3 Updos With Just a Pair of Back Braids

Sometimes the things that look the most complicated are actually the simplest to do. I found that out the easy way when I got bored earlier today. Before I go on, I might add that I did both the hair and this post while watching an episode of AMC's Breaking Bad, so if I seem to be leaving out some ridiculously simple step or if the braids seem wonky you can blame that on the distraction that comes from watching a bunch of people pretend to be a completely different bunch of people who make crystal meth. Anyway, all disclaimers aside, I'll just get right to it.

You will need:

• Two mini hair elastics, preferably clear or close to your hair colour
• A bunch of bobby pins
• A couple of twist pins (optional)
• Hairspray (optional)

Start with hair. Seriously, this step is crucial. Make a center part down the back of your head and plait each half into a braid of any type, at the back of your head. The link sends you to all of the stand-alone braid tutorials I've made in the past and will in the future. I used fishtails here because they're my favourite and they stay flat to the head.

NOTE: I did these straight down because it was easiest; you might want to braid them sideways for some of these styles.

Style 1: The Double-Wrapped Bun

1. Take one of your braids and start rolling it from the end in. When it reaches your head, pin it in place. I used twist pins, but regular old bobbies work just as well.
2. Wrap the other braid around the roll and pin in place, as securely as possible.

Style 2: The Criss-Cross 

1. Fold the first braid in half underneath itself. Bring it across your head in the direction of the opposite ear, and pin in place.
2. Fold and pin the other in the same manner, this time across your first braid.

NOTE: I personally dislike this way of doing this style. You might want to fold the braids like this, but position one under the other as opposed to across.

Style 3: The Crown Braid

This one is my absolute favourite of the three. It looks so elegant but in truth takes almost no effort to make.

1. Wrap one braid under the other and over the top of your head. Pull it tight and pin in place.
2. Pull the other braid down over the base of the first, and over your head in the opposite direction. Tuck the ends of each braid under the other and pin. Lots and lots of pinning involved here.

That's all for today. As always, leave suggestions for tutorials in the comments or e-mail us at youngfamefashion@gmail.com.

-Scorpio

FUN WAYS TO WORK OUT OVER THE SUMMER!

Summer is coming up in a few months and I'm so excited. Working out, on the other hand, can be super boring. There are, however, ways to make it fun. Here are my top 10 favourite ways to work out over the summer:

1) Dance: Dancing is a very fun way to stay active. Invite a bunch of friends over for a dance party and get your groove on!

2) Go for a 45 minute run: A short jog in the park early in the morning will really get your energy up for the rest of the day and get your heart rate up. If you have the choice, try going to the park: that way you can get a beautiful view and go jogging with a friend, or bring music so you don't get bored.

3) Beach workout: Running in the sand is harder than running on pavement, trail, or tread mill. This way you can cut the time to 30 minutes instead of 45 minutes. Plus, when you're finished you have the rest of time to hang out on the beach.

4) Swimming: Swimming is a great way to work out and soothe your muscles at the same time. If you have an injury, swimming will allow you to keep working out without making the injury worse. 

5) Sports: Organize a game of soccer, volleyball, or even a nice game of badminton with friends. A great way to bring out your competitive side.

6) Hike: A nice hike out of the city at a conservation park will help you relax, clear your mind and provide you with some fresh air.

7) Yoga in the park: Yoga in the park is a great way to relax and do some stretching.

8) Biking or rollerblading: Definitely the best way to tone your legs, especially for bikini season.

9) Paddle-boarding, sailing, or kayaking: Boating is a great way to strengthen your arms and will keep you nice and cool in the heat

10) Rock climbing: Rock climbing is more on the expensive side but is a great way to build upper body strength.

For more tips on working out make sure to check out beauty guru Dani Austin's exercise routine video. Her YouTube channel is awesome and totally worth checking out (linked down below):

Links:

Dani Austin's exercise routine and running advice video

Dani Austin's beauty channel

- Virgo   

Scorpio's Birthday List

Remember the similar post done by Virgo last year? My birthday's actually not long after hers but I never got the opportunity to make one of my own so here it is for this year. For the blog, this is mostly fashion-related stuff (with a tiny misc section) so it's not my full list. NOTE: I don't expect to get any of this, it's just nice to jot down your wishlist. Try it sometime!

