Christina ButcherBraids, Buns, and Twists!: Step-by-Step Tutorials for 82 Fabulous Hairstyles

The author of this book, Christina Butcher, has a wonderful website called Hair Romance that I've been following for a couple of years, and so I was really excited to see that she was coming out with a hard copy book. I really like this new book, and know that I will have fun playing with the styles in it!For most of my adult life, I've had a short pixie cut, but I've spent the last three years growing it out, and it now reaches to my mid-back. I tend to wear it in the same few styles, so I bought this hoping that it would inspire me to get out of my rut. It definitely will!The book is divided into four main chapters: ponytails; braids; buns, knots, and twists; and chignons. Each section is also color-coded along the edges of the pages, so it's easy to locate the section you're looking for.On the left-hand side of each page is the name of the style, some colors photos of what the style looks like, the difficulty level, the ideal hair length for achieving the style, the accessories needed, and a few other items. On the right-hand/facing page are step-by-step drawn instructions for doing each style. This layout is really nice, for it makes it very easy to follow along while looking at the photos of the finished style.One of the other strengths of this book is that it features styles that are very trendy right now, such as topknots, waterfall braids, and fishtail braids. The instructions are also really easy to follow, and most require only a few accessories, like bobby pins or, for some of the buns, a hair donut. I love to watch hair tutorials on You Tube and was worried that it would be hard to follow written instructions (as opposed to following along with videos), but the instructions are really nicely done.For most of the styles, you will also probably want to have medium to long hair; none of the styles are really for short hair, which makes sense given the types of styles that are in here.The only negative I was hoping that this book would be designed to do the styles on yourself, but several of them recommend having someone help you until you practice enough to learn how to do the styling yourself.I had also been worried that this book would be geared more towards younger women, but there are a lot of styles in here that I will feel comfortable, as a forty-two-year-old, wearing to work or out on a date night with the hubby. A few (like putting your hair in bows) are definitely geared towards a younger audience, but most are on-trend and fun.This is a fun way to try out some new styles and looks! While each style in here might not be to your liking, there's enough variety in here that you will most likely find quite a few styles to try out.

This book has a lot of fun, fresh styles! It's nice to be able to flip through it to get inspiration for what to do with my hair. I used to get a lot of my style ideas off of youtube, but I would always youtube the same styles because I didn't know what else was out there. it's nice to see a list of all the different braids and twists I can do, and then I can youtube the style later if I feel like I need a video visual (but I usually don't- the step-by-step guides in the book are pretty thorough).Quick overview:Pros- step by step guide on how to do each style- many protective styles- if you're trying to grow out your hair, there are over 100 pages of different buns and braids to do to keep your hair up- photographs of every style- models of all colors and ethnicitiesCons- the majority of styles are done on straight, long hair: my hair is really curly and medium length (hangs an inch or two above my bra-strap when flat-ironed). So, I have to modify a lot of these styles so they work with my hair. Although this isn't a huge con, it would be nice to see the styles on very curly hair so I could have a better idea of what the end style would beAll in all, great book ! 4 stars.

I originally saw this book in December at a high-end stationer and thought it would make a cute stocking-stuffer for the ladies in my family. The book is divided into chapters: buns, ponytails, braids and up-dos. Each page offers a different style of braid, ponytail, bun, etc. complete with pictures, illustrations and text. Some of the styles are elaborate but due to space on the page, the styles suffer from an accurate amount of directions to complete the style quickly. The tutorials are great at mentioning what styling product works best with each type of hair and the buyer should note that specific tools are used to make certain hair styles: a topsytail tool, bun or "donut", specific bobby pins, hair ties, etc. so the buyer may want to consider grabbing a few of these items at a beauty supply store to make this gift the complete package. The book is a paperback book with a durable, hardcover and measures approximately 9" x 7" with close to 200 pages. Please note: I saw this book for $19.95 at a stationary shop and was able to purchase it on Amazon.com for about $12.00 the week before Christmas (with free, Prime shipping). It certainly pays to do your comparison research!

I went to my local public library in search of a tutorial book on braiding and was highly disappointed.So I decided to turn to amazon in hopes of finding a text book and was quite amazed to find this book.The graphics are easy to see (for me awesome considering I'm blind in one eye) and the instructions are easy to follow.I wanted to learn how to do dutch crown braids for cosplay, so I don't have to hire a hairdresser each time.This book actually has quite a few braid styles that I have learned to do that I wear weekly.My braiding ability has significantly improved since I have purchased this book.

Wonderful book!! Love all the Braids a lot!! There is also buns, twists and ponytails too!!! My daughters love it!! Like trying out all the hair styles and enjoy the options!! Very well step up and easy to understand!!! Love the instructions and the pictures of the actual styles on the girls!! They have long hair so the styles are really nice with having long hair. Some styles are for short hair but, mainly for long. Most of the sellers are in the UK so expect a couple of weeks for the book to arrive!!! Great book in all and bought it used! So it is definitely worth it's price!!!!!

Love the book. And they have a great customer service after I had issue receiving the book.

There’s no preview on amazon, so there’s no way I could know the content before actually buying this book. If I had known, I wouldn’t have bought it, that’s precisely the reason I’m writing this review.Although I'm not a professional, I'm rather experienced doing hairstyling for myself. This book may be useful for beginners, but it's not very useful for me, see reasons below:1. For simple styles, there're some repetitions. For example, high ponytail, low ponytail, side ponytail, they’re effectively using the same techniques, but they’re listed as 3 different hairstyles.2. For each hairstyle, there’re just 5 photos for illustration (and these’re not real person’s photos). The instructions are difficult to follow for more difficult hairstyles. For example, it’s impossible to do the “bow plaits” or “cornrows” by just looking at those 5 pictures and simple instructions. For such hairstyles, the better way would be to follow some youtube tutorials (and they’re free).3. For some hairstyles, there’re only photos from the back (or side) rather than from the front. It would be useful to have photos from all 3 sides.In summary, this book has repetitions for simpler styles, but it’s impossible to learn more difficult styles by just looking at the instructions in this book. Overall, it’s not very useful for me.

This book is great if you have very long thick hair, but it doesn't really cater for hair that isn't particularly thick even if it's long, I don't think there are many styles that would stay in with my hair. The seller though was great and answered my query personally by phone immediately.

Book arrived in good time. This version has the Flexibound binding, I thought it would lay flat like a ring binder but its not. Still flatter that a normal book so it stays open on the correct page. More expensive than the normal bound book. Clear and concise but styles are still require lots of practice

this book is really good bought it for a christmas present going to order one for myself. it has some good styles in and its easy to use, very instructive. would reccommend

I am 40 and have enjoyed this. Writes in a way I can follow, haven't done many yet but have enjoyed what I've tried. All need practice though! I just need a live in hair dresser!