Totally OT and frivolous...Have you ever done your own updo?

[jerseygirl07067]

I have six weddings to go to in a 2 1/2 month period, in two of them and two are out of state. This is going to completely bankrupt me when all is said and done!! Ugh. And I thought all of my friends were married...

Anyway, I'm in two of the wedding parties (yes, a member of the "B" list nonetheless...ya know, the oh, would you like to be in the wedding party since so and so can't do it? And BTW, you have to shell out $200 and up for the dress, shoes, hair etc.) Now that I got that off my chest I'm honored to be in both wedding parties, but wanted to save money and do my own updo. No way in heck I am spending any more than I have to!

I've gotten them done in the past, and they looked fab, but the going rate is now $40 and up, no thanks..

Anyone done their own?

Marcy

[bostonsmama]

I'm really bad at being able to do my own hair, but there's still a few updos in my aresenal that are simple and/or easy when it counts (and I can't afford the massive layout multiples times a month for a professional to do it).

First, rubber band and topsy tail maker. Option one, make a pony tail in the middle of the back of your head. Insert topsy tail up through the bottom (in front of pony) and pull it up through and pull remaining hair out or curl sections and spray.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31921.jpg

Option 2: pull hair into pony on the very top of your head (very high...almost to crown) and just curl sections with a curling iron into ringlets and secure in place with bobby pins and open hair pins.

Option 3: Do a topsytail bun. Pull hair into high pony (on top back of head). Separate hair into four sections. Insert point of Topsytail behind the elastic (closest to head) and thread a section into the loop and pull so that it forms a large curl of hair (so, not all the way through). Repeat with 3 other sections so hair bun forms a flower with each section being a petal. ETA: here's a pic

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31919.jpg

Option 4: Do a sleek chignon. Make a pony at nape of neck, but don't pull hair all the way through (makes a loop). Pull out a strand and wrap it around the elastic to cover the elastic (secure with a boby pin.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31920.jpg

A side or zig-zag part can make any of these sleeker, sexier, or more funky.

You know, it might be worth it for one of them to get it done professionally. I feel so much better when my hair is done up (since I'm so bad at it myself). Another option is to get a trim and professional blow-out from your hair stylist, which for me is still $25 including tip. you could also do a french twist, but I've never had good luck with those staying (since I have a layered cut).

Also, an upside down french braid (don't ask me, I can't do french braids), also look nice when you curl the ends as you go up. I also love to do the standard topsy tail look...but I'm not trendy with my hair except for my cut.

Here's another great option if you have wavy hair...it's a toosled chignon worn by Eva Longoria
http://www.beautyriot.com/article.php?id=3268&c_id=67

Larissa
***Cheers! Here's to better luck in 2006!***

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."
-James Baldwin

[psophia17]

What's your hair like? I have long, pin-straight hair that doesn't hold a curl to save my life, but I've managed to do some loose and funky updos in the past.

What I usually do is put in a ponytail (high, low, whatever makes me happy that day) and then take random pieces, twist them up, and then pin them with the ends tucked in. Sometimes I use small pieces, sometimes bigger pieces - just so long as I pin the heck out of it, and then hairspray it within an ince of its life, it usually works out just fine.

Stick in a few sparkly bobby pins or barettes, and I'm good to go.

HTH :)

[ribbit1019]

I've tried and other been successful a couple of time. I have a lot of hair though and even professional updo's only typically stay up any hour or two for me.
For my wedding the stylist had me flip my hair over and started a french braid at the base, she braided it about halfway up and then rubber banded it. She secured the rubber band with bobby pins and then split my hair into small sections and put smalls curlers in, after those were set she secured each one with a bobby pin. I am pretty sure that I had at least 100 bobby pins in my hair. This is the only updo that I have successfully recreated and the end result looked decent. Not as good as hers of course, but it stays up. Oh, and you couldn't see the braid at all because she used the curls to hide it. Not a smooth slick look at all, but it worked.

Good luck...:)

Christy
Maddy born 6/09/04
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040609/3/4/0/-5/.png

Little Man due 3/02/06
http://bd.lilypie.com/cKLom4/.png
Co-Owner Ribbit Baby

"I did then what I knew how to do. When you know better, you do better." ~ Maya Angelou

[mommy_someday]

It really depends on you hair type, but I'm sure you can find something to work no matter what you have. When my hair was longish, I put it all in hot rollers and pulled it into a high ponytail. Then I picked some strands and curled with a curling iron, so that not all the curls were the same. Then I bobby pinned them all over the crown of my head, leaving some pieces dangling. It turned out really pretty.

If your hair is shorter or layered, like a PP's, you can use one of those plastic zigzag bands. Sorry I don't know what they are called, but here's a link to a picture of it: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100740&navAction=jump&navCount=10&skuid=sku363968&id=prod363967

Anyway, just follow the orignal directions, except use this comb thingy instead of a traditional ponytail. I just bent over so my hair was hanging down and wrapped it around my crown twice so that the closure was at the nape of my neck. Then, because it's stretchy, you can push the comb toward the center of the ponytail and make it tighter if you want. I had to try it a few times before I got it right because it's a little tricky. It's a great solution, though, if your hair won't stay in a regular ponytail.

Good luck and HTH! :)