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HOW-TO: 3 Easy Updos With Fishtails, Fingerwaves, and Backcombing

We popped into the Pivot Point International Long Hair Design Workshop, where Educators Paul Suttles and Jason Russell taught the class techniques they can easily do with their long-haired clients. Here, Suttles walked us through these three extravagant updos and taught us how you can re-create them on your clients.

June 6, 2013
2 min to read


We popped into the Pivot Point International Long Hair Design Workshop, where Educators Paul Suttles and Jason Russell taught the class techniques they can easily try with their long-haired clients. Here, Suttles walked us through these three extravagant updos and taught us how you can re-create them on your clients.

UPDO #1: According to Suttles, this one requires an assistant. It's essentially a fishtail braid swept up on top of the head. With distressed hair being a hot trend right now, says Suttles, after creating your fishtail, start pulling out the pieces to create a "distressed" and wider look to the braid. To finish the style, use a finishing spray or pomade to create hold and definition. Suttles says you can choose to slick the sides if you want a contrasting look between the sleek and distressed parts of the style.

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UPDO #2: This look takes approximately 20 minutes in the salon to complete. Start with backcombing a ponytail for cushion. Fold the ponytail upward, set with a rubberband across it, then tuck the ends under. The fingerwaves on the side of the head are done with a Marcel curling iron. Simply, create two curls on the base of the head, let them cool, then brush them out until you achieve an "S-pattern." Finally, clip them to the head. TIP: If you are working with a blonde client, use blonde bobby pins for added camouflage.

UPDO #3: Section the hair into two sections leaving out the top as one section. Create a basic fishtail braid starting at the top of the head. With the second section (bottom section) create a ponytail. Take the ponytail and create a large roll. With the top section, fit the fishtail around the roll in your preferred position.

(From left) Updo #3, Updo #2, Updo #1

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