Short Story
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)
