Buns on Buns on Buns

Ahhh I love buns! The go-to for when you haven't washed your hair for three days...wait...what?! They're fabulous because you look super chic, they take 30 seconds (unless you decide to do a crazy braid...above...) AND you're most likely going to get a compliment. Boom.

So lets explore the multiple ways of a sock bun - minus using an actual sock. I don't find it appealing to put a sock in your hair, plus - I haven't run into many long blonde colored socks lately.

Let's stick to the $5 mesh thing some genius invented and is now making loads of money. As I just discovered when I typed into Google "sock bun mesh thing," the technical term is "Mesh Chignon." Fancy! You can purchase one for around $4 at Sally Beauty. They're also at Charming Charlies, Claire's, and I'm sure Walgreen's and Walmart are carrying them now too.

Top Left Bun - Good for shorter hair
Step 1: Place your hair in a pony tail - I like mine a bit higher because they look better straight on
Step 2: Pull hair through the donut until at the top of the head
Step 3: Allow your hair to fall over the donut - covering it so you can't see it
Step 4: Place an additional hair band over the hair covering the bun
Step 5: separate the excess into two sections and pin around bun.

Simple and cute! I feel like a ballerina with this one

Top Middle Bun - Medium to long hair

Step 1: Put your hair up in a pony tail - preferably higher

Step 2: Pull hair through the donut until at the top of the head

Step 3: Slowly slide the donut back up your pony tail (to get all the strands in) and hold the donut and hair at the end farthest away from you:

Step 4: Slowly roll the rest of your hair and donut down towards your head. It's ok if it's not perfect - but keep shoving your hair into the ring

Step 5: I always end up twisting my bun around to hide the mesh and keep tucking

Little more skill set required, but this is my favorite bun because it's big! I personally like it a little loose and messy too. Go for the, "Doesn't look hard, but kind of was, relaxed, yet put together" look

Top Right Bun - Long hair

This one isn't easy to do, but it's so gorgeous. I will do my best to explain - I wish it was easier to take pictures of the back of your head

Step 1: Part your hair down the middle

Step 2: Where the part ends and the hair falls the way it does to the back - begin parting your hair down on each side - the same width that your neck is

Step 3: Tie that in a low pony

Step 4: With the excess hair - Put it up like you would the start of any normal bun like above - put in pony

Step 5: THE TRICKY PART - flip over and let the low pony out - start french braiding the back of your head all the way to the ends - put a little clip or bobby pin to prevent it from coming out

Step 6: Make middle bun above.

Step 7: Wrap the braid around your bun

Voilà!!!

Natural Nails

It wasn't until earlier this year when I really started getting into nail polish. I literally went through a crazy buying phase and quickly stocked up my collection! My dad thought I had an addiction...so did all of my friends...I can admit now I did and still kind of do..but less intense. We're talking glitter, rhinestones, dotting tools, specialty brushes, the whole shebang. I don't know what came over me. Thankfully, I'm growing out of the buying phase - mainly because I have all the colors I want now.

Anyways - my aunt used to do acrylics back in the day and now just does them on the side for family and friends. We're talking old school! None of that glue on the tip and sand down your real nail (ouch), but building up and hand filing the acrylic. Dedication I tell ya! It's definitely a process to get your fake nails to finally look like real nails, but I've reached that point! And aren't they pretty?! =]

As you can see, my real middle nail is a bit shorter than the acrylic - that's because I always manage to somehow ding that one. 

Why acrylic nails? Why not?! I've always loved my aunts nails and thought they'd look good on my too! Unlike my sister, who is gifted with beautiful long fingers and nails that can grow out without breaking, I have to reach out for some help. But hey! When someone asks me if they're real, they kind of are, they just have a plastic armor over them ;)

Here they are now with some pretty, slightly sparkly, kind of opal OPI color - I'll have to get the name later.

Usually I have some kind of crazy design or sparkle on them, but I'm feelin' the natural at the moment.

I'll post more of my crazy designs later!

xoxo

Ash

An Introduction

Hi there! The name's Ashley - 22 - graduating - attempting to have a big girl job - while all the while indulging in my girlie side. As my friends and family could tell you, beauty is my thing. I love doing hair, makeup and nails. For the most part, figuring out different styles comes naturally to me. I take pictures of most of the things I do and I figured, why not blog about it?! If not for the whole internet, I might as well do it for myself. A look book, if you will :)

So look forward to pics, how-to's and inspiration. I'm excited to start!