bouf', and secure it with an elastic to the first piece.

I was totally out of bobby pins. (Yes, for shame!) So, I just used a cute clippie to hold this part in place. I left the end hanging. For longer hair, you could add a braid to this end piece and add it to the pigtail.

I straightened the ends, and voila! Now for the tons of pics from today. ;)

Her "Barbie Girl" bows were a proposal set I had made for a dance studio. They went with something else, but Alex was perfectly happy to keep them! ;)

Here's the one smile I got for the whole day. Go figure she was standing by our old Jeep. ;)

I thought we were finished with pictures after we got inside, but Alex ran into my office with these arm warmers. So adorable! ;) And then we got to talking about her new Tink shirt she was wearing. She had a different pose for each word... this one was "Fun"

and here's "Spunky"

I believe this last one is "Tough" or maybe "Feisty" ;)

 Now for the new product! I have to say how impressed I am with the new spray! So far, I love it! And at $15.00/bottle, that's a good thing! ;) But really, these last pics were a few hours after I had fixed her hair. It was still all in place and calmer than it usually is after just 20 minutes! I have used other defrizzers and found them greasy, but this one seems to just add some extra moisture and vitamins or something.;) It detangled faster and easier than others we've used without being grimy. And the very best part of the whole thing is the smell! Alex and I both love it, something pretty rare! ;) Overall, I give TIGI's "BORN TO ROCK" Leave-In Detangler & Defrizzer 5 out of 5 Stars!

  

Braids 'N Beads

Before we get started, I want to remind everyone about my 100th Post Giveaway, found here. Today is the last day to enter and it's the easiest one yet! Thanks to everyone for your support for 100+ posts!

Alex has been asking me to do another "all-braidy" style. ;)

Part the hair into sections. This style works best with a very deep side part.

Put the front/bangs into one french braid going all the way across. A row, or several rows for older girls, looks the best on the side with the most hair.

I some how missed the following picture... Part the rest of the "bigger" side into rows behind the bangs. Alex only needed two french braids, but older girls will need more. ;) On the other side, create french braids starting at the front and going straight back. They will fall naturally.

Next, part one row in the back of the hair into small sections and braid them.

Now, it's time for the beads... This is one of the easiest ways to add beads, in my opinion. ;) Start with one bead and an elastic. I recommend clear, but used contrasting colors to show it better.

Okay, so put the elastic through the bead and then put one loop through the other loop and pull it tight. Next, put whatever beads you want onto the braid. There are several ways to do this. I suggest simply wetting the hair and using the hair as a "needle".

Your last bead will be the one with the elastic attached. slip the bead onto the hair and then wrap the loop that sticks out around the hair. It is secure for normal wear, but can also be taken out easily.

I loved the finished look! Alex decided to wear this lovely dress. (Yes, on a rainy day when we had no plans!)

Originally, I had straightened her hair. However, I like it better curled. ;)

Alex was one happy girl! ;)

Fabulous, Step by Step

Just in case anyone missed it, there is a GIVEAWAY in the post about Alex's recital. http://tinydiva.blogspot.com/2010/07/be-my-little-baby-bumblebee.html

A pair of hairbows available to one lucky winner, so comment away! ;)

And now for the 'do that I did for Alexandra's Faboulous photos... The up close, step by step pics I took of this hairstyle...

I started, as usual, by separating two sections in front and holding them back. I put the bottom into a low side ponytail. (Oh, and please ignore the sand... we have it under their playground/fort and it's always in her hair!)

Next, I parted the front into smaller sections and started some french braids. I put three on one side and just one on the other.

I pulled everything together into a messy bun type thing. I had to use one bobby pin for that last braid that wouldn't quite stay. Then some hairspray because her hair was frizzed out!

Add a bow and some sass and there you have it! ;)

Fireworks Hair

Extra post today... I realized I better get this out right away if you all were going to see it before the 4th. ;)

Alexandra asked me for fireworks hair and this is what I came up with...

I originally wanted a flag look, but Alex fell asleep and then asked for the fireworks. Anyway, I started, as always, by parting the hair into sections and pulling back the ones I wasn't using.

I did one french twist braid and switched to traditional french braids, not sure why. ;)

On the other side of the hair in front, I made puff braids with lots of sections. Pretty simple really. I didn't have white elastics, but considered using some white ribbon to do stripes.

 I haven't had this problem before, but a few of the elastics broke. You can see the places they should be... Anyway, there is a third row here. I thought it would look neat to make rows all the way across the back and then pull it all together into a low side ponytail/bun. We ended up tossing everything up into a messy bun and then I stuck a few pipe cleaners randomly into it. They stayed on their own just fine!

In the end, it looked really adorable and fun. And we got quite a few compliments at the Wet'n'Wild days at our Zoo. ;)

A Swimmy 'do

We always do some sort of braid for water play. It just keeps things in line a little better. ;)

Okay, so this is the best way I have found to do french braids from the bottom up. This technique will even help you do them on your own hair! ;) To start, separate every section that you'll be putting a braid in. This next step is the key...

Now, you want to divide the section your braiding by clipping back each row that will go into the braid. Start with the ending section and just keep going. You can do this for any french braid. It really makes it easier to keep the rows even and keeps your hands free for the braiding. You just take out each section as you go, split it in half and add to the sides like you would with any french braid.

So, in the end I did three french braids up and put everything in a messy bun. I really like how cute this looked! ;)

I want FABULOUS! Give me Fabulous!

Alex loves HSM and that song is her favorite. That's how she decided to describe this set when she first tried it on! ;) It is definitely over-the-top... and I just LOVE it! ;)

This is an all new outfit from the Fairie*Kisses Couture Line. (For those who don't know, that's me.;) I have made tutus and bows for quite a while and I've done some simple skirts and tops. But this project was a major feat! ;) I love all the steampunk stuff that I've seen on Etsy and other places, so I just had to try my hand at it! This was a blast to make and Alex just fell in love with it! ;)

Ruffles always make things better! Alex insists on them every time I start a new project!

Lace is great too, so girly! And then, of course I had to make a mtaching hairbow.

We had to do a special hair-do for the pictures too... I parted out the sections I wanted and held each aside with a ponytail. I put a french braid in each section then pulled all the ends and the rest of the hair together in a low side-tail. I made a messy bun then topped it off with her new bow. Voila! ;)

I like how the whole thing turned out! It looked adorable on Alex and she felt simply "Faboolus"! ;)