by Nixie Lynn

Created on: December 08, 2008

Creating your own up do is far easier than people seem to think. All you need is some basic essentials and you can look fabulous to any event that you need to go to for only a fraction of the cost. I will give an example for an up do but your options really are endless. Before getting into the styling, here are some things to think about:

The Shape of Your Face

If you have a larger, round face you really want to avoid slicking your hair down to your head, this will draw to the roundness of your face. If your face is small, a hairdo a little closer to the head may be a good option for you. Consider if you have bangs and try to accommodate that into the style that you are trying to create.

Fancy or Casual?

Up do doesn't always have to mean a big elegant event. Sometimes just going to work or having a day where you want to feel good is a good enough reason to spend some time on your hair. Think about what the style is for and how elaborate you want your hair to be.

How Long is Your Hair?

I love that we live I a day and age where if we choose to lengthen our hair for just one day, we can Extensions are a wonderful thing! If you have short hair and don't think you are able to do your own hair long and fancy think again. Find hair extensions to match your colour that can be styled. Most that are sold in accessory store are made out of the same thing as doll's hair and melt when exposed to heat. Do not worry, if this is what fits in your budget go for it! I will give an alternative in the style for using the extensions.

Materials

Here are some things that make just about any up do happen:

Small hair elastics: Try to find ones that will be invisible almost in your hair so it doesn't take away from the look.

Bobby Pins and hairpins (Bobby pins have one straight side and the two legs touch, hair pins have two jagged sides with the legs far apart, both available at any drug store)

Hair Spray

Up-do #1

A Curly Look

For curls, you will obviously need a curling iron. If you do not have one, you can also put your hair in rags or curlers the night before and then style it in the morning. If you have extensions that cannot be exposed to heat, find pencils or something else small and round. Run over each extension with a damp towel and then roll it around the pencil. One it is wrapped, clip it to itself and hairspray it. Leave them to sit over night and they will be ready for you the next morning.

Begin by pulling the top half of your hair into a ponytail. Place the ponytail so that it is in the middle of the back of your head. Using your curling iron, curl the pony tail in several small pieces. Fountain your hair out and use pins to place the curls where you think they look nice

Curl the rest of the hair that is still hanging down and add it to the ponytail one curl at a time (with hair pins, it will stay better)

Spray it all with hairspray and that's it!

For flawless curls, brush each piece you are about to curl and spray it with hairspray just before you curl it. This will help hold the shape and give you television perfect curls.

Extensions

Put your hair up into a ponytail. If your hair is too short to do so then use bobby pins to hold it back. Gel may come in handy to avoid getting any fly away hairs throughout the night. The goal is to hide the clip where the extensions start. Place the pre styled extensions in one by one, and using booby pins and hairpins to place them where you want them. Spray when finished and you are done!

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