The Only Updo Hairstyles You'll Ever Need

Story by Ashley Riddle Williams

Southern ladies are social butterflies—we need more than a standard blowout to see us through weddings, luncheons, and dinner parties. We asked Birmingham-based bloggers of Irrelephant to share three-step styles for all ages. 

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Refined Ponytail

Photo: Courtesy Irrelephant Blog

Long, bouncy hair calls for a sleek ponytail.

 

Watch Video: The Three-Step Ponytail

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Step 1

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Brush hair up toward crown of head. Pin top section of hair just below crown to create small "bump."

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Step 2

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Secure ponytail with an elastic hair tie just at the pin. Smooth with brush; tame flyaways with a few spritzes of hair spray.

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Step 3

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Take a small piece of hair from bottom of ponytail, wrap around hair tie, and pin to secure.

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Sophisticated Half-Back Twist

Photo: Courtesy Irrelephant Blog

A half-back style is elegant, but still fun and feminine.

 

Watch Video: The Three-Step Half-Back Hairstyle

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Step 1

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Curl hair. Tease top center section of hair at root. Lift strands on the right and left sides, and tease.

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Step 2

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Pin top right side at center back; cross top left side over right, and pin.

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Step 3

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Twist ends of pinned hair into a swirl. Pin top, bottom, and sides. Finish with hair spray.

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Elegant Low Bun

Photo: Courtesy Irrelephant Blog

You'll achieve a sophisticated look with a low bun.

 

Watch Video: The Three-Step Bun

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Step 1

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Prep strands with texturizing spray; part down the middle to separate hair into two sections.

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Step 2

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Tie sections together in a knot at the nape. Pin to secure at center.

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Step 3

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Twist ends around the secured knot of hair. Starting with the left side, twist down and to the right. Pin. Repeat with right side in opposite direction. Continue pinning around the bun to secure.

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Sleek French Twist

Photo: Courtesy Irrelephant Blog

A French twist works well with shorter, finer hair.

 

Watch Video: The Three-Step French Twist

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Step 1

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Apply dry shampoo to second-day hair for texture. Tease crown. Pull hair over right shoulder, and pin vertically along center back.

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Step 2

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Without loosening pins, pull hair straight back from head. Roll ends inward toward left.

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Step 3

Illustration: Samantha Hahn

Secure by pinning middle of twist first, then top and bottom. Use fingers to loosen hair around face.

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