Long, thick hair presents a challenge when attempting a formal hairstyle, for a prom, wedding or any dressy occasion. This long thick hair is styled into an elegant updo that will stay in place as long all day or all night. – Through the prom and after-prom or through the wedding and reception. It requires creativity and patience but is well worth the effort. Preparation: Shampoo and condition with body building products. Apply firm hold styling foam or styling glaze. These preparations will help to make the hair easier to work with. Blow the hair dry. Do not use a flat iron or straightening iron, even if the hair is of frizzy texture.

Curling: The next step is to use a curling iron to curl all of the hair in a spiral fashion. The size of the curling iron will depend on how easily the hair curls. Divide off one inch sections of hair and wind them around the iron. In very long hair, you may have to curl each strand of hair in two or three sections. Start at the base – next to the scalp – and curl that area first. Then move the iron down the hair shaft and curl that area. Be patient and continue until all the hair is curled. A light spritz of hairspray will help to hold the curl and give more manageability.

Pinning the curls:
Start at the center back of the head. Form a narrow oblong cluster of curls using the method you prefer to create the curls. Pin them into place.

Next, you will start taking pieces of hair from about two inches away from the cluster. Pull the strand back to meet the cluster and insert a bobby pin onto the strand only. Turn the bobby pin over, forming a fold in the hair. Then slide the pin into the hair connecting it to the head. The ends of the strand will hang down. Attach five or six strands in this fashion on each side of the cluster before returning to the ends and forming them into curls. Coil the end of the strand around and place it in an attractive pattern. Pin it and spray it with hairspray – not too much. You may have to rearrange the curls as you finish the style. Pick up more strands and continue until all the hair is curled and pinned into place.

Finish:
Take your time with this style and create the look as you go along. Don’t be afraid to rearrange the curls. The finished style will be your personal work of art. Spray it with firm hold hairspray and it will last through a night of dancing.
Thank you Laura G. at 5 Elements Salon, Spa & Boutique for these pictures.

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EBook - Updos for Every Occassion Updos for parties, proms, weddings or the office. Follow these simple instructions to begin creating them yourself!