Updo It Yourself

Illustrations by Emily Wong

The Pro: Jerome Lordet, Style Director at Pierre Michel
A master of classic, feminine, uptown-elegant dos.

The Serena, a.k.a. Blake Lively Curls (left)
Blow out hair, layered and longer than shoulder length. Part, then separate a section at the top around the crown; pin out of the way. Working in one-inch pieces from the bottom, use a medium-size curling iron to smooth from root to end, then curl back under and up horizontally. Release when outer strands are warm; pin and continue. When you’ve completed the bottom, turn the iron vertically and perform the same routine on the top. When curls have cooled, use fingertips dabbed with a bit of pomade to gently pull them down into tousled waves. Finish with soft hair spray

The Braided Chignon (right)
Blow out hair, shoulder length or longer, and back comb the top roots (tease with a comb, then run a brush over the top to smooth). Starting in front at your part, make a tiny braid. Gather the rest of the hair in a low ponytail and secure with a hooked elastic band (like a mini bungee cord). Make a second tiny braid with hair from the ponytail. Twist everything except the two braids into a bun, securing with hairpins. Wrap the second braid around the bun and secure. Pull the first braid over the crown to meet it, and tuck into the bun. The result should look like one braid encircling the chignon. Finish with hair spray.

Illustrations by Emily Wong

The Pro: Kate Werner, Stylist at Seagull
Werner’s M.O. for wedding-day hair is very downtown, and artfully undone.

The Veronica Lake Wave (left)
Blow out hair, no shorter than chin length, and divide into four sections (two in front, two in back). Lightly spritz one section with heat-sensitive hair spray. Holding a large-barrel curling iron vertically, wrap two-inch chunks of hair around it. Count to three and gently unwind from iron. Use metal hair clips to pin curls against the head. Repeat process with remaining three sections. Let hair set while you do your makeup, then use your fingers to unfold the curls and gently position them. Sweep hair back on one side and pin just above the ear, tucking in a flower or comb.

The Dressed-Up Side Bun (right)
Scrunch dry hair—shoulder length or longer—with defining cream, then gather into a low side ponytail, using a small elastic band to secure under the ear. Part the hair above the elastic band so hair forms a Y, then tuck the end of the ponytail into the space and pull it through. Wrap the ponytail in a messy twist, securing with hairpins, and fasten a fancy hair accessory at the top. Pull out a few face-framing wisps on either side. For a more refined look, curl the hair first.

Styling TipsPreparation is key.
Wash the day before (or morning of if you have fine, oily hair), then use a round brush while blowing out. Smooth hair on the sides to cut down on flyaways.

Know your products.
Use a soft-hold hair spray (Lordet recommends L’Oréal Elnett, available at Target) first, so you can brush out if needed. Save the strong stuff for the end.

Heat shapes; cold sets.
Don’t mess with freshly curled pieces until the strands have cooled to room temperature, or waft a few seconds of air from your dryer’s “cool” setting.

Moisturize in advance.
Use a deep-conditioning masque a week ahead; the day before, a shine-infusing shampoo and conditioner (Werner likes MoroccanOil, available at Ricky’s).

Practice, practice, practice.
Try out your do with all the products at least twice before the wedding. And get friends involved; everyone loves having a role on the big day.

Updo It Yourself