Watch this video to see how to flawlessly create the cutest updos with a pencil. Warning: You're going to want to stay in front of your mirror all night long and recreate these.
1. Pencil Cage Braid
Secure your hair in a high, Ariana Grande-type ponytail. Slide in a pencil at the top of your head, between your scalp and the hair tie. Slide in a second pencil in the opposite direction. Grab a small section of hair at the top of the ponytail and begin Dutch braiding it. Each time you grab a new section of hair, wrap it behind and over the pencil before adding it to your Dutch braid. Secure the end of the braid with a hair tie, and then remove the pencils. Tuck the end of the braid under and pin it to conceal the ends.
2. Pencil Glam Roll
Part your hair into a deep side part. Gather all the hair on the fuller side of the part from your hairline to your crown. Press a pencil against your head in line with your eyebrow, then begin wrapping your hair around the pencil until you get to the end. Lastly, pin the twist in place with bobby pins and remove the pencil for the ultimate pencil glam roll.
3. Flat Iron Pencil Curls
Place a pencil next to the root of a 1-inch-wide section of hair and wrap the ends around one or two pencils (the more pencils, the bigger the curl) all the way to the end. Wrap the pencil and your hair with a small foil square. Press and release a flat iron down the length of the pencil. Let your hair cool, and then remove the foil and pencils. Separate each tendril with your fingers and voilà — the cutest curls you will ever see.
4. Double Pencil Twisted Bun
Gather your hair into a low ponytail without securing it. Place two pencils horizontally underneath the ponytail. Twist your hair around the pencils about two times. Once it feels tight enough, rotate the pencils up, and from the top, slide them down toward the nape of your neck for a flawless pencil bun.
5. Pencil Braided Bun
Braid your hair in a low, three-strand braid and secure the end with a hair tie as you normally would. Hold the braided tail vertically and roll the end toward you head to hide the hair tie. Stick a pencil into the middle of your braid until the tip of your pencil reaches your scalp. Rotate the pencil downward and push it in farther to secure the style.
6. Pencil French Twist
First, tease your hair at the crown to give it some volume. Then, tie your hair securely in a low, loose ponytail. Press two pencils horizontally on either side of the ponytail. Rotate the two pencils toward your head to twirl your hair into a twist. Pin the twist into place with bobby pins and remove the pencils for an ultra-chic French twist.
7. Pencil Dutch-Braided Bun
Begin Dutch braiding down the center of your head and stop halfway to create a half-up braid. Continue braiding your half-up braid down to the ends and secure it with a hair tie. Then, gather all your hair together into a ponytail but don't secure it. Hold the pencil vertically to the left of the base of the ponytail and wrap the ends of your hair around the pencil twice, spinning the pencil 180 degrees clockwise as you wrap. Insert the pencil tip into the bun you've created to secure it. Smooth out the end pieces on the side of the bun.
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