The hair studio plaits and buns.

Plaits and buns were extremely popular in the Elizabethan era. Alot of older women wore their air up in a bun as it was an indication that you were married. Judging from pictures many young women would wear their hair in plaits.

Bun.

Bun.

Equipment.

·         Cape.

·         Consultation form.

·         Paddle brush.

·         Hair bands.

·         Curvy grips.

·         Geisha pins.

·         Hair spray.

Firstly fill in a consultation form to make sure your model does not have a scalp condition, as you will be brushing the hair quite firmly as well as putting it up firmly. You may also want to check that they are not allergic to any of the products in this case the hair spray.

Brush thoroughly through the hair using a paddle brush to ensure there are no hair knots.

Brush the top section of hair back using a paddle brush making sure the surface of the hair is lying flat and neat no bumps.

Section the hair into two sections, like a pony tail put a band in the top section. Leave the bottom section with no band in.

Split the hair in the ponytail into four sections using your fingers.

Barrel roll each sections of hair holds them into place by applying a curvy grip.

Then apply a geisha pin in each section for extra hold. Then using either your fingers or the geisha pin push the hair together neatly. By sort teasing it into place to fill in the gaps so the bun looks full.

For extra hold you can spray the hair lightly with hair spray.

Evaluation.

I had no trouble creating the bun. However I do think if somebody had extremely fine hair you may have to make the sections bigger as there would not be enough hair covers the gaps. This bun also creates the same effect as the hair sponge but only looks more natural.

Plaits.

Equipment.

·         Sectioning comb.

·         Paddle brush.

·         Hair bands.

·         Cape.

·         Consultation form.

Firstly fill in a consultation form to make sure they have no scalp conditions. As when plaiting the hair you will need to pull the hair which may irritate the scalp. As well as brushing the hair flat at the roots.

Then you will need to apply the cape to your model this is to ensure they get no strands of hair or product on their clothing.

Brush through the hair thoroughly using a paddle brush ensuring there are no knots in the hair as this will make the plaiting process run more smoothly and be painless for your model.

Regular plait.

·         Section the hair into three sections, suing a sectioning comb for sharper sections. Making sure the sections are of equal thickness.

·         Holding two sections of hair in your right or left hand this for me makes the process easier.

·         Grab the left section of hair and pull it through the middle section of hair, then pull the right strand of hair through the middle.

·         Making sure that the strands of hair only go through the middle section.

·         Repeat this process making sure the pull firmly but not too firm so your model is in discomfort. Do this until you have reached the end of the hair. The tie a band in the hair.

I found doing a regular plait rather challenging as I have never been able to do a plait but after a few practices I could finally do a plait.

French plait.

Firstly section the hair using the sectioning comb. If you want a French plait from the centre then section the hair as close to the root as possible into three sections in the middle of the hair. Or if you want a plait from the side then section the hair from the side of the head into three sections making sure all of the sections are of equal thicknesses.

Take your three sections so that two strands are held in one hand, and the third strand is held in your opposite hand. Create a few rows of a regular braid by taking the strand on the right and crossing it over the center. Then take the strand from the left and cross it over the center.

Continue plaiting the hair as normal, but incorporating new pieces of hair. By grabbing loose pieces of hair and crossing them over the middle strand of hair diagonally.

Keep incorporating new pieces of hair until all strands of your hair are incorporated then finish off the plait by doing a regular plait if there is not much hair left then put a band at the end to hold the plait. 

Evaluation.

It took me a few times to be able to create a French plait especially with a doll head as the hair seems to get so knotty easily. However after a few trials I was able to create a French plait.

 Fishtail Plait.

Divide your hair into two sections of hair either with your fingers or with a sectioning comb.

Then pull a thin strand of hair from the left side from the back of the section and cross it over to the right section of making sure the strand of is at the front of the right section of hair. Continue this process right to the last strand of hair.

You can separate the plait for a messier more casual look this is more on trend. But for Elizabethan purpose keep it tight and fairly neat.

Evaluation.

I find creating a fishtail plait a lot easier than the other two plaits. I could do it straight away without practice. However I find it easier to do a fishtail plait on an actual person rather than a head.