How to do this hairstyle?

[lynnala]

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee20/legendhouse/joliehair.jpg I really like this hairstyle, it looks elegant but casual. I already have the long bangs on the side, but I have trouble getting the hair all piled on top of my head. How do you do this? Does it involve horrible things like teasing? Probably involves hairspray, but I'm wondering if it could be achieved with something like aloe vera gel to help hold.

[Islandgrrl]

I'd love to get a look at the back side of that. It's gorgeous. I'm guessing here, but I think you can achieve this (or something similar) by pinning up sections of the hair to get the fullness without having to tease. Then either put the "leftovers" up in a bun or french twist in back.

[spidermom]

I used to be able to get something like that by making a loose-ish french twist and pushing upward as I pinned it, which gave it that fullness at the top.

[danacc]

There are some options that don't require teasing. The key is to prevent the weight of whatever-is-done-in-the-back from pulling on the top and sides since that will make them flat. Here are some videos with some ideas; they have a simple ponytail in the back, but the same technique in front will work for other 'do's. You could use a flexi-8 instead of claw clip depending on the overall look you're going for:
Fast forward about 1/3 of the way through this one, it has a long intro and a long prologue; the useful bit is in the middle: Poofy Messy Ponytail using a jaw clip and ponytail holder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrNqr86zE7k)
Another variation: How to Poof + Ponytail using 2 bobby pins, a jaw clip, and a ponytail holder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0g0eL3SN9s&feature=related)Again, the important part seems to be to use as thin a section as possible from the front for the poof. The rest of your hair needs to bear the weight of the up-do. If any of the weight of the up-do is on the poof, it will pull it flat.

[lynnala]

Thanks for the suggestions and links. I was trying to do this in one move, I never thought of pinning up the front first and then dealing with the back. Yesterday I tried the french twist idea with a hair clamp, and it poofed up a bit and looked really good. Now I'm glad I have these grown out bangs!