Traditional Irish braid

brookerich · February 2012

Since we are having a 'big fat Irish wedding" (I was born in Ireland) I'd like to include as many traditions as possible. Including the braid in your hair tradition.

However I'm running into a wall. I want to wear my hair either all down (maybe pinned up on one side) or a half updo and I can't find any pictures of hairstyles like this that incorporate braids. Anyone out there know of any pics or ideas? All the ones I've found are for updos. I do have a comb that I'd like to incorporate but that isn't an absolute.

Help me out here. I know I have a while but I'm still wondering abou this....

Thanks

(fyi, my hair is about 4 inches below my shoulder so it is a good long length but its really thin)

artbyallie · February 2012

Okay, nerd that I am, I immediately thought of elf hair from Lord of the Rings.

(Yes, that's a guy. This was the best picture to actually see the style.)

Basically, the ides is two little braids that join in the back. I think it's really pretty and I'm partial to half-up hair anyway. Mine was half-up for my wedding as well.

brookerich · February 2012

That is pretty but I'm looking for something with a little more "body" up top if that makes sense. I need some height so my overly round face will look slimmer! haha. But I'm def going to keep these in mind. Maybe the stylist can take that idea and build on it.

daria24 · February 2012

What about something like this?

brookerich · February 2012

Daria,
I found that one but I'm not sure my hair will do it. I have thin hair and my braid on one side like that would be teeny tiny, not nice and thick like the models. I'm worried it would look ridiculous. But yes, that "look" is something I'm going for.

I'm also looking for half updos with braids. It seems like there aren't many (maybe because it isn't attractive)??

daria24 · February 2012

I really like this one too.

Have you considered using a few clip in or glue in extensions to make your hair fuller? They look pretty natural and if you use them sparingly it's not glaringly obvious that part of your hair is fake.

Squishy'sGal · February 2012

Here's a website that has tons of braided hairstyles.

http://www.findingbraids.com/number4dutch5,ir.html

artbyallie · February 2012

From that website squishy posted, I think these are gorgeous (but perhaps difficult!):

http://www.findingbraids.com/number1knot.html

http://www.findingbraids.com/number20knot.html

http://www.findingbraids.com/number63french3.html

http://www.findingbraids.com/number10round4.html

Avion22 · February 2012

This is one from my hair trial:

Front:

Side:

Back:

brookerich · February 2012

Thanks for the advice ladies. Daria, I REALLY like that picture, I have printed it out and put it in my binder too but again, I'm afraid my hair won't be thick enough. And no, I hadn't even thought about extensions until today when someone suggested them. Now I'm going to have to do my research and figure out which ones are best. I certainly don't want anything fake looking. But I'll probably have to go that route because of my hair being so thin.

And squishy, thanks so much for that link. I'm gonna look at all of them for sure!

And Avion, WOW, I LOVE your hair. That is so close to what I'm looking for. Its beautiful. I need to figure out if the lady who will be doing my hair is able to do something along those lines. Unfortunately I won't be able to do a trial until 2 days before the wedding because we are having a destination Las Vegas wedding and our strict budget doesn't allow for an "extra" pre trip.

Thanks gals!