Customer Reviews

SalonOvations' Braids and Updos Made Easy

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book because I was looking for some hairstyles beyond those found in basic books on braids and updos.There are some styles in this book in addition to the standard ropes, twists and French braids. They involve twisting your hair into zig-zags, looping, weaving a ribbon into your hair, or tying your hair into a big bow on the back of your head. These styles are ugly! Just plain atrocious-looking! Trashy and/or bizarre. Salon Ovations should be able to do better than that.

If you don't already own a copy, there is no more helpful or beautifully illustrated book for updos and braids than "Hair: A Book of Braiding and Styles"" by Anne Akers Johnson. There are far more styles represented than in the Salon Ovations book, and they are better illustrated...for half the price. If you are looking for some good styles in addition to those in "Hair", you won't find them in this book.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to learn to braid hair in a wide variety of styles. It includes information on the basics of working with long hair as well as 20 different braids.

Though geared toward those in the hairstyling industry, it is simple enough for anyone to use. My husband who has never done any hairstyling was even able to do the simpler ones in just a few trys.

The braids are arranged in order from easier to hardest. Written directions along with step-by-step illustrations showing hand positions are included. Each braid section is also shown in different shaded patterns.

Some braid & ponytail styles include fishtail, rope, Dutch, knotting, twisting, bowtie, overlap updo and many French styles.

I purchased this book with high hopes for finding new styles that would be easy to do. It now sits on my dusty bookshelf, where it has been abandoned. The hairstyles are certainly lovely, but the effort involved for one person to do their own hair seems excessive. It's probably a great book if you are a stylist, but for the "do-it-yourselfer", it's daunting and disappointing. I'm searching for another title - one that will better suit my needs.

Easy to do? Not at first. Easy to understand? YES! Clear step by step illustrations and instructions take the mystery out of how to get those fabulous braids and updos. It's written for salon stylists, but with a little innovation and a whole lot of practise, you can do these impressive styles on yourself, and knock 'em dead. And why save these styles for special occassions only when you can look smashing anytime? The book covers familiar styles like french and dutch braids, and french twists, as well as slightly less common fishtail braids and rope braids, complete with variations to dress up or down. Then it gets into less commonly known styles using twists, knots and loops for elegant looks worthy of a night at the Oscars. These styles are best on long all-one-length or long slightly layered hair, though a few lend themselves to other cuts with skill, care and lots of hair spray.

Most of the styles are difficult, although the drawings on how to do them and the pictures of the final results are very precise and clear. These styles can be done by the novice hairstyler if he or she is patient and determined to learn. Those who love a challenge will master the ability to make salon-perfect hairdo's!

There have been many hairstyling books with braids. This is one of the best. It has very clear illustrations of exactly how your hands should be positioned. Although it is designed for someone braiding someone else's hair, it is possible to braid your own hair with these directions. Many of the designs are unique, and color pictures are included. Don't worry, Ms. Jones does not recommend much, if any, backcombing or teasing to successfully execute these designs! Many of these designs would be lovely for brides and their honor attendants.

I didn't realize when I purchased this book it was written for a hairdresser. I was looking for ways to fix my hair myself. Most of these I can not do by myself. Also thought it was a little expensive. But if I were a beautician I would probally think it was the greatest thing ever.

I think that this book is way overpriced for what it is. I returned it. It was more braids than updos and barely any colored pictures.

I received the book, flipped through it and put it back in the box. Wasn't anything I haven't seen before in a much less expensive package.
Didn't have anything I wanted. Updos? Two, maybe and one a big bow. Want some advise?
Give this one a pass.

I expected more formal braid and updo styles, especially for the price.