Lately I’ve noticed plenty of talk around the blogosphere about fabulous, intricate braids like the fishtail or even the classic french braid. Some other bloggers (like Katie) have posted great tutorials, but as it turns out, I have pretty shiesty finger/eye/hair coordination and can’t for the life of me braid my own hair.
It is a sad spectacle when I attempt it; one which usually ends with lots of frustrated expletives and general bitterness towards the world.
Enter the topsy tail. Remember? You probably wore your hair in a topsy tail when you were just a little ‘un, and I say let’s bring it back. It’s more interesting than a ponytail, but less exasperating than a fancy braid.
It’s the braid for us slow kids.
Here’s the steps:
If you try it, blog about it and send me your link! I wanna see! :)
Happy almost-Friday!
Awww I remember the topsy tail :) I had the little tool that came with it to help pull the hair through!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try it using your steps!
This is so simple, but adorable! I love it... one of those things I wish I'd come up with myself! :)
ReplyDeleteYES!! I was doing a shoot for someone and she asked that I wear my hair in braids. I went into a panic! Braids?! I can't braid my hair. Only my MOM can braid my hair. Oy.
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya! Let's bring the topsy tail back, sista!
So simple but so pretty! Let's DO bring it back! Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI only recently learned how to french braid my mane. Took me forever! But I religiously rock the side braid and will be trying this for sure. My hair is now too long for a pony tail because it hurts my head :(
ReplyDeleteYou are so cute! I do this on my hair & my daughter's hair...so easy & chic!!
ReplyDeletei used to have this little hair tool that did that to my hair! neatest little thing ever.
ReplyDeleteOh man this just made my day... haven't thought about that style in years--tooootally rocking it tomorrow! Good call!
ReplyDeleteahhh perfect! I need a new hair style for the summer! thanks jenni!
ReplyDeletexoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
I remember doing this when I was younger! I had the actual tool for it though because apparently I couldn't figure out how to do this on my own? haha
ReplyDeleteIt looks cute!
I admit, I rocked the topsy tail not too many years ago. I thought I was pretty cool when I didn't have to use the funky little tool anymore. Sooo, it was a nice surprise to see this post. I'm in! Let the topsy tailing begin. LOVE how you pulled it over to the side :)
ReplyDeleteWhat?! How did I never know how to do this? Thanks for sharing; looks so easy!
ReplyDeleteI used to do this all the time and totally forgot about it. I have one of these, though.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Topsy-Tail-Style-Braid-Braidmaker/dp/B000VJH6HU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311890833&sr=8-1
So easy. haha.
i love doing this with my hair!!!
ReplyDeletei am actually so jealous of your hair its so full!
BUT...what would you say if I told you i still have the topsy turvey tool from the 1990s seen here.... http://ruedemerveille.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/topsy-turvy/
AH flashback!
this looks so so good jenni!
xoxox
Ahh! I just did my first topsy-tail in about 20 years last week! I can't believe you're blogging about it just a few short days later -- I thought it had perhaps faded forever into obscurity.
ReplyDeleteMine was a hippie half-up-half-down version, much unlike anything I normally do to my hair, but I loved it. Funny how a little hippie hair can make you feel so free-spirited the whole day long.
I don't know if you remember me, Jenni, but I commented a while back that you inspired me to pull the trigger on starting my own long-planned blog. I finally did it! It's still just a newborn -- three posts and not a spec of interesting photography to be found. But I hope you'll check it out as I try to get the hang of this strange new digital world!
unchartedtheblog@blogspot.com
Take care!
Super cute! Why didn't I think of doing this?? I have issues when it comes to braiding as well. I even went as far to ask my husband if by the off chance he somehow knew to french braid. It was a no, dang it!
ReplyDeletewhoa! I haven't thought about the topsy tail braid in F.O.R.E.V.E.R. yeah.. that long ago.
ReplyDeleteHoly crapper why haven't I been doing this. I so remember this as a kid and love that you're bringing it back. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd pulling it to the side a bit, brilliant. ;) I'll see if I can picture it and I'll let you know when I do. :)
Fellow slow kid, out!
