Plenty of people grow their hair long for the express purpose of wearing it down. Indeed, some people hold that there’s no point in having long hair “if you’re always going to wear it up”. Long, flowing hair is indeed beautiful – but, as longhairs quickly learn, it is also extremely impractical. Long hair worn down gets trapped in car doors and under shoulder bag straps; it sheds into food, tangles in the wind and falls over the shoulders when bending down. In addition, some employers consider loose hair to be unprofessional.
Updos are a great answer to these problems. The internet offers a vast array of tutorials for buns, braids, Gibson Girl pouffs, chignons and more – wearing hair up doesn’t mean a severe “librarian bun”!
Updos Protect Long Hair From Damage
Mechanical damage occurs to hairs from friction, heat, stretching and snagging. Mechanical damage is irreversible, so the best strategy is to prevent it occurring. Generally speaking, the more tightly hair is confined the less mischief it can get up to! An English braid worn down the back will help stop hairs tangling, but the braid itself may rub against the back and “fuzz”. The same braid coiled into a bun at the back of the head is secure, which means no friction – and a neater updo at the end of the day.
This is not to say that all updos are hair-friendly. Updos which rely on teasing, straightening or curling hair with heat, or the use of damaging hair toys will result in broken, unhealthy hair. When considering an updo for frequent wear, ask if creating the style violates any rules of gentle hair care. It is also advisable to alternate styles, in order to prevent hair thinning around a part or traction alopecia.
Updos Help Keep Hair Moisturised
A great method of moisturising hair is damp bunning – spritzing the hair with distilled water or a mister, then bunning it while damp. Hair dries out more slowly when confined, giving the water more time to penetrate the hair shaft.
Updos Keep Hair Cleaner
Another benefit of updos is that they protect hair from accumulating dust and dirt. This is particularly useful for people transitioning to water-only hair washing or a similarly gentle method of natural hair care. People often find they can stretch out their washes by several days simply by wearing updos. Better still, braided updos often hold and look better with slightly dirty hair.
Updos Give Long Hair a Professional Look
From high-powered corporate environments to lowly fast food jobs, employers often frown on loose hair. Updos are a professional, elegant alternative to a chop – and technically, they are more hygienic than short hair, as shed hairs cannot escape from a bun or chignon. It’s worth learning to do a few classic updos such as a crown braid, French twist or Chinese bun. Women often find they receive smiles and compliments from customers when they wear these unusual, elegant styles.
Perhaps the best thing about wearing long hair in updos is that it keeps hair in peak condition for the times it is worn down. Loose hair that is well-moisturised and undamaged looks far more attractive than ragged hair, and the “wow” factor is emphasised if long hair is unleashed only rarely.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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