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One of the most popular formal hairstyles that can be worn for a variety of occasions is the updo. Updo hairstyles are accomplished by gathering all of the hair up at the back of the head. In order to do an updo at home, hair should be freshly washed and conditioned and completely dry. Girls with untamed hair may find that gel or mousse helps keep flyaway hairs in check, resulting in a smoother appearance to the updo.
To create an updo, gather the hair into a ponytail at the back of the head, then create a loose bun by wrapping the tail around the center of the ponytail. Bobby pins can be used to hold hair in place. To keep the pins from showing, they should be hidden inside the bun.
For a slightly different look, updos can also contain braids. To create a braided updo, gather the hair into a ponytail at the back of the head and separate into three sections. Braid each section, then wrap each braid around the ponytail center and hold in place with bobby pins.
Updos are best used by girls with hair a few inches longer than their shoulders and can be accessorized by adding ribbons or flowers. - Another popular formal hairstyle that gets hair up off of the neck is the French twist. This style works for girls who have medium-long to very long hair. In a French twist, hair is gathered at the back of the head in a low ponytail. Lift the ponytail up the back of the head and twist it in one direction until smooth. This will create a thick roll with the tail of the hair tucked inside. Once the roll is twisted, secure the hair in place with bobby pins, hair sticks or a claw hair clip. A French twist can be done at home, but can be difficult to do on your own. It will be much easier if someone is helping, and a professional may be able to give you a smoother appearance than you can manage alone.
- If you want to leave your hair down for a formal event, curls or waves can add to your formal look. To create large, bouncy curls in your hair, part the hair to one side or down the center and use large hot rollers. Hot rollers will create bigger curls than most curling irons and should last throughout the entire event.