I have always loved this one. So easy. For us slow kids. ;)
ReplyDeletegiiiirlll i used to sport a topsy tail DAILY when i was a kid hahaha. I had the red lasso tool thing and everything LOL! I love that you're bringing it back. And hilarious about not being able to braid! i just learned how to do a fishtail and have been rocking that almost daily lol.
ReplyDeletexox dana
thewonderforest.com
Very very cute! I can foresee myself doing this soon... I've tried braiding my own hair and it never works! SO frustrating! .. I'll probably end up doing this hairstyle on my daughter too. =) My friends mom would do my hair this way, using that little topsy tail tool that was so popular back in the day.. but who needs a tool when you have fingers?! =)
ReplyDeleteyay! can't wait to try it :)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness! I wore my hair exactly like this today, great minds think alike lady hehe ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're so stinkin' cute with your topsytail! I may have to try it, but my hair's so silky it might fall out :( If it lasts, I'll snap a photo for yoooou!
ReplyDeletehaha i had one of those pink tools that magically did this for me too! but thanks for keeping it real- i have the coordination of a 5 year old. along with painting my righthand fingernails, fancy braids will never be in the cards for me either. praise the lord i have a little sister who lives relatively close, who's all over these trends and can whip up a braid in seconds.
ReplyDeleteI been french braiding my hair lately, might have to revisit the topsy turn! I wore my hair like this every single day in 5th and 6th grade. Looks super cute. But you could shave your head and you would still be gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis is bringing back SO many memories of my childhood. How funny the things we forget! This looks super cute on you though!! I'll have to try it when my hair gets longer.
ReplyDeletexx Melina
You inspired me to topsy tail again and I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and I like how you pulled your ponytail to the side :)
www.bayparkdream.blogspot.com
I love it! My mom found it necessary to buy some "tool" that accomplishes this same style haha I haven't done my hair like it in a while, I'll need to attempt it this weekend. Maybe even without the "tool" haha
ReplyDeletewww.kirstenjoywilson.com
Um, I'm doing this to my hair. AS we speak. If I don't blog about it, I'll at least send you a picture!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting this!
Oh maaaan! The Topsy Tail! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you tho; could not braid my own hair if my life depended on it! That looks great on you!
WAhooo! So simple and pretty!!
ReplyDeleteI love it! So pretty! I remember that hairstyle! Too funny what one forgets when you get older!
ReplyDeleteAhhh love it! I haven't done a topsy tail since elementary and middle school, but you make it look glamorous! Might have to rock that again :)
ReplyDeleteI wish that I had as much hair as you do!
ReplyDeleteI almost forgot about these! I'm featuring a 'how to' next week on a braid that's called 'waterfall braid'. Be sure to check it out. The only requirement= know how to french braid!
ReplyDeleteEmily http://www.mywordsinterestslife.blogspot.com
So cute! I remember doing this when I was little but I know it's coming back!!
ReplyDeleteHey, I've been rockin the topsy tail too! Blogged about it a bit ago.
ReplyDeletehttp://ellelorraine.blogspot.com/2011/06/1995-is-that-you.html
I hate people telling me "just put your hair up in a braid - it's sooo easy!". Um, no, it is not. I'm incapable of even the "idiotic-proof" side braid. This topsy look is literally the only style I rock other than my usual straight hair.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't even do curls. Hair failure.
Cute cute, I've always come back to the topsy tail! Its a classic go to along with my high ballerina bun. I rarely have the same hair day to day. And your tutorial was spot on and adorable, as always!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I really want to try this, i am always looking for new hairstyles to try!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Petchie
http://itsallofthelittlethings.blogspot.com/
Hi! I'm new to your blog and I've enjoyed reading so many of your posts already! I'm in total agreement with you on bringing back the topsy tail!! I used to wear that style all the time. So easy and yet so classy. :)
ReplyDeleteinsidemichalsmind.blogspot.com
I had forgotten that I used to wear my hair like that! My mom actually had a tool that did the work for you...I'm going to have to dig that out next time I'm home!
ReplyDeleteI used to do this too! I think there was a time when me and all of my dolls sported this simultaneously!
ReplyDeletei DO remember this! and it looks lovely- im a terrible braided...I tried to do a fishtail and nearly cried!
