by Jennifer Searle

Created on: December 06, 2008

An up-do, aside from a basic ponytail or bun, for most women is an exercise in frustration and aggravation. The desire to make our hair look that those of the rich and famous trotting down the red carpet, or some fancy style we saw in a magazine can lead us to hours spent in front of a mirror and cramps from our shoulders to our finger tips.

The first rule of creating an up-do is never experiment when you have someplace to be. Nothing is more exasperating than trying to create a flawless up-do with the clock ticking, and the style not working.

You have set aside several uninterrupted hours to play with your hair, you have washed, conditioned, moosed, and blown it dry, now you are ready for the main event.

You will need to gather some supplies to aid you on this maiden voyage, a few hair clips to hold hair out of the way, bobby pins, small silicon clear elastic bands, a fine tooth comb ( a rat-tail kind preferably), a brush, hair spray, a three quarter inch curling iron, and a bottle of wine (optional of course.)

~~The Pin Curls~~
Difficulty Level: 1-Beginner

This look is relatively simple to create and can be embellished by hair accessories to make it look fun, flirty or even fancy.

Starting with the top of your head with your thumbs at your temples and part the top section back to the top of your crown. Comb this section with the fine tooth comb and make a small ponytail in your hand at your crown. Twist the section of hair into a small bun and push forward slightly, creating a puff at the top of your head (how high is up to you.) Pin this bun in place with bobby pins.

Take a section from the top of the ear to the middle of the back of your head. Do each side separately, comb each half and pull up slightly while twisting the section at the center of the back of your head. The sides can be slightly loose or tight, depending on how you like it. Twist each side into a small bun and pin beneath the top section bun, but slightly to either side. You should now have a small triangle of buns at the center of your head.

Take the entire bottom section in one piece and comb up, and then twist into a bun. This section will be pinned below the side sections, creating a diamond shape of buns at the back of your head.

From here you can pull a few strands loose to give you that slightly messy look, or curl the strands to give it a more polished look. You can add beads, flowers, decorated pins or combs around the buns to create different moods in your style.

~The Curly Tail~
Difficulty

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