Less severe updos

[proo]

For a softer look around my face with updos I've been putting on a wide, soft headband first,
arranging the hairline poofier on top and sleeker on the sides cuz that looks best on me,
putting my 'do up carefully so as to keep hairline arrangement intact,
then removing the headband.
Sometimes I use small claws to hold the headband more firmly.

[samanthaa]

I've been enjoying the tucked French braid as of late, as it gives me a bit of poof on top and still has the look and the protectiveness of a bun in the back.

[lapushka]

My LWB goes in quite loose, as my hair isn't brushed or combed, just gathered into a ponytail then bun. It helps if you don't comb/brush, esp. if your hair is wavy or curly.

[Wusel]

I always braid my bangs back or to the side and so it never looks severe.

[lillielil]

Same. My bangs (growing out) are always either in a french braid, an edwardian twist, or a simple twist, all of which add volume (sometimes a lot!) and soften my otherwise severe buns.

[MlleMC]

I like to French braid the top part of my hair before doing a bun, it gives some volume on top. It works better with high buns. With lower buns, I might French/Dutch braid along the hairline.

[meteor]

Doing a small accent braid or two or adding some French/Dutch/lace braiding along the scalp (either from front to back or diagonally or side to side, like a braided headband/coronet, e.g. like this (http://cdn.honestlywtf.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/braidedupdo3.jpg)) helps.

Also, making taking a twist or braid with front section and pushing it forward a bit towards forehead and pinning helps create a bit of poof/volume on top, before bunning the rest.

Some hairstiles that might help:
Braided Beehive (example (http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq56/majumisun/braided_beehive2.jpg))
Simplified Ellingwoman Bun: (example (http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk406/csak1735/P10505711lhn8.jpg) and pictorial (https://ellingwoman.wikispaces.com/file/view/15r1gg6.png/327820854/15r1gg6.png))
Swept Up Braided Bun: http://babesinhairland.com/hairstyles/swept-up-braided-bun/

You can always do style combos: for example, a bun in the back and 2 milkmaid/coronet braids in the front, multiple buns stacked on top of each other (e.g. braided or bunned fauxhawk - example (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WWm0XZx7HA/UCClgKQaUDI/AAAAAAAAEGc/f944qrUkSkg/s1600/polished+bun+hawk+pin.jpg)), etc, etc...

[LongCurlyTress]

gossamer's videos here are some of my favorites... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm7YcsdZX40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHbo_BUhuxc

Hope these help! :blossom:

[Horrorpops]

oh that sounds nice, I might have to try the headband idea :o

I am forever tugging little baby hairs out around my face, I much prefer that relaxed, softer look on myself.

[yahirwaO.o]

I just part my hair both center and side, it does soften way more than all slicked back!

A high updo and letting some front pieces around help a ton too!!!!

[EdG]

Facial hair really softens updos by having hair all around one's face.

I realize that this is completely useless information for 95% of LHC'ers. ;)
Ed

[Horrorpops]

Facial hair really softens updos by having hair all around one's face.

I realize that this is completely useless information for 95% of LHC'ers. ;)
Ed
:laugh: Jealous!! You'll have to enjoy that perk to make up for all us ladies who cannot :bigtongue:

[EdG]

:laugh: Jealous!! You'll have to enjoy that perk to make up for all us ladies who cannot :bigtongue:It's a small perk. Even with severe updos, you ladies are 2000% better looking than us men. :)
Ed

[LongCurlyTress]

Facial hair really softens updos by having hair all around one's face.

I realize that this is completely useless information for 95% of LHC'ers. ;)
Ed

Ed... rofl... too funny!! :p

[EdG]

Ed... rofl... too funny!! :pHee, hee. :cheese: It is true, too. :)
Ed

[RebekahE]

I leave a part in my hair, right now it is a deep side part but I try to change it up. I find brushing my hair straight back makes my face look really narrow.

[LadyCelestina]

I do accent braids and twists. I also sometimes leave small strands out, but it doesn't look so good from the side and they get damaged easily.

I also found a video on this site for creating a big poof in the front by dividing your front hair into 2 sections, braiding and coiling one into a minibun, then combing the other section over it and pin. It's even bigger than when I used to tease the front and damage-free!

[LadyCelestina]

Facial hair really softens updos by having hair all around one's face.

I realize that this is completely useless information for 95% of LHC'ers. ;)
Ed

:lol:

you can even do a small accent braid if it's long enough :D

[Cg]

Almost always I make Edwardian twists or French ropes or other braid from the temple for volume.

[dansyl]

I look AWFUL with my hair pulled straight back. I have a huge forehead lol. I'm wearing my hair up 6 out of 7 days so I'm trying to figure out how to give the front some volume while the rest tight enough to stay up in a stick or fork.

[EdG]

:lol:

you can even do a small accent braid if it's long enough :DI am thinking about the possibilities. :hmm: :ponder: :lol:
Ed

[Ingrid]

My updos are all automatically un-severe thanks to all the baby hairs. I call it, "the dandelion look" :lol:

[Hypnotica]

I make a poof in the front before putting my hair up. It helps. I also have naturally some shorter hairs around that same section that never seems to grow longer then to my jaw line so I can pull those out if I like to. You may want to consider to put in some thin face framing layers to get the choice for that.

[Ingrid]

Or... have a massive shed and enjoy the regrowth :lol:

[LongCurlyTress]

I make a poof in the front before putting my hair up. It helps. I also have naturally some shorter hairs around that same section that never seems to grow longer then to my jaw line so I can pull those out if I like to. You may want to consider to put in some thin face framing layers to get the choice for that.

The poof idea is excellent...why do I forget about this one? :rolleyes:

[proo]

Thanks for all the suggestions; I've experimented with poofs and braids but prefer this headband method because it's less manipulative and the result is more consistent. I like my temple hair to sweep down, then back sleekly while poofing the top - when I attempt this effect with braids it's a bit too. . Viking for my taste.

[Daydreamer.]

Facial hair really softens updos by having hair all around one's face. I realize that this is completely useless information for 95% of LHC'ers. ;) Ed Ha, ha. XD