CREATE YOUR OWN HOLIDAY HAIRSTYLE

[Tiger Mama]

Sleek Style

 

To create this updo, begin by sectioning off a half-moon shaped section for the bangs in the center front. Use a long clip to keep them out of your way.

 

Next, put some curl into the rest of the hair with hot rollers and then brush it back into a ponytail. Make sure all the hair is laying smoothly and secure it with a covered rubber band. Pull a small piece of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around to conceal the band and fasten it with a bobby pin that you slide underneath the band. Follow this by dividing the rest of the ponytail into five or six ribbon-like strands of hair. Comb each ribbon into a smooth, loose curl and secure it with a bobby pin hidden inside the curl.

 

 

Use your imagination to attractively place each of the curls. If your hair is thin, you might backcomb each curl a little to "spread out" the hair and make it appear thicker.

 

To personalize your style and for a more dressy touch, use a strand of pearls or a thin satin ribbon and weave into the curls as you place them. When each curl is in its proper place spray with a firm hold hair spray.

 

Create the flirty bangs by smoothing them to the side and letting them drape slightly over one eye with a very slight curl at the end. If your hair is straight, use a Velcro-roller to "set" this area. Wrap the hair around the roller, spray it lightly with hairspray and heat it with a blow dryer. Comb out after it cools.

 

Back comb as needed and use hair spray at the hairline to keep them to the side. To tame any fly away hairs, use a light hair spray or a small amount of spray wax.

 

 

 

 

A Messy Bun

 

The messy bun is a style that was created out of the need for a fun updo that was easy to create. This updo is more stylish than a ponytail but is just as easy to achieve.

 

 

The trick of creating this style is to first pull your hair into a common ponytail that is placed high on your head. The next step is to tuck the ends of the ponytail under one or more loops of the covered elastic band. If some of the ends don't reach or escape the band, it's OK. Leaving some of the strands out creates the messy look. If the bun is too smooth, pull out a few strands.

 

For a more finished look, use some firm-hold gel to form the loose strands. Simply put some of the gel between your thumb and index finger and then run your fingers over a small strand of hair. This will form the strands and cause them to stand out. Be careful not to use too much gel. You want it to dry quickly and stand up by itself As the strand dries, the gel becomes stiffer so that you can form it into the shape you want.

 

 

A Simple Twist

The twist is the basis of many updos because it is an easy way to control long hair. It can be dressed up with curls or kept very sleek and sophisticated. The hair in these pictures is long and all one length. These steps will work equally well in hair that is layered if it is long enough to reach the center back of your head and to be turned over into the fold.

 

To create this simple twist, brush all of your hair back and toward the center. Using both hands, smooth it from the front to the back, gathering all together at the center back. Grab all of the long hair forming it into a ponytail at the upper portion of the back of your head as shown in the picture.

 

 

After you have the hair controlled, slide your grip out slightly (about one inch to one and a half inches) and then fold the pony tail over while twisting it. Turn it toward either the right or to the left - whichever side is comfortable to you.

 

Hold it to the head and then, with your other hand, slide long bobby pins through the folded portion of the twist to secure it to the back of your head. The inside prong of the bobby pin slides along the scalp with the outside prong sliding inside the fold of hair so that it is hidden.

 

 

If your hair is long and placed in a twist in this fashion, the ends are at the top of your head. They can then be curled to form a decorative cluster.

 

For a more casual look, the ends can be guided around and tucked under to form a small bun at the top of the twist. After the bun is formed, small bobby pins can be inserted so that they are hidden inside while they fasten the bun in place.

 

 

Creating a Roll or Twist

Creating a roll in this way is useful for many variations of the updo.

 

 

Sweep your hair over to one side. Brush it smoothly and secure it in position with bobby pins. You may have to spray your hair with hairspray so that the bobby pins have something to grip. Another way to prevent slippage is to cross the pins over one another in an X formation.

 

 

With your hair secured to the side, use a brush and your hands to fold it back over the bobby pins, tucking the ends under. They can be directed either upwards to extend out of the top of the roll or downwards to extend out at the bottom. Or you can tuck all the ends inside the roll for a neat and tidy look. Slide two or three bobby pins down through the fold of the hair to hold it in place and finish with a firm hold hairspray. The ends may be curled in any way you please.

[Tiger Mama]

Curly Loose Low Updo

 

This very feminine updo is placed low on the back of the head. It has the appearance of naturally curly hair that has been pulled back into a loose pony tail. In actuality is was created in very straight hair and will stay in place all night long. You can have this style if your hair is about shoulder length.

 

The hair was cleansed and conditioned with body building products. Hair that is too soft, will not stay in place. Spray gel was applied throughout the towel blotted hair before it was quickly blown dry.

 

 

Section the hair into 3 areas with the parts running horizontally across the head – front, center and back. Clip each section out of the way.

