How to Do an Updo

My boyfriend and I have gone to 29 weddings together over the past five years. It’s sounds crazy, I know, but between family, friends, and coworkers the numbers really adds up. And for almost every one of those weddings, I’ve worn my hair the same way: down with loose waves. However, when we were invited to an uber-posh black tie wedding at the New York Public Library (where Carrie was supposed to marry Big in the SATC movie) I knew I had to step up my game and try a more glamorous style. I asked Marshall Linn, one of the crazy-good stylists at the Frederic Fekkai Soho Salon, to give me one of those sexy, undone updos that you see on celebs such as Nicole Richie and Lauren Conrad.

Here, Marshall’s step-by-step instructions for getting my chic chignon:

Step 1. Spritz damp hair with tons of volumizing spray. He used Fekkai Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel on me.

Step 2. Use a 1 ½ inch curling iron to create big, bouncy spirals. According to Linn, this step is totally necessary to build the right foundation for an updo.

Step 3. Vigorously rub the crown of your head with your fingertips to break up the curls and create massive body and volume.

Step 4. Divide your hair into three equal sections, then pull the center one into a low ponytail. Wrap the ponytail into a bun and secure with hairpins.

Step 5. Crisscross the remaining sections around the bun and pin down the ends or let them splay out a bit (it’s okay if it looks a tad messy).

Step 6. If you want more height around your crown, gently push your hair forward with your hands.

Step 7. Let some pieces fall around your face then spray, spray, and spray some more with a non-sticky hairspray.

FYI: These pictures were taken after lots of champagne and dancing.

Try on a new hairstyle now.