Usually when it hits summer and I have long hair I'll do it all in plaits so as to keep cooler. After growing my hair back over the past few years (I have a habit of growing it to its fullest length before chopping most of it off) I decided it was time to try plaiting it all again. This time I wanted to try something different so I decided to plait silver curling ribbon through it. I figured I wanted to use something of a plastic nature as it would be easier to keep clean (it wouldn't absorb sweat/oils from the scalp).

So I began on boxing day and after a month or so I finally finished (was fairly time consuming as I could only do 3 plaits an hour. Some days were too hot to work on it and I also had other things to do).

I started each plait using the four-way box braid technique mentioned on http://quinnster.fqdn.net/braids/4way.html to secure the curling ribbon, then plaited it normally the rest of the way.

In the end I ended up with 137 plaits and used over 80 metres of curling ribbon. My friends enjoy taking me out in public as they get a kick out of seeing people's reactions.

Those are pretty!
I like them a lot!

They look very pretty!

Wow! That is some shiny, shiny hair! I'm sure it looks amazing in the sunlight

It's definitely worth the time spent on it, though. Very pretty!

With the plastic ribbon, the braids end up looking a bit like very shiny dreads. Great job. It must have been murder to put in, so you get 5 gold stars! I simply don't have the patience for it. Wow!

Nice! I like adventurous hairdos. This would make a great article for the site, particularly with some tips on how to box braid.

simply amazing, I've never seen plaits before.

Thanks all :) (w00t for gold stars)

amanduhhh - It's somewhat blinding when I'm out in the sun he he he

Jude wrote:
Nice! I like adventurous hairdos. This would make a great article for the site, particularly with some tips on how to box braid.

I think I could manage that. One tip for the box braiding I can give is that if you're going to do it on your own, your hair needs to be long enough to reach your mouth. If it isn't, you'll be in need of a second set of hands.

Its somewhat blinding just by the pictures. Waited to get my eye sight back before was able to post again. A really great idea you had and looks good in my humble opinion.