Cupcakes and Cashmere

Braided Hair Updo Tutorial

February 6th, 2013

opening2

I usually wear my hair down the majority of the time, but it’s fun to experiment with non traditional styles occasionally. In this recent post, I featured one of my favorite looks: the simple braided updo. I love this one because it looks intricate, but it’s actually really easy and takes only a few minutes to complete. Here’s how to do it.

items&step1

Items you will need: a comb, clear hair bands (2) and bobby pins. If possible, use bobby pins that are close to your hair color, so they camouflage a bit.

Step 1: Part your hair down the center all the way to the back of your head, separating it into two equal sections.

step2&3

Step 2:  Take one of the separated sides and secure with a hair band so it doesn’t get in the way.

Step 3: Braid the side of your hair not secured in the hairband. Don’t worry about making it too tight – it should be slightly loose, so it’s easy to work with.

step4&5

Step 4: Tie the end of your braid with a clear hairband.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the other side, resulting in two Pippy Longstocking-esque braided pigtails.

step6&7

Step 6: Take one braid and bring it across to the other side, making sure it’s even and that it looks okay from the front.

Step 7: Secure braid with the bobby pins from the top and bottom. My rule of thumb: add one bobby pin each inch of the braid, tucked under so they’re not too visible. Repeat on the other side and pin the braid directly under the first, so they’re right on top of each other.

finalproduct

Take out a few loose hairs right along your hairline so the look isn’t too perfect. Stick a few bobby pins in your purse, so that if it becomes loose during the day, you can secure it easily.

Advertisement

  • http://www.frenchinlosangeles.com/ Constance
  • Jessica

    are you letting your hair go back to it’s natural color or just darker? I don’t know why it seems much darker in this post. You’re a lucky one who can look good in different hair colors, I think I’d look weird any other color

  • Alina

    You’re quite skilled, Emily! My hairstylist wasn’t able to do anything remotely close at the wedding trial. Did you have a stylist from the Bay Area do your hair for your wedding?

    xo
    Alina

  • http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.co.uk/ Stacey

    I am so bad at putting my hair up it’s normally always down but this looks like it could be quite easy!

    xoxo
    Stacey

    http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.co.uk/

  • http://www.busyworkingmama.com/ BusyWorkingMama

    Looks beautiful!

  • http://lejlatravels.blogspot.com/ Lejla

    I love this hair updo, I did it myself a couple of weeks ago, and the thing I love most about it is that it looks so coplicated to do, but is actually so so simple and takes only a few minutes…

    http://lejlatravels.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.denimanddaydreamsblog.com/ Amanda

    Love this! Such a cute updo.
    xx
    Amanda

    http://www.denimanddaydreamsblog.com

  • http://lalalovelearnandlaugh.blogspot.com Bev

    Simple and so GORG!

  • http://chelseaandthecity.blogspot.com/ Chelsea

    This looks so fab! I love all of the different colors in you hair.

    xoxo,
    Chelsea & The City

  • http://damnedbeauty.blogspot.ca/ JJ

    I love this up do and tried to do it this morning. It was quick and easy to do, but started to fall out half way through the day. You definitely need to carry bobby pins with you!!

    JJ xo

    http://damnedbeauty.blogspot.ca/

  • Andrea

    I’m sorry, but all of those bobby pins showing looks like shit.

    Don’t forget that often in sentences the word “that” is necessary. You forget the word “that” a lot of the time.

    • Ella

      Agreed on the bobby pins. I’m not feeling this style.

    • Lucy

      I agree on the bobby pins. First thing I noticed was how awful it looked with all those pins sticking out haphazardly. You should hide the messy pins by clipping on a hair accessory.

  • http://dontthinkjustfeel-yuka.blogspot.com/ Yuka

    Love your hair color and will try it! x

    http://dontthinkjustfeel-yuka.blogspot.jp/

  • http://checkout-fashion.blogspot.com/ check out fashion
  • http://strollingthecityinheels.wordpress.com/ Emma Finlayson

    Awesome and seems pretty easy!

  • http://www.twentyeightcandles.com Caitlin

    So cute!! Definitely going to try this!

  • http://Dressingroomdiaries.com Amber

    This is beautiful! I love it :D

    http://www.dressingroomdiaries.com

  • http://sixtiesdoll.blogspot.com Amanda Moore

    just tried myself! thanks for the new hair-do! the instructions were wonderful

  • http://thepixiewizard.com Jeanne

    Love this post! I tried to do milkmaid braids a few weeks ago: http://thepixiewizard.com/?p=1895

  • http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/ Mags

    Love this tutorial, can’t wait to give it a try!

    xoxo
    Mags
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/

  • http://haleyvalerie.blogspot.com Haley Valerie

    I can’t wait to try this!

    -Haley-
    haleyvalerie.blogspot.com

  • http://seaandswank.com/ Susie

    I love this look, and love that it’s easy to recreate – thanks for sharing!

    Sea and Swank

  • http://www.niamhkelly.wordpress.com Niamh Kelly

    This makes me want to have long hair again! Looks so pretty. Niamh x

    http://www.niamhkelly.wordpress.com

  • debbie

    simple but great hairstyle…would love to try it!

  • http://bgjournals.com/ mary @ B&G JOURNALS

    looks lovely and plan on giving it a try for sure…however, i always have a problem with all my bobby pins coming loose after an hour or so—any tips on how to use them so that they don’t stretch and fall out so quickly?

  • Stephanie

    I’m looking forward to trying this out. :) Thank you!

  • Lauren

    I think this looks really sloppy with the exposed yellow bobby pins.

  • jennifer

    I am absolutely trying this very soon! I love it!

    champagne & passports

  • http://huesnviews.blogspot.com/ Jasmine

    I had tried something similar last year for a baby shower:

    http://pinterest.com/pin/166070304981194836/

  • http://www.hourglassandbloom.com Nicole // Hourglass And Bloom

    Ohhhhh I love this! It especially looks good with your highlights – you can see the braids so much better that way.

    Trying this ASAP!

    xo
    Nicole

  • http://www.biologadesalto.com Janine França

    lovely idea!!! I want to do by myself

    xx

    http://www.biologadesalto.com

  • http://www.aspaceforlovely.wordpress.com Rachel

    Looks great! I love bohemian hairstyles like this one :) I really like how the different colours in your hair get accentuated by the braid, it has a really nice effect <3

    http://www.aspaceforlovely.wordpress.com

  • Deanna

    I don’t really get the love for this hairstyle. Exposed bobby pins, stripey hair colour , uneven frizzy hair at the nape – like, I get bohemian hairdos, but this seems like polished that missed the mark.

  • http://www.stephanieportfolio.wordpress.com Stephanie

    I totally tried this on my hair and it was a HIT! :D This is my new go-to hair-do for those days those lazy mornings when I don’t feel like styling! THANK YOU :)

  • http://pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com Michelle Lee
  • http://herphilly.com Emily {Her Philly}

    This looks amazingly easy! Thanks for sharing.

    -Emily
    http://www.herphilly.com

  • http://www.lipstickcoveredlace.wordpress.com janinekristal

    This is lovely!! I think I’ll wear it for Valentine’s Day!! :)

  • http://www.stylesnapshot.com Carly

    I’m so happy I just stumbled across this post!! I’ve been looking for a quick tutorial on how to do this hairstyle and this one is perfect. Thanks for sharing! xx

  • http://newbornfanatic.wordpress.com/ Newborn Fanatic

    seems so simple! can’t wait to try it out :D

    http://newbornfanatic.wordpress.com/

  • Dee

    Beautiful hairstyle
    yamkantravel.blogspot.com