Elegant updos and topknots for long and medium-haired ladies

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Featured article image: Saralynnpaige.com

Whether you're hitting the club on a Saturday night or strolling round the park on a sunny Sunday morning, there is a topknot or updo to suit your lifestyle. Here at The Chapel we want to show you the styles that will soon become part of your everyday hair routine,and how to get that effortless thrown up look at home.

Here is a quick rundown of how to simply achieve some of our all-time favourite topknots and updos for medium and long length hair. For the best results, you'll need to be working with smooth, tangle-free hair that hasn't been washed for at least a day, to give your locks the natural hold they'll need.

Mid-length marvels

The quick twist chignon

Editorial credit: patronestaff / Shutterstock.com
Image credit: Editorial credit: patronestaff / Shutterstock.com

Casual, cool, and above all quick, this updo style was virtually made for those sporting a long bob - and if you're rocking a long curly or wavy bob, even better. Otherwise prep for this by getting some curl into your ends with a spring iron--it'll help your hair twist with ease.

Begin by gathering all of your hair between the ear and the nape of the neck on one side of the head. Start twisting quite tightly from your ear inward. Once the whole section is fully twisted, pin just slightly past the centre at the back of your head. Repeat the process on the other side before finally twisting this section up and over the first, securing above with another hair pin. Tease out while checking with a hand mirror to get perfect proportions to your chignon. And there you have it--a seamless style complete in mere moments.

The Gibson Tuck

Saralynnpaige.com
Image credit: Saralynnpaige.com

This elegant style was popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, but is just as fashion forward a whole century later. The Gibson Tuck truly is a 'timeless classic': a style that's easily achieved with just a hair tie and couple of bobby pins.

First, use your hair tie to gather your hair into a ponytail (at whichever height you prefer). Then loosen it off by pulling the hair tie back slightly, so that you have just enough space to wiggle a hole between the scalp and the tie with your fingers. Next, twist your ponytail around your finger. Once rolled up, tuck all of the hair into the hole you've just made. Continue to twist and tuck until the hair tie has turned flush against the back of your head, and is concealed by the hair in front.

Looped ponytail

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
Image credit: Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Sleek, effortless, and trending for several seasons now, this is an even more straightforward updo style that also uses a simple ponytail as its starting point.

In this instance, all you need to do is gather your hair into a ponytail, but rather than pull it all the way through the hair tie, fold it halfway and pull through. This should leave the gathered hair hanging in a loop, which when gently tugged out at the edges should form an even wedge shape. Ensure you leave excess hair protruding out the back of the tie, so that you can use it to conceal the hair band. In mere moments you've created a polished, yet totally natural look.

Lovely styles for long hair

The French twist

Made famous by the likes of Brigitte Bardot  and still rocked by the likes of Beyoncé, this updo is the epitome of chic.

Take a comb, and begin by parting hair horizontally from ear to ear. Gather the top section at the crown, twist once and wrap around to form a knot, securing with hairpins. Now gather the bottom section of hair at the nape of the neck, securing in a loose ponytail, then twist upwards into a column running towards the crown. The fiddly bit is securing this column of hair: tucking it underneath itself against the scalp in the direction you've twisted. Once you have achieved a neat central vertical position, secure with pins, and finish with a good spritz of spray for some extra hold.

The braided bun

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
Image credit: Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

This cute ballerina look, with hair gathered high on the crown and wrapped with pretty plaiting, is super hot right now and really easy to achieve.

Begin by gathering your hair into a high, tightly secured ponytail. Next fan out the ponytail, taking a small section from each side, and braiding them into simple three-stranded plaits. Now, make the top knot bun by dividing the remaining hair into two equal sections and, starting at the base of the ponytail, begin to wrap these two sections around each other in the same direction. Once you've created the bulk of the bun, secure it at the base with pins. Finally, wrap the two outer braids around the outside of the bun and pin it to form an attractive band at the base.

The knot braid

Editorial credit: dasfx32 / Shutterstock.com
Image credit: Editorial credit: dasfx32 / Shutterstock.com

This elegant, modern take on the French twist screams effortless glamour.

Start by taking a central section of hair from the top of the head and parting it to make two even pieces. Tie the sections of hair together in a classic half knot by pulling them under, and over each other. Next take a separate part of hair from one side of the central knotted section, and repeat the process by knotting with the opposite strand from the first knot. Continue to take sections and knot them alternately until all the hair has been used. Finally, tuck back under at the nape and pin securely. Smooth any flyaway strands with a dousing of hairspray, and enjoy your new updo!

So there you have it, 6 top styles to suit any mid or long haired lady. Want to give them a try, but not quite confident enough to go it alone? Get in touch with our stylists who are on hand to give you top knot advice, or even show you how to become an updo master.

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