Romantic Crown Braid... tutorial!

The lovely Leah was kind enough to collaborate with me on a GREAT hair tutorial earlier this week!  I'm really excited about this because it went so well, that we're already talking about the next one!  Personally, I can barely manage a decent ponytail- but Leah made this look like a breeze!  She and her friend Andi did such a beautiful job.  I really hope you enjoy!  ♥
*note - Ok, apparently I don't know how to count, since I have more steps than Leah. Aaand I guess I don't like the #8?!  Whaaat? It still works.

Leah's step-by-step guide:

You'll Need - A comb, bobby pins, 2 clear elastic bands, styling product (like a pomade or paste) + hairspray!

1. Comb hair  and part on side. You choose how deep you want the side part to go.

2. Create a diagonal part using a comb, ending the part just below the ear on the opposite side.

3. Begin an inverse braid. This is an upside down french braid. Taking the hair under instead of over allows the braid to "stand up". If this is too difficult, do a traditional french braid in it's place.

4. Taking hair only from the crown to incorporate into the braid continue the braid all the way down.

5. Secure with a clear elastic band.

6. Do the same thing on the opposite side.

7. Once braids are finished and secure, gently tug them apart, creating separation and a larger, more imperfect braid. You can be subtle about this or you can go big and really pull the braid apart.

8. Pull the braid around the back of the head just above the nape and secure with bobby pins just above the ear.

9 . Take braid from the opposite side and cross over the first braid, securing with bobby pins as you go. Remember to tuck in the loose ends of the tail of the braid!

10. Spray with hairspray.

YOU'RE DONE!  :)

Leah's bracelets/Andi's necklaces: Heather Gardner 

Denim Jacket: FREE PEOPLE 

Andi's floral top: FREE PEOPLE 

Leah's nail polish: Butter London "Trout Pout"
{all of the above available at AMBIANCE}

Salon-athon...

Do you guys have a favorite salon?  

Most women do.  I'm a bit of a vagrant where hair salons and stylists are concerned...  up until this past year, I had yet to visit the same stylist more than two or three times.  It's difficult for me to explain my dissatisfaction without seeming particularly difficult or fussy- which I promise you, I'm not.  The truth is, I've really wanted to find a hair person to be loyal to.  I've wanted to be a regular somewhere.  And it's not for lack of branching out... here's a quick runoff of the local salons I've sampled:  Bluebird, Tigerlily, District 96, Studio 23, Ahshe, Salon Lux, Bladerunner, Hep Kat, Faces, and Bliss Spa.  

Feel free to take my opinion with a large grain of salt- as I've an abysmally inadequate understanding of the business of hair...  In my experience of the salons listed above, I've had some cuts that I was quite happy with, but never the one that was exactly what I had hoped for.  One of those turned me away when I had an appointment (twice), two made me cry, one stylist left me to smoke a cigarette in the middle of my appointment, and another cut off my necklace with a pair of scissors.  Really.  

The truth is, it's taken me 3 decades to know what works for my hair, and what doesn't - but I've found that it takes a particularly open and truly collaborative stylist to really listen and take that knowledge to heart.   At long last, I'm happy to say that I've found my hair-soulmate.  I finally understand what it is to have a stylist who respects me and listens- and whom I trust implicitly.  I love that when I give her a layman's idea of what I want, she enhances that thought with her technical training, skill and experience to reach an outcome that we're both very happy with.  We make a good team.  My friends...  it. is. amazing.  

I'm thrilled to announce that my stylist and I have just marked our 1 year anniversary; a first for me.  

So after that nasty nursing ordeal this past week, my first thought was to console myself with indulgent and fabulous hair.  So I called Kimmy at Salon Lux, and she did not disappoint.  She pampered me with that yummmmmmy Aveda tea, a heavenly arm/hand/neck/head massage, aromatherapy, and all the cut/color/fabooshness one could hope for.  I left her chair feeling like the mega-watt star of my own hair commercial!  I'm so serious, you guys.  My hair swishing, my Aveda goodie bag swinging...  I swear I was suddenly 3 inches taller, and 10 Lbs. lighter too.  If you were downtown, you probably heard a theme song as I crossed Higuera Street.  Yeah, Kimmy's that good.  

What's your opinion on hair stylist-loyalties?  Who's your favorite?

Do you have a great salon/stylist relationship?  I'd love to know.  :)

*See Kimmy at Salon Lux

1040 Court Street  San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 781-6188