I know, I know the Oscars were last Sunday and, in the blogosphere, I am super late on this, but Jennifer Lawrence (who, I think needs to be my best friend) had the most amazing up do! I generally don’t get into award season, but I had to give it a try. It was so loose and elegant, but still really structured, all the things that make a great up do! Not gonna lie, this one took me a few times and when it came down to it, all the difference was in the backcombing. If I did it again, I might curl my hair first, but I was looking to simplify.

Step One: Gather the top section of hair, in a horseshoe shape. Back comb, liberally. Just when you think you’ve gone too far, just add a little more.

Step Two: Lightly run your fingers over the top to break up the backcombing and give a piecey look. Pin top section right below the crown, leaving some lift in the front.

Step Three: Take a small 1 inch section from either side of your head, Twist and cross in the back, covering your bobby pins near the crown. Pin in place. Move down in 1 inch sections, pulling towards the crown and criss-crossing all sections as you pin to give a braided effect.

Step Four: Pull remaining hair back into a ponytail, using a small elastic, (not a full blown rubberband) and backcomb. When pulling hair into ponytail, lean your head back, this will help with keeping the bottom of your ponytail tight. Unlike before, backcomb until you have nothing left to backcomb, we are talking poof ball, as much as possible!

Step Five: Take poof ball ponytail and twist into a bun and pin securely to the nape of your neck. Hair pin as needed.

Dress: Difference Between White and Saffron Dress/ Modcloth