Easy Vintage Updo Tutorial

7 Materials
$5
20 Minutes
Easy

In this vintage updo tutorial, we’re going to create a look that, depending on how you dress it up, could either be a great interview or work/business look.


Of course, you can also sleek it up to really make it a fun evening look as well. Let's get started!

Tools and materials:

  • Pomade
  • Bobby pins
  • Hairbrush
  • Comb
  • Hair tie
  • Filler
  • Hairspray
Applying pomade

1. Apply pomade

I want to tame a little bit of the frizz, especially at the ends of my hair.


To do that, I’m going to use a water-based pomade. Water-based pomade is great for hair that is finer and thinner because it won't weigh it down. If you have thicker hair, though, you will want to look for a pomade that is wax-based.


I always put pomade on the top of my head last because I find that if I start with the top of my head, I always put too much on, and it ends up looking greasy.

Sectioning hair

2. Section off the front section

Part your hair at the corner of your forehead.


Then, section off the front part of your hair from corner to corner and pin the section up and out of the way.

Tying ponytail

3. Tie a ponytail

Now brush everything back to make it all nice and smooth. We’re going to make a low ponytail.


Then take a small section of hair from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the hair, so it covers the hair tie.


Insert a bobby pin at the end of the hair to hold it in place. Then pin your ponytail up so that it’s out of the way.

Hair filler

Next, we’re going to use a filler.


I made this one myself because I could not find a donut or anything that I liked the size of.


This is a fishnet stocking filled with pillow batting. I like using fishnet stockings because you can bobby-pin into them without tearing them.

Pinning hair filler to head

4. Pin filler to head

Place the filler at the back of your head. Make sure not to place it too low down so that you can still move your head around comfortably.


Position it in a U-shape and insert a bobby pin up in one corner, though the filler into the hair. Then pin the other side.

Shaping hair around filler

5. Shape your hair around the filler

Now start to shape the hair around it.


Start with the hair in the center and spread it out to get an even distribution of hair. Once it is tucked around the end on both sides, pop in a bobby pin.


One of the other nice things about using a fishnet stocking or anything that has a texture to it is as you're spreading the hair, you can feel it, so you can tell if your form is actually poking out of the hair.

Tucking hair

6. Tuck hair under

Once the sides are both pinned in place, start to tuck the rest of your hair under there.


Make sure there's uniformity to your form, that one side isn't bigger or shorter than the other.


You also want to make sure that you are covering the form in its entirety. It should feel nice and tight to the head; anywhere that doesn't, just go ahead and put another bobby pin in it.

Applying hair spray

7. Apply hairspray

To finish up, spritz it with some hairspray. Run your hands over it while it is still wet to plaster down any of those little tiny hairs that are flying up.

Backcombing front

8. Backcomb the front

You can style the front part of your hair in any way you like. I like a lot of volume on the top of my head.


Backcomb the top half of the hair, going all the way to the base, and then spray it with hairspray.


Continue to do this for all of the hair, going in small sections and spraying each section since we want the style to last all day. Give it a final spritz and let it dry. 

Brushing hair

9. Brush the outside of the hair

Now lightly brush the outside of the hair. We don’t want to brush through the backcombing as that will just brush away all the volume.


Give it a spritz once you’ve brushed it all to the side. Now that the hair is smooth, brush it all together at the ends.

Pinning the curl

10. Pin the curl

Pin the curl down and also pin the base of the hair at the side.

Adding accessory

11. Add accessory

No look is complete without a hair accessory.

Completed vintage updo

That is it. I hope you guys enjoyed this look. 

Completed vintage updo

I really love the way this turned out, and I love the versatility of this look.


If you enjoyed this post, leave a comment and check out my Easy Hair Tutorial: How to Make Your Curls Last Longer.

Suggested materials:
  • Pomade
  • Bobby pins
  • Hairbrush
See all materials

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