Learn to Add a Push-Up Braid to Your Updo (You’ll Use This Trick All Wedding Season Long!)
Looking for a way to do something a little different with your hair for an upcoming bridesmaid gig this season—or for a wedding you’ll be attending as a guest? I just learned a fun new braiding trick, and it lets you take the usual little updo accent braids a step further.
Here’s a step-by-step how-to I did with stylist Tonya Cuozzo at Zion the Hair Salon in Madison, N.J. (the same day I tried out that easy crisscross bun for you). My lovely model: My (eight-months-pregnant!) sister-in-law Jessica.
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Start by making a regular three-strand braid.
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After you’ve braided your way down several inches, grab one of the three strands you’ve been braiding and pull it taut. Let the other two sections loosen a bit, then slide them upward (while still holding that center strand taut). The braid will compact and take on a ropelike shape.
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Keep braiding and pushing up, working your way down the section. Every so often, incorporate a strand from the loose hair outside the braid, as you do when French-braiding, to anchor your rope braid to your scalp.
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Pin your rope braid back along your head so it’ll disappear into your bun.
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Do your updo in the back as usual, then work your braid in so the end disappears. For Jessica’s loose side chignon, Tonya divided the hair into big sections and crossed them over one another, working all the hair to one side of the head. Tip: If your hair’s really thick/heavy, you can make ponytails first and then twist those around one another. Oh, and maybe get a friend to help!
Here’s a great updo wisp trick—Tonya gently rubbed the finished hairstyle with a scarf to make it look softer and loosen stray strands in a natural way.
Don’t you love getting dolled up for weddings? Jess and I had a blast that night, and half the fun was our salon visit. (Thanks again, Tonya! And to Sasha Preziosa for snapping pics.)
Have you ever tried a push-up braid? Do you like adding little accent braids to your special-occasion updos?
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