Hair How-to: Looped Braids

Please tell me I'm not the only blogger who was a huge American Girls fan when she was young? Anyone else remember those historical fiction books about plucky, brave and smart young girls from different times in American history?

I even had my own American Girl Doll (and to emphasize how old I am, they only sold four dolls at the time. Now they sell fifty-zillion. And I know because, despite it being almost two decades since I bought anything from them, they still send me a catalogue now and then). Her name was Kirsten Larson and she just fascinated me. Her own story and my ancestors' matched pretty closely. Heck, Kirsten and my grandparents even shared the same name. Plus, Kirsten had the coolest hair.

And if you don't have the slightest idea who Kirsten Larson is- Well, first, I'm sorry. That's too bad; they were good kids' books. Second, don't sweat it. Think Heidi of the Alp s instead, because today, we're going to show you how make looped braids.

1) Divide Hair

Brush your hair and part it in the middle. Divide it into two sections along the part.

2)Braid

Take a section and braid, starting with hair right behind the ear.

3)Tie Braid

Tie off the braid

4) Repeat on other side

Take the other section. Braid it. Tie off the braid. Your hair is now in two braided pigtails.

5) Take one braid...and make a loop

Take the end of a braid and pull the braid end around, hiding it behind the base of your braid. It should make a loop shape. The loops can either be paralell to your head, so you only see the side of teh loop. This looks a little like Princess Liea's famous hair-do. The other way to make the loop is so the loop is perpendicular to your face. Looking at yourself in the mirror you can see the 'O' of the loop. Play with your loops till you like how they look.

6)Pin it. Repeat on other side

Pin the loop in place. Make and pin a loop using your other braid. Remember to make sure each loop hangs about as low is the other one for a symmetrical look.

There you go. Find yourself some Alps, Hiedi. You are now certified to be yodelling (or doing anything else) along with the best of them.