Short Story

September 14, 2016

You got a lob, and it’s adorable—but it’s probably also un-bun-able. How can you keep it out of your face for class? We asked hair pro Chuck Jensen to create three dance-friendly updos that are perfect for shorter hair.

1. Tucked French Braid

• Create a French braid—crossing the strands over, not under, as you go—

from the top of your head to the nape of your neck.

• Braid the remaining tail of hair (as best you can) in a standard braid.

• Tuck the tail under and use hairpins to secure it, creating “X” shapes with the pins for security.

Chuck’s Tip: Have slippery and/or dramatically layered hair? Wet the ends before beginning the braid, to keep them from sliding or sticking out.


Tucked French Braid (Jayme Thorton)

2. Modified Gibson Tuck

• Create a deep side part.

• Grab two small pieces from one side of the part and twist them together.

• Keep picking up new pieces of hair as you twist along the side of your head, pinning at intervals to keep the twist from unraveling.

• Repeat on the other side.

• Make a ponytail, incorporating all remaining hair, at the base of your neck.

• Roll the tail upward and use hairpins to secure it at your nape.

• Gently pull the ponytail roll and the side twists together, so they look like one seamless twist.

Chuck’s Tip: Hide any leftover ends by tucking them into the side twists.


Modified Gibson Tuck (Jayme Thorton)

3. French Twist with a Twist

• Create a part along the top of your head from ear to ear, dividing your hair into two sections.

• Pin the front section out of the way.

• Create a small French twist with the back section by making a low ponytail and then pulling the hair upward as you twist it. Tuck the ends into the top of the twist.

• Unpin the front section of hair and create a deep side part in it.

• Twist the hair on one side of the part into a rope.

• Tuck the end of the rope under itself and pin it to the top of the French twist.

• Repeat the previous two steps with the hair on the other side of the part.

French Twist with a Twist (Jayme Thorton)