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Dressy Pony Updo w/Long Ringlets: Casey Updo Look #3

Introduction

Tantalizing long tendrils that cascade down below the shoulders in saucy ringlets are hot for 2004. This spectacularly curled hairstyle combines sensual hairline volume with endless rows of perfectly formed fat spiral curls that hang softly from the back of the head allowing curls to nestle into Casey’s neck and shoulders as the float towards the middle of her back.

To achieve the style’s thickness and array of flouncy ringlets, long pre-curled hair wefts were added to the base section of Casey’s long, fine, straight strands. Although the add-on hair was selected to match Casey’s natural blonde hair hue, multi-colored, highlighted or low-lighted wefts could be added instead to create an edgier look.

Any hair that has a tendency to be stick straight can be fashioned into a similar ringlet infused style with the proper styling products and hot tools. Thin or fine hair will definitely require extensions or pin-on tresses.

Getting Started Notes

Casey’s naturally fine straight hair falls to her mid-back. This dressy style could be modified to work with medium to thick tresses that range from shoulder length to waist length. The key to this curl enhanced hair design is to have enough thickness of hair to allow for a series of thickly spiraled ringlets to cascade below the shoulders.

This style would work well for hair that is naturally curly hair if the natural ringlets are uniformly formed into a ringlet pattern with the help of a curling iron.

Short hair lengths could be transformed into this style through hair extensions or the temporary use of clip-on tresses. Although Casey’s style was designed with a side swept fringe and a small angled part to show off her beautiful oval shaped face and gorgeous eyes, a variety of different parts and bangs could easily be incorporated into a customized version. This style could also be worn without either.

The style was created on previously washed, dried hair that was “aged” so that the hair’s natural oils had time to build up slightly. Natural hair oils help the updo hold tighter and last longer.

Keep in mind that freshly washed hair may be overly soft and slippery, making it challenging to style. If you prefer to work with newly washed hair limit your use of conditioners or other products that make strands slippery soft.

Mei Fa - Hairstyx™ - Anniversary 4" Hairsticks - (Set of 2)Before you start make sure that you have all the proper tools including plenty of hairpins, a good brush and comb. You will also need to have the proper pre-colored hair wefts in a length that is long enough to create a series of long ringlets. If you wish to add hair accessories be sure you have them ready to be added to the style at the end. (Hairstyx from the Mei Fa Collection at HairBoutique.com).

Remember to use good styling creams, gels, sprays or similar products to give hair instant texture and stylability. While less may be more, when it comes to creating dressy updo related styles, too little may not enough.

While this style might be accomplished at home with the help of some talented friends or family members, because the back involves the addition of hair wefts along with lots of ringlets, when in doubt, ask your stylist to craft the style for you. If you do decide to do the style at home be sure to have several practice runs before the night of the big hair event.

Instructions - Steps To Create

1. Begin by using a soft boar’s head brush or similar natural bristle brush to make sure that all knots and tangles are completely removed from all strands.

2. This dressy hairstyle was created with a sultry side-swept anchored part formed by a small angled hairline part. The rest of the hair was brushed back off of the face.

3. Using a rattail comb or brush part off a section of fringe hair from the rest of crown section. Clip out of the way.

4. Using your hands in conjunction with a comb or brush, gather a small section of hair approximately 4 inches in thickness at the top of the crown in the back section.

5. Hold the ends of the new section straight out from the scalp with one hand. Use a fine-toothed comb or small brush with the other hand to backcomb the hair towards the base in sharp sweeping strokes.

6. With the other hand, run the comb down the length of the hair from the end towards the scalp in short sharp strokes. Continue to backcomb the section until the desired volume is achieved. Spray this teased section with a firm hold hairspray. Note: Backcombing should only be done for special events since the teasing of tresses can be stressful or potentially damaging for the ends.

7. Once the first section is completely teased, pick up the next section of hair and repeat the process until all of the back hair has been completely backcombed.

8. Use a firm hairspray to completely spray all of the teased hair.

9. Using both hands carefully smooth the teased hair making sure there is a lot of height at the crown.

10. Brush hair smoothly back from the hairline. Using your hands in conjunction with the brush, gather the back section of hair up into a ponytail making sure that the top section of the crown is pushed up to maintain fullness.

