Hairline Braid with a Twisted Bun - How To
1. What you will need:
a. Wide-tooth comb
b. Tail comb
c. Teasing comb
d. Clips
e. Hairspray and gloss product
f. Bobby pins
2. Use your tail comb to separate the hair. Follow the line of the occipital ridge as a parting guideline. Secure the hair with a clip on top of the head. Brush the bottom section out to get rid of any tangles.
4. When you get to the nape area, you’ll have to change the angle of your braid. Ask your model to adjust the angle of her head so that you can work more comfortably. If you’re doing the style on your own head, you’ll be able to adjust the angle for your own comfort. Tension is very important at the nape area, as the braid tends to go slack here.
5. Follow this same procedure around the opposite side of the head as well, so that the braid goes around the entire circumference of the head. Remember to keep your tension tight, and try to work as neatly as possible. This may take some practice if you're not experienced in doing braided styles.
6. Braid the hair until you reach its point of origin. Neatly tuck the tip of your braid into the inside fold of the origin part of the braid and secure it here with a bobby pin. Make sure that this is done discreetly so that the braid appears seamless, following the hairline like a halo. If you have dark hair, use a brown or black bobby pin. If you're blonde, use a silver bobby pin.
7. Loosen the hair that was secured on top of the head and use your tail comb to separate this region into three equal sections. Again, secure the middle section to make sure that the sections stay apart. Comb the hair out neatly, being careful not to damage the braid.
8. Take the clip out and twist the hair around, curling it into a neat bun. Secure the twisted bun with a bobby pin in the parietal bone area. Insert the pin discreetly into the fold of hair between the bun and the scalp.
9. Take the side section and comb it out neatly. If you have thin hair, you can gently backcomb this section and then comb it out until the surface is smooth. Spray it with some aerosol hairspray to support the structure of the section. Fold this section around the head so that the surface looks flat and neat. Tuck the tips of this smoothed-down section discreetly into the fold of the braid in the nape area.
10. Follow the same procedure with the other side. It's important that you work as neatly as possible here. Tuck the ends of the hair into the fold of the braid and secure it with a bobby pin, taking care that it is done discreetly, so that one cannot detect the bobby pin. The surface should look neat and seamless.
11. Lastly, tidy up all the loose ends and flyaway hair by gently brushing it down with your fingertips and the end part of a teasing comb. Aim to get it as neat as possible without disturbing the braid or any of the hidden bobby pins. Use your hairspray to tame stray hairs and keep them in place.
12. Note how the hair seems to interconnect seamlessly. The bobby pins are not visible, and the stray hairs are flattened and tidied. Use your hairspray to keep stray hairs in place, but be careful not to use too much as this will make the hair feel sticky and lifeless. Note that the height of this style is in the back of the head. From the side, the style should make a tilted-oval shape, proportionate to the head.
13. Note that the style is relatively flat from the front, with the silhouette line of the style in direct proportion to the curve of her head. All hair is styled away from the face and ears, leaving the face open and looking fresh, creating a youthful appearance. This style can be dressed up with jeweled hair accessories and evening makeup, or it can be a very casual style if you style it more relaxed and messy for a beach style.
See also: More about Braiding