As a hairstylist, I've done a lot of wedding hair. The most frequently requested style, and also the most universally flattering, is the low side updo. And the messier the better. I am not a fan of polished, perfect updo's. They look too "placed on", instead of lived in!
So here is the tutorial for a low Messy Side Updo! Perfect for any fancy occasion, or if you are just feeling fancy when you go to the grocery store. :)
A few things to consider:
1. Hair my length or longer will work with this style. Any shorter and you may have issues with it falling out.
2. The longer the hair, the more bobby pins.
3. You must must MUST have some sort of product in your hair (hairspray is prefered) for it to hold as you are styling it.
4. You can adjust how far to the side it is, based on each section placement.
Refer to this post to see what's in my hair.
**I'm wearing a new lip color by MAC called Bare Again.
(Top: Banana Republic Outlet, Earrings: Elisabeth Ashlie Jewelry, Jeans: Francesca's skinny jeans that I rolled up myself {no name}, Shoes: Target Grey Wedges)
Love this! Can't wait to try it on myself!
ReplyDeleteLove it, thank you! I have hair envy. :-)
ReplyDeletehahahah love grits posing for the camera in that last photo
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your hair tutorials! I have done the messy bun style quite a bit since you posted it~
ReplyDeleteI love this one too!
Thank you for your awesome tips and tutorials!
Grits rocks the camera. What style you both have :)
ReplyDeleteAnother cute top! Love the Gritzer appearance. :D
ReplyDeleteLOVE :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks so fantastic! Love the hair-do and love your style!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! However, I think i'm going to have to wait until my hair grows a tad longer. I like more "played" in updo's myself.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAhh, you're amazing :) I've got to try this! Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another useful, stylish and simple tutorial! I get multiple complements whenever I style my own hair accordingly.
ReplyDeleteI had a question for you. How useful is sea salt spray in creating a wave in hair? Is it drying or damaging to hair with frequent use? Do you have a specific brand you recommend? The back, bottom portion of my hair has developed quite a natural wave, while the top, front of my hair remains fairly straight. A little uniformity would be nice on days I don't want to blow dry and flat iron, etc.
Thank you for any advice!
I look forward to your tutorials on Monday! I am a hair stylist myself, and love the cute ideas. Thanks for posting :) Can not wait till the next one ! :) Kim
ReplyDeleteThis is so great! We have got to talk hair tonight when we get together--I need help. :) Your tutorials rock!
ReplyDeletePs--you were the most viewed link from Show & Share last week. Check it out!
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/10/show-share-9-features.html
Just stumbled across your amazing blog via Pinterest. Thanks for all the helpful video tutorials and advice. It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love your earrings! Where'd you get them?
ReplyDeleteI seriously love this. Your blog is my newest obsession. P.S. Your cat is fab. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS!!!!! I could spend hours touring around your blog...I have thin/fine hair and my hair is long(probably mid back length) and it never seems to hold curl..I think my problem is that I am not using enough products. Cant wait to go buy some new products and try these styles!!! Also, I am curious, What college did you go to in NC? I live in Western NC and went to Western Carolina University.
ReplyDeleteLove! This is the style that is making me stay focused on growing my hair out. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE how Grits "photo bombed" your last picture. Too cute!!!
I just cut my hair a little bit too short to do this- once it is long enough this may become my "early morning class" hairstyle :) you make it look so EASY.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting these hairstyle tutorials! You make it look so easy and beautiful! Love all your posts =)
ReplyDeleteI love this tutorial. I have tried my own way of a "messy side up do" and yours is a winner! I can't wait to try it out - house work can wait! You have the cutest profile as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's sooo beautiful! You have perfect hair.. I doubt mine will do that! (:
ReplyDeleteEnter my giveaway! Ends tomorrow!
xo
rachelsayumi.blogspot.com
I LOVE this!!! If I didn't love my long hair as much as I do, I would totally cut it like yours!
ReplyDeleteFound your blog a few weeks ago from pinterest... been stocking you ever since!! I love your tutorials, etc. My hair is now too short to do much of the updos, but still I love them!
ReplyDeletePS the cat in that picture is totally striking a pose. haha!
I've thought about this before, but seriously - can I "kidnap" you for a girls' weekend of something sometime and spend the entire time having you impart to me all of your amazing wisdom and playing with our hair? I promise to give you loads of wine and chocolate and maybe - if we're feeling especially decadent - a bunch of croissants topped off with champagne?! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI love the new blog design!!! I'm looking to revamp mine as well. I love the clean look of it! Also love this tutorial! AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI love this look! I have to say..I brought in your pic as an inspiration for my haircut and ended up with a one length cut that makes me look 12. Back to the drawing board!
ReplyDeletehttp://fabulouslythrifty.blogspot.com/
LOVE this! (LOVE everything you post!) Totally going to try this very soon. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOur Family: Aquage makes a sea salt spray. Google it. It might be exactly what you are looking for. But it could also be something like throwing a few loose curls in the top and sides to match the natural curl in the back?
ReplyDeleteSo cute and fancy :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!! I can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeletebeautiful! I started a link party at my blog and I'd love for you to link this up. If you're interested it's http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/ Have a lovely day, Maria
ReplyDeleteforgot to mention I'm your newest follower! Thanks for the inspiration! Maria
ReplyDeleteRecently discovered your blog & I love it! I have slightly past my shoulder, naturally curly hair. I haven't found many updos that work well with my length and texture, but almost everything you post looks so nice on me. Thank you! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeletelove this outfit!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thanks so much for posting! This is very similar to how I had my hair done for my wedding, so it's great to actually know how to do it. I tried this today for work, and was very surprised that it actually stayed put all day! This is the second one of your tutorials that I've done, and I again got a lot of compliments! A girl could get used to this! :)
ReplyDeleteWhy do you put the bobby pin in wavy side down? Does it hold better that way or is it just a cleaner look? Is it better for your hair? That advice stood out to me so I'm curious.
ReplyDeletethis is amazzzzzzzzzzing :D
ReplyDeleteLove it, so cute!
ReplyDeleteCould you possibly do a tutorial on how to do a fishtail braid?
ReplyDeleteRachel: They hold much much better. And it looks better too!
ReplyDeleteGlmoore: I'll add it to my list!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog. Totally awesome for you to share! I'm looking forward to scrolling through all your tutorials over the weekend when I have more time.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say? You are drop dead gorgeous. Gah! I'm a bit jealous. LOL. That first picture of you right after the video is fabulous!
Thanks again for sharing all this goodness with us. Can't wait to look through it all.
You are awesome! Love you, your hair, and tutorials! Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteI tried your messy updo today. You are right, it will take some practice but the first attempt is cute enough that I'll certainly be doing it again and again until I master this. Thanks again for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this post!! I've flipped through like half the blog pages! Love love love all your how-tos and outfits! Simply gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am attempting to do this style but am having a bit of trouble. My hair is longer, probably a couple inches below my collar bone. I can get the knotting part fine, but then what do I do with all the length? any help would be much appreciated!! thanks!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: just twist those up and pin them in!
ReplyDeleteHey girl--just wanted to let you know that YOU had the most views at Show & Share. :)
ReplyDeleteSo I love this and I want to try it, BUT I don't have cute bangs like you. Mine are almost the length of the rest of my hair. How should I include them into the do? Or should I just play with them and see what looks best? --Ashley
ReplyDelete@Ashley: Try a few different things, but if you do a side part, just swoop them over like you would a bang!
ReplyDeleteyour hairstyles are amazing. you make it seem so easy
ReplyDeletefound your blog today. LOVE it. also, is your cat a siamese? looks like some sort of mese. :) I have a siamese and balinese (both rescues). LOVE your blog and will be back again for sure!
ReplyDelete@Mrs.Ott's Art Room: Yep! He is a Flamepoint Siamese! Such a talker!
ReplyDeleteHi! Found you through Lindsay's blog..this is so beautiful as are you!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog via pinterest and you have the best hair ever!!
ReplyDeleteI just love all your hair tutorials!!!! They are amazing... Thank you for posting them!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog and all of your tutorials! Thanks to you, I feel like I have some other options for my hair! =) You're amazing!
ReplyDeleteBriana
You look so great! So great that I featured you on my blog tonight :) Thanks so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday! Come check it out and grab a button :) http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/10/your-whims-wednesday-30-and-features.html
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! This was the most viewed link last week at the Whatever Goes Wednesday party. I am featuring it this week. Grab my "featured" button.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautifully done by you!
ReplyDeleteYour hair looks so easy to do with.. I've really really thick hair, just a few bobby pins won't fix it.. :(
awesome, awesome, awesome! Can't wait to try this! Thanks for posting all the video tutorials. You rock. :)
ReplyDeleteI love all your hair tutorials! I featured this one at So Very Creative. http://soverycreative.blogspot.com/2011/10/messy-side-updo.html
ReplyDeleteThis is so, so, so cute. Do you have any pointers for shorter hair, yet achieving a similar style?
ReplyDelete@JennD: How short is your hair?
ReplyDeletefound you on pinterest.....your tutorials are some of the best - so easy to follow. You're updo's look awesome.....keep posting!!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to find tutorials for my length of hair! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI found you on Pinterest and have enjoyed perusing through your tutorials. I am also a hairstylist and I LOVE that you are showing how to do these styles on your own hair...no smoke and mirrors. And each style (not including prep time) seems to only take about 5-10 min. I took your advice and got the Aquage Uplifting Foam...LOVE it. I look forward to waking up each morning just so I can fix my hair. Been awhile since I could say that! Thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI tried this hairstyle today and I love it! Your tutorials are very helpful. I have been so tired of doing my hair the same 2 or 3 ways so I'm glad to have more ideas on what to do now!
ReplyDeleteYou have changed my life! I just got my hair cut with bangs (longer than yours but inspired by you). Since then I have been watching all your tutorials. I have never been able to do my hair till now. Thank you!!
ReplyDeletedo you have to curl your hair before you do this updo???
ReplyDelete@micha: you don't have to, but it might help!
ReplyDeleteHi, found your blog via Pinterest, and I really like this updo going to try it this weekend! I will follow your blog it looks very good and also ''simple'' in a good way no complicated hair updo's as I am not so handy with my long hair! Anyway thanks a lot and ''see'' you soon!
ReplyDeleteMarion
(The Netherlands)
Obviously there is a time difference...but know I see it is around late afternoon with you and here we are off to sleep...:-)
ReplyDeleteYou have literally changed my hair life. I get so many compliments on my hair styles now and I owe it all to you. Thank you for sharing the stylist inside scoop!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! thank you!!! perfect for the fall wedding im attending!
ReplyDeleteTried this today! Doesn't look as good as yours, but for my first try it looks pretty good! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Such an awesome tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog last night around 3 am cause I couldn't sleep and actually did a hairstyle as well. I couldn't believe how easy it was and think how the heck did I not find your blog any sooner! Thank you so much for sharing these tutorials. I have long hair and wih two kids it ends up in a ponytail... a lot! These tips are quick and easy and fun to do! Thank you so much!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! Hope that I can get it to look half as good as yours!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog. we have almost identical hair so everything you do should work on me! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, I loved your video tutorial. It was so much fun to watch. Thanks for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, makes me think I can do it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove the hair..and LOVE your earrings!
ReplyDeleteI'm Amy & I like many other found you through pinterest. Anyhow, do you think that this messy side updo is possible to do with long hair that goes to the middle of your back?
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to add to the others: your blog is amazing and a hair-changer for me! Tried this hairstyle just now and it worked great!! It IS easy, your way. Except I put it up too high, against your advice to put it between ear and neck. Oh, well. Something to work on next time.
ReplyDeleteHi- I saw what you said about just twisting long hair up, but is there a trick to getting the bobby pins to hold? It seems like they're not wanting to stick in or maybe I'm trying to put too much hair up per pin? I have that's longer and thick so maybe this updo won't work? What are your thoughts? I LOVE yours and would love to be able to make it work!
ReplyDeleteI love your video, this hair style is amazing!! thank you so much. I did modify it a little bit and did a half up half down look using your technique, and it is so perfect. love your blog!
ReplyDeleteWhy is that you start with curly hair? It seems like by the end you are twisting it around in such a way that it wouldn't matter if it were curly or straight.
ReplyDeleteMy sister shared your site with me and I have to say I am absolutely in love! Thank you!
Just did this for my company holiday party!! I'm loving the way it looks! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKate, thank you so much for all your hair tutorials. I've been doing this do for a bit and love how it looks. Growing up, my mom wasn't around much and never taught me how to do my hair. Now that I'm an adult, I love knowing how to do my hair and look girly every once and a while. I can't thank you enough for helping me feel beautiful!
ReplyDelete1) I appreciate it when you talk about what to do when you have different textures/thickness of hair than you have.
ReplyDelete2) I also liked it when you throw in a "don't ever" do this. For some of us, this does not come naturally, so those obvious (to you) pointers help some of us.
-Angie :)
Hi! I just wanted to say that I tried this style out last weekend for the hubby's christmas party & I LOVED it! It took me a few tries but will definetly wear it again! Thanks so much for sharing & for all your hair pointers!
ReplyDeleteI just tried this out last night for my husband's holiday work party & I loved it! I received so many compliments on my hair & it was so easy! I have naturally curly hair, so I was able to skip the first step. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI love these pants! are they jcrew? Im going to go try this hairdo right now!
ReplyDeleteHi i love this look but I have thick long curly hair it can be pain to work with. Do you have any ideas for New Years Eve party looks?
ReplyDeleteYou have such cute hair and ideas!
ReplyDeleteYou are simply AWESOME!! Thank you SO much for sharing your mad skills & helping to beautify us ladies :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the tips! I found you on pinterest and I'm so glad I did :)
ReplyDeletethank you for the video. i am going to try this for NYE!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite site for hairstyles! You are so cute :) I just love your style! Classic but you can wear it any day of the week. Thank you for teaching me how to (safely) trim my bangs in between cuts, too. You are the bomb girl :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cute hairstyle...really simple, yet also elegant!
ReplyDeleteMy only complaint is that I needed to section my hair into four sections because of my length and thickness, but other than that, it's a winner for me!!
Thanks!
What if you have very very long hair? How would you tuck in the pieces after you tie the knots?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE This! If only I could get my hair to look how yours started. :)
ReplyDeleteAmAzInG!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS LOOK! I just tried it and im so in love with it! You make it look so easy and i love it!
ReplyDeleteCould you demonstrate a way to do this without having to tie a knot in the back? I have a graduated bob that is just a tad shorter than yours in the back and I can't do the knot but I can put my hair up.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be the cutest person I've ever seen! I love all the tutorials and am so glad that you don't mind sharing that you got your pieces from target! Just shows you can look classy on any budget!
ReplyDeleteAny tips on what to do if you don't have bangs and just long layers?
ReplyDeleteIf you have thicker hair can you do more then three sections?
ReplyDeleteThis is AH-MAZING. i've had curly hair all 16 years of my life, as do my 2 sisters and my mom, and its always an issue trying to find unique ways to do up-dos with the layers curly hair requires. i just tried this and it looked adorable. definitely wearing this to school tomorrow, thanks!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo... I'm stuck at work for 12 hours but I can't tell you how EXCITED I am to get off work and try this out! I live in NC also, but I'm guessing you're closer to the Raleigh area :( BUMMER. Needless to say, I LOVE all your styles and that you take the time to walk us through step by simple step! I'll leave another comment after I've tried it out! ;] -Ashley
ReplyDeleteFound your blog via Pinterest and I love it!! Such great advice and easy how-to videos; thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteMy hair has recently been cut again.. And a year ago i went from blond (my whole life) to a brunette for my 30th birthday. i used to always try new and cute things to my hair but lately I've been bored and it's a little frustrating. Now seeing your videos i feel excited again. Thank you so much for your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy hair has recently been cut again.. And a year ago i went from blond (my whole life) to a brunette for my 30th birthday. i used to always try new and cute things to my hair but lately I've been bored and it's a little frustrating. Now seeing your videos i feel excited again. Thank you so much for your blog!
ReplyDeleteI did this for a date this weekend and it was super cute and he complimented me on it. Thanks Kate for the amazing hair tutorials!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kate! I did this for my prom- looked wonderful with my dress!! xxx
ReplyDeleteI am so going to try this tomorrow! I can do nothing with my hair except straiten it and put it up in a ponytail...I bought a curling iron today, and watched your tutorial on how to curl..so after that battle...I will totally give this a try! This looks simple enough, and with 4 kids, (5, 2 1/2 and 8 1/2 month old twins) I DO NOT want mom hair..I want to look pretty without it taking an hour to acheive! Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteKate- I have 5 kids (13,10,7,4,& 3) and work full time as the office manager of a small private classical school that my husband and close friend started 7 years ago. (www.dominionclassical.org)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOUR BLOG! You have a true gift in educating us "inquiring minds" in all things fashion and beauty.
As you can imagine, I do NOT have a lot of time to devote to getting MYSELF ready. About how long does it take for you to get ready?-- from the time you step out of the shower, until you are ready to walk out the door?
I love all your tutorials and how easy you make it look~ very inspirational! THANK YOU!
Christy
http://gloriouscacophony.blogspot.com/
the link doesn't work for your product recommendations at the top :(
ReplyDeleteI love your hair and your earrings but i can't find the earrings on your etsy page anymore. :(
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these easy to follow tutorials! I had a beach wedding last month and wanted something laid back and easy. I was able to do my own hair for my wedding and everyone was astonished when I told them I did it myself. Thanks for helping make my wedding day (and my wedding pictures!!) a success!
Jill
I love it! Thank you!
ReplyDeletei was in my sister's wedding in july and i did this hairstyle! all the other bridesmaids had theirs done and said they liked mine better. :) thanks for saving me some moolah and for all the tips!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you hair tutorials. I've used a few and get so many compliments and direct them to your blog! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI have never been one to "do" my hair. Mostly flat iron and go. Love, love, love your blog. I tried this for a date night with my hubby and it was great. Your video was perfect especially for me a visual person. Thank you! I have some confidence now that I don't have to have my hair the same all the time.
ReplyDeleteYour eyes are really pretty.
ReplyDeleteI did your messy side do for a wedding I was going to. It turned out beautiful!! I got so many complements (my hair looked better than the brides). Your video was easy to follow and the "do" was easy to "do" on my own hair. Can't wait to try other styles for date night! Thanks!!!! Lisa
ReplyDeleteI found you on pinterest and LOVE your hair tutorials. Most of the hair tutorials on pinterest are for long hair or I just find pictures with no instructions. All your hair styles are super super cute, I'm so excited to try them all!
ReplyDeleteThanks on behalf of sharing superb in order. Your web-site is same cool. I am impressed by the info that you have proceeding this situate. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web side, will be as long as in exchange on behalf of more articles.hår extension
ReplyDeleteI looove your site :) I have longish hair that I've known what to do with! Your site has been pure gold for me!! I have done this hairstyle six times now and every time I do it, it turns out differently. Each time, it gets easier and looks a bit better. People always think I have gone and gotten it done professionally. Love that!!! Thanks so very much for your work with these tutorials. You are a blessing to many people!!!
ReplyDeleteLongish hairI have NOT known what to do with...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I love your tutorials. I have hair the same length as yours and have been putting up the same boring way for years. These hairstyles make me feel so much better! Thank you!
ReplyDelete