Julianne Hough’s Signature Braided Updo: Recreate Her Stunning ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Hairstyle and Beauty Look
When it comes to effortlessly chic and stunning hairstyles, Julianne Hough consistently leads the pack, proving herself to be a true queen of braids. During her judging duties on Dancing With The Stars, she once again captivated audiences and beauty enthusiasts alike with an intricately designed yet seemingly effortless braided updo. This particular look, spotted on May 12, perfectly framed her radiant face, enhancing her natural beauty and adding a touch of romance to her glamorous presence on the show. We couldn’t help but admire her hair from every angle, marveling at how such a detailed style could appear so graceful and perfectly placed. For anyone eager to replicate this exquisite hairstyle and understand the secrets behind its flawless execution, you’re in the right place. We’ve gathered all the essential tips and product insights to help you achieve Julianne’s signature romantic updo, making it accessible for your next special occasion or even an elevated everyday look.
Julianne Hough’s Braided Beauty on DWTS: A Masterclass in Elegance
Julianne Hough’s hairstyles are renowned for their ability to withstand the most dynamic movements, a crucial quality for someone as active as a professional dancer and a judge on Dancing With The Stars. Regardless of how many twists, turns, or expressive gestures the DWTS alum may make on the dancefloor, her braids consistently remain impeccably in place, looking polished from start to finish. This resilience is not merely a stroke of luck but the result of expert preparation and strategic product use, ensuring that every strand contributes to a cohesive and enduring style. Her braided updo isn’t just beautiful; it’s a testament to professional styling techniques that prioritize both aesthetics and longevity.
Unlocking Julianne’s Pro Braiding Secrets: Preparation is Key
So, what are some of the professional tricks behind Julianne’s consistently flawless braided looks? One of the most fundamental yet often overlooked steps is the timing of your hair wash. For any intricate braided updo, it’s highly recommended to wash your hair the day before you plan to style it. Freshly washed hair can be too soft and slippery, making it difficult for braids to hold their structure and prone to unraveling throughout the day. Hair that is a day or two old has a bit more natural texture and grip, providing the ideal foundation for braids to stay securely in place and appear fuller. This slight “dirtiness” provides the necessary friction for your strands to interlock tightly, preventing them from slipping out of the braid and maintaining a polished finish.
Beyond the wash, proper product preparation is absolutely vital for enhancing texture and volume, especially when aiming for a voluminous yet controlled updo like Julianne’s. Before you even begin braiding, prep your hair with a high-quality volumizing product. Julianne’s team relies on Unite Boost Spray Volumizing, a transformative product designed to give your hair an instant lift and significantly enhance its natural texture. This spray works by adding body and grit to the hair shaft, which is essential for creating robust braids that don’t fall flat. It also provides a light hold, helping to control flyaways and ensure that your intricate braids maintain their shape and definition throughout the day. Apply it evenly to damp hair, focusing on the roots for maximum lift, and then blow-dry your hair, perhaps even rough-drying it to maximize the texture before you start braiding.
Direct from the Pro: Riawna Capri on Crafting the Braided Updo
Fortunately for aspiring stylists and beauty enthusiasts, Julianne’s longtime and highly acclaimed hairstylist, Riawna Capri, generously shares her expertise. She took to Instagram to offer a peek behind the curtain, explaining precisely how she masterfully created the star’s swoon-worthy style. Riawna, co-founder of the celebrity-favorite salon Nine Zero One, is renowned for her ability to create hairstyles that are both glamorous and wearable, often with an underlying element of playful sophistication. Her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to achieve professional-level results at home.
As Riawna frequently emphasizes, she is rarely, if ever, without her trusted Hot Tools NexGen Curling Iron. While a braided updo might not immediately scream “curling iron,” this tool is instrumental in preparing the hair for braiding and finishing the look. It provides a slick, ultra-smooth styling surface, which is essential for creating polished sections that can be braided without frizz or flyaways. Before braiding, Riawna might use the curling iron to add soft waves or bends to sections of Julianne’s hair. This pre-texturizing step adds volume and creates a more interesting base for the braids, contributing to the overall softness and romance of the updo. It also helps to smooth down the cuticle, ensuring a sleek appearance even within the braids themselves. This tool isn’t just for curls; it’s a versatile styling essential for achieving controlled texture and a sophisticated finish.
Step-by-Step: Recreating Julianne’s Intricate Braided Updo
With your hair prepped and textured, you’re ready to begin the braiding process. Julianne’s updo often features a combination of braid types, typically incorporating French or Dutch braids that are then gathered and pinned into a cohesive, voluminous style. Here’s a general approach you can adapt:
- Sectioning: Begin by creating a clean side or middle part, depending on your preference and the desired look. Section off the front part of your hair that you want to braid, typically from the temple back to the crown on both sides. You might also create a larger back section for the main body of the updo.
- Initiate Braids: Start a French or Dutch braid on each side of your head, working your way backward. French braids weave strands under, creating a seamless look, while Dutch braids weave strands over, making the braid pop out more. As you braid, ensure you’re picking up even sections of hair to maintain uniformity. Keep the tension firm but not too tight to avoid pulling or discomfort.
- Secure the Braids: Once you’ve braided down to the nape of your neck or slightly past your ears, secure the ends of your braids with small