Summer up-do ideas: 3 elegant event looks that last all day
These chic hair-up styles are perfect for parties and weddings.
Summer is just around the corner, which means diaries are filling up fast with fabulous events. From weddings to Wimbledon, garden parties to days at the races or in the VIP section of a festival, these occasions call for gorgeous outfits and hair to match.
For elegant hair with staying power, it doesn’t get better than an up-do, says Paul Edmonds. “It's about making people feel special. They want to feel confident, but still have something that's going to be easy to look at and maintain for the whole day.”
Wedding season is the peak time for hair-up appointments at Paul Edmonds London, where our styling team tailor the look to each client, says director Yoselita Pandolfo. “We work around what the person's wearing, particularly the neckline. If it's a high neck, a chignon or ponytail might be better, but if it's low or cut away, we might do something completely different.”
Stylists will also personalise the up-do depending on the client’s hair type and face shape. “It's like with haircuts, you're using the hair to ‘lift’ the face and emphasise the cheekbones and eyes,” Paul says.
In preparation for summer, here Paul and Yoselita reveal how they make up-do styles stay put and offer three beautiful hair-up ideas for special events that you can create yourself or request in salon…
HOW DO YOU MAKE AN UP-DO LAST ALL DAY?
Whatever style of up-do you choose, ensuring it lasts all day without falling requires some careful prep with the right products.
While most blow-dry appointments start with washing your hair, that’s not always the case for hair-ups, Yoselita says. “It's usually better if you shampoo one day before, because if your hair is too soft, it won’t hold as well. Occasionally, I will shampoo, blow dry and Air Wrap the hair before an up-do, or use dry shampoo, which adds texture, but it depends on the hair type.”
The first product you use should be “something that's going to help hold the hair,” Paul says. “If I'm putting some texture in there with curling tongs, I'll probably use Davines Volume Boosting Mousse, because that will give a little bit of lift and body without it being too hard like a gel, or Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, which is like a spray-on mousse.”
For a textured hair up-do, Paul says his new favourite product is Oribe Curl Control Silkening Crème. “It holds the hair together, and if you've got curly hair, it stops it going fluffy or frizzy.”
To prime straight hair, Yoselita usually opts for Davines Moisturising Fluid to prevent frizz, while Paul recommends Davines Oil Non Oil. “It's good for heat and sun protection when you want the hair to look shiny. Use that as a base product, then build on top of it.”
For fine hair, wax can be used before or after styling, Paul says. “Oway Wax is really good. It smooths down all the little flyaways without being greasy and makes the hair easier to control.”
1. THE POLISHED LOW BUN
Neat and chic, the polished low bun is a versatile up-do that works with all hair types and complements a range of outfits, from floral dresses to summer suits.
“First, you need to decide if you want a centre or side parting, and if you want any hair left down at the front, but with this polished look, I think it's best if it's quite sleek,” Paul says.
After you’ve parted the hair, apply mousse or texture spray, then pull it back into a low ponytail. “Split the ponytail into sections, then twist, wrap and pin them around the ponytail so you end up with a neat bun and the hair band concealed. Smooth a bit of wax over with the palm of your hand, then finish off with Shu Uemura Kumo Hold hair spray.”
2. THE TEXTURED CHIGNON
Inspired by 90s up-do styles, the textured chignon is a great option for wavy or curly hair types. The artfully undone finish works well with more minimalist or structural outfits, such as silk slip dresses or column gowns.
To create the choppy texture, you’ve got two options, Paul says. “Either take the hair up into a ponytail, then texturise the ends before you start placing them, or tong the whole thing and then take it up.” Either way, apply mousse or texturising spray first.
“For a textured chignon, I like to do a middle parting, and if I want the hair to be clean and smooth in the front, I’ll use gel,” Yoselita says. “The ponytail should be in the middle of the head, not too high, but it depends on where you want to put the emphasis.”
To create the chignon, wrap half of the hair around the hair band and pin it in a loose bun, then take the rest of the hair in small sections, twist and pin them in different directions around the bun. Leave some of the ends spiking out and use as many pins as you need for the chignon to feel secure.
“If I’m doing a chignon, I always try and get the client to gently shake their head so we can make sure none of the pins are going to fall out,” Yoselita say. “Then finish with Davines Strong hair spray for extra hold.”
3. THE SOFT PINNED UP WAVES
A less structured way to do a special occasion up-do, with soft pinned waves, you can choose to leave some of the hair down at the back, plus tendrils at the front, for a beautifully romantic vibe.
This look is ideal for naturally curly or wavy hair, but if your hair is straight, start by creating waves with a curling tong or wand. “Decide where you want the highest part of the hair to sit, either the middle or just above the crown, then put a small ponytail there,” Paul says. “Start pinning pieces loosely into that in sections so that it gradually builds up a rounded shape.”
If you have very long or thick hair, you may need to create a stronger base to pin the waves. “You could twist the ponytail into a tight knot, or plait the ponytail and wrap it into a bun so you’ve got something to pin the waves into.” Spritz with lightweight hair spray for a soft hold finish.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do you make an up-do last all day?
To make an up-do last all day, wash your hair the day before, use mousse or texturising spray to add hold, then finish with hair spray.
What are the best hairstyles for long events?
For long parties or events, a well-crafted up-do or sculpted ponytail will stay in place all day.
How do you secure an updo properly?
To secure an up-do, start with mousse or texturising spray to add hold, use bobby pins to keep the hair in place, and finish with strong hold hair spray.
What hair products do you need to make an up-do last?
Mousse, wax or texturising spray will give hair grip and hold before styling. After styling, hair spray will keep the up-do firmly in place.
A helping hand from Paul Edmonds London
Wondering if you should get your hair professionally done for an event? “With a salon hair-up appointment, you're going to get something that's got staying power and really flatters your face shape, because we can see you from every angle,” says Paul Edmonds.
Plus, with our huge range of styling products and our stylists’ up-do expertise, we’ll make sure you head off to your event looking and feeling incredible.
An elegant up-do is the chicest option for summer. Book a hair-up appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
