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

January 6, 2015 By Hair Romance 15 Comments

Hair Romance - Formal braided updo hair tutorial

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

Hair Romance - Formal braided updo hairstyle 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.

Hair Romance - Formal braided updo hairstyle tutorial feat Jennifer Behr pin

Hair Romance - Formal braided updo hairstyle tutorial with Jennifer Behr pin

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

Hair Romance - Formal braided updo hairstyle tutorial with Jennifer Behr headband Hair Romance - Formal braided updo hairstyle tutorial with Jennifer Behr Eloise circlet

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:

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”485175″]

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

Filed Under: Hair Romance, Tutorials, Wedding Hair, Wedding hairstyles

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Comments

  1. Sara says

    December 18, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    I very much like your hair, you did an amazing job making it smooth and silky.

    My hair has some freeze and it’s curly, Can you tell me how did you achieve such a look?

    If you have a tutorial on this I would be more than happy to read it!

    Have a lovely week,
    -Sara

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      December 22, 2015 at 11:44 am

      Hi Sarah, I blowdried my hair with a round brush to stretch it out. I also used a straightening balm first to help smooth my frizz. I don’t know why I haven’t done a tutorial on this yet but I will add it to my to do list! Christina x

      Reply
  2. Caitlin O'CONNOR says

    January 8, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Stunning! Love the accessories with this style. I need about another year of length to make a pretty braid though.. Must.. Not… Cut… Hair!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 8, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Stay strong Caitlin! xx

      Reply
  3. gio says

    January 7, 2015 at 12:54 am

    What a gorgeous hairdo! I love it even more with the headband.

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 7, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      Thanks Gio! xx

      Reply
  4. Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says

    January 6, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    I love this so hard. I wish my fingers were nimble enough and my hair was well behaved enough to pull this one off!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 8, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Sammie! I’ll do you hair when we next catch up (SO overdue!) xx

      Reply
  5. lanie says

    January 6, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    I love this look! I am only having a little trouble with making mine look bigger without the braid getting to lose to hold. My daughter has thicker hair and holds this look perfectly. Thanks for another great how to do my do!!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 8, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Lanie! xx

      Reply
  6. Madeleine | The Daily Mark says

    January 6, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    So so gorgeous! So keen to grow out my layers so I can start trying more braids! x
    Madeleine, The Daily Mark

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 8, 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks lovely! I should hold a bloggers braiding class, what do you think? x

      Reply
      • Kelly (@Gouldylox) says

        January 14, 2015 at 9:05 am

        I love this look! It’s beautiful! And the accessories too! (and I’d love a braiding school!) I can’t get my hair to do huge braids like this one. I know it’s all about loosening it up, but still. And I still love the red!

        Reply
        • Hair Romance says

          January 15, 2015 at 9:24 am

          Thanks beautiful! I’m thinking about going back to blonde…I’m copying you xx

          Reply

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HAIR ROMANCE – LOVE YOUR HAIR


Hi, I'm Christina and welcome to Hair Romance. Here you’ll find tutorials, tips and beauty advice to help you to love your best accessory: your hair.
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