Try this DIY braided updo for your next formal event (or your wedding!)

Let’s start the year with something fancy!

I blowdried my messy hair super smooth to style this more formal braided updo tutorial.

Jennifer Behr kindly sent me these stunning hair accessories and I thought they deserved a more elegant hairstyle. Though I think they’d look equally lovely in any type of hair.

I love a big Dutch braid any day of the week, but in this double braid bun it would be perfect for any formal occasion or even for a bride.

DIY Braided Formal Updo Tutorial

What you need:

• Two small hair elastics
• Bobby pins
• Hair pin or headband

Step-by-step:

1. Brush your hair to remove any knots or tangles. If styling this in curly hair, you can skip this step and save yourself the frizz.
2. Part your hair and take a section to begin your braid. Split it into three and begin your Dutch braid.
3. A Dutch braid is just like a French braid but in the reverse. Instead of braiding over, you braid under. Cross the left section under the middle, then the right under the left. Then add in hair with the next section and continue braiding.
4. Braid until you reach your ear, then finish in a basic braid (plait) without adding in any more hair. Secure the end of your braid with a small clear hair elastic.
5. Now gather the rest of your hair over your left shoulder and split it into three equal sections.
6. Make a basic braid (plait) and secure the end with a small clear hair elastic. You want to choose a small elastic that will blend in with your hair and not show up in the finished style.
7. S-T-R-E-T-C-H out your braids. I can’t emphasise this step enough. Please stretch out your braids to make them look thicker and wider and for mega volume, sprinkle on a little styling powder.
8. Roll the lower braid around into a bun. Pin in place with bobby pins.
9. Wrap the Dutch braid around the bun, tuck the ends in and pin in place with bobby pins.
10. Finish the style with a gorgeous hair pin and some shine spray like this.

Styling tips

Shorter hair: You can just do a regular bun instead of a braided bun at the back and pin your Dutch braid around it. You could change it up to create a more of a Twist & Pin bun.

Longer hair: My hair just wrapped around and tucked under the braided bun but if you have longer hair, continue wrapping your Dutch braid all around to create a larger bun. It will look stunning!

Try it with a headband

I also tried this braided updo with with the gorgeous Eloise circlet from Jennifer Behr because it’s just so pretty. These pieces are expensive but they are handmade and are so lovely. They deserve somewhere special to show them off.

Get the look:

Shop some stunning Jennifer Behr pieces here:

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I’d love to know what you think of this style and where you would wear it! If you have any tutorial requests leave me a comment below xx