7 Easy Up-Dos You Can Do at Home

Whether you are Rushing this fall or simply rushing to work, an easy updo is a great way to add a little glam to your look while also surviving the humidity down here in Georgia. The good news? We’ve got you covered with seven killer looks that you can definitely DIY before you head out the door this season.

We’re keeping this list simple: braiding four ways & buns three ways.

You’ll need to gather a few things – depending on your hair texture you might not need them all – make good choices for you and as always, if you have questions, get in touch.      

The stuff: Detangling brush, fine tooth comb, dry shampoo/texturizing spray, clear elastics, bobby pins, hair spray.

The prep: If your hair is fine or smooth and tends to slide out of styles, adding a little product before you get started helps a lot. Spray a little dry shampoo or texturizing spray at your roots and massage in with your fingertips. You can also spray the middle and ends with a workable hold hairspray. This will not make your hair sticky, just give it a little extra grip.

4 Easy Braided Updos To Try at Home:

1. The Pull-Through Braid

While we are big fans of a traditional French braid, we love this look as it is easy to achieve and just a great different way to show off a gorgeous braid style that can look just as great in a cocktail dress as in jeans. Starting from your temples, pull a section of your hair together and secure with an elastic band. Then, pull the tail end up and clip up out of the way. Pull the next section of your hair from each side of your hair directly below the ponytail you just created and secure it with an elastic. Unclip your first ponytail, and split it into two equal sections of hair. Wrap those sections around the lower ponytailed section. Repeat each step until you reach the end of your hair. You can also opt to stop short and leave your hair in a low ponytail or tie it up in a low-bun. Don’t forget to ‘pancake’ out the braid sections for a bigger impact.

2. The Waterfall Braid

Create two sections of hair on one side of your head – they should be side by side so one is nearest your face. Cross the front (first) section over the second one behind it in the direction you want your braid to go. Take a third (waterfall) section of hair from the top of your head and allow it to fall over the first section. Bring the second section over the waterfall section, then pull a new waterfall section over the first section and repeat as many times as you like! A waterfall braid can be a half up style or can be finished by making a low bun or ponytail.

3. The Braided Crown

This style is silly easy and it looks awesome every time. Section off two pieces of hair on the sides of your face. If you want a full updo – ensure you section off all your hair. If you want a headband-esque crown while the rest of your hair is down – tie back the down portion of your hair to keep it out of the way for this next part. Working on side at a time and pulling your hair towards the opposite ear from where you started (up over your head), braid both sections and secure with a clear elastic. Note: this motion of braiding in the direction that you will secure the braid helps avoid any awkward bumps where your braids start. Pull each braid over to the other side of your head and secure with bobby pins. Let down any hair you secured back and you’re off like the Grecian goddess you are.

4. Double Dutch Braids

Think of a Dutch braid as an inside-out French braid. You follow all the same steps except you braid under rather than over. This creates more dimension with the sides being smooth and the braid standing out more.

Part your hair slightly to one side. Pick up a section on one side and divide into three pieces to dutch braid. Be sure to cross strands under the middle and continue to pick up new strands as you go along. Once the braid reaches your ear, stop adding in new sections and just braid the hair a little further down. Set the braid in place with an elastic. Repeat these steps to create a second braid on the other side. Combine the rest of your hair and tie into a bun. Tuck any ends into the elastic. Create a gap in the left braid and pull your right braid through that gap. Pin the braids in place on the top of the bun and remove the elastics you used to hold the braids in place. Take the ends on the left side of your bun across the bun and pin the hair down on the right side. Repeat for the opposite side. Pin any extra pieces down and then go back over to braids, to pull on the edges to make them wider or “pancaked.” Then, slightly pull on the hair on your crown to get some extra volume.

3 Easy Buns To Try at Home:

1. The Messy Bun with a Headband

There are so many ways you can achieve a messy bun look, so we’ll just start with the basic version. Gather all your hair in a loose ponytail on top of your head. Hold it up and shake it around to let the shorter hair fall out of the ponytail. Pull any other pieces you want to down especially a few to frame your face. Twist the pony about for about half your length and start wrapping it around to form the bun. Wrap the loose ends around the base of the bun, then secure with bobby pins. Really there aren’t many rules with this one! A messy bun can be low, high, or on either side. The goal is to look effortlessly ethereal. Top it off with a headband for an extra touch before you head out.

2. The Low Bun

Secure your hair in a low ponytail at the nape of your neck with a clear elastic. Separate the hair into two sections & twist them in the same direction as each other, then twist them together in the opposite direction, secure with another elastic. Wrap your twist around itself to create a bun & secure with bobby pins.

3. The Top Knot

Bring hair into a high ponytail secured with an elastic band. You want the ponytail to be just a bit higher than where the finished bun will sit because it does tend to slip down a little as you work with it. Separate into two sections. Twist them up, and then wrap them around each other. Pin the ends in place with bobby pins. Then gently, pull some of your hair strands to loosen the bun and make it appear larger and more effortless.

Finishing touches: Use the fine-tooth comb to smooth out any unintended fly-aways. Add some medium or firm hold hairspray to the final look to help keep everything in place.

You can play around with these, mixing and matching is always an option. Put a low bun on one side, add a messy bun at the end of a braid. Add ribbons to your braids, tuck some fashion pins around your bun, DIY away!

Rush season is here in Athens! Come in for hair styling and coloring before you rush.