Crop Circles Braided Up-Style Braids Braiding

         In our continuing exploration of different looks that can be
  created for up-styles with long hair, the idea of using braids comes to
  mind. Using braids in up-styles is not unheard of. As a matter of fact,
  it's a common practice. However, in most cases, braids in up-style
  designs are usually done as accents or as foundations upon which the
  main design is anchored. But we wondered whether or not we could
  design an attractive up-style using only braiding techniques.
  Here's what we've done:

  Tools You Will Need:
                        Snag-safe Elastic Bands
                        An Assortment of Large and Small Bob Pins

Creating the Style:

We began with unwashed hair brushing the hair until it was smooth
and tangle free. We also used an anti-frizz serum, which was applied to
the palm of one hand and distributed evenly over both palms and on the
fingers by rubbing the hands together. We then smoothed the serum onto
the hair, and finger-combed the hair to spread the serum on the hair from
the scalp to the ends of the hair. Because we had so much hair to work
with we had to repeat this step several times until all the hair had been
smoothed.

The design was created to be more free-form and asymmetrical,
meaning that we wanted it to have a more organic feel and be adaptable by anyone
wishing to attempt the style on their own. So, starting at the center crown area, we
separated a segment that was approximately four inches by four inches square. We
combed the segment to assure smoothness, and braided it into a standard three-
strand braid aligned to the center of the square. The end of the braid was secured with
a snag-safe elastic band. This braid was then formed into a coil, positioned flush
against the scalp and secured with large bob pins. The end of the braid was tucked
under the coil out of sight and secured in place with small bob pins.

  We then began working with the remaining hair. A second
  panel was sectioned at the top of the head, from the top side
  of the initial square to the forehead, and as wide as the initial
  square. This panel was also braided in a three-strand braid
  with the base of the braid centered at the rear end of the
  panel, and the end of the braid was secured with a snag-safe
  elastic band. This second braid was coiled and pinned in the
  same manner as the initial braid. At this point we had two
  coils positioned one in front of the other just forward of the
  center crown area of the head.

       Our next section was on the right hand side, where we sectioned of the area just
behind the right ear. Again we braided this section in a three-strand braid, and centered
the base of the braid at the rear of the section, securing the end with a snag-safe
elastic band. Once the braid was finished, we wrapped it around the lower coil in a
clockwise direction and tucked the end of the braid under the edge of the lower coil.
The braid was secured in place using small bob pins to anchor it to the coil.

       We moved at this point to the left hand side of the head and created a section
by parting the hair in front of the left ear. This section was braided with the base at
the rear of the section, secured as done with the previous braids and its braid was
wrapped counter-clockwise around the upper coil. Its end was tucked beneath the
coil and it was anchored in place using small bob pins as well.

       Our last section was the curved panel of hair starting behind the left ear and
curving around along the nape of the neck. This section was braided, not as a three
strand braid, but rather using the French braid technique. The hair was braided
keeping the braid centered in the panel, and finished up in the right nape area. The
remaining hair was braided in standard three-strand fashion and secured with an elastic
band. The free portion of the braid was positioned vertically, crossing over the right-
hand braid, and threaded in an S-shape between the two coils and the end tucked out
of sight beneath the upper coil's edge. It was then anchored along its path using
large and small bob pins as appropriate.

       To finish the style, we misted it lightly with hairspray and gently patted down
stray hairs. The design was then decorated using costume jewelry faux pearl bracelets,
which were positioned to appear as dual rows of pearls. The design would look equally
good using jeweled hairpins, or longer strands of beads to accentuate the curves of
the coils.

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More Hair Styling Instructions
More About Up Styles
More About Braiding Hair

Crop Circles: A Braided Up-Style

Instructions for this Up-Style with Braids