A chignon is an updo with a roll or a bun at the nape of the neck. The word is French, but the updo is linked to ancient Greek styles. The biggest confusion that happens to understanding a chignon? It’s taken for a regular bun, while the two styles aren’t the same.
It’s basically about different occasions when you use one hairstyle or the other, the position of the bun on the head, and its construction as well. Chignons are considered more formal, classic, and even vintage, while many buns are viewed as casual updos. The latter are wrapped around themselves, and chignons can be looped, twisted, coiled, rolled or tucked. Chic chignons are always low, sitting at the nape of the neck or at least on the back of the head; and buns can sit very high, actually anywhere on your head.
Our version of chignon is classic. This updo will suit a formal occasion and fit into your casual looks when you prefer to look elegant and feminine against funky and edgy.
Classic Chignon Bun
Step 1. Make a part from ear to ear and section off the front portion of hair you’ll later use as a wrap for the chignon. From the rest of the hair make a ponytail that won’t sag. Try this simple trick. (Use an elastic with two bobby pins strung on it. Gather your hair into a pony and hold it with your hand. Pin one bobby pin in place, wrap the elastic around the base of your pony a few times and pin another bobby pin to secure the pony.) Tighten the pony and check if the strands above it lie good.
Section off the front and make a pony out of the rest of the hair.
Step 2. Backcomb the pony strand by strand for added volume and spritz with a light hold hairspray for brushable texture and better hold. Comb through the top lightly to smoothen the hair. Make a simple loop out of your pony, use an elastic to hold the loop in place.
Loop your ponytail and secure with an elastic.
Step 3. Loosely wrap the freely hanging end around the base of the pony; fan out the very end of the wrap and arrange it so that it covers the base of the lopped pony nicely. Pin the wrap in place to secure.
Wrap the end of the pony around its base.
Step 4. Now work on the front section you’ve left out in the beginning. Divide it into 2 sections, tease each at the roots and lightly brush through to smoothen the hair. Bring one section to the chignon and cover its base with it. Pin at the side of the chignon to secure.
Take a piece from the front and add to the wrap.
Step 5. Add a small elastic to the middle of the section you are working with now to keep it as a separate piece and prevent from mixing with other strands in the wrap. Now wrap the strand loosely around the chignon a few times and pin where it’s necessary. Let one wind go closer to the base and the next one a bit lower for a lacier finish.
Wind the strand loosely a few times for a chunkier wrap.
Step 6. Repeat the same steps for the other wrap section from the front. Gently pull at the hair above the chignon for a looser, slightly messy updo look. You can even make a sort of small bouffant, but try not to overdo.
Add another piece from the front to the wrap and secure where it feels necessary.
As you see, looking elegant, put together but with a light fashionable undone touch is not difficult. This updo is absolutely doable, even in the mornings when you don’t have time for elaborate styling. Practice over the week-end and be ready to rock a new chic look for the next work week. Here is your crib to peek at when practicing:
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