Beauty School: The Last Minute Chignon
As we head into the last month of summer, there is no doubt that this is one of the funnest seasons of the year, but heading back to school can be equally exciting. It means seeing friends on a regular basis, catching up with those you haven’t seen in months, and learning new topics and skills (jewelry-making elective, anyone?). It is also a new beginning – an opportunity to reinvent yourself and your look. But spending a lot of time with makeup and elaborate hair styles in the morning isn’t always possible due to late night sport obligations and study sessions. For this reason, I like to find ways to look polished without too much work, especially on shampoo-free days.
On mornings when you’re trying to pull a pretty updo out of unwashed, 3-day old hair, try this Team MP favorite – the Last Minute Chignon. This easy style will dress up your tresses and overall look with a feminine, loose finish without you risking a late arrival.
Step 1: Since you’ve been sleeping on your locks, it’s likely you have some tangles. Before styling, brush out hair – starting from the bottom and working your way up – with a brush like this Mark Hill For the Love of Glam brush. This brush calms morning hair by reducing snags and static. Your hair will be ready to put up once smooth and tangle-free.
Step 2: Depending on how oily your hair is, you may need to apply a dry shampoo like Batiste at the roots to absorb excess oil and train your tresses. Once you’ve run your fingers through your roots to blend the dry shampoo in, you’re ready to style.
Step 3: Collect a portion of your hair at the crown, then using this brush or a comb, tease the underside of your hair to create volume. If your hair tends to weigh down, use a bobby pin to hold in place.
Step 4: Put hair in a low ponytail using a small hair elastic. Then create a gap right above your elastic and fold your ponytail through the hole. This is like a topsy tail for all you 80s babies!
Step 5: Continue rolling your hair through the split in your ponytail. Fold your hair through and through until the ends are hidden and a chignon has formed. If you have really long hair, spread the remaining ends of your ponytail and tuck them in the sides instead of in the center of the chignon. Pin any loose strands in place with extra bobby pins.
Step 6: This step is one of the most vital to ensure your Last Minute Chignon stays in place. Set the style with a strong hold, but wearable, hairspray like Mark Hill Fabulous Finish Hairspray. Hairspray will prevent hairs from peeking out of your chignon and protect the style for long-lasting wear through all class periods.
Do you have a go-to hairstyle you wear to school? Share your look with me below!
Good Luck,
<3 Mish