 

Start at the lower back. Release the hair and divide off a strand of hair that is about one inch square. Spray it with a heat set lotion. While it is damp, curl it with a small curling iron – about ½ inch – into a spiral formation. Continue to separate sections of hair, spray each individually and curl it into a spiral formation. After curling all of the back section, release the center section. Repeat the curling procedure until all of that section is curled.

 

 

Using only your fingers, comb through the two large sections to loosen the curls. Loosely pull all of the hair to the back of the head. Use bobby pins to form the low updo in the fashion of a large pony tail. Secure it firmly and spray the pins with firm hold hair spray.

 

Release the top section of hair.

 

Divide off one inch sections, spray with Hot Sets and curl each with the small curling iron.

 

This time, instead of pulling all of that section back, you will work with the individual curls. Pull each curl back to the low updo and secure it with a bobby pin. Allow the curl to turn and buckle so that the hair style has lots of movement and texture. If the strand is not long enough to reach the updo, turn the end over into a small roll and slide a bobby pin through the center, pinning it in place. The bobby pin should be hidden inside the curl. Allowing a few loose tendrils to fall around the face adds sexy softness.

 

The finished look should appear natural and loose. After all of the curls are in place, spray the entire style with firm hold hair spray.

 

 

 

Easy Style with the Top Pulled Up

 

Set your hair in hot rollers, comb through using only your fingers. Pull the top section up and use bobby pins to secure it, hiding the pins under the curls.

 

 

 

 

 

Eternity Ring Updo

Using your own design and creativity, this sleek and youthful updo is simple to create with the help of your hairdresser or a talented friend. It will stay secure throughout your entire evening. This style is created from one ponytail although, if your hair is shorter, you may use two ponytails - one directly below the other.

 

If your hair is not as thick as the model's, tease the hair at the base of the ponytail to give it more body and spray it with hairspray. As you divide off strands of hair, smooth each to cover the teasing.

 

 

 

Pull all of your hair up into a ponytail and secure it with a covered rubber band.You may leave out bangs or fringe. In this picture, the front is softened by a small section of hair swept sleekly to the sides.

 

Divide off a medium strand of hair at the top of the rubber band and pin it flat to the head.The size of the strand will depend on how thick the hair is. The bobby pin is placed close to the rubber band to stabilize the pony tail. Lay that strand aside for use in the future.

 

Select a second strand toward the side of the rubber band and close to the first. Smooth it with a comb and form a circular curl close to the band. Pin the ends, being careful that the bobby pin is not obvious although pins may be covered with the future curls.

 

Allowing some hair remaining in the middle, the next strand is taken from the opposite side of the band, formed into a curl and pinned close to the band. Note: it is not perfectly aligned with the first curl.

 

After the third or fourth curl, take the original strand, form it into a circular curl and pin the ends inside another curl using it to cover pins and camouflage the base of the curls or any uncovered teasing.

 

Continue forming curls randomly and weaving them so that they link. Some of the ends will be pinned inside some of the other curls or under other curls. Some of the curls will be taken from the center of the rubber band and used to build fullness.

 

 

 

Quick Messy Updo

If you want a more formal dressy updo, you may need to invest a little more time to get a more formal messy updo.

 

In the meantime, it is quite simple to create a quick messy updo by following these steps on pre-washed, pre-dryed hair (with appropriate styling products) that is long enough to put in a ponytail.

 

Use fingers and a "hair friendly" boar bristle brush to smooth hair and direct it towards the back of your head.

 

For extra volume and fullness at the crown either back comb hair with brush or use fingers to lift and fluff the top part of your crown either before, during or after your are positioning the ponytail base.

 

Direct the ponytail base to be positioned between the top and just below the crown but not lower than the middle of the head. The positioning of the pony base depends on your own goals but it best higher up.

 

 

Use a "hair friendly" elastic band in either clear or the same color as your hair and wrap around hair to form a high ponytail. Gently pull the hair in the tail with your fingers from each side to make sure all the hair is arranged the same from the base.

Take the bottom of the tail and wrap it up and around the base of the new pony in a clockwise direction. You have the option to wrap the bun tight or loose depending on your goals.

 

Keep wrapping the tail around the base of the pony until all hair is used up.

 

Tuck any left over tail into base of the new wrapped bun. Bobby pin into place.

 

Use fingers to gently pull some of the bun hair to loosen and give it a loose, messy look.

 

Spray with a soft holding hairspray or spray wax to create different textures.

 

If you prefer you can pull a few random strands loose and use a medium barrel curling iron to twist so that they cascade from the bun. For a messier effect back comb the ponytail hair after it's created but before the tail is wrapped around the base.

 

Create a fuller messy updo by bending over at the waist and ruffling hair while back combing with fingers to get a messy ponytail bun or a fuller crown. If you prefer you can use your fingers to ruffle the crown.

