There’s nothing quite as glamorous as an updo. It’s a regal look that brings elegance to any outfit. It completes a formal gown and transforms jeans and a t-shirt. 

During the holidays, your calendar is dotted with events and festivities, so turning to an updo to easily create an unstoppable look is a smart solution. Don’t worry, an updo doesn’t have to be difficult or complex. 

We’ve come up with some simple solutions, making this the how-to updo article you need to read.

1. The ballerina bun

You don’t have to be on toe shoes to have your hair look on point. The ballerina bun is a classic updo, and it’s easy to accomplish if you have long hair. 

A quick way to create a ballerina bun is to pull your hair into a ponytail and then twist it until it starts to twist upon itself and makes its own bun. Then secure the tail under the elastic of the ponytail or add another elastic to hold it in place.

If you’d like a more polished look, a ballerina bun donut and a few bobby pins give you more volume and help you create a sleek finish. 

One tip for people with fine hair is to use dry shampoo before styling your bun. This will give your hair a little more texture, which will help hold it in place. For everyone, remember to secure your look with a good hairspray. Hair La Vie's Dry Shampoo is formulated with powerful antioxidants that help detoxify hair and protect the scalp. It does all of this without any toxic ingredients, so it's a win-win. 

2. The curly updo

Yara Shahidi rocks a curly updo in a way that makes everyone envious of those lovely locks. Whether you have natural curls or yours are curling iron enhanced, you can achieve a similar look. 

A nifty trick for creating a really loose and full curly updo is to use a flexi-comb headband. They’re inexpensive and are made by common brands like Goody and Scunci. 

While they’re designed to be full headbands, you can cut them, so they create a smaller circle. Hang upside down and gather your hair to where you want it, slide the headband on until you get it in place, then secure it to itself. 

You can trim off the excess before you put it in place if that’s what you’d like to do. This gives you a wide and customized base for your curls to spill out. It’s perfect with natural afro-curls.

3. The embellished braid

J-Lo recently stepped out in a delightful updo that caused Vogue to recall the elegance of Grace Kelly. The great thing about an updo that’s embellished with a braid or several braids is they don’t have to be your hair. That’s right. If you have short hair, this can be your solution to elegance at night while keeping it short and sassy during the day. 

For the best results, select quality hair or pre-braided hair that comes close to your own color. Pull your real hair back in a high or low ponytail, then work your faux braid around, trying different ways of wrapping until you find one that fits your style. Lots of bobby pins will help you keep it secure all night long.

4. A ponytail

The ponytail has come a long way, and as long as you don’t have an elastic band showing, it can be glamorous. 

A modern approach to a sexy ponytail is a very undone and tousled look. Pull tendrils loose and give them some extra wave. Use a rat-tailed comb to loosen the ponytail, and create an illusion of fullness.

We love how Hailey Bieber wore her sexy high ponytail accessorized with a scrunchie at a red carpet event at the Met. This look is also a great way to work short hair up into a ponytail, and then add loads of fake hair to create an illusion of long, lush locks.

5. Embellishments everywhere

Are there ever too many embellishments? This year the answer is a resounding no. Clips, bows, barrettes, chains, jewels, pearls–just about anything goes for hair drama this year, and the more you wear, the cooler you’ll look. 

What’s really fantastic about the latest embellishment trends is that thin hair, thick hair, shaved heads, waist-long hair, and any other type of hair there is, can make the right accessory look like a masterpiece. Get creative and show the world your hair-attitude.

Final thoughts

An updo is always a classic hair statement, especially during the busy holiday season. This year everyone can manage to make the most of their hair by creating the perfect updo.

Use the tips above to style and set your hair with glamour and grace. Don’t forget that an updo should be fun as well as gorgeous. A little Hair la Vie Dry Shampoo goes a long way to help set your hair. Play with embellishments and pieces of faux hair to really take it up a notch. The higher the hair–the closer to glam!