How to Cut an Updo

Updos offer a variety of hair style options suitable for work or play. To create an updo, your hair should be shoulder-length or longer. The type of hair cut that works best with an updo depends upon the hair style. Some hair cuts are simple enough for you do at home. Go to a salon for complicated layer hair cuts. Simple updo hair cuts focus on the hair around the face and neck. Here are some ideas for simple hair cuts for updos illustrated by dolls.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hair scissors
• Wide-tooth comb
• Hair clips
• Hair elastic

How to Cut Bangs for an Updo

1. Start with clean, dry hair. Detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb.

2. Separate the section of hair on top of the forehead so that it fans out across the forehead. Determine how thick and wide you want the bangs. Clip the desired amount of hair to hold it in place.

3. Put the rest of your hair into a ponytail with an elastic to get it out of your way.

4. Remove the clip from hair designated for bangs. Use scissors to cut the hair into the desired length.

5. 
   Doll with hair cut into bangs and an updo.

   Comb the bangs and check the length. Trim any scraggly areas to even the bangs. You are now ready to style the rest of your hair into an updo.

How to Cut Tendrils for an Updo

6. Start with clean, dry hair. Detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb.

7. Determine how many tendrils you want and section hair accordingly. Do you want a number of large curls hanging by your face and neck while your hair is in an updo? Or do you prefer smaller curls framing the entire face while your hair is up? Tendrils by the side of the face and around the neck - Divide hair into one small section on each side of the face and in about four areas above the neck. Fasten a hair clip on each section. Face framing tendrils - Create four or six small sections all around the face and clip them each in place.

8. Put the rest of your hair in a pony tail with an elastic to keep it out if the way.

9. 
   Doll with hair cut into tendrils by the face and neck for an updo.

   Tendrils by the face and neck - Remove the first clip and cut the hair into the desired length. Repeat on all sections of hair designated for tendrils. Remember to cut longer strands if you plan to curl the tendrils because curling will make it a appear shorter.

10. 
    Doll with hair cut into face framing tendrils of equal length for an updo.

    For face framing tendrils you can create layered tendrils of varying lengths or tendrils of equal length around the face. Face framing tendrils in layers - First remove the clips near the forehead. Use scissors to cut a section into the desired length. Cut the rest of the hair around the forehead the same length as the first section. Now remove the clips from hair near your temples. Cut these sections slightly longer than the hair around the forehead area. Remove the clips from the sections near your ear and cut them a little longer than the hair by your temples. Repeat on the remaining hair near the face, cutting each section slightly longer than the tendrils above it.

11. Check the tendrils for desired length and effect. Trim any uneven areas. Once your tendrils are in place, you are ready to style the rest of your hair into an updo.

Tips & Warnings

• Select hair cuts that look good styled both up and down.
• Show the stylist a picture of the updo you hope to achieve. Gather pictures from magazines and on-line of updos you admire.
• Use leave-in conditioner or gel to keep hair neat in an updo.
• Use only seamless plastic hair pins and seamless plastic handmade combs in hair for styling. If you must use metal pins, make sure that they have coated tips to prevent tangles and hair damage. Throw away metal pins that have lost their tips. Regular plastic combs have seams that can snag hair.
• If you have any doubt about cutting your hair at home, go to a professional hair stylist.
• Only use scissors designed to cut hair. Only cut hair with the scissors because using the scissors for additional purposes can quickly dull the blade. Have the blade sharpened after extensive use to prevent a dull blade. Dull blades can cause split ends.
• Don't cut curly hair wet because you might cut it too short. Wet curly hair appears straighter when weighed down with water. Cut dry hair so that you can see where it hangs naturally after curling.