Stepbystep Updos

An updo hairstyle can be elegant or casual.

An updo hairstyle can work for both medium and longer hair lengths. A gal can go for an elegant look, or she can sport a more casual variation. These flirty hairdos are popular at weddings, holiday parties and proms. Always work with hair that already has been shampooed and dried, preferably washed the night before the big event. For the best results, experiment with your updo well in advance of your festivities so that you can quickly and comfortably achieve the look you want on your big day.

Instructions

1. Backcomb the top and crown sections of your hair to achieve volume. Teasing your hair gives you a cushion that supports both the style and the hairpins.

2. Use your index fingers to part off the top section from the temples. Coil this section of hair while keeping it flat against your head. With one hand, grasp this section and then use the other finger to pull apart the loose strands of hair that got pulled into your coil.

3. Look at the shape of the hair from the crown and the sides. Make certain that you are satisfied that the section that you've looped is not too flat or bumpy.

4. Secure the section of hair with hairpins. Half of the pin goes into the section that you've coiled, while the other half of the pin goes into the hair that lies on your scalp. Use at least two pins to anchor this section of hair, with the two pins crisscrossing each other.

5. Take another section of your hair, this time from above your ears. Twist and pin this section just as you did with the first section. Don't fuss right now over the ends because you can work with them later.

6. Loop and pin the last section of your hair---again, just as you did with the previous sections--- so that you now have the foundation of your updo.

7. Experiment and play with your ends. You can curl the ends or use various accessories.

8. Save the hairspray for the finishing touch. Otherwise, the ends will be stiff and hard to work with. Spray your entire hairdo and especially the sides and underneath. Pomade and wax finishes are optional for securing your hairstyle.

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