Raise your hand if you get bored with your everyday ponytail? I'll just bet you're looking for new ways to put your hair up. I spotted this 'do on a friend recently, and it looked so elegant. When she showed me how it's done, I couldn't believe it was so fast! All you need is an elastic headband - it's perfect for gals who don't have really long hair.
It’s also perfect for gals who want to avoid using heat on their hair. While there’s no denying that heat styling is quick and convenient, it’s just not good to expose your hair to damage-causing heat all the time. Heat makes curly hair straight (or makes straight hair curly!) by using heat to affect the hydrogen bonds in hair.
However, it’s not just the hydrogen bonds that are affected—very high heat causes moisture loss and damages keratin, the protein that hair is made of. While heat styling once in a while isn’t a crime, it is possible to overdo it and cause some real damage to hair.
This kind of damage manifests as split ends and dull and rough feeling hair—the solution?
Skip the heat styling!
Seriously, put down the curling iron and give your hair some serious TLC. While, yes, there are some amazing DIY hair masks you can do to restore moisture in hair, hair is never going to be 100% the same as it was before heat styling.
Try skipping any heat styling for a month and your hair will thank you. This headband style is great because it’s really a two-in-one; first, you have a beautiful elegant updo that looks way more complicated than it really is (win!).
Then, when you want to let your hair out, say hello to some gorgeous heatless waves that really look like you just walked out of the salon. So, here’s how to do this super-simple, super-gorgeous hairstyle:
How to do an updo in 2 minutes!
Put the hair elastic on like a crown. Roll the length of your hair and twist it up. Then just keep tucking your hair into the headband until secure. Tuck the sides in and you're done! And you know how elastic headbands never stay in long, they just keep sliding down your head? This stays amazingly well.
Why? Because your hair is all beautifully tucked in, it kind of just holds onto itself—no little flyaways sticking out here.
I do have a couple of tips for both the most gorgeous updo and the best possible waves after. They might take it from a 2 minute job to a 4 minute job, but now that you’re not heat-styling you’ve got the time.
First, spritz your hair with the tiniest bit of water before rolling and twisting it into the headband—this makes it easier for hair to take on a wave.
Second, a little touch of hair spray after styling hair never goes to waste. It helps to keep hair from escaping the headband, plus it also helps hair get that super flawless, natural wave.
What do you think? Pretty, right? Let me know if you give it a try!
Sara @ College Compass says
Thank you so much for the twist-before-tucking trick! I have shorter hair and I love this style but have never been able to get it right because I try to roll my hair into the headband. Twisting beforehand helps keep it all in one place and get that beautiful look! I love that this is both elegant and easy — I linked to it in my recent graduation hairstyles round-up. Thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial!
Bren says
They do sell headbands with a roll in the back that helps the hair "grab" and stay in place. I have medium length, thick hair and I can't make this style stay with just a headband.
MzKoala says
Sadly, I can't even do step ONE...My head is pretty flat in the back ????
I did try it pulling the headband across my forehead...THAT worked & would be super cute with a flower/ decorative accessory...just not my thing
Leanne says
This is so pretty and amazingly, I managed to do it! :) I'm lucky if I can even do a ponytail well! Easy is good for me!
I have super thick hair and it's maybe a little too long for this because it doesn't feel like it's gonna stay for long but it looks so pretty! Maybe I could just pin it and hairspray it like mad haha!
Krystal says
This looks so simple, can't wait to try it out!
Mrs K says
Really pretty! Thank you so much for this tutorial :)
Cathy says
I love the easiness of this updo and it looks pretty... I have fine wavy hair that just touches my shoulders and found it very easy and quick to do. Thank you!
Jessica says
I did it! It is sooo easy and I have had a few compliments on it already. I'm 2.5 hours into wearing it and it hasn't budged. I put it up while my hair was still damp and I used some hairspray. This will definitely be my summer go-to hairstyle.
And fall.
And winter.
And next spring...
THANK YOU!
