Two Sweet Hairstyles for Girls

This is a gorgeous, unique style that requires an experienced braider!

What You'll Need:

Wide-tooth comb

Fine-tooth comb

Hair clip

Ponytail holders

Time: 15 minutes

Step 1: Starting with damp hair (either towel-dried or misted), use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair. Then, using a fine-tooth comb, part the hair down the middle of the head. Clip one side up right above the ear.

Step 2: On the other side of the part, use the fine comb to gather a thin section of hair from the crown. This section should measure about 2 inches

from the hairline to the top of the head.

Step 3: Divide this section into three, and begin a French braid starting at the crown and curving toward the temple, then toward the back of the head, like the top lobe of a heart. You will be lifting hair into the braid only from this side of the part. Leave no loose hair in front of the ear.

Step 4: When you reach the center part at the back of the head, secure the braid with a ponytail holder. If the hair is very long, end the braid about midear; the ends will hang down the back.

Step 5: Unclip the hair on the other side of the part and repeat the process. Secure with a ponytail holder.

Step 6: Join the two ends of the braids together in the back with a ponytail holder to form the bottom point of the heart.

This graceful look is often thought of as a classic ballerina style and looks lovely when worn with a full skirt that twirls. The style has been popular throughout time because of its association with elegance and the ease with which it can be created. You can make this even fancier by placing small pearl or sparkly beads on hairpins and planting them along the top of the chignon.

What You'll Need:

Comb or paddle brush

Fine-tooth comb

Ponytail holders

Several hairpins

Sparkly or pearl beads (optional)

Time: 5-10 minutes

Step 1: Starting with dry hair, comb or brush the hair to smooth and detangle it. Let hair fall where it naturally parts.

Step 2: Using a fine-tooth comb, section top front portion of hair horizontally, from the top of one ear to the top of the other ear. Pull the lower section of hair back into a ponytail and secure with a ponytail holder.

Step 3: Comb the front section straight back neatly and use hairpins to pin the hair into the ponytail base. This will make the sides of the style neat and sleek.

Step 4: Split the ponytail in half horizontally. Comb the top section up and roll it up into a loop. Using 2 or 3 hairpins (depending on the thickness of the hair), pin the ends to the base of the ponytail.

Step 5: Comb the lower section of hair down. Rolling it under, make a loop. Use hairpins to pin the ends to the base of the ponytail.

Step 6: Using several hairpins, stretch out the loops of hair all around the ponytail base, so the loops each form a semicircle -- one on the top and one on the bottom. If you wish, add small sparkly or pearl beads to hairpins and crown the top of the chignon.

Excerpted from Cozy's Complete Guide to Girls' Hair by Cozy Friedman (Artisan Books).

Copyright 2011. Alexandra Grablewski photographer; Jennifer Playfor illustrator.

Copyright &copy 2011 Meredith Corporation.