How To: Twisted Rosette Half-Updo

"Make my hair a little rose like you do to your hair," demanded the 5 year old, while taking down her ballerina bun, post-class. I immediately went through my mental catalog of hair styles I wear at work, with "wearing my hair up in clip away from the death-grip of 10 month old" being the dominant style. I pressed her for more detail and finally figured out the "little rose" hairstyle she meant. I am sharing it today because it's easy, it's fast, and thanks to her, makes me forever think of roses--perfect for Valentine's Day...or just because.

You'll need--

• bobby pins--I used these mini ones from Sally Beauty, but regular ones will work too.
• optional: curling wand--I wanted soft waves so I used one, but this looks fine on straight hair, too.
• optional: dry shampoo or volumizing powder--I'm including these in case you need texture on your hair to hold the hairstyle or to to add texture to the waves.

1--To create the waves, I did the standard of taking various sections and curling them away from the face and towards the face. I have several tutorials and videos on this, like this one: (how to loose, beauty waves). I held each section for about 10 seconds before releasing from the curling wand. The waves you are seeing are about 12 hours after I had curled my hair, after a full day at work, so let's just say those waves were loose!

Optional: before beginning, feel free to use dry shampoo  or volumizing powder on your hands and then dispersed through the hair. This will give texture to the waves and texture to the hair to hold the style in place. BONUS TIP: I also like spraying the bobby pins with dry shampoo before placing in hair.

2--Choose a section of hair from each side of the face. I think these were about half an inch to an inch. The thickness will later determine how big your "rosette" is. Twist each section, as pictured above.

3--Join the twisted sections of hair at the back of your head, right in the middle, and twist them together. It will make forming the "rosette" easier.

4--Wrap the section around itself clockwise to form the rose. Try keeping it as flat as possible as you wind it around to avoid a big bun. Secure with bobby pins as needed. I check it in the mirror to see where the extra pins need to go. I used 2 or 3 here.

Here's the hair from the back and the front. This takes me 10-15 min. to curl my hair and then about 3 min. to twist, wrap, and pin. I can't wait to see you try this! Be sure to tag me to see your recreations!

Extra Elle:

• So much for that great weather! Monday was dreary and rainy. Just a few more days until that Florida sunshine!
• I picked up some tulips from Trader Joes (in the pic above) last week that are still going strong. They have such affordable flowers--just a little thing that makes me happy!
• Giveaway time because I LOVE y'all! Click the links to head to the giveaways.

• 5 $50 Walgreens gift cards up for grabs!
• $25 ULTA gift card giveaway
• $100 Visa gift card giveaway