Six Updos Real Clients Will Love

MODERN Facebook fan Jennifer Unger is a super-talented stylist with a knack for creating updos that can easily be translated from a casual, everyday look, to a special occasion style fit for a bride or prom queen. Here, Unger, who is a freelance stylist at Tonic Salon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, shares six updos she created on real women, along with the steps on how she did it.

Photography: Amy Boeve Photography

click image to zoom SOFT AND CLASSY TWIST

Step 1: This client had shoulder-length hair with varying lengths of layers. Begin by using Masterpiece by TIGI for shine, and set the hair using a 3/4-inch curling iron.

Step 2: Lightly add backcombing in the crown to add a little volume. Smooth out backcombing for the desired height in the crown of the head.

Step 3: Start twisting on the right side with the section in front of the ear. Separate the section into two. Cross the left section over the right one. Continue twisting by adding hair from the crown of the head. Secure your twist with a bobby pin after you take your last section just behind the ear.

Step 4: Start twisting the left side with the section in front of the ear. Separate the section into two. Cross the right section over the left one. Continue twisting by adding hair from the crown . Secure your twist with a bobby pin after you take your last section just behind the ear.

Step 5: Take the curls in half inch sections, bending the stands toward the head and pin it them, creating a small loops. Leave out the ends of the curls. Work from side to side the nape in horizontal subsections. Make sure to check your work as you move around the nape of the neck, to ensure a balanced, clean finish. Secure the ends of the curls were needed, but leaving some out to create a romantic edge to the look. Finish with Materpiece Hairspray.

TWISTS WITH BARREL CURLS Step 1: This client had hair about 3 inches past her shoulders. Begin by using Masterpiece by TIGI for shine, and medium hold. Set the hair using a medium-sized curling iron. Step 2: Start at the crown of the head to begin the twists. Take the first 1-inch section of hair, twist and secure with a bobby pin. Then work from side to side twisting the 1 inch sections. You can take smaller sections if you desire more twists. Step 3: Now to create the barrel curls. Take a 1-inch section right behind the first twist, bend the curl in toward the head, and pin it into the crown, creating a barrel curl. You can vary the size of the barrel curl by alternating the size of the section you take. Step 4: Work from side to side around the head, in horizontal subsections, to create the updo. Take the ends of the lengths and loop them into previously created barrel curls. Make sure to check your work as you move around the head, to ensure a balanced, clean finish. Finish with Masterpiece from TIGI.

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TEXTURED UPDO

Step 1: This client has fine hair just above her shoulders. Begin by using Masterpiece from TIGI for shine, and medium hold. Set the hair using a 3/4-inch curling iron.

Step 2: Backcomb the crown of the head to add volume.

Step 3: Beginning in the middle of crown, backcomb small to medium sections of hair at the base to create volume and a foundation. Take the first section just behind ear, bend the strand in toward the head and pin it into the backcombing, creating a loop. Leave the ends out of the loop.

Step 4: Work from side to side, in horizontal subsections, to create the updo. Leave the ends out of the loops. Make sure to check your work as you work from side to side, to ensure a balanced, clean finish. Swoop the front sections to the sides to pin, neatly twist into the back sections, pinning and hiding the ends of the hair into the previous loops. Adjust ends according to create a soft look. Finish with Masterpiece from TIGI.

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HALF UP, HALF DOWN WITH A SOFT BUN Step 1: This client has hair with longer layers. Begin by using Masterpiece Hairspray to keep flyaways at bay and for shine. Curl the hair vertically using a medium-sized curling iron. Step 2: Tease the crown of the head starting right behind the ear to create the "poof". Softly smooth out your backcombing and secure the "poof" by criss-crossing your bobby pins. Step 3: Beginning with the middle section, take a bobby pin and place it on the strand of the curl. Bend the strand in toward the head and pin it, creating a loop. Then take the ends and create loops with them as well. Make sure that you cover your bobby pin's from Step 2. You can vary the size of the loop by alternating the placement of the bobby pin. Step 4: Take the side section were the part is, wrap it around the left side of the crown (if your part is on the right, otherwise, change directions). Then take the ends and create loops with them as well. Just like you did in Step 3. Step 5: Take the next side section, wrap it to the right side (opposite side if you parted the hair on the right) Then take the ends and create loops with them as well. Just like the previous steps. Step 6: Take a small section just behind the ear and wrap it to the opposite side of the head. The take the ends and create loops with them as well. Step 7: Follow Step 6 with your last section. Step 8: Finish look with Masterpiece Hairspray from TIGI for shine and a medium. Use Hardhead Hairspray from TIGI for a stronger hold.

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SIDE-SWEPT BRAID Step 1. Begin with day-old hair or clean, dry hair prepped with product for texture. Product reduces flyaways and helps achieve a smoother style. Unger recommends mouse to achieve light volume. Step 2. Spray hair with a medium hold hairspray, such as Masterpiece by TIGI. Step 3. Curl hair with a 3/4-inch curling iron (use a bigger curling iron if you desire looser waves). Step 4. Gather hair at temple and start a three-strand braid. Step 5. Continue the braid around the head by adding the top sections to the braid. Step 6. Continue braid down when you gather hair from your last section. Step 7. Secure with a clear rubber band. Step 8. Gather hair from behind your ponytail and wrap around your rubber band. Secure hair with a bobby pin. Step 9. Spray with medium to hard hold hairspray to secure look.

SIDE-TO-SIDE BEAUTY

Step 1: This client has hair about 3 inches past her shoulders. Begin by using Masterpiece by TIGI for shine, and medium hold. Set the hair using a medium-sized curling iron.

Step 2: Beginning in top of the crown, and working back, backcomb medium sections of hair at the base to create volume and a foundation.

Step 3: Work from the left side to the right of the head, in horizontal subsections, to create the updo. Subsections should be 1-inch wide. Bend the subsections in toward the head and pin them, creating a loops. Take the ends of the lengths and loop them into previously created loops. Make sure to check your work as you move to the right side of the head, to ensure a balanced, clean finish. Swoop the front sections to the sides to pin, neatly twist into the back sections, pinning and leaving the ends of the hair out of the loops. Finish with Masterpiece from TIGI.

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