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Creative updos are HOT for natural hair this fall. Moving beyond 2-strand twist sets, braid outs, and afro puffs, Design Essentials® educators presented a collection of natural updos at the most recent Bronner Bros. Hair Show that will inspire both professional stylists and do-it-yourself-ers. The right tools, techniques and products are key to achieving stylish and polished updos on natural hair. Here are 3 essential styling tips for achieving fierce and funky styles presented by Design Essentials® Master Educator Deshonica Kerrie.

MUST READ: Coloring Natural Hair The Right Way [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

The Right Tools: Make sure to have a rat-tail comb to achieve the precise parting that establishes the sections for your updos. This is critical to achieving that polished look. Also, you’ll need a combination of both hair pins and bobby pins to anchor the rolls and smooth edges with the right amount of tension. You can use a teasing brush to achieve more height where needed.

Blow Dry for Length: Updo styles often require volume to support the fluff needed for maximum height and texture. You can achieve added length and volume by airforming, or blow drying the hair first. Focus on blow drying the hair to about 80% straightness to deliver smoothing on the sides where you will be securing the updo, and blow dry less in the crown and center areas that will be used to create the rolls and pompadours. You can use glossing products like Design Essentials® Silk Essentials, Reflections Liquid or Diamonds Oil Sheen Spray to infuse shine beginning with the drying process.

Maintain Correctly: Updos are designed to be easy to maintain and last you a few days, while still looking polished. Try an edge smoother like Design Essentials® Sleek Edge Control with a scarf to prevent frizzy edges. Be sure to protect your updo with a satin bonnet large enough not to compress the style at night. Refresh your style with a daily moisturizer and re-roll if necessary. Kerrie likes to apply Design Essentials® Nutriment Rx Crème Hairdress when creating rolled or pompadour styles. Nutriment adds the perfect balance of moisture, sheen and weight which are all needed to create and maintain natural updos Design Essentials®  Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion is her go-to product for free-flowing curls with shine.

To view updo styling photos and step-by-step styling instructions visit: http://bit.ly/PpmcfP.

For more information about Design Essentials visit www.designessentials.com.

Have a hair dilemma? We are your #1 source for beautiful & healthy hair. Send us your hair questions at strandtherapy@gmail.com!

RELATED NATURAL HAIR LINKS:

Don’t Let Your Hair Disrupt Your Workout

How To Rock Your Natural Hair Straight & Curly

Hair Care 101: Restore Your Healthy Hair From Keratin To Curly

Do It Yourself Updos for Natural Hair  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com