Katniss Everdeen's Dutch Braid

This post is inspired by Jennifer Lawrence's hair in the Hunger Games, which, btw, is AMAZING. (And yes, i have read the book and seriously, the movie lives up to it.)

Anywayyyyyy, i really loved the whole styling in the entire movie, it was so well thought out and really matched the book description. 

So this is the plait Katniss has throughout the movie with is a dutch braid across the back of her head. For those of you who don't know what it's dutch braid is, it is basically a french plait but instead of the right and left going over the middle, it goes under. So really, it is an inverted french plait. 

So here's how to do it.

What you need -

• one hair bobble
• hairspray

Method -

This is her natural hair, with a few added curls, just

 for some volume and authenticity.

• Start the braid at the side of the head, in line with your ear. You can chose which side you'd like the braid to start but I think that it looks better if you start in the opposite side to your fringe, assuming you have one. 

• Begin plaiting an inverted braid then start adding in hair as if you are doing a french plait. Here's the tutorial on how to do a french plait - http://juhisroots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/french-plait.html

• Carry on plaiting across the head, relatively tightly. Once you've reached the top of your neck on the other side of you head, start plaiting normally. Tie off with a bobble and hairspray.

And easy peasy, you're ready to be on a movie set

or take part in the annual Hunger Games 

with a simple, convenient hairstyle!

Much love, Juhi xox

French Plait

This is a really good style to learn as it's the basis for loads of hairstyles and could easily be the difference between a bland, boring pony tail and an edgy up do. Plus, it's good for those days where you just don't know what to do with your hair  or you just want all your hair out of you face so learning this really is worth your while. It does take a while to grasp the concept and work your fingers around holding all the strands but practice makes perfect, people! 

What you need - 

• one hair bobble
• hairspray

Method - 

Begin with just combing through you hair to make sure there's no

knots and to make it more manageable. If you want,

 you can straighten through it if your hair is 

really frizzy but it's not a necessary step.

• This step depends on where you want to start you french plait. For the sake of this tutorial, i'm doing all of the hair so i'm starting at the front of the hair line (above the forehead), but you can start further down, e.g. half way, if you wish.

• Section off the hair as if you are going to be doing a conventional plait ; split into 3 equal strands and start plaiting.

Note - this is for those of you who don't know how to plait : look at the 3 strands as the right strand, the middle strand and the left strand.

The right over the middle (so now the right strand is the middle strand) then the left over the middle (so that the left strand becomes the middle strand). And repeat.

• After you've done that once, here is where it becomes a little tricky ; when placing the right strand over the middle, grab some hair from that side of the head and incorporate it with the right strand. Smooth out any fly aways. Then do the same when placing the left strand over the middle ; take some hair from the left side, incorporate it and carrying on plaiting.

• Continue incorporating it until you've reached the bottom of you head, then you can start plaiting normally again.

• Tie it off with a bobble and you can secure it with bobby pins. 

And there you have it. Be sure to hairspray

if you have loads of layers! I know it can be 

difficult when you first start but just try it out on 

any willing volunteers and soon you'll be a pro!

Much love, Juhi xox

Wet Hair Waves

Just had a late night shower? Don't have enough time to do your hair in the morning? Then here's a solution for you! Sorry, i know i sound like an advert lol. But anyways, heres an easy and simple way to create summer waves overnight.

What you need -

• Two hair bobbles
• Straighteners 

Method -

Towel dry your hair and spray generously with

 heat protection spray. Then split your hair into two parts

 on either side of your head.

• Plait each side of your hair tightly, or if you have longer hair just do one long plait. Don't worry if bits fall out due to layers, it won't make a large difference. Keep these plaits in overnight.

• When you wake up the plaits may have come loose so make sure you plait them tightly and tie it at the end securely. Plug in your straighteners and gently squeeze the plait. Do this along the length of the plait at equal intervals.

• Take out the hair bobble and separate the plait softly, letting your fingers just shake it out. Use hairspray to ensure it stay looking wavy through out the day.

And thats pretty much it! Loose, easy to do waves which

 take literally no time at all and look natural and gorgeous!

Much love, Juhi xox

 (p.s. pictures aren't great as i was pretty rushed in the morning, sorry!)

Hair Drying

It seems simple but really, blow drying your hair straight is hard work and you almost always need to use your straighteners to tame the beast but don't fret, here how to do it!

What you need -

• A Hairdryer (obvs)
• A comb/brush
• Protection Spray
• Sectioning clips

Method-

Start off by towel drying your hair to get rid off and excess water. Then spray your hair down with protection spray and comb through it. 

• The technique is a lot like straightening hair but make sure you dry the roots of hair particularly well or else it will become greasy and frankly, disgusting. I can't really take picture of how to do it, so heres a video instead! 

• Here's an extra clip of how to dry a full fringe as well, as sometimes straightening it can leave your hair pointing in all different directions.

• Another tip is to use shampoos specifically for styling, just to make sure your hair is looking extra fabulous! 

And that is pretty much it! 

No more going to school, 

college, ect. with wet hair or

  crazy wild hair! Make sure you hair spray your hair 

just to keep it looking perfect.

Much love, Juhi xox

(p.s. if there are any wavy bits and you have a few second to spare, go ahead and straighten them!)

