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17 Easy Updos for Short Hair

These celeb looks prove sometimes less (hair) is more when it comes to creating a chic short hair updo
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Scarlett Johansson's Tousled Updo
Scarlett Johansson is pretty much the queen of sexy (I mean have you seen "Ghost in the Shell"?), so you're guaranteed to catch a few glances copying this short updo:

1. You guessed it, start with wavy hair. You can achieve this with a blow-dryer diffuser or a 3/4-inch curling iron. Be sure to alternate directions if you use a curling iron to create more movement in the hair.

2. To give the style volume, back comb the hair at the middle of the head and work your way towards the crown.

3. Then, starting just above the ear, grab 2-inch sections of hair and twist. Pin these pieces at the back of the head. Continue this until you've pinned back all your hair on both sides.

4. To give the style sex appeal, finger comb your hair along the front hairline to free a few stray strands, and spritz the style with hairspray.

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Lucy Hale's Short Hair Princess Updo
If feared you would never be able to channel your inner princess the day you chopped your strands, Lucy Hale and her bob are here to assure you, romantic (and gorgeous) updos are possible for short hair. To create this stunning style:

1. Take 2-inch sections of hair and curl them using a 1-inch curling iron, alternating directions as you go.

2. Once hair is curled, run your fingers through your strands to loosen up the curls and create soft waves. Then, spritz a texturing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $46, to give hair more grip and texture.

3. Create a basic reverse braid on both sides of your hair, until each of them reaches the nape of your neck. Gather the remaining hair, and craft it into a messy bun.

4. Pull a large piece of hair at the front of your face and curl with a 3/4-inch curling iron for some added face framing. Proceed to top off the princess look with your favorite flower hairpieces.

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Katy Perry's Sleek French Twist
Katy Perry's style is loud and proud, and this voluminous short hair updo is the perfect fit for the hair chameleon. While her mermaid tresses play on her wild and playful side, her refined French twist speaks to her boss-babe, no-nonsense side. To steal this look:

1. Start with second-day hair. Spritz dry shampoo at the roots and gently backcomb hair, starting at the front of the head and working towards the crown.

2. Grab 2-inch sections of hair from the sides of the head, and smooth them out using a bristle comb. Pin each one tightly to the middle of your head, and tuck any remaining length under itself.

3. Continue step two until you've pulled back all your hair. Secure the style with hairspray.

4.For a glossy updo, mist a shine spray like Kenra Professional Shine Spray, $17.

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Julianne Hough's Pinned Back Waves
Hough became used to pulling her hair back for her performances on "Dancing With the Stars," so it should come as no surprise that she's mastered updos for short hair out of the ballroom, too. This look works best on hair that's just above the shoulders, like Hough's, or longer. To steal the style:

1. Start by applying a volumizing mousse like Wella EIMI Extra Volume Styling Mousse, $19, to damp hair before blow-drying to add volume to the front.

2. Use a 1-inch curling iron and create big bouncy waves (to do this, hold the hair in the curling iron for 4-5 seconds), until all the hair is curled.

3. Twist hair haphazardly towards the crown and secure the romantic look with bobby pins.

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January Jones' French Twist
Jones' French twist at the Venice Film Festival makes her shoulder-length hair seem significantly longer. Rather than try for a sleek look, Jones wore the ends loose, even strategically tucking a few of the shorter pieces that couldn't quite reach the twist behind her ear. To get her look:

1. Start by air drying your hair, or if you don't have that kind of time, blow-dry hair with a diffuser or scrunch the hair to create texture.
2. Once dry, lightly tease the hair at the crown for some added volume, spritzing dry shampoo at the roots to give it better hold (we love Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon Dry Shampoo, $28).

3. Take small pieces from sides of the head, twist and gather the strands at the back of the head, securing each one with a bobby pin. Continue this until all of the hair is pinned back.

4. Taking a bristle comb, lightly smooth down the hair at the side and top of the head to give the anterior view a sophisticated clean-cut look (though we're totally partying in the back). Lock it in with your favorite hairspray.

BY MARISSA DESANTIS | JUN 27, 2017 | SHARES
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