 

[Tiger Mama]

More Messy Updo Pics

 

 

Curly Hair Updo

 

Use a brush or comb to smooth and gather all of the hair on either side of the head above the ears and pull back to form a half pony that sits high on top of the crown.

 

Merge the hair to form a very tight angled ponytail sculpture. Make sure that all of the surrounding scalp hair is sleek and smooth. Secure the half pony with a covered hair band or similar.

 

Place the 2nd finger of your right hand approximately 1 1/2 inches below the new half ponytail base on top of the ponytail's hair.

 

Fold the entire half pony upwards towards the ceiling and over your finger forming a small loop. Hold the new hair loop firmly in place.

 

While holding the new hair loop use bobby pins to pin the top of the loop into place. After it is secure remove your finger from the loop and then flatten it gently against your scalp. Pin the bottom of the loop.

 

This should lift your ringlets up higher at the back of your crown and anchor them with a pinned seam so that your half pony ringlets cascade down the rest of your hair Gently move the new cascade aside and clip to get out of the way.

 

Take all of the remaining hair from the bottom of your head and divide into two equal sections. Part the two sections straight down the middle.

 

One at a time pull each of the two bottom hair sections up and over the half pony section so that the hair is up near the base of the half pony.

 

Try to arrange each of the two sections so they are pulled up the same distance from the bottom and create a balanced form and shape.

 

Remember to take your time and check each section as you pin. Make sure that each section is firmly pinned once you position it.

 

Pin each section of the bottom hair so that the ringlets cascade down from the base of the first half pony.

 

Release the half pony ringlets that were pinned to the side. Use your fingers to blend and merge the hair together with the ringlets from the bottom sections of your hair.

 

The final result should be a very securely pinned cascade of wild ringlets and curls.

 

Spray the style by spritzing well with a good hairspray.

 

 

 

Helpful Tips for Short Hair

If you normally wear a chin-length, layered, bob, pull the top hair – everything above the top of the ears— to the back of your head. Fasten the hair with a narrow clip or barrette so that the ends stick out. They will be just long enough to fluff and curl around the fastener. Arrange the curls to show parts of an ornate fastener or cover a plain one.

 

Use a small amount of hair gel or hair wax to slick back any stray hairs so that the style looks very sleek and sophisticated.

All the hair from your ears down is combed smoothly, close to the back of your head. Allow this hair to either flip up slightly or to curve under.

 

Try this idea for very short, layered hair. After shampooing and using your favorite mousse or hair gel, dry each side of the back toward the center. If your hair is long enough, twist the center under and fasten with a decorative hair clip or barrette. If very short, use hair gel to slick it toward the center, arrange the ends into a fold at the center and allow it to dry. Any hair that does not want to go to the center should be combed down and into a slight curl, held in place with gel.

 

The remaining hair can be curled with a curling iron and arranged in fluffy curls. Separate the curls with a small amount of hair wax. Remember that special hairstyles often require the use of more styling products for control.

 

For a quick and easy solution, look in department stores for add-on hair. This comes in a variety of styles but the easiest to use is a cluster of fluffy curls. Simply pull your hair back as smoothly as possible and fasten with bobby pins. Then fasten the add-on hair in place, covering the pins.

 

Any hair that falls out around the edges can be left to fall down on your neck in curls.

[lumak]

Those look awesome!!! Do you think that could be done to my hair? or is it to short?

[Tiger Mama]

Those look awesome!!! Do you think that could be done to my hair? or is it to short?

 

I added some helpful hints for short hair! Yours is short so it would not be as full.

[EPHS_girlie10]

Im gonna use some of these for school.

Yay. lol.

[Tiger Mama]

Awesome!

[solosoul]

OK do you really think I could do any of that????? NOT That is what I have you for....your are the

[Tiger Mama]

OK do you really think I could do any of that????? NOT That is what I have you for....your are the

 

No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[whitewitch369]

thank you for all the updo tips!!! my curly mess needs a fix in a BIG WAY...cant afford to get a new style or cut or anything right now but maybe once its long enough to donate i will just get rid of it all!! (did this once before when i could sit on it)

thanks

[rockysmom]

Girlfriend, as you have witnessed, I can barely manage a round brush and blow dryer! Thanks for the pictures!

[solosoul]

Girlfriend, as you have witnessed, I can barely manage a round brush and blow dryer! Thanks for the pictures!

WOW she is awake......... Round brush? No way

[Tiger Mama]

thank you for all the updo tips!!! my curly mess needs a fix in a BIG WAY...cant afford to get a new style or cut or anything right now but maybe once its long enough to donate i will just get rid of it all!! (did this once before when i could sit on it)

thanks

Many are in that boat right now and I know you were asking the other day. Hence this thread. I thought I could at least help people get their hair looking good for their holiday parties

 

Girlfriend, as you have witnessed, I can barely manage a round brush and blow dryer! Thanks for the pictures!

 

Your hair always looks good!