Here are the products i used - 

Mark Hill Morphy Richards Hairdryer - around £30 to £40 from Boots

Schwarzkopf Got2be Guardian Angel - £3.99 from Boots

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray 500ml - £4.00

Toni&Guy hair brush - £6.89 from Boots

Waves

This is quite tricky so you may have to have some willing volunteers to practice on but once you've got the hang of it, it's a great style for any event. If you have already got wavy hair, this technique can really enhance and give volume to your hair.

So read on to get your summer waves in these winter months!

What you need-

• Straighterners
• Protection Spray
• Sectioning clips

Method

Start off by combing through your hair, spraying it generously with protection spray to save it from being damaged.

Half way your hair and clip it up, spraying it again to ensure full coverage. 

• Take a section of your hair and bring the straighterners to you roots and straighten downwards to where you'd like to start you waves. Some people like to start the waves right and the top to give more volume where as others prefer waves just at the bottom.

• This is where it gets difficult but just stick with it! Turn the straighterners away from you as if you were doing a curl but don't actually do a curl. Stop half way through it then turn it back toward you.

• Once the straighterners are horizontal, turn them upwards and do half a curl then bring them back to straight.

Heres a short video to explain what i mean-

• Repeat this process along the whole section of your hair then to the rest of your hair.

• When it comes to you fringe you can either wave it of just curl it away from you if you'd rather a more refined look.

Pretty simple, eh! So there you go, an easy way to get wonderful waves.

Oh and remember to hairspray your hair to keep it looking fresh!

Much love, Juhi xox

(p.s. thanks to the lovely hair model, Shuva!)

Here are the products i used-

Remington Pearl Straighterners - £84.99

Schwarzkopf Got2be Guardian Angel - £3.99 from Boots

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray 500ml - £4.00

Toni&Guy hair brush - £6.89 from Boots

Naturally Straight...not.

This may seem like a pointless post but i see people around with super straight hair that looks so limp and lifeless that i thought that this tutorial would be worthwhile. Whenever i straighten my hair i try and make it look as if i was born with it when really i have curly/wavy hair and a lot of people actually fall into the deception!

So heres how i achieve it -

What you need-

• Straighteners (of course)
• Proctection spray (to keep your hair from getting damaged)
• A comb/brush
• Hairspray
• Sectioning clips/bobbles

Method

Start of by combing through you hair to get rid of any tatty

 bits and then half way your hair and secure it at the top.

• Spray down this part of your hair with proctection spray, comb through it then take the straighterners to just below the root of your hair. You dont wanna straighten right from the top as this could damage your hair and/or cause it to fall out.

• Begin straightening but don't straighten vertically down, straighten outwards and bring it back it. This method also brings some bounce and volume to your hair. Also, dont grip the straighteners as if your life depends on it, hold it a little loose as to save your hair from unnessecary heat.

• Repeat this until you've finished the bottom section of  hair then unclip the top of hair and do the same.

• When it comes to the fringe, i absolutely hate it when its so straight it could cut someone, so do the same technique you have done to the rest of hair with your fringe! Please.

So if you couldn't grasp the steps there, here is a short video of yours truely demostrating how to do so. Please excuse my ugly mug.

And there you have it! How to straighten your hair! Hairspray your hair well do make sure the ends dont curl or kink.

Much love, Juhi xox

Here are the products i used-

Nicky Clarke Love Women Ovarian Cancer Straightener (you don't need GHD's!) - £30.00

Toni&Guy hair brush - £6.89 from Boots

Tony&Guy Protien Protection Mist (it gives a really nice, non-greasy shine!) - £6.00

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray 500ml - £4.00

curls, curls...and more curls! (with straighterners)

People think its really hard to curl hair, especially with straightners, but am gonna show you a step by step way to get gorgeous curls with nothing more than straightners, hairspray and your head of hair!

What you need-

• Straightners (duh)
• Hairspray 
• bobbles/sectioning clips (if you've been blessed with thick hair)

Okay, so here goes!

Method

First off, comb through your hair to make sure there are no knotty bits! Then half way your hair and clip it at the top .

• Get a section of hair, thick/thin depending on how thick/thick you want your curls to be and take the straightners to your roots and straighten down to where you want your curls to start.

• Now it does get a little more complicated but just read through it and watch the short video before you start! When you get to your desired place of where you want your curls to start, turn the straighterner away from you, downwards,  making a 360degree turn until the straighterner is vertical. Keep the straightners on for a few seconds to make sure the curl is in place then let go.

• Do this sequence again from the end of the curl if your hair is longer.

• Once you've done the rest of the bottom section, begin letting loose more hair from the clip and carry on doing this untill your at the top/fringe. Spilt this part into two (usually your parting) and do your curls as normal but instead of turning away, turn the straighterners to the side so the curl fick away from your face.

Et voila! There you have it, an easy guide to getting the perfect curls!

Hair spray your hair as much or as little as you'd like depending on how loose/natural you want your curls to look.

Much love, Juhi xox

P.S you dont need to have straight hair for this to work, it works just as well on wavy hair!

Here are the products i used- 

Toni&Guy hair brush - £6.89 from Boots

Nicky Clarke Love Women Ovarian Cancer Straightener (you don't need GHD's!) - £30.00

Tony&Guy Protien Protection Mist (it gives a really nice, non-greasy shine!) - £6.00

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray 500ml - £4.00