I am the mother to 3 daughters that range in age from teen to toddler and, y’all, some mornings I feel like a one woman hair salon!
You might assume that as they get older they will no longer need help with their hair, but this has yet to happen for me. Generally they just require more elaborate mommy magic, while also wanting a more difficult style in half the time. With common place utterances being heard each morning such as,”Mom, if I wanted a ponytail, I could do it myself!” Yep, hearing that just gives a Mom the warm fuzzies all over….
Anyways today I would like to share 8 of our family’s MOST favorite and fantastically simple hair styling ideas that absolutely every mom should know how to do.
The Cinderella Twist
This first hairstyle is a favorite of my 8 year old. She calls it “Cinderella hair” although it’s official name is the simple twist. From start to finish this hairstyle takes me exactly 3 minutes to do and because of it’s simplicity, it is definitely a hairstyle that most everyone should add to their hair styling arsenal. You can check out the full tutorial here.
The One Minute Knot
I promise that doing this one really does take only a minute and because of that it is definitely a favorite around here. It is cute with straight or curly hair and so if you have an extra 5 minutes, add a few curls to the bottom half of the hair and really wow your kiddo.
The Double Dutch Braid
This style can also be called a yoga or boxer braid and it is one that I that I can do for ALL of my girls. It works on the thick and layered hair of my teen and the fine and unruly hair of my toddler. Plus it takes me only about 5 minutes to do and lasts all day long. That is winning in my book! Here is what the completed braids look like.
And here is a video tutorial to show you the ropes. It may seem complicated, but I promise it isn’t.
Once you have mastered the Dutch braid, there are so many ways to alter this style with just a little tweaking. Like this double Dutch braid that ends in a bun.
A Simple Chignon
I absolutely love this one as does my teen! She likes that it pulls together a completed and effortless look that can be done in just a few simple steps and in minutes. Obviously, I like it for the same reasons.
The Bang Braid
I remember when I found this infographic from celebrity hairstylist Mark Hill it changed my life. Well at least the life I had been leading as a pseudo hairstylist. The bang braid is such a great style that can stand alone or easily be pulled into a ponytail for an adorable look!
The Toddler Top Knot
There is nothing cuter than a 3 year old with a teeny, tiny, little ballerina top knot and. Add in a super cute little bow clip and you are looking at a double dose of cuteness! Here is a super easy tutorial for doing a topknot from Kojodesigns.
As a bonus top knot or bun hairstyle, take a look at how cute this is. My girls love this one as well!
The Twist Waterfall Braid
I love doing waterfall braids! They look complex, but they are not. A waterfall braid can also be used on short or long hair, which has been helpful since over the years the length of my girls’ hair has definitely varied. So if you are ready to learn how to do this one make sure check out this super easy step by step guide.
The Hair Bow
The first time I did this with one of my girls I got calls home from so many moms asking how I did it. I promise it is super easy and your kids will totally love it!
Good luck with your own hair styling adventures and if you would like some more kid and mom inspired hair styling inspiration make sure to follow my Pinterest board dedicated to that!
Love,
Jen
Go ahead and share this post, you know you want to!
Comments
As a mom to two young girls, all I can say is thank you, because I am terrible at doing their hair in all honesty and can use all the help I can get!!! ;)
Janine Huldie recently posted…5 Hidden Home Allergy Issues That Might Be Affecting Your Kids
Oh I am so glad you liked this! I promise you all of these have been “Jen tested and approved” and are totally doable :)
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
Ok, these look pretty fancy to me! I’m glad my 9yo likes the good old fashioned pony tail. I’ve mastered that one. :)
Now lets not forget the topsy tail. That is a hairstyle I haven’t tried in over a decade and so I think it’s time to reintroduce it to the JENerally informed girls!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
You my friend have seriously inspired me to up my hair game. I know piggy tails, messy buns and ponytails then things get a little dicey.
Beth recently posted…Picture Perfect Project V9: August 2016
Those are faves around here too! No hair “Svengali” am I, so these styles are all ones that someone with average hair styling skills like me can do!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
Sharing this on Facebook because my current preschooler hair game consists of pigtails, “Anna” braids”, and top knots.
Oh wait. The one most currently used is the, “Wow, it looks like we didn’t even brush your hair today.”
Thanks for this – your hair game can only be described as wizardry level. :)
Yep we have those days too, although more often than not it is me sporting the just washed ( if I am lucky) and un styled hair. The toddler quite enjoys that look as well especially to go along with random food smeared on her face. It makes for a very nice overall effect I would say :)
Thanks for sharing!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
Thank you! I’ll try some of these but really, I’m hopeless at doing hair. It always comes out weird. I try though! Mostly my daughter just keeps her hair down. She used to let me do two braids but not anymore.
Amber recently posted…5 Reasons Why My Son Hates PE
I promise, promise these are super easy. The simple twist might be your first place to start. Try that and then the others will come pretty easily. I even use that one on my hair all of the time.
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
I needed this so bad! My daughter is only 3 but she is already asking for some pretty fancy hairstyles. (and I suck at doing hair)
Oh goodie, I am so glad you liked this! Your daughter would look so cute with a top knot! I can’t stand the cuteness when mine has one.
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
I’m unproud to say I know how to do nearly ZERO of these. I can do a great The One Minute Knot on myself, though!
