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.

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  • http://www.bakingincouture.com Inna

    I usually wear my hair up so this is a great and fun way to change it up. Thanks!

    Xo Inna
    http://www.bakingincouture.com

  • http://www.glamdevils.com Mira

    That looks so beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I´ll have to try that too :)

    GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG

    xo

    glamDevils

  • http://www.TheSkinnyConfidential.com Lauryn

    Cute, cute, & cute!

    You have the most amazing ideas!

    xx. :)

    http://www.TheSkinnyConfidential.com

  • http://arumlilea.blogspot.com Leanne

    Gorgeous. Love this relaxed up-do!

    Love from South Africa

    http://arumlilea.blogspot.com

  • Tammy

    I think your hair would look so elegant a light brown, your natural color. You should try it out.

    • Kasey

      I was just about to say the same! I think you would look fab as a brunette, Emily :)

  • Santa

    Looks lovely :)

  • http://happyme.skynetblogs.be/ Arli

    Great tutorial and the result looks really nice! I will try it on my daugther!
    Thanks

    http://happyme.skynetblogs.be/

  • http://petiteandhungry.blogspot.com Petite and Hungry
  • http://www.princessetropezienne.blogspot.com Stefania

    Like it a lot and you look so great.

    Stefania
    http://princessetropezienne.blogspot.fr/

  • http://www.and-kate.blogspot.com and kate

    I noticed this hair style in your post the other day and really wanted to know how to do it!
    It looks amazing, I love your hair tutorials and how-to’s.
    kate xo
    http://www.and-kate.blogspot.com/

  • http://dimitrisalon.blogspot.com dimitri

    It’s a very nice tutorial. That looks so pretty. Love the result.

  • http://franchemeetsfashion.blogspot.cz/ Caroline

    this looks perfect but still think i definitelly won’t be able to do it so well haha ♥

    http://franchemeetsfashion.blogspot.cz/

  • http://vittoriafiveinthemorning.blogspot.com/ Vittoria

    That is so cute!!

    Vittoria from 5 IN THE MORNING
    http://vittoriafiveinthemorning.blogspot.it/

  • http://www.fashioncontainer.com Malena
  • http://www.styleclouds.de Styleclouds

    What a lovely hairdo! xo, Christina

    Styleclouds

  • http://www.mymoodmyday.com Honorata

    Perfect solution for bad hair day:))) for good as well!!!

    http://www.mymoodmyday.com

  • http://mamasaidbecool.blogspot.com/ be cool

    it looks really great! I like your hair color!

    http://mamasaidbecool.blogspot.com

  • http://style-squared.blogspot.com Style-Squared by Z&M

    gorgeous!person just needs to have a lot of hair for this to look good!

    http://style-squared.blogspot.ca/

  • http://www.zestfest.blogspot.com.br Patricia

    I’m definitely going to give this a try, even though I could never make it look this pretty by myself!
    Cheers!!

  • http://www.lifestyleflash.com Becky | lifestyleflash.com

    This is such a pretty look, I think I’ll attempt it this weekend :)

    Becky | lifestyleflash.com

  • http://www.soulofashopper.com soulofashopper

    ohhh beautiful hairdo!!!! I have short hair though :( xo, Alma
    http://www.soulofashopper.com

  • http://glamourgirl-bg.blospot.com Iliyana

    your hair looks amazing!

    http://glamourgirl-bg.blogspot.com/

  • http://clothesabcs.blogspot.com DaNa

    Thanks for sharing this! Is a great idea!♥♥

  • http://www.angelqueen.dk Janie (AngelQueen)

    Beautifull updo. I think one of the reasons why your hairstyles look so amazing is the beautiful reflections you have in your hair. It is very beautiful. I will anyway try to make you feat.

    Thank you for sharing!

    ILYG
    http://www.angelqueen.dk

  • http://blackswanwhiteswan10.blogspot.com.es/ blackswanwhiteswan

    I´ll have to try this later, so pretty and demure looking. Love the coral nails too!

    http://blackswanwhiteswan10.blogspot.com.es/

  • http://adornlafemme.blogspot.com Lauren at adorn la femme

    I think this is such a romantic look for you! Little Women is one of my all time favorite books and you look like one of them in this do!!!

