Great Braids! : The New Way to Exciting Hairstyles

by Thomas Hardy

Great Braids by Thomas Hardy definitely has lots of instructions for creating great looking braids.

Hardy also provides you additional helpful information like how to make a Gathered Rose that you hot glue to a plain barrette and attach to one of the wonderful braids.

He also provides instructions for crocheting custom scrunchies, creating custom off-center roses and velvet hair sticks.

If only I had more time in my day, I would be at the crafts shop this very minute buying hot glue and velvet for the hair sticks. The instructions for the hair accessories are clear and I think even a klutz like me could whip up my own hair art.

If you don't have time to do the hair crafts, this book is still a great find

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Hardy takes some of the old standby braids and gives them a new twist (no pun intended). His herringbone braid is truely fabulous and nothing new, but explained well. His upside down braid is wonderful. It certainly helps that he provides not only great colored photos but colored illustrated steps.

He offers a couple of innovative ways to jazz up the upside down braid. He also does interesting things with the 4 strand braid and adds uneven parts, pigtails and an elegant side twist that would actually work in an office setting. His rope braid photos are stunning.

I was impressed with the hair models Hardy uses in the book. Many have very long hair and they look less like professional models and more like the girl next door.

The book contains 25 different braid designs. I tried many of the designs on my own "tush length" hair and they all were pretty easy to follow. I had some problems with the upside down braid because my own hair is so thick and long. However, I think with some practice I could have that braid well in hand.

Hardy was careful to provide braids that can be dressed up to be made elegant. He also has some casual styles. He also includes ponytail styles along with buns, cornrows and half tucked hairstyles.

I really enjoyed this book. The photos are well done, the directions seem clear and easy to follow and I like the unusual braid variations that he offers.

I strongly recommend this book. I actually bought two copies of this book in case it goes out of print and becomes unavailable. I always like to keep a spare book of all my favorite hair books for out of print emergencies.

Happy Braiding.

Buy The Book

Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Sterling; 1 Pbk ed edition (December 31, 1997)
ISBN: 0806986174