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The French twist may have been elected the hairdo for spring 2017 on Pinterest, but if you’re not a fan there are still many chignons to choose from for your big day. A loose bun for a more bohemian reception or a classic bun for a chic ceremony … whatever your tastes, there is one to match any dress and any type of head. With the help of Anne-Sophie Warot, professional hair stylist for more than 20 years, Aleteia selected and broke down 19 hair-dos, timeless or on-trend, leaving this year’s future brides spoiled for choice.
A wedding with a French twist
The charm of this sophisticated up-do comes from the intricate work of the relaxed twist that helps bring volume to the style. If your choice of wedding hairdo is already leaning towards a French twist, this one deserves to be accessorized to make it a touch more special, and to highlight all that styling detail.
The romantic headband chignon
Slightly twisted and smoothed out, this style’s volume comes from the dense hair itself. The hair is worked into a headband decorating the contour of the head — although it could easily be replaced by a wedding headband. It could be done with less volume depending on how the band is attached, but it is a great option for brides with long hair. If you’re opting for a headband, you can choose from a range of options — flowery, jeweled, plaited or lace. There is sure to be one to match your taste and bridal gown.
The tousled high bun
This loose oversized bun works particularly well on this classic blonde. But the real success lies in where the bun is placed on the head, as well as the amount of volume created to give her such a dramatic top knot that’s both pretty and simple. The gently teased hair and the choice of hair tie gives a natural touch to the overall look that’s not overly “done” and turns out to be less conventional than a more severe, slicked-back bun.
A sophisticated low bun
Here’s a classic chignon whose subtlety is hidden in its intricate layers, enhanced by the hair’s bicolor effect (darker and lighter hair dyes). These different tones accentuate and highlight the movement in this interlaced bun. Our advice: have a highlighting session booked beforehand to optimize the results of this low bun.
A floral top knot
Not for the wallflowers among us, this chignon has been created to showcase the peonies that are being used. It also shows that the larger the accessory, the more imposing it will be. It is therefore recommended to leave the bun slightly looser at the back of the head, by not smoothing out the hair too much, to reduce the height of the bun. The flower accessory helps bring structure to the style and lends a feminine touch to your wedding hairdo.
A French twist à la Grace Kelly
In the style of Grace Kelly, or even the songstress Adele, the French twist with its red carpet allure is a style classic that lends itself well to an elegant bride and wedding. In this case, the double twist is very smooth and requires a lot of volume in your tresses to be able to work well. And a chic bride won’t hesitate to add an accessory with a bit of sparkle to emphasize its sophisticated feel.
The curly low chignon
Recommended for all those who dream of a romantic hairstyle, the curly low chignon is created with hair that has been curled with a curling iron beforehand. The number of pins used will define the structure and the hold of the chignon, which can work well on both long and mid-length hair. Hide all those pins and give it a more bohemian touch by sliding a floral accessory into the bun.
The bun with a bang
A modern style, this type of bun needs many elements for it to work effectively and you’ll find it’s all a question of balance. In continuity with the deep bangs which cover the top front of the head, part of the hair is divided into two braids which help structure the form of the high bun while also adding a pretty touch. The high bun is the focal point from behind and rebalances the volumes at the front as well as at the back of the head.
The severely smooth bun
A picture of refined elegance, this more severe bun counts itself among the timeless classics. The bun at the base of the neck has extra volume thanks to the pieces of hair that have been woven in, lending even more sophistication to this hairstyle.
The slightly neglected bun
Perfect for a bride looking for a simple and natural hairstyle, this low chignon looks just as good slightly higher up on the head or slightly to the side. If you have a naturally wavy or frizzy head of hair this will work well for you. The success of this style lies in where it is pinned as this will provide structure to the interlaced pieces of hair used to create the chignon.
The braided bun
A more classic version of the high bun, the charm of this hairstyle comes from the gentle mound of hair that structures the bun. The wheat-colored braid helps to add volume to the style and adds some softness to this bohemian chic hairdo.
The romantically chic French twist
To help bring a little volume to this French twist, the back of the hair isn’t combed through properly. The hairdo is worked very loosely to help create that romantic spirit. And it’s the twist itself that adds a chic touch to this sophisticated and unstuffy bridal chignon.
The side chignon
Slightly asymmetrical, this chignon worn on the side is created with flattened curls to have less volume. This more intricate hairdo could also be adapted to add braids, twists, or even flowers. However you complete the look, you’re guaranteed a style that is delicate and feminine.
The ballerina bun
For all those would-be ballerinas, this type of bun is both classical and on-trend. It’s easy to do and is the perfect option for those who don’t want to waste too much time or money on their wedding hairdo. All that’s required is a sponge bun donut and a good hair length and you’re good to go. For those brides wanting a more rustic look, try opting for a styled but slightly messy bun.
A bun crowned with flowers
With this uber-romantic bun, the tresses were curled to make the hair supple and easier to style. The locks of hair were carefully pinned to add extra volume at the back of the head. To sport this type of loosely styled bun decorated with flowers, it will be important to think about the choice of flower adornment to be used. This will help decide how it should be placed in the bun, and from a more practical point of view, to make sure it coordinates with the rest of the flowers used throughout the ceremony.
The low bun
If you’re after simplicity then this is the bun for you! Imagine a dancer swiftly attaching their hair at the nape of their neck — it doesn’t get much easier, in fact it’s so easy you can do it yourself. Perfect for those with mid-length hair, this bun does need a little bit of glitz to really show it off. So try adding a pretty crystal hair comb or a flowery pin to the bun and you’ll be the picture of elegance.
The Brigitte Bardot bun
Borrowed from the French icon Brigitte Bardot, this chignon is just a more unkempt and voluminous version of the classic French twist. Based on this year’s top hairstyle, the chignon is created by leaving hair uncombed and fixing it less precisely than the traditional French twist. We love how this this more relaxed hairdo, although neglectfully chic, can be adapted to all types of weddings and brides.
The messy high bun
This up-do was created as an asymmetric bun on top of the head, taking into consideration the flower accessory that was to be added to complete the look. If you’re opting for a voluminous style bun this bold flower will balance the look perfectly — making your bridal hairdo both feminine and striking. The asymmetric bun is a great look for those wanting to add that statement accessory.
A boldly braided bun
Who needs accessories when you can have a chunky braid? The stylist creates a bun that will highlight this natural decorative braid. The overall hairdo is not overly worked and the bun is created depending on the thickness of the hair. To add a braid to this style of bun you must pay particular attention to the proportions to maintain a sense of harmony on each side of the head. You could always add a few accessories to make the look seem more bridal — just don’t forget to warn your hairstylist in advance so they can prepare where and how it should be placed to optimize your up-do.
This article was originally published in the French Edition of Aleteia.
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