11. Secure the ponytail with a “hair friendly” Blax, Bungee or other elastic band. The gathered base of the ponytail should rest approximately 6-8" up from the base of the head.

12. Position bobby pins in the same hue as the hair around the outside of the base to act as an anchor for the hair wefts.

13. Separate a 2-4” thick strand of hair from either side of the newly formed ponytail. Clip the strands temporarily out of the way.

14. Create a mass of uniformly curled ringlets from the ponytail strands. Starting on either side of the ponytail, use a ” to ” traditional or ceramic barrel hot curling iron on 1-2” sections of hair. Work on one section of hair at a time. For extra hold, use a good setting gel like Phytofix or similar, to prepare each chunk of hair before curling with the iron. To add extra volume to each curled section, use Phytovolume Actif Spray or Robert Hallowell’s Super Volumizing Tonic and spray each individual section lightly before curling. Note: Most people place a curling iron on the ends and roll up towards the top of the strand near the roots, which never produces the best curls. The best way to get maximum curl benefit from a curling iron is to place the iron about an inch from the scalp, do a half rotation toward the scalp, then begin to feed the rest of the hair through the iron working slowly down the hair shaft. Use constant motions of opening and closing the iron’s tong as you work down the hair shaft. Remember that the base of the hair needs the most heat and the ends the least to hold a good curl.

15. Carefully release the newly formed curls from the iron. Use a spring type of bobby pin to anchor new curls into place against the scalp. Spray the pinned curl with the appropriate setting product. Note: The key to this look is uniformity. Strive to make all the curls the same size and tightness.

16. Continue working on the next section of the ponytail until all sections have been curled and pinned.

17. After the entire section has been curled and the curls have completely cooled, carefully remove all bobby pins and set the pins aside.

18. Attach and pin the pre-curled hair wefts around the base of the ponytail anchoring to the previously placed bobby pins. Gently fan the edges of the add-on hair to form a seamless connection to the curled ponytail area.

19. Using your fingers, carefully merge the add-on hair wefts to the curled ponytail area. Pull strategic curls from either side of the ponytail and wrap them up and over the hair wefts.

20. After the curled wefts are added and merged with the curled ponytail unclip the side strands.

21. Separate a 1” section from the side hair and wrap around the base of the ponytail. Anchor with U shaped hairpins or bobby pins.

22. Divide the remaining hair into to 1” sections. Starting on either side, use the ” to ” hot curling iron to create ringlet curls on each individual section.

23. Pin each new curl to the side to let it completely cool.

24. When all the curls are completely cool, spray well with a strong hold hairspray. Remove the pins.

25. Using your fingers, carefully place the new ringlets around the base of the ponytail and up onto the back of the crown area. Make sure that the curled sections are well balanced.

26. Anchor some of the curls against the top of the crown forming a full circle of cascading curls.

27. Release the fringe area. Lightly backcomb, spray and pin into place.

28. Apply a drop or two of a shine serum like Phyto's PhyoLisse, Rene Furterer's Spray Gloss or Robert Hallowell's Love That Shine Drops to the palms of your hands. Rub the serum into the palms and then lightly glide over the top of the style to add instant shimmer and shine. Spray well with hairspray like Phytolaque or Jessica Simpson’s favorite Phytolaque Soie made with real silk.

29. Carefully separate a ringlet section of hair from the back on each side of the head. Pull the ringlets forward so that they cascade down around the face line.

30. Attach any desired hair accessory. Remember to always attach accessories last after all styling products have been applied to avoid damaging delicate accessories. Jane Tran - A Multi-Layered Petal Flower Pin - Dreamsickle & White (1) (Shown to the side - Jane Tran - A Multi-Layered Petal Flower Pin - Dreamsickle & White (1)).

Finishing Touches

Eve Reid - Sequin Flower Chignon Pin - Hairpin/Pin (1) TurquoiseThis dressy curled style is romantically ornate. It works beautifully with any type of romantic fashions that are more simplistic so as to not detract from the beauty of the style.

This girlie-girl hairdo can be toned down or glammed up depending on individual tastes.

Keep in mind that when this elaborately curled romantic hairstyle is created according to the instructions, it is a versatile style that can work with a simple gown or a more sophisticated fashion. (Shown above - Eve Reid - Sequin Flower Chignon Pin - Hairpin/Pin (1) Turquoise)

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