Believe it or not, some very cute updos can be exceedingly easy to pull off.
They can be super quick hairstyles too.
Which might account for why updos are so popular.
Sure it takes practice.
And sure, knowing the right tips and tricks helps too.
But as the video tutorial shows, if you can do a pony tail (and who can’t) you can do this strikingly elegant updo.
The result is a somewhat-disheveled-yet-gorgeous hairstyle that works with long, medium and even short hair.
It’s ideal for those days when you have to run out the door but still need to look stylish and put together for work or school.
Or you may prefer to save it for special occasions. You know, weddings or dressy nights out when only a sophisticated, yet natural style will do.
Best of all, as this video demonstrates, it’s almost foolproof no matter how bad you are at doing your hair.
Super Simple Updo
You’ll need:
- Three or four small clear elastics
- A half dozen bobby pins, more or less depending on long your hair is
- Texturizing spray (optional)
Hair Prep:
What prep there is is quick and easy.
You may wish to curl your hair to add some wave before starting. That wave will help hold the style together.
Another hint? If you have fine hair you may wish to spritz in some texturizing or sea salt spray. Then work it into your strands with your fingers. This will give your mane some grit, hold and added texture. But this step is totally optional.
While you’re at it a little back combing around the crown in the back might help poof up the volume too. Again that too is optional.
Here’s the How:
Here’s the styling technique broken down into step-by-step instructions.
The foundation of this look is two Topsy tails – one just above the other.
Step 1) First part your hair as normal.
Step 2) Draw a line with your finger from where your part ends down the side of you head to just behind your ear to section your hair. This will give you two sections (front and back) to work with on each side.
Step 3) Next, flip both back sections over your shoulders and use those for the first pony tail. Secure it with one of your elastics right at the nape of your neck.
Step 4) Using your thumb and index finger create a gap, or “pocket”, right above the elastic like you would with any topsy pony. Use your fingers to keep that pocket open as you flip the bottom part of the pony tail up and thru the hole just created.
There, the first topsy tail is done.
Step 5) Next let’s get things a little more volume. Use one hand to pull and gently loosen up small sections of hair above the elastic while lightly holding the hair below the elastic in place with the other.
Doing this creates a little subtle poofiness. It also gives the ‘do a more tousled, messy, carefree look.
If you like loosen up some strands on the twisted sides of the topsy tail as well to soften that hair up too.
Step 6) Now take those two front sections and pull them together so they meet at the back of your head. Using another elastic form those two sections into the second pony tail right above the first.
If you like now’s the time to pull out a few pieces of hair to frame your face. You know, to soften up the overall look?
Step 7) As before create the hole, flip the hair up and thru the hole and pull the hair down to create the second topsy tail. You can flip through the pocket a second time if you like to create more twists on the side.
Step 8) While you’re at it, take the ponytail of the second one just created and pull it thru the hole of the first topsy tail.
Step 9) Slide the elastic of that first topsy tail towards your head to tighten things up a bit. But don’t obsess over how this looks. The bun that comes next will perfectly hide any perceived imperfections.
Step 10) At this point those with longer hair will want to use two more clear plastic elastics.
Wrap one maybe three or four inches down the ponytail to make it much easier to wrap that up into the bun.
Then put another at the very end of the pony tail, much like you might with a braid, to keep it all together.
Step 11) Now as far as the bun goes, put the end of the pony on the back of your head and begin to roll the hair on itself towards your head. Think of it as if you were rolling it around a roller.
Essentially you’re hiding the end inside the bun.
Keep wrapping until the bun takes shape then tuck the top of it in between the two topsy tails.
You’re going to want to tug at the bun to loosen and fluff it up. Gently pull it apart some making sure it is big and loose enough. The idea is a messy, carefree look so the more less-perfect the bun looks the better actually.
Step 12) Lastly, to secure the bun pin the underside to the hair in the back right above the ponytail using your bobby pins. How many you’ll need depends on how much hair you have, obviously.
If any pieces fall out don’t freak. Just pin them in place.
The resulting updo hairstyle is nothing short of stunning. Elegance personified. All pulled together in 5-7 minutes max.
Easy, right?
Throw on a little black dress and you’re ready.
Now unfortunately if your hair has lots of layers you may find this isn’t the style for you as you may have trouble keeping the various layers from sticking out everywhere.
But for everyone else, it’s a fashionable style that all but guarantees your friends will be demanding to know just how you did it.
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