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You've received one of the best gifts a friend can give -- she's asked you to be her maid of honor. You're probably uber-excited and so flattered that she considers you to be such a terrific friend, but you'd better dress the part. That means creating a formal, beautiful hairstyle so you present yourself right on your friend's most special day. There are a few elegant hairstyles really worth considering as the maid of honor.
Twisted Ponytail
Work a bit of hair gel through your hands to blend it up, then slick your hair back all around your head, pulling it back into a low ponytail. Secure it in place with a hair elastic. A clear elastic works best, so it's not as noticeable and guests will focus on your pretty hairstyle, not your elastic. Keeping the hair in your ponytail smooth -- a bit of smoothing serum down the ponytail hair helps if you've got any frizzy, flyaway strands -- wrap the hair up and around the base of the ponytail, tucking the ends in underneath, near the elastic. Use a couple of bobby pins to keep it in place and finish your style with a light misting of hairspray.
Braided Bun
A braided bun style is effortlessly chic, and keeps your hair out of your face so you can focus on more important things than brushing your hair out of the way. Namely, taking care of your looking-after-the-bride duties. To achieve this style, work a bit of pomade or gel through your hair and pull it up into a high ponytail at the crown of your head. Wrap an elastic around the base of the ponytail. Braid down the length of the ponytail hair and wrap the braided tail around the base, covering the elastic. Secure the ends with a bobby pin or two; secure them in under the braided bun so they aren't noticeable.
Curly Updo
Put curls and an updo style together and you've got instant glam and elegance. Part your hair far to one side, pull all of your hair together at the back of your head and secure it in place with a hair elastic. Pull a section out of the ponytail hair an inch or two wide and curl it with a 1-inch barrel curling iron. Once the hair is curled, wind it up and pin it near the base of your ponytail, letting some of the ends hang loose so you can see the curl in the hair. Do this with same-sized sections until all of the hair is curled and pinned up. Pin each section in a different spot, so you end up with a sort of fanned effect around the back of your head. Finish with a light misting of hairspray.
Short Twists
If you've got shorter hair, that doesn't mean you have to go with a plain hairstyle for your friend's special day. As the maid of honor, you still need to look elegant and dressed up for the big event. Use a small-barrel curling iron -- anything under an inch works well -- to create small ringlet curls all around your head. Keep your curls in place for the whole wedding by spritzing over them with a strong-hold hairspray.
Tips
Adding a pretty hair accessory like a clip or barrette can add the perfect finishing touch for this most formal event. Small rhinestone clips added randomly around in the hair creates a subtle, sparkly effect that's really pretty. The most important thing is that the maid of honor's hairstyle look appropriately elegant without upstaging the bride's. It's her special day, so all the attention should be on her.
