Thankfully, chignons are low maintenance in both time and tool requirements. All you need to create the classic updo are the following:
• A mirror, unless you're some kind of hair ninja and can throw your hair up perfectly without a visual. (If so, props to you, lady.) A hand mirror is also helpful for this look, since it's all at the back of your head
• A pick comb to help you create a clean center part and grab hair
• A small bristle brush for teasing your roots and amping up volume at the crown
Apply texturizing spray to dry strands. This will give hair more grip when you lock in your chignon with bobby pins. After a few spritzes, part your hair to your liking -- a center part is a pretty go-to. Starting at the top of your head, create a section of hair on both sides in front of the ear and forward. You can secure the sections of hair with a hair tie or allow them to rest free for now -- whichever is convenient for you. (Those with mermaid-like long hair might want to tie back.)
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Chignon How-To: Step 2
To give your chignon a little life and volume, lightly tease the crown for extra oomph. To really amp it up, you can spritz some dry shampoo at your roots before you tease (try Psssst Instant Dry Shampoo, $6.99). Taking the back section of hair (not the two sections in front of the ears), put hair into a low ponytail, and lightly tease the ponytail to add fullness.
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Chignon How-To: Step 3
Grab a small section of hair from the bottom of your ponytail and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to hide the rubber band, securing the giant strand with a bobby pin. (Minus the major dog ears we've got going right now, this is also a simple way to dress up a basic ponytail.)
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Chignon How-To: Step 4
Take the remainder of the ponytail and wrap it around the base, until the full length of the ponytail is in a giant coil at the nape of your neck. Secure your chignon bun with bobby pins. You can gently spread the bun apart for a more tousled look or keep it clean. Either way -- do you, girl.