Scarlet was a reindeer in The Nutcracker last year and my dancer sister had to do her toddler bun for me. I just.. couldn’t! Even Cassidy does hair better than me.
Tamara recently posted…How to Be a Morning Person – in 5 Easy Steps.
Haha! That is awesome! The first time I had to do a top knot I felt the same way. I looked for an out. None were available, so I did it and with enough hairspray that puppy stayed through the dance number, but not much longer. Oh well!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
These are impressive. I may not have any little girls, but by golly I could do a couple of those on myself!
April recently posted…How do you get more self-discipline when you work at home?
I know right? The chignon is my best friend. I hope you get a chance to try a few of these out!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
The hair bow is so cute! I wish I could do more with my hair but I’m not good at doing it to myself. I need to work on my hair though, find other ways to put it up that aren’t just a bun or ponytail. hah
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich
Ah but the bun and ponytail are a staple of life :) I still use them. A lot, but a few new tricks here and there that have made for some fun additions into the routine.
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #26
What a great roundup! Lately, my hair is up in a bun, but I need to change things up :)
Akaleistar recently posted…Multimasking with L’Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Masks
Oh my gosh! Thank you for sharing this today… I have a daughter that is 7 and I feel like I am always doing her hair the same way… same with mine! We both have naturally curly hair, so another challenge! Lol!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Then we are hair sisters! My hair at least right now with all of the humidity is a 100 percent out of control :) I am so glad you enjoyed these and hopefully found one or two that would work for you and your daughter!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #26
This was great! I’ve been struggling with making a bun for my daughter’s dance class! The toddler top knot will save my Saturday morning!! I’m super jazzed!
Oh I am so glad you liked that one! Little ballerina buns are just so dang cute and easy once you get the hang of them! Good luck :)
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #26
Some of these are really cute. I have very short hair, but I’m old and we tend to cut it off at some point. Many reasons…it’s easier to fix and let’s not even talk about all the grey we deal with.
I love your reason for liking dogs better than cats. That’s right on the money.
Hubby and I just returned from South Lake Tahoe where we celebrated our birthdays. We had a fabulous time.
Have a fabulous day Jen. ☺
Comedy Plus recently posted…Feline Friday
With crazy curly hair like I have, I believe someday a very cute bob is looming in my future :)
I think the biggest reason for my dog loving ways is the fact that I stop breathing normally within 5 feet of them and can no longer see through the water running out of my eyes. So, no cats for me.
You too!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
Seriously saving this for later.. hubby and I were just talking about learning some cool hair tricks for our two little girls.. (when they, ya know, grow enough hair to play with that is! haha!) – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Gingi Freeman recently posted…How to Date Night Like a Boss (Surprisingly Classy Date Night Ideas for Geeks)
Haha! My 3 year old just barely has enough hair to do something with it, so I feel ya smalls :)
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
Hi Jen, I think myself lucky that I’m all fingers and thumbs as my daughter won’t let me near her hair! On of her favourite pass times is checking out new styles on YouTube. The waterfall braid looks so pretty and I can see why your eldest loves the chignon. It looks very stylish.
xx
Debbie recently posted…Common Garden Snail
Ah yes YouTube, I quite enjoy when my daughters bring me a hairstyling video and say you can do this right mom? Um, that person on the video has waaaaay more skills than I do, so probably no!
Jen recently posted…Eight Easy Hairstyles Every Mom Should Know
Awww, I can’t even pick out my favorite.. My daughter has such a messy hair, I definitely need to learn how to keep it under control!
Marina @ Parental Journey recently posted…50 Ways To “Ruin” Your Toddler’s Day
I hear you! At first my hairstyling journey began with a desire to just “tame the mane!”
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #25
I’m terrible at doing hair so this post is awesome for me; I’ve bookmarked and will be coming back! : )
#happynowlinkup
I love the honesty! That is like me on most days, so that is why these styles are my go-to’s when my girls want something “fancy.” Good luck and I hope these help!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #25
I soooooooo wish I could come visit and have you and your girls play with my hair. Sometimes (no-joke) at playdates, I ask my friend to curl my hair. I just can’t do it for myself anymore. I may try some of these up-dos myself. Wish me luck.
Caryn recently posted…Stage IV Needs More Cancer Research
Oh that would be fun! I have to admit I am better at doing other people’s hair than mine. It must be a common malady many of us suffer from :)
Jen recently posted…Learn How To Mount Your Own Canvas Wall Art
These were all great ones. One of my favorites is the one where you put their pigtails in Hauser braids the night before. It only takes 5 minutes or so, and in the morning you just undo them (but leave the pigtails) and they’ve got fun little springy looking pigtails all day.
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files recently posted…I Believe in Cookies in a Mug, I Do Not Believe in Cleaning Schedules
Oh I have done that one before, it’s super cute! My girls also like having me braid their hair at night so when they wake up in the morning and take them out they have wavy ready to go hair!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #26
Wow, these are all so cute…and intimidating! My 8 year old has her own style so I just stand by and watch and bite my tongue, lol!! Visiting from Happy Now party.
Haha! Well then you are all set :)
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #73
I’m going to be needing this. Other than the double Dutch which one do you think stays in best? I forsee possible melt down at preschool if my toddlers hair comes out and clearly I won’t be there to re-do. Lol.
The chignon is a little less hardy, but I have had luck with all of them. Good luck my friend :)
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #73