PDA

View Full Version : Updos that don't look old-lady-ish?



honeyblonde
January 21st, 2012, 08:44 AM
I need some updo ideas! I do not follow hair trends, and am clueless as to what styles are in fashion. I am afraid of looking too matronly or old-lady-ish while sporting MY bun.
I will be starting school next week, and don't want to be known as the women with a granny bun!
BTW, I am in my 40's with hip length hair. I hope I haven't offended anyone! I have always hated buns, they make me think of granny on, The Beverly Hillibies. :o

Chromis
January 21st, 2012, 08:56 AM
Check out the articles (you'll find the link in the middle of the grey bar near the top of the page) and the Hairstyle of the Month subforum.

Renate
January 21st, 2012, 09:04 AM
When I'm out of ideas, I like this channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/lilithedarkmoon) for inspiration :)

Madora
January 21st, 2012, 09:04 AM
If you hate buns, then this might appeal to you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPHEzUr5bWQ

If you do wear a bun, the placement of said bun determines how "old fashioned" it might look (to some).

Place it up higher to avoid that "dowdy" look.

You might want to check out the various tutorials by Torrin Paige on You Tube.

honeyblonde
January 21st, 2012, 09:38 AM
Thanks everyone! :flower:

Madora, your updos are so stylish and sophisticated! Wish I had your talent .:blossom: Thanks for the tip on the placement, never even thought of that. Off to practice some of the lovely updos. Will post pics. as soon as I master one of them! :D

jacqueline101
January 21st, 2012, 09:59 AM
I like to create my own I found three basics are needed pony tail braid and a wide tooth comb. You can create any up do with those and let your imagination kick in.

cheetahfast
January 21st, 2012, 11:14 AM
I love a dutch braid with the end clipped up and tucked into a ficcare or the remaining braid wrapped into a bun.

I think it looks cool. I'm not sure about young, most girls I see seem to always have their hair down or just pulled into a pony tail. :shrug:

Calaelen
January 21st, 2012, 11:41 AM
Another option is to just go to the top bar, and hit on albums, I haven't seen many old-ladyish looks on this site. :)

krissykins
January 21st, 2012, 11:44 AM
Braids seem to be really fashionable nowadays, so accenting your buns with side braids or even just a basic braided bun would work. :)

QMacrocarpa
January 21st, 2012, 11:54 AM
How about a braid, if you don't care for buns? A side-braid could be good for lectures, to prevent squishing between your chair and back.

peronella
January 21st, 2012, 12:04 PM
I've solved this problem by twisting the sides of my hair from he front all the way to the back and into a bun at the name of my neck, It suits my taste and it softens the buns and gives me a younger and less severe look, I think.

Amarante
January 21st, 2012, 12:14 PM
I like to do low side buns, with a couple of flowers tucked in. It always looks cute. :)

Kelikea
January 21st, 2012, 12:43 PM
This is one of my favorites:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=8987&pictureid=117347
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117348&albumid=8987&dl=1319762290&thumb=1 I section the front part into a rope braid first, make a ponytail, wrap the braid around and fasten with a bobby pin, then make two rope braids out of the pony and wrap around, securing with hair pins.
Also very easy:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117346&albumid=8987&dl=1319762164&thumb=1Chinese bun
Braiding the front part keeps from pulling your hair too severely and also makes the 'do more interesting.

dulce
January 21st, 2012, 01:56 PM
A french braid?A french twist? A low chignon with long dangly earrings is chic not matronly.A dropped bun?A figure 8?Some suggestions that might work?

Hollyfire3
January 21st, 2012, 02:08 PM
This is one of my favorites:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=8987&pictureid=117347
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117348&albumid=8987&dl=1319762290&thumb=1 I section the front part into a rope braid first, make a ponytail, wrap the braid around and fasten with a bobby pin, then make two rope braids out of the pony and wrap around, securing with hair pins.
Also very easy:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117346&albumid=8987&dl=1319762164&thumb=1Chinese bun
Braiding the front part keeps from pulling your hair too severely and also makes the 'do more interesting.

I LOVE this, so beautiful and so pretty! Also helps to contain hair if you have alot of it...

Kristin
January 21st, 2012, 02:55 PM
I think high buns look younger. You could also try any of the zillion different braided styles that are popular right now. I usually look on Pinterest or YouTube when I need new ideas. Letsmakeitup1 (on YouTube) has some really cute styles. Wrapping a great scarf around your neck and wearing dangly earrings looks younger, too.

Arrow
January 21st, 2012, 02:56 PM
My YouTube channel (link in my signature) has tutorials for the following buns/updos (I did add pictures but there's just too many-- you can view them in my albums):

Woven Bun
Hair Taping (and Invisible Hair Taping)
Chinese Braided Bun
Braided Scarf Bun
Arya Stark Sock Bun
Renaissance Heidi Braids
Regency Scarf Bun
Bella Bridal Bun
Snake Bun
Vintage Tuck
Faux Hair Taping
Tuck and Fold
Inverted French Tuck
Ribboned Bun
Roped Chinese Bun
Plain Jane Bun
Traditional Chinese Bun
Rose Bun
Sock Buns
Braided Wheel Bun

I hope some of these will be helpful for you.

