Thanks to its technical ease, the ponytail comes everywhere with us: to the gym, to class and to the office. Indeed, it’s easy to get bored of this overused hairstyle. Keep scrolling to read tips gathered from experts to give your up-dos an upgrade with these easy ? yet chic ? ideas!
The Classic Chignon
Classy and sophisticated, the chignon—more commonly known as the low bun— sits just above the nape of the neck. Gracious and classic, it’s a favorite with brides on their big day and actresses on the red carpet. With several incarnations, depending on how you sweep the ponytail and pin it in place, it’s a versatile yet classy updo that remains utterly timeless and easy to achieve. Gather your hair into a ponytail with an elastic band, twist the strands around the base, and pin them in place. Try L'Oréal Professionnel's Tecni.Art Lumi-Contrôle Modeling Nutri-Wax to tuck away any rebellious bangs.
“Sometimes I like to pump up a classic and polished chignon by using L'Oréal Professionnel [Tecni.Art Wet Domination] Shower Shine spray,” Philippe Laurent, L’Oréal Professionnel ambassador, says. “It will offer shine, sexiness, and gloss to the look.”
The Beautiful Braid
Both feminine and right on trend—what more could you ask for? Try a French braid or a standard braid and finish off your style by pinning it up. Sweet yet stylish, it’s a great look for an urban or rural scene, day or night. Another option: Braid yourself a crown. It’s the perfect complement to a low, messy bun.
Laurent adores revisiting classic hairstyles by adding a certain je ne sais quoi to the look.
“I like to create wet look braids by using the [L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Wet Domination] Extreme Splash Gelée,” he explains. “I pre-dry the hair before separating it into three sections. Then, I apply the product on the three strands, making sure the hair is disciplined, and finally I start to braid the hair.”
The Messy Bun
A looser, more relaxed take on the chignon, this cool hairstyle works at any time of the day. When drawing together the ponytail for the bun, leave some slack—and again when pinning— to attain a looser, more casual look.
Another method is to create a tighter, well-secured bun, and then loosen with your fingers, fishing out a few strands to create an undone vibe.
Top Knot
Somewhere between the practical and the edgy, the top knot has become a staple updo. With both men and women rocking the look, it’s fun and easy to style. The key to the perfect top knot is finding the right spot for it by judging the most comfortable and secure area as well as the spot that will suit your proportions the best.
Once you’ve chosen the position of your topknot, create a ponytail and twist your strands around the base. Fix with bobby pins or push into the elastic and finish with a spritz of hairspray. Leave a few strands poking out for a sharper look.
Twin Buns
Don’t knock it until you try it. Cute and creative, double buns look great worn high on the head or lower down. Split your hair down the middle parting with a long-tail comb and tie high or low pigtails. Then simply twist (or braid, if you are feeling more adventurous) and wrap the sections around their base. There you have it, the perfect double bun!
Tomohiro Kobayashi, L'Oréal Professionnel brand ambassador and stylist, applies L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Wet Volume Envy Extra to amplify the twin buns.
