You will know your hair needs more protein if it feels dry and frizzy, stretches a great deal but still breaks, feels limp when wet, or if it doesn’t hold its curl or style very well. It needs more moisture if it breaks or snaps very easily, feels brittle or straw-like, or doesn’t stretch much or at all. Since you may not yet know what updo you will choose, don’t make any drastic hairstyle changes in cut or color before your wedding. [1] X Research source On your wedding day, you also don’t want to overdo it on hair products. Your goal is shiny and frizz-free hair, but you also want it to look natural, not nuclear. [2] X Research source
A bun is typically made from a ponytail, though it doesn’t have to be, that’s wrapped around itself, whether twisted or braided. They can be anywhere on the head. A chignon technically means a low bun, but in modern terms also represents using a variety of techniques like tucking and rolling hair. They are always low on the head. [3] X Research source A French twist is a created by tucking hair in a vertical row at the back of the head. A French braid is a braid woven close to the head from three sections of hair. [4] X Research source A bouffant is a style popularized by Audrey Hepburn, in which the hair is generally teased and arranged in a higher, rounded shape with bangs in most cases.
Oval-shaped faces can do nearly any updo, and bangs will accentuate your eyes. But don’t wear too much hair in your face. Round-shaped faces want to add focus to the crown, so a French twist with curls on top, tousled bangs to the side, and off-center parts all work well. Avoid slick-back styles, those that add width around your face, or straight and flat bangs. Heart-shaped faces benefit from bangs and wisps on the side of the face and side parts but should stay away from slick-back styles and too much height at the crown. Oblong/rectangular-shaped faces look good with slick-back looks, side parts, fuller styles such as piled curls and bangs to shorten your face. Shy away from tight curls on top of the head, wisps around the face and center parts. Reverse triangle/pear-shaped faces look best with updos that add height on the crown, especially with full bangs, and updos with wisps of hair angled toward the face. Too much height, however, should be avoided as should center parts. Square-shaped faces do well with wisps around the face and bang areas and curly updos. Straight, flat bangs and center parts, though, aren’t your best bet. [7] X Research source Check out this website also to help you choose a flattering updo: thehairstyler. com/hair-consultations/find-your-perfect-updo-hairstyle.
Stay away from headpieces that poke and prod at your head when you initially try them on; it won’t get any better, and by the end of your long wedding day your head will be killing you, literally. Because of this, look for headpieces that require fewer pins or have fewer teeth in the combs. [9] X Research source If your hair is fine and straight, your headpiece will need fine-toothed combs if that’s how it’s attached. If you find one with wide-toothed combs that you love, ask the store if they can replace them. [10] X Research source Short-hair updos can greatly benefit from adornments, such as a rose tucked into the back where a bun might be if your hair were longer, for example. Larger, oblong hair clips work well at the mid-to-lower seam of French twists, and jeweled pins clipped on low-swept fronts and among messy curls substitute nicely for a headpiece.
Your updo should be complementary to your wedding gown, not in competition with it. [11] X Research source
When you find updos you like, either tear them from the publication or print them. Use a sharpie to write what you like about each, and file them in a folder marked “Updos. ” After you’ve collected a nice sample, go through them to see if you notice any themes, such as multiple photos of a side-swept, low bun or a particular way bangs are styled. From here, narrow it down to 1-2 updo styles and choose the versions of each you most like. If you’re having trouble, remember that classic updos are timeless, ones you won’t look back on in photos and regret. Trends come and they go!
If you choose to go with a stylist but haven’t chosen one, ask other women you know, your wedding planner, the coordinator at your wedding or reception venue, look online, talk with your wedding photographer, etc. , for recommendations. Take your collected images with you, along with your headpiece, veil and a photo of your dress, to your trial run. Ask to see the stylist’s portfolio, and don’t be afraid to not only voice your opinion but also seek another stylist if it’s just not working to your satisfaction.
Try tucking a flower into the bun slightly above and forward of your ear.
Smooth over your hair with your hands before finishing with a medium-hold hairspray. [16] X Research source If you have long, thick and straight hair, try this: Pull your hair into a ponytail between the crown and the nape of your head, twist the ponytail around itself twice, tuck the ends into the twist, secure them with bobby pins and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray. [17] X Research source
Rub a natural oil between your palms and run your fingers through your hair before spritzing on a medium-hold hairspray. [18] X Research source For a messier chignon, divide the ponytail into four sections, twist and wind each to the ponytail’s base. Secure with bobby pins, leaving the ends out. [19] X Research source
Set it in place with at least a medium-hold hairspray. [20] X Research source Headbands go well with bouffants and help to hold stray hairs in place. You can also try corkscrew pins, which work particularly well if you have curly hair. Always use a thermal heat protectant before using a flat iron to protect your hair from potentially irreversible damage.
Alternatively, you could begin by winding each braid beneath your head and securing them at the top. [22] X Research source
Mist with a medium-hold hairspray for hold but yet enough bounce. Tuck a flower behind your ear to add to the softness. Make sure you’ve used a thermal heat protectant prior to using the flat iron.
Finish with a medium-hold hairspray or spray some in your hands, rub them together and smooth over your hair. You can also pull out pieces of hair around your face to soften your features.
You can pull some pieces of hair down around your head or use a blow dryer to go around your head for a more windblown look. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray and a light spritz of shine spray. [24] X Research source
If you want a little more volume on the top, gently use your fingers to pull the hair up at the top of your head. Spray a medium-hold hairspray all over your head to set.
For a more relaxed feel, pull out a few strands of hair around your face and loosely curl them with a curling iron before creating the ponytail. [25] X Research source Rub a pea sized amount of smoothing serum or a natural oil like argan between your palms and lightly smooth your hands from your front and side hairlines to the bun for a sleek and shiny look. Set it with a light-hold hairspray. You can also position the bun to the side of your head by creating a low side ponytail or at the top of your head by creating a high ponytail.
If you want the roll that’s produced to have more volume, tease and then smooth the surface of your ponytail before tucking. Smooth all over with your hands and finish with a medium-hold hairspray. [26] X Research source If you have bangs, you can twist them in as you start at the front or leave them out, manipulating them to the side with a flat iron or wearing them straight down.
Before pulling the front section back, you can use a small amount of pomade to smooth the bun, and use pins to tuck in stray pieces. Give it a good, all-over misting with a medium-hold hairspray to complete the look. [27] X Research source
Use a light or medium-hold hairspray and lightly spray all of your hair so curls don’t become weighed down. [28] X Research source You can loosen the curls in the front by carefully running one or two fingers through them. For more volume in the front, finger tease the curls at the root and then set with hairspray.
Finish with a light-hold hairspray. [29] X Research source Make sure you apply a thermal heat protectant to your hair before brandishing the curling iron.
Spray hairspray on your hands or rub a dab of smoothing serum or argan oil between your palms and run them other the front and sides of your hair to smooth. Add a hair clip to the seam of the twist to glam it up or to hide areas that are a bit short and aren’t cooperating.
Spray well with a medium-hold hairspray. You can also lightly tease and then smooth hair before twisting and tucking if yours is particularly fine. [31] X Research source
