5 Festive Holiday Updos

Braided Bun and Updo Tips

How to Do a Fishtail Updo | Braid Hairstyles

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Braided Bun Who it's for: This style works for round, square, or oval faces, but adds too much height for long faces.

How-to: Create a tight ponytail with a clear or hair-colored elastic. Divide ponytail into three equal sections, braid, and secure with an elastic at the end. Pulling it above its base, wrap the braid around itself, securing the edges to the head with bobby pins. Flatten any flyaways with hair pomade and finish with hairspray.

Tips for Making Your Updo Last 1. Skip the shampoo. Don't wash your hair the day you want to style an updo. Freshly washed hair is too slippery to grip a style well.

2. Use funky hair accessories as an anchor for your updo. I like sparkly diamond-studded barrettes for evening, colorful clips that slide into hair for daytime casual, or an elegant tortoiseshell comb for any time.

3. Styling products are an updo's best friend. Use the right one for your hair type:

-- Curly heads should use styling cream, silicone, or oil, but avoid sprays or mousse, which are too stiffening.

-- Straight hair types should try pomade for extra shine. Mousse or volume sprays also help build texture and make hair more "grippable."

-- Thick tresses triumph with straightening balm, hair polish, and silicone.

A mist of hairspray, designed for your hair type, is a must-have finale for all updos.