Book Review: The New Braiding Handbook by Abby Smith; Ulysses Press

 

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GORGEOUSLY BRAIDED HAIR, FROM ELEGANT WEDDING STYLES TO FUN WEEKEND ’DOS

Whether you’re running errands, going out on the town, or walking down the aisle, the fashionable braids in this book will give you the perfect look for every occasion. Just follow the simple instructions and step-by-step photos to quickly master gorgeous new looks, including:

•Fabulous Fishtails
•Elegant Updos
•Beautiful Buns
•Classy Crowns
•Knockout Knots
•Head-Turning ’Tails

Hair braiding is getting hotter by the day, and the evolution of styles has grown as radily. The New Braiding Handbook offers you an impressive array of easy-to-re-create, beautiful, and versatile looks that are as appropriate for elegant formal events as they are practical for casual, everyday wear.

 

My Review

 

Braids, knots, and buns, oh my! The New Braiding Handbook is a book filled with 60 modern twists on classic hair styles. The book is a full color guide that will help you master the trendiest twists, fishtails, and up-dos. With easy to follow instructions and step-by-step photos, you’ll learn how to get gorgeous new looks.

I have very long hair, yet I had only mastered 3 hairstyles; down, ponytail, and half-up! Not very exciting, huh? I was beginning to think I was horrible at being a woman. My first instinct is to just throw it in a ponytail. I figured if I even tried anything sophisticated, my hair would end up in a million and five knots.

The hair styles in this book are nothing short of breathtaking. Some simple, some elegant, and some just downright stunning. I first seen the waterfall braid on Facebook and immediately fell in love with it. I wanted to try it so bad, yet it looked so complicated (well to me at least). Then there were the fishtail braids and the amazing knots. I just kept thinking to myself “Even though you work from home, there’s no need for your hair to look exactly the same on a daily basis.”

I got this book and spent countless hours just testing them all on my daughter Adisyn. Practice makes perfect, right? Not only did we have tons of fun, but the hair styles weren’t as complicated as I thought they would be. Take this from someone who didn’t even know how to french braid.

“Styling hair isn’t a talent, it’s a skill” Abby Smith explains, and she is definitely right. The more you practice what is shown in the pictures, the easier it becomes. One of those Aha moments I guess. I love that I’ll now be able to add some flair to Adisyns hair with something other than bows and headbands this school year. She loves having that hair styled—that little diva of mine.

I even styled her hair in a very cute braided updo for our Forth of July BBQ and she adored it. Well, that is… until she jumped right into the pool. I love how this book doesn’t just contain tutorials on hair styles, Abby also gives healthy hair advice. She explains hair types and how to best style each type.

There aren’t many tools that you need to be able to achieve these looks either. Most of what you do need, you probably already have on hand. The only things you might have to buy are clear elastics, duck billed hair clips, and possibly bobby pins.

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Keep a watch out for the giveaway!

 

-Jessica