Protective updos for a teen?

[DarleneH]

My niece asked me about protective styles other than buns that she could do. She thinks a bun looks too "old ladyish" (the brat). I think her hair is actually a tad longer than mine; she might be at waist length while I'm not quite there. She is tired of braids (they look TOO young to her) so what would you suggest I try on her?

[Chamomile betty]

Well, at least she wants something protective which is great. Might I suggest grabbing a few magazines for her to get some ideas or inspiration. Or browsing the net with her.
No braids or buns, that's a tough one lol.

[DarkCurls]

If it's only regular braids she's tired of, I would suggest maiden (milkmaid, heidi, whatever) braids (http://www.evohair.co.uk/live/blog/Milkmaid%20Braids%201.jpg). They can look quite youthful, particularly if she has bangs. That, and a tucked french braid, is all I can see.

But honestly, what kind of updos are there that aren't braids OR buns? I wasn't aware those existed. How old is she?

[NaseberryPie]

Lilith Moon on youtube has great tutorials for styles that I think would suit a teen. Here the link to her channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/lilithedarkmoon

[Rio040113]

Does she have a fringe (bangs) or face framing layers? Styling those can soften an updo a lot :) Failing that you could show her the sock bun, if it's fashionable hairstyles she wants, the sock bun is bang on trend ;) Also there are various clips/grips she could consider.

[bananahanna]

I agree with the suggestion for sock bun and the milk maid braid, i'm 18 and the sock bun was always my go to when i had APL+ hair. Plus most high school and college girls do it too, shouldn't seem out of place.

[Anje]

What about funkier buns, like odango buns?

[SerinaDaith]

TorrinPage and ladollyvita333 have loads of cute, fun, young updos.

[Nae]

My teen girls are okay with buns as long as they are messy buns. I usually help them cinnabun most of it and leave out the tail ends in some sort of messy bun covering configuration.

That seems acceptable, if I tuck the tails they won't leave the house. The silly things.

[dmilton]

What about a french/dutch braid?

[Eichan]

I LOVE buns and braids :O I must be a bad teenager...


Has she tried Braided buns? There's also a variation on the sock bun where you leave the ends out (only a little) all around it to make it look like a sort ... flower? Thar's cool too. :)

[hypersensitive]

Crown braids are a fun and great protective style! As are tucked french braids- those are pretty sophisticated. I agree with the milkmaid braids - they look really fresh and young!

[florenonite]

What about a bun with accent braids? French/lace braids across the temples leading into a bun seem quite fashionable right now.

I also like to do a bun similar to this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0k3dD4qX34). I only wrap my hair around a finger, rather than my hand, and it leaves the ends hanging out, which might be something your niece likes.

[kme81]

Side buns are excellent. Bows, medium size claw clips, and flowers clips should not be underestimated!

I remember having a miniature identity crisis when I started wearing buns as a 16ish year old, but I think that once I found my style within bunning hairstyles, I felt great about it.

[PrincessIdril]

How open is she to nerdy hairstyles? As silvousplaits on youtube has tons of pretty updos which are inspired by nerd culture! http://www.youtube.com/user/silvousplaits/videos

Some of my favourite styles of hers:
Lord of the Rings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVI7CjuRPv4
Game of Thrones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3__K4quldhQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_OdCr-lX_Y (this is my favourite)

She also has Star Wars and tons of other GOT styles (including most of Danys braided styles)

Oh and my favourite blogger, Violet LeBeaux has some cool hair tutorials on her youtube. Not many are updos but most are pretty fun (warning she does use heat, products and tease for those not into those things. However her hair looks pretty fab)
http://www.youtube.com/user/violetlebeaux/videos?flow=grid&tag_id=UCt8p0sG1y4wSzGiJxmbs6Sw.3.hair&view=46

[dwell_in_safety]

No braids or buns... Combining the two into buns with different accent braids are something she might like, though. They can be made to look quite messy, which is fashionable, and simple buns can look complicated and will get her compliments.

[LauraLongLocks]

A french twist, or a Gibson Tuck, perhaps? How does she feel about herringbone or rope braids? They are a change from the traditional english braids.

[excentricat]

What about doing double buns? That can't be old ladyish can it? Very high buns are also in around here.

[Naiadryade]

My mind goes to braided updos... things like crown braids, milkmaid braids, even accent braids above the forehead and/or leading to buns like others said. Or things like interlaced braids (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG4MTltnX7M) or a flower braid bun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbz-na--8mg). She may also like to learn some more complex, multiple-stranded braids if she's bored with regular old braids. I know as a teen I would have been really impressed if someone showed up to school with a 5-, 8- or 11-stranded braid!

[summergreen]

All the girls/young women round here are wearing buns right on top of their heads like Little My from the Moomins :D

[SerinaDaith]

On another note, I am a freshman in college, most of the young gals have french braids, some of them asymetrically so that the braid falls over a shoulder, fish tail braids, messy buns, even the occational stick buns. Pony tails of course and double buns on either side of the head, like pigtail buns if that makes any sort of sense. I'd assume that the girls in class are fashon aware...

[farmlass]

What about buns that use sticks or forks? You can get all sorts of cool designs, and surely they aren't 'old ladyish'? If so, I'm old before my time!

[CurlMonster]

I often get compliments from my (teenage) peers when I wear a French braid, crown braid, braided bun, or fishtail braid.