    =’.'=)
    -Lauren at adorn la femme

  • http://www.thefashioneldiary.com/ Puje LK

    Love this look!

    Check out my AMAZING FASHION BLOG!
    http://www.thefashioneldiary.com/

  • http://www.thestilettoholic.com Laura
  • http://www.sincerelyanna.com Anna

    I love this looks because it`s so easy! I also wrap braids around buns or use different styles of braids such as fishtail to change up the look a little. So pretty, thanks for sharing!

  • SF

    Emily, could you elaborate on the difference between this tutorial and this one: http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/how-to-braided-updo/ from 2010?

    Thanks!

  • http://lilylovelock.blogspot.com Domonique

    Perfect for my trip to Barcelona- thanks for sharing lovely :)

    http://lilylovelock.blogspot.co.uk/

    x

  • http://turn-it-insideout.blogspot.be/ Nena

    Nice! And looks not difficult at all :D

    http://turn-it-insideout.blogspot.be/

  • http://www.darkbluestripes.com/ Dark Blue Stripes

    Great tutorial. The braids look great.

    Christie x

    Dark Blue Stripes

  • http://bonnieclydemarni.blogspot.gr/ Bonnie, Clyde and Marni
  • http://www.truffles-ruffles.com/ Erin

    Love this look! It does look complex, but the tutorial made it seem easy!

    xx

    Erin @ http://www.truffles-ruffles.com/

  • http://marmaramaiden.com Filiz

    That looks so easy and beautiful! I love the “maiden braids” look too, but my hair isn’t long enough to pull it off. I think this is a similar but much better option.

    I did a cute little braided bun the other day. Please stop by my blog and tell me what you think!

    http://www.marmaramaiden.com

  • http://lauralexo.blogspot.com Laura

    Really great!!! Have to try this

    XX
    http://Lauralexo.blogspot.com

  • http://pilisstyle.blogspot.com/ Pilis’s Style
  • http://www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com EVa

    Love this hairdo but my hair just don’t want to stay in place and I’m so clumsy with my own hair too :( xx

    ENTER MY GIVEAWAY
    http://www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com

  • http://www.lilieslattesandlace.com Kendall

    This does seem like a nice and simple way to change things up!
    xo K
    http://www.lilieslattesandlace.com

  • http://www.smilingstyle.com SmilingStyle

    Love braided hair! My favorite is the fishtail.

    Why not check out this lovely California Girl and her super fishtail!!! :)

    http://www.smilingstyle.com/fishtail-braid-for-a/

  • http://notjustanothernailblog.blogspot.com Kim

    Unfortanetly my hair is too fine to do this kind of hair do’s :(

  • http://www.mariamommymoments.blogspot.com Maria

    Love this look and I cannot wait to try it! Thank you once again Emily!

  • http://vickiarcher.com Vicki Archer

    Lovely idea, its pretty and keeps your hair off your face…very cute… xv

  • http://www.delolovesdesign.com Dee

    Great hair tutorial. You made it look so easy. I hope I have the same skill when I try it!lol

    http://www.delolovesdesign.com
    (Interior design blog)

  • http://www.sarahcarlsonetc.blogspot.com Sarah Carlson

    That’s very chic! I didn’t realize how variegated your hair is-it’s gorgeous!

  • http://fashionandstylepolice.com fashionandstylepolice

    Thanks for sharing these very cool tips.

  • http://www.dwellinginstyle.com lindsey

    How pretty! I am going to have to try this!!

  • http://fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com Amy

    This is so cute! I love how it turned out. I am going to try it…

    Amy
    Fashion and Beauty Finds

  • http://blueskydaze.wordpress.com/ Sinead

    I really like this look, I always wear my hair down too so I’m definitely going to give this a try for a change! :-)

    http://blueskydaze.wordpress.com/