Arrow
>----->

long&blonde
January 21st, 2012, 02:59 PM
This is one of my favorites:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=8987&pictureid=117347
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117348&albumid=8987&dl=1319762290&thumb=1 I section the front part into a rope braid first, make a ponytail, wrap the braid around and fasten with a bobby pin, then make two rope braids out of the pony and wrap around, securing with hair pins.
Also very easy:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=117346&albumid=8987&dl=1319762164&thumb=1Chinese bun
Braiding the front part keeps from pulling your hair too severely and also makes the 'do more interesting.
I don't know if I've ever successfully replied to a post:usually look,& my reply is my new post, miles away from what I'm replying to. That aside:if I succeeded; I Love both of your styles. Are they featured on a You Tube tutorial anywhere;would love to favorite it for reference. Loved what you said about front braid keeps pullback less severe:and ponytail base always nice to work from. Encourages m.e as "possibly doable". :)

Honestwitness
January 21st, 2012, 03:08 PM
*hee* *hee* I guess you wouldn't want to try any of my styles, because I *AM* an old lady. I try really hard not to look like granny on the Beverly Hillbillies. But sometimes, just for fun, I do play like I'm a tight-bunned mean lady.

MrsGuther
January 21st, 2012, 03:15 PM
I love a cinnamon bun. I am actually a fan of buns. I don't think they look 'old-lady-ish'. :)

Kelikea
January 21st, 2012, 03:15 PM
I don't have any tutorials, but I'm sure you can find one for the Chinese bun. It is easy. You just section your hair in two, braid each side, stick the hairstick through the top of each braid, wrap the braids around the hairstick and pin ends under. The rope braid is just two strands twisted and wrapped around each other. I have to do two in order to make a bun because one is too thick to coil around properly.

curlsgalore
January 21st, 2012, 03:39 PM
High fluffy bun or low side bun with a flower or nice hairstck/fork. :)

honeyblonde
January 21st, 2012, 03:47 PM
*hee* *hee* I guess you wouldn't want to try any of my styles, because I *AM* an old lady. I try really hard not to look like granny on the Beverly Hillbillies. But sometimes, just for fun, I do play like I'm a tight-bunned mean lady.

Oh, Honestwitness, your hair is gorgeous; you have nothing to worry about!! Haha, that tight bunned mean lady pic. is just hilarious though!!! :D

uptosomeone
January 21st, 2012, 05:04 PM
My rule of thumb is this: if you want to go for a tight, slick bun (which is really what gives some people the "old maid" feel) wear very fashion forward clothes. That way they even each other out. If you're not interested in trying to think about being trendy, keep your buns a little more loose. Waves, texture, loose pieces in front, little bits of glitter here and there. Maybe try some bows if you like that look. That will get you far, far away from the old maid look!

This is not to say that sleek hairstyles make everyone look old. Heaven knows there are lots of ladies on here that look young, fresh and beautiful with their sleek buns. :)

A few links to think about:

http://0.tqn.com/d/womenshair/1/0/L/0/-/-/AngelinaJolie2.jpg
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leipb3Q3OC1qfp5jso1_500.jpg
http://www.womenfashionwear.com/gifs/messy-hair-bun-style.jpg
http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/27834866_veXk5f95_c.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5564736819_44903ea484.jpg

ladonna
January 21st, 2012, 10:28 PM
What about a low bun behind one of your ears? I do this to my DD's hair with her fringe in a dutch braid that goes to the same ear and attaches to the bun. I'm not creative when it comes to my hair but I've made some really cute protective hairstyles for my kids.

kidari
January 21st, 2012, 11:01 PM
I think anything that has to do with braids usually make it look more bohemian. Also, messy buns or buns placed higher on the head or loose pieces/bangs in the front help and so does a little height in your crown area. If I make a more formal neat looking bun low in the nape of my neck I always make sure I have a few shorter loose pieces hanging free in the front and/or use a rat tail comb to fluff up the hair in my crown... you can even simply pull a few pieces up with my fingers. You can also use cool hairbands to add decorative interest or to help fluff up the top portion of your hair without any damage involved. Lately I love using my bump-it hidden away whenever I do a more "old-ladyish" updo because I feel it helps make it look more glamorous and less stuffy.

sfgirl
January 21st, 2012, 11:03 PM
Messy buns with a few pieces pulled out are usually good, or really long fishtail braids always look awesome!

StormVixen
January 22nd, 2012, 04:48 AM
Two buns are better than one (IMHO) :P

pepperminttea
January 22nd, 2012, 05:27 AM
I love a cinnamon bun. I am actually a fan of buns. I don't think they look 'old-lady-ish'. :)

Ditto. My grandmothers both had short perms, so that's what I think of as an older style, whereas buns I think of as more classic and timeless. :)

dulce
January 22nd, 2012, 01:05 PM
Check out the plastic "topsy tail" gadget sold on the net,you can do a lot of very elegant unusual styles with it,pony,braid,halfup,and check out the topsy tail bun someone started a thread here over the last day or so. Also check out Flexi 8 clips,again they make simple styles look so awesome.

darklyndsea
January 22nd, 2012, 01:11 PM
I think that right kind of hair accessories can take a hairstyle from old-ladyish to more youthful looking.