Gwen Stefani has been one of my favorite style icons for the past 15 years or so. She has sported some of the most incredible hairstyles that I’ve seen, and while some of them are pretty technically complicated, I’ve created a little step-by-step tutorial on how to create this quick, easy Gwen-inspired updo! I did this style on the lovely miss Tory a few weeks back for a hair show and it’s definitely something that could be recreated at home!
1) Pre-style prep. I asked Tory not to wash her hair the night before because hair that isn’t freshly clean is a lot easier to work with! On dry hair, I sprayed Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Spray liberally throughout for extra styling grip and to plump up Tory’s fine strands. I then blow dried it with a large round brush to give it some volume, and flat ironed only the mid-shaft and ends of her hair in large sections to smooth it out a little. I use Hot Off The Press by Paul Mitchell for a heat protective spray, it’s awesome! Since Tory’s hair is fine, and fine hair tends to get a little weighed down by oil, I sprayed Dirty Little Secret Dry Shampoo by TIGI Rockaholic on her roots. So to recap, prepare by volumizing and smoothing (without flattening!) Now you’re ready to rock!
2. I parted off a large, triangle-shaped section on top of Tory’s head, starting roughly at the arch of her eyebrows on either side, and taking it back to the high point on the crown where it begins to curve. You’ll want to clip this up into a bun so it’s out of the way for now.
3. With everything that is left, smooth it back into a ponytail at the back of the head, just below the point of the triangle-shaped section. I used my back-combing brush for this because it’s small and the bristles are very compact, but you can use any brush where the bristles are very close together. Make sure the ponytail is secure and then put another ponytail elastic around it, twist the elastic once and pull the pony back through, half way. This should create a loop of hair with the ends sticking out. Pull the loop horizontally and vertically on the sides to fan it out some, and then start pulling lightly at random pieces of it to give it a more messy, undone look. I sprayed with Paul Mitchell Hold Me Tight hairspray as I went along for flexible hold and bobby-pinned any bits that were looking a little too floppy. You’re not trying to make this look perfect. Having some disorder is key to making it work.
4. Next I backcombed the top section using a back-combing brush/teasing brush and Hold Me Tight hairspray. I prefer using a brush because it gives a fluffier, airier mass than a comb does. Now smooth the left side of the section and direct the whole section to the left. Roll it over on itself toward the right. Again, this doesn’t have to be precise, it looks best if there are some ends and odd bits poking out. Secure with bobby pins on the inside of the roll. Make sure it all feels secure. Once you are done playing with it, and it’s sufficiently messy-on-purpose looking, give it a good spray with Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Firm Finishing Spray.
As I mentioned, Tory’s hair is fine, and it’s several inches past her shoulders, but this style can be done on any hair that is long enough to get into a decent ponytail. Tory also has blunt-cut bangs which are just below her eyebrow. I just hairsprayed them up into the style using the Extra-Body Firm Finishing spray.
If you decide to re-create this style, please send me the pictures, I’d love to see the results!
Click this image to see it bigger and get a better look at the front of her hair!
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