Less than perfect hair is in this holiday season. The trend on the red carpet is, Effortless. As if you just woke up with that tousled bun! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Get the low down on two effortless updos for long hair below and how you can replicate your own version of these celebrity style favorites.
The Undone Bun
This style works great on mid-length hair with layers, which can often be a challenge to put up. Start with clean dry hair blown smooth with a slight bend on the ends. To achieve this, apply a dollop of a product like Pureology’s Cuticle Polisher, apply evenly throughout by combing product through with a fine tooth comb. Try Olivia Garden’s NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Brush in 1 3/4” and blow hair section-by-section (about 2” apart) starting at the nape. Wrap your section around the brush using as much tension as possible for a sleek, clean blow dry with a soft bend on the ends.
Next, pull hair back into a half-up, half-down ponytail, leaving the nape hair out. Using a light-to-the-touch hairspray like Pureology’s Strengthening Control, place your bangs in a flattering fashion.
Note: For longer hair around the face, a deep side part and tucking the hair behind the ear can be an alternative to bangs
Moving on the nape area, split the loose hair under your ponytail into two sections and twist one section at a time up and around your pony. Secure with as many bobby pins as needed. Make sure to hide them by pushing them directly into the elastic band.
Lastly, break the original half-up, half-down ponytail into 2-3 sections depending on the thickness of your hair and gently twist them down and around the base of your elastic, much like you would if you were making a regular bun. Secure with bobby pins in the same fashion as mentioned above. Complete all sections and spray with Strengthening Control Mist Hairspray for extra hold.
Give you head a light shake to check for your styles holding power. If it feels loose, add extra bobby’s where needed and give another douse of hairspray.
The Effortless Top Knot
Image: US Magazine
This effortless style pairs well with a red lip for great holiday appeal. Start with dry hair. Give an all over blast of a workable spray like Pureology’s Strengthening Control hairspray.
Note: This is a great style for the day after a fresh blow dry as hair tends to be more pliable.
Pull all hair up and back into a high ponytail. Loosely braid your ponytail and secure with a small elastic on the ends that matches your hair color. Hold the very tip of your braid and push elastic band towards the base of your pony. This will mess up your braid giving you the perfect, imperfect texture. Wrap hair as you would a regular bun by spinning hair around the base of your elastic band. Secure with bobby pins matching your hair color by pinning into the bun to hide the stem of your pin. Give a final douse of spray and you’re off!
Natasha Sunshine – Antonioni is a Hairstylist and Beauty Expert, Pureology Brand Ambassador and founder of www.Beauty-Snap.com – a quick tip beauty site for the woman on the go. Natasha’s had the opportunity to work on the tresses of celebrities and models alike including Molly Sims, Ivanka Trump, Stephanie Seymour, Eva Herzigova, Dean Mcdermott and Gael Garcia Bernal, as well as being featured on The Rachel Ray and Tori & Dean Shows.
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Top image: KatieBlench