You may not have to wait until your hair grows past your shoulders to get that updo you want. Updos are for everybody. You can have this updo with hair that is as short as 3 inches in back and 3 to 5 inches on top. All you have to do is use the length on top of your head to create the curls and fullness and then smooth the back to make the base of the updo.

STEP ONE: Set your hair on hot rollers or curl it all over with a curling iron. When the hair cools, remove the rollers and gently divide the curls with your fingers.

figure 1

figure 2

STEP TWO: Divide your hair - front to back - at ear level. Pull the top only back into a ponytail, using a small covered elastic band, or for shorter hair, secure it with bobby pins. High up on the head, as in figure 1 or lower as in figure 2. Smooth in any short layers and spray with hairspray. Clip the ends of the ponytail up out of the way. (If your hair is too short for the curls, simply back-comb it for fullness and smooth it back, rolling the ends under to cover the top of the twist in the back.)

STEP THREE: Comb all of the rest of the hair – the bottom - toward the center back. To help it stay in place and to add fullness, back-comb it and lightly smooth it. Either, brush it into a French twist and pin it with bobby pins or twist it and use a small hair clamp to hold it in place. You will want to create the twist to extend up as close to the ponytail as possible. If using a clamp, fasten it as high as possible on the back of the head. Catch any short hairs with bobby pins inserted into the twist from the bottom up.

STEP FOUR: Take the ends of the ponytail and arrange the curls around the elastic band or the bobby pins and allow some of the hair to fall down concealing the clamp or the top of the twist.

This ‘two section’ method gives the appearance of longer hair and results in an attractive updo.

Looking for an updo for even shorter hair? Check out Updos for Short Hair
For another idea for short to medium length hair click on Holiday Updos in the Related Links.

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