ReplyDeleteAlways fail at DIY hair that looks easy. I'm thinking I could pull this one off!!
ReplyDeleteI was going to comment on how I was going to try it, but Instead I did it just now! It is actually really comfortable and loosens the pull of the pony on the head! :)
ReplyDeleteYOU ROCK!
I had completely forgotten about that! You are definitely going to bring it back! :-) Cute!!
ReplyDeleteUmm I tried this immediately after reading, and its AMAZING! So easy, and a super cute alternative to the pony tail. Cause I suck at braiding my own hair too!!
ReplyDeleteI totally used to wear my hair like that when I was a kid! Looks beautiful on you! x
ReplyDeletei used to love doing that to my hair when i was younger! definitely going to add it to my hair dos now! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI remember!! I'm also part of the slow kid hair club too. score for bringing back an oldie but a goody. xo
ReplyDeleteLove it! My Dad used to do this to my hair when I was little. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks so cute to the side Jenni! I'll have to give that a try soon. Whenever I've worn my hair in a topsy tail, I've always felt so "90s", but now with this new revolution (and the whole adorable side version), I feel on the cutting edge ;-) Rock on!
ReplyDeleteI havnt done this forever but you made it look really cute. I'll have to work it back in again
ReplyDeleteOooohhh I've never tried this and I can't say I've ever seen anyone in the UK wearing one! It must be an American thing! I'm definitely going to try it out though - looks super easy! :) thanks x
ReplyDeleteThese are the reasons I want my hair to grow out right now! I'm kicking myself wondering WHY I chopped it all off!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me back to my younger years - can't wait to do this once my hair grows out a little more (my eye/hand/mirror/computer coordination SUCKS, too)
Beautiful.... but instead of "Oila!", I think you mean "Voila!"
ReplyDeleteIt's the topsy tail!!! :) You are so cute Jen! I actually did this the other day, but I pinned the pony tail at the bottom up and tucked it inside so it made a bun type thing at the bottom of my head. Do it! You will love it! Xoxoxo!
ReplyDeleteI just did this to my locks this past weekend! Love it!
ReplyDeletehttp://southernsavannah.blogspot.com
Yes!! I am definitely a slow kid when it comes to all things hair related, so this is right up my alley. I love how you put it off to the side. Pretty!!
ReplyDeleteI use to wear my hair like this all the time and it is so easy and pretty! Funny you bring this up because for the past few weeks I have been obsessed with trying to teach myself how to french braid and UGH it ends up being like 5 styles in one-nothing like a french braid.
ReplyDeleteSo funny..I used to do the topsy tail all the time! I am going to have to try it again :)
ReplyDeleteumm so cute! I will be trying this for work..thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI used to do this all the time. But it looks so much better on you! Have you found sites that tell you how to french/fish tail? I've wanted to learn that for years and can't do it :( I loved that style as a kid and always wanted to learn. If you have any, can you post? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh! I remember the topsy tail when I was a pre-teen...can't believe I forgot about this! I too struggle with braiding my own hair, but now I'm going to help out in bringing the topsy tail back in style. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletei think it is both amazing and hilarious that you dedicated a blog post to this do.
ReplyDeleteso so pretty <3
ReplyDeleteThese are the BEST. My 12 year old introduced me. Blush.
ReplyDeletexo
Love it! looks so cute! I'm trying this right now! i plan on blogging about it next week and i'll send you it when i'm done!
ReplyDeleteMy hair is a little long so this will be a challenge, hopefully it comes out as nice as yours!
xoxo
Petchie
www.itsallofthelittlethings.blogspot.com
I love this! I have the tool and have been doing a topsy tail in my hair alot lately, I'm glad I'm not the only one trying to bring it back! I like to tuck a flower at the top of the topsy tail for a little extra something. :)
ReplyDeleteI finally did it myself, and actually blogged about it! Check it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://unchartedtheblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/coffee-buzz.html
-Megan
I Have curly hair and its hard to find good fast fixes for bad hair days. I started doing this again one day and love it. best part is, it takes me five seconds and I look like I spent a lot more time on my hair.
ReplyDelete