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Updos used to be saved for special occasions, requiring the hands of a professional stylist to score a flawless style. Not anymore. More casual updos with a relaxed vibe are the way to score an un-stuffy style. Now you can save the money that you would've spent on a salon appointment and instead, do your own hair in about 10 minutes. The best part? You'll still look as fierce as you would stepping out of your favorite salon.
Chic Chignon
1.
A chignon is a classic updo that can be worn anywhere from a cocktail party to a formal gala. To get this updo, tease the top layers of your hair at the back of your head using a teasing brush. Pull a section of hair up from your scalp, and place the brush at the back side of the hair four inches from your scalp. Pull the brush downward. Repeat this on top layers of hair across the back of your head.
2.
Pull hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure with a hair elastic. Keep it low to increase the chic quotient. Anything too high will look dated -- and this isn't the 1980s.
3.
Split the ponytail into two equal sections. Using the same technique described in Step 1, use the teasing brush to tease each section of the ponytail.
4.
Curve one section toward the nape of the neck to create a loop. Secure to the back of the head, near the hair elastic, using bobby pins. Repeat with the other section of the ponytail. You now have a gorgeous chignon that looks like it took an hour to create -- but you whipped it up in under five minutes.
5.
Spritz a light coat of hairspray onto the chignon to anchor it in place. Adorn with a hair accessory like a crystal-encrusted barrette or a fresh flower, if you like. Your friends will never believe you did it yourself.
Undone Bun
1.
Buns are no longer reserved for ballerinas -- and this style definitely doesn't require a tutu. The modern take on this classic hairstyle features an "undone" effect. The end result shouldn't be too perfect. Great news -- it'll take less time to style! Pull your hair back into a low bun and secure it with a hair elastic just above the nape of your neck. Remember, this isn't a ballerina bun, so you don't want it placed too high on your head.
2.
If you have layers or you twisted the bun messily, you may have a few stray ends sticking out. If you like, use bobby pins to tuck them under the bun and out of sight.
3.
Pull a few strands out of the bun so that they hang loose around your face. You're going to twist these into beachy waves, so if you want more waves, pull out more hair.
4.
Hold a heated curling iron with a 1.25-inch barrel vertical a few inches from your scalp. Don't use the clamp on the iron; think of it as a rod that you'll twist hair around. Wrap hair in a figure eight around the barrel of the iron, keeping your fingers clear of the hot iron. Hold in place for 10 seconds, then release.
5.
Repeat Step 4 until all loose face-framing pieces are wavy. Mist on a flexible-hold hairspray. This style should move with you, so go easy on the spray. Helmet head is not hot.
Things You'll Need
1.Teasing brush
3.Bobby pins
5.Crystal-encrusted barette or other hair accessory (optional)
2.Hair elastics
4.Flexible-hold hairspray
6.Curling iron with a 1.25-inch barrel
Related Videos
References
CBS The Early Show: The ABCs of the Chignon
Cosmopolitan: Hot Party Hair: Mila Kunis's Undone Updo
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