An updo is a type of hair style that features the wearer's hair pulled up and away from the face. These types of styles work best for people with hair that is medium-length or longer. Easy updos generally look good with both formal and casual outfits. The hair is usually held up using hair styling accessories including hair elastics, barrettes, and bobby pins. Some easy updo styles are buns, French twists, and ponytails.
Buns are easy updos that can be created quickly. A classic bun is a style in which the hair is pulled back into a ponytail, secured with a hair elastic, twisted, and then wrapped around the base of the ponytail. The hair can be secured with a second hair elastic or with bobby pins. Finished buns are commonly placed on top of the head or at the nape of the neck.
A twist on the classic bun is the messy bun. The process of creating a messy bun is the same as the classic bun, but the hair is twisted more loosely and is not secured tightly. Sections of hair are gently pulled out for a more natural, less polished look.
French twists are simple and easy updos that can look very tight or soft. To make a French twist, the hair is pulled back and gathered at the nape of the neck with one hand. The other hand is used to twist, or fold, the hair in, toward the head, while pulling it up from the back of the head. Bobby pins, often placed so they are mostly concealed in the hair, are typically used to hold tresses in place. For a more casual look, a large hair clip can be used to secure the hair.
A ponytail is one of the easiest updos to achieve. Hair is combed, gathered together, and secured with a hair elastic. When making a ponytail, the hair in the front can be brushed straight back or parted, either in the middle or on the side of the head. Easy updos like a ponytail are very versatile. They can be very casual or can be made to look more formal by curling the hair, using a dressy hair accessory or by wrapping a section of hair around the hair elastic to conceal it.
There are many easy updos that are variations of buns, French twists, or ponytails. Braids can be added to the front sections of hair to add interest to an updo. Curly hair can be pinned loosely into an overall updo, leaving the ends of the curls unsecured. Hair stylists or fashion and beauty magazines may also be consulted to achieve a desired look.
