UPDO STYLING TIPS
Before you go to a stylist:
- Think about what you want. Bring a picture of what you want if you have one. Stylists tend to be very visual and this would make it easier to create the look for you.
- Keep in mind that sometimes the models in magazines have many tools, or extensions to help them achieve the look. Always have a couple of ideas in case your hair type or amount of hair prevents the stylist from duplicating the exact look.
- Don’t wash your hair before going to get an updo. “Dirty” hair equates to a much better updo. Either skip washing or just rinse without using shampoo. Plus, it will hold a curl much better.
- Always wear a button-down shirt or one with a loose-fitting neck.
- Always check with your stylist to see if she/he is any good at updos. Doing a good job at cutting and styling your hair does not mean she/he is comfortable with it. Talk to them and they can recommend someone else in the salon who is a more favorable stylist for this job.
While you are there:
- Be sure your hair is not up too tight, and pins don’t hurt you.
- If you don’t like something, tell your stylists. They want nothing more than to see you happy.
- Be patient while the work is in progress as it can look scary until it’s done. Until you’ve seen the finished product, don’t judge what you see. Then, if you are unhappy with something, don’t hesitate to speak up.
- A good updo can be tedious and time consuming, so allow yourself plenty of time so not to rush or have your stylist rush through it.
- Wonder what to tip your stylist? Use your own discretion, of course, but generally a good tip for an updo is $10 or more.
Don’t think short hair excludes you from updos. As long as your hair is long enough to pull to the back of your head or can be pinned back, then it’s possible. That’s where a stylist does her magic.
Choosing an Updo for your Facial Shape
The Secret to choosing the perfect updo is matching your hair style to your face shape. Choosing an updo can be easy once you figure out what looks good on you. Check out some tips below to diminish your facial flaws.
Oval Shaped Face
The ideal face shape, oval faces can pull off a variety of styles.
Almost anything is possible for oval faces. Your hair would look great pulled back and bangs would accent your eyes.
Avoid:
- Too much hair in your face
Round Shaped Face
Tend to be round at the cheeks and have a circular form. The face is widest around the ears and gradually curves upward and downward. The goal with a round shaped face is to slim it down.
Adding focus to the crown is best. You want to draw focus away from the roundness of your face such as curls at the top or bangs to the side. You could also throw the eye away from the roundness by using off center parts.
Avoid:
- Slick back styles.
- Do not add hair or width on sides of face. This will make the face appear wider than normal.
- Straight, flat bangs will shorten your face. Try tussled or side bangs.
Heart Shaped Face
The forehead is the widest part of the face, then it narrows gradually to the chin, which is slightly pointed. Your goal should be to diminish the width at the forehead and create more width to your small jawline.
When choosing an updo, keep the following in mind. You want to balance the look and shape of the face, so you want to widen the appearance of the jaw line while lessening the width of the forehead. For shorter or shoulder length hair, opt to wear your hair half up and half down with fullness focused on the down part. Have bangs on your face. Avoid pointing out your small chin by side parting. This will also bring more balance to your forehead width.
Avoid:
- Pulling hair back into a slick style
- Height at the crown. This will only draw more attention to your small jaw line.
Oblong/Rectangle
Long and thin, often a chin that’s pointed. There is very little difference in width of all parts of the face, but it is more rounded than the square face. Your goal should be to add fullness to the sides of the face and around the eyes, cheekbones and ears.
Updos work well since you want to make your face appear shorter. You can try a slicked back look. If a part is involved in the updo, you should part to the side. Something to hold the bangs back away from the face would look nice and would take away from the “square look” of your face. Try fuller hair styles or half up/half down styles. Bangs would look nice as they shorten up the face.
Avoid:
- Hair styles that elongate your face
- Wisps since they will make face appear longer
- Center parts will also make face appear longer by bringing attention to the middle of your face
Square Shaped Face
Angular jaw with a square brow, with jaw and brow being close to the same width. Your goal should be to minimize the squared off brow and soften the angle of the jaw line.
For updos, add wisps around the face and bang areas. Curly type of updos would look best.
Avoid:
- Straight, flat bangs
- Center parts would bring attention to the middle of your face
Reverse Triangle/Pear Face Shape
This has a long, narrow chin and a wide forehead. The goal is to narrow the chin and widen the forehead.
Choose a hairstyle that will give you more height on the crown area, so you can achieve the smaller jaw and wider forehead. Angle wisps toward your face to soften the jaw line.