Twisted Bun with Criss-Cross Braids

Kandy

Twisted Bun with Criss-Cross Braids

For week 2 of our Protective Style Challenge, I decided to do this nice updo for Lady N. I really didn't have much in mind. I just knew I wanted cornrows and a twisted bun.

Her friends at Girl Scouts really loved her hairstyle, and asked me "who did it, and how?" Below is the step by step instructional. Please leave any questions or comments below, and ill get back to ya. 

I started her hairstyle on clean, stretched hair. Pictured below is the breakdown of how I began this style.

1.) In the illustration number#1, I parted her hair from ear to ear.

2.) In the illustration number #2 and starting in the back of the hair. I created 4 cornrows starting in her nape area, braiding upwards towards the center of her hair.

3.) Once the cornrow reached the part when it rises off of the scalp. I switched from cornrow to two strand twist. Then I twisted the remaining hair all the way to the ends.

4.) In the final illustration, after the 4 cornrows were completed. I created once braid on the right (highlighted in the color red) and brought the braid across the four braids.

5.) Then I took a braid (from the left indicated in blue) and brought that across the 4 braids. (In the opposite direction.)

6.) I continued crossing the blue and red braids, until I reached the center of her hair. I did stitch a inch or so, of hair on the sides into the blue and red sections, to secure them.

7.) For the top of her hair. I created random parts and cornrows. 

I left one piece out to put some beads from Tikilala on it to decorate the style.

8.) Once the cornrows were completed. I created twists all the way to the ends of her hair, on each cornrow.

9.) Next, I gathered all of her hair in a ponytail. 

10.) Finally, I began wrapping the twists around each other to form a bun. 

I used black ponytail holders to secure the bun. 

Styling Products Used: 

-Eco Styler Gel

-Bee Mine Curly Butter