Plaits and Buns

Plaits and Buns were also a popular hairstyle in the Elizabethan times and are also very easy and very simple things you can learn to develop your hair skills. An example of an Elizabethan hairstyle with plaits and buns is a portrait of Maria de' Medici. You can see her hairline clearly has two plaits and the hair all goes back into a bun. This was a common way for them to wear these looks. 

unknown. (2014). Maria de' Medici (1540-1577). Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_de'_Medici_(1540–1557). Last accessed 3/12/14.

French Plait:

Equipment: pin tail comb, separation clips.

1. Make sure the hair is fully brushed.

2. Start with a clean section and make sure the hair is completely combed through.

3. Take the first section, section that into three sections and plait as normal for two cross overs. Make sure you create some tension.

4. Take a section from the right hand side, take it over the top and into the middle and plait as normal

5. Repeat with the left hand side

My first attempt of a French braid was difficult at first as I have always struggled with these types of plaits. However I pieced it together and think my first attempt was actually quite successful. I will next try a full head plait.

6. For a full head, take a peace from closer into the head and follow the same structure.

I was quite happy with my first attempt at a full head French plait. If I was to do it again I would make sure the section was a lot neater and that I it would be a little tighter. When I get more advanced I would like to finish two French braids as fish tail plaits.

Fish Tail Plait:

Equipment: paddle brush, pin tail comb

This look works particularly well with long hair.

1. Start off with two equal sections of hair.

2. Take a new section from the bottom of one side of the hair, wrap it over so it goes into the other section of hair. Keep the sections small. Keep this taught, fish tail plaits look like normal plaits when tight.

3. Carry this on the whole way down, remember it takes a while to come together.

My first attempt was good but it needed to be looser so you could tell the fish tail pattern. My second attempt was a lot better.

Bun-

1.   Clean section, brush the hair up, smooth threw

2.   Tie the hair up when all sections are smoothed, make sure its tight and wont move- ponytail structure

3.   Take the tail into 4 different sections all the same width

4.   Backcomb the first section at the back and bottom, make sure the top is smooth

5.   Roll the section, make sure its perfectly straight and put a curby grip either side

6.   Take the next section and repeat, all at the same distance

7.   Once got all four into place, get hair pins rather than hair grips

8.   Use the pin to start moving the hair around to join, pinch the base and make sure its all connected.

Someone who made a contemporary twist on the Elizabethan look is Beyonce. She incorporate a plait that ringed round the bun in September 2003 at the premier of The Fighting Temptations. I like how slick the look is yet you can see the Elizabethan hints when looking at it. 

Emmanual Sadi. (2014). Hair File: The Best of Beyonce!. Available: http://beautyboxmagazine.com/hair-file-the-best-of-beyonce/. Last accessed 3/12/14.