Melinda says
I love this hairstyle, but am having trouble making it work. I am able to get my hair twisted and tucked into the headband, but I can not stop the head band from steadily slipping up the crown of my head...and eventually popping off. How do you make it stay on? I have an elastic headband that has some type of plastic running along the inside that is supposed to "grip" your hair and head, but it is not working. Any advice? ideas? Bobbypins haven't worked either.
Meg says
Same for me, anyone got any tips? I'm going to try pinning the hairband to my head with hairpins later on, and see if that will do it.
MzKoala says
I had the same problem...I tried pulling it down across my forehead (70's sweatband style) ... It worked much better & would be super cute with a little accessorized headband...just not my thing
fauxnom says
I use a strap of stretchy fabric instead of a hairband. I bring all around my head and tie it up into a knot and won't pop out as easily. I don't know how effective this is in the long run since my hair is a bit long and very unruly and I can't nail this updo
Elizabeth says
I have very thick hair that is 2-3" below my shoulders. This hairstyle worked great in me. I wore it to church on Sunday and got tons of compliments. I pulled a few pieces out and curled them, very easy to do. I did it while my hair was damp and it left it just the right texture. Also, it left my hair with really cool beachy waves that would look nice for the next day.
Vee says
My hair is too long and thick :(
Anna-Rosa says
What a great idea! Simple and yet beautiful! thanks :)
Via says
I'm going to try it even though my hair is still a little short (only just past my shoulders) and dead straight. I bet it'll look weird on me though. It seems like all the cutest hairstyles these days are for curly/wavy hair which my hair just WON'T do. Well I'm going to try it anyway!
Angie says
Sadly, this does not work with thick hair :(
Pink Ronnie says
This is beautiful!!!! I have to try this sometime...
I love how your blog is filled with so many easy-to-follow tips & tutorials. Keep up the great work, Steph!
Ronnie xo
sherri lynn says
oh my goodness I love this! It looks so cute and a simple updo is right up my alley :)
Ali says
Hair styles like this make me wish I had long hair. It's so pretty!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
That's so funny. As I was reading it I was thinking, yeah but those things never stay on my head. Seeing as it's not a problem I will have to try this! I'm so boring with my hair any easy hair styles are very welcome.
Esther says
Ooow!! Just lovely!! I always wanted to know how to do this !! Gracias :)
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
This is so pretty! I think I might have enough hair to semi-pull it off--I think could get it to tuck at least twice and then pin any of the stray hairs. :)
Kat says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! I am going to a Regency themed party and although I am borrowing a beautiful, historically accurate with my bob hair cut it looked a bit silly. I have been desperately searching for an up do that gives a bit of volume and I can pull off with short locks. This works great, twisting the hair up in sections with the help of a few bobby pins and hairspray and I have attached some feathers to my band to give it an extra flair for the party. You're a lifesaver!
Kat says
*dress! A historically accurate dress I meant to say. :)
Mrs Bertin says
I'm trying to grow out my hair, too (used to have a pixie cut) and it's driving me crazy! Can't find any cute hairstyles for my lengths. But will definitely try this one. It looks super adorable!
truebluemeandyou says
I love this idea for hair that is long but not really long. I posted finished photos of the updo on my blog with a link back to you for the turorial.
truebluemeandyou says
*tutorial. I love it when I think I've proofed something then click on "post comment" and then see my mistake!
gerbermom says
Haha, I do that all the time! I hate finding an error in a post - esp if it's been up for days. And thank you so much for posting! :)
Seriously Sassy Mama says
Very pretty. Unfortunately, I have a wonky head and am unable to keep the elastic headbands on my head. I am going to try this on my girls!
gerbermom says
You should try it! I'm told that this keeps the headband from sliding off - don't you hate it went it does that?!
Rachel says
Perfect! I'm growing my hair out, and right now it's at that awkward length where I can't stand it down. Plus, it's so hot here, I have a mind to just chop it all off, which wouldn't really work with the whole growing-it-out thing, haha. So updos are a must for me.
gerbermom says
oh man, that awkward growing-it-out stage is the worst! Good luck - I never could manage to make it past that point!
Silvergirl says
Sadly no more updo's for me
Brett
gerbermom says
Your new 'do is so great - I love it shorter :)