All my long-haired ladies, listen up! If you’re looking for a chic, swept-up, style but aren’t loving your standard top knot, we’ve got a few options for you.
Since long, mermaid-length locks can quickly turn into a giant heap of messy hair on top of your head, it can be rough trying to find your perfect, elegant updo for classier occasions. Or on days you just feel like adding a little extra oomph to your look.
To get some new inspiration for styling long locks, we asked hairstylist Gina Watkins from L’ANZA Healing Haircare help us create five incredible updos for long hair at the Ammon Carver L’ANZA Healing Haircare Studio in NYC.
Read on for a few easy step-by-step tutorials for creating your own elegant updos for long hair!
1Low Braided Bun
- Smooth hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck.
- Separate the pony into two strands and twirl them tightly so you’re left with two separate portions of twisted hair side-by-side.
- Then, wrap the twisted ponies tightly around each other, allowing them to eventually coil up into themselves.
- Use bobby pins to secure into place.
2Half-Up Double Pony
- From the high point of the head, split the top section of hair across the crown and secure with a clip (our current favorites are the Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Styling Clips!).
- Then, take a second section below it and split hair from ear to ear around the back of the head. Leave the rest loose.
- Secure these two pony’s with elastics and twist each ponytail separately until they coil up onto themselves.
- Secure with bobby pins.
3Hair Croissant
- Smooth hair into an ultra high ponytail. Pro-tip: Flipping your head upside down will help to ensure you get hair to the highest point of your head.
- Secure ponytail and back comb the entire thing into a big fluffy pouf.
- Smooth out the top of the pony so it’s big and cushioned in the center but is still neat on the outside portion that’s visible to the eye.
- Roll and tuck the ponytail upward into itself (like you would a sock bun). Allow the hair to fall together on the side.
- Once it’s rolled to the side of the head, pull out the corners so it spreads out into a half-moon shape.
4Back-Ended Braid
- Flip hair upside down and begin French braiding from the nape of your neck to the crown of your head (you might need a friend to help for this part!)
- Once you finish braiding to the top of the head, continue to braid off of the head and fasten with an elastic band.
- When the braid is complete, roll it onto itself, wrapping it into a bun.
- Secure with an elastic and pin any loose ends with a bobby pin.
For a softer, more feminine look, let your baby hairs fly! You’ll be left with a pretty, ballerina-esque vibe.
Photography by Alex Schaefer Photography.