Clothing

• A new leather jacket, my current one is huge on me and the lining is ripped.
• These jackets (I found them while looking for good trenchcoat examples and now I'm in love)
• A puffy vest to wear with long-sleeved shirts in the fall and spring
• A trenchcoat (à la Columbo or Castiel)/dress-length jacket (jackets are my weakness, I might do a post on them soon)
• Dark blue and black skinny jeans; the ones I have are fading quickly because I forgot to turn them inside out to wash.
• Half of the content of Modcloth, mainly these four gorgeous designs
• This

Makeup

• Eyeshadow primer like Virgo's (seriously, it works so well).
• An eyeliner smudger
• An eyeshadow palette for green eyes (or just eyeshadow in a shade of mossy/olive green)
• Lipstain marker, slightly darker than nude

Accessories

• Black gladiator sandals, the strappier the better.
• Black leather lace-up boots
• A small black (seriously, it goes with everything) crossbody bag for dates and nice occasions
• Craploads of rings and ear cuffs
• One of these (preferably the first but it costs more). Seriously please.

Other

• A few psychology books, one or two covering the whole topic for general use and the rest on more specific topics
• A notebook laptop or convertible tablet, preferably one of these tablets with one of these skins and this bag (seriously even alone the bag would make me so happy).
• 6 fish, to be named Mercury, John, Wonder, Charles, Joel and Tiersen.
• Either this or this longboard deck (I broke mine a year and a half ago but never bothered to replace it)

-Scorpio

Braid series 8: How to do a round (3D) braid

The finished product

This takes some time to get the hang of, but the results are worth it. There are two methods. Read their descriptions and see which one is better for you.

Method 1. This is easier to explain but takes some time to get the hang of.

1. Brush hair and split it into equal sections 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. Bring strand 1 under strands 2 and 3, and back around so it rests again between strands 2 and 3.
3. Bring strand 4 under strand 3 and the former strand 1, and back up and over strand 1 again, so it rests between strands 3 and 1.
4. Repeat the previous two steps to the end and tie off.

Method 2. This looks tough but is in fact very simple. The explanation may confuse you.

1. Brush hair and split it into equal sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, from left to right. This is very important.
2. Take sections 2 and 4 and pull them over strand 3 and to the right, twisting them right as you go. The order should now be 1, 3, 4, 2.
3. Now twist sections 1 and 3 to the right so the order is now 3, 1, 4, 2.
4. Rename the sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, accordingly.
5.  Now take the new strands 1 and 3 and pull them over strand 2 and to the left, twisting them left around each other as you go. The order should now be 3, 1, 2, 4.
6. Now twist sections 2 and 4 to the left so the order becomes 3, 1, 4, 2.
7. Rename the sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, accordingly.
8. Repeat steps 2 to 7 to the end. Remember: The two strands that seem to be below the others are the strands you have to twist over next.

Enjoy!

-Scorpio

Braid series 7: How to do a flat four-strand braid

The finished product

There are two ways of doing this style, and I'll cover them both here.

Method 1. This is slightly easier and to be used if you plan on making it French.

1. Divide hair into four even sections, making sure all of your hair is in one of the bunches. We'll call them, from left to right, strands 1 to 4.
2. Cross strand 1 over strand 2 and under strand 3.
3. Cross strand 4 under the former strand 1 and over strand 3.
4. Continue this, alternating sides and making sure that one side is strictly under-over and the other is strictly over-under, to the end and tie off.

Method 2. If you want a side French braid, this is best because hair can be added only on one side.

1. Divide hair into four even sections, making sure all of your hair is in one of the bunches. We'll call them, from left to right, strands 1 to 4.
2. Cross strand 1 over strand 2, under strand 3 and over strand 4.
3. Cross strand 2 over strand 3, under strand 4 and over strand 1.
4. Continue this left-to-right pattern to the end and tie off.

Enjoy!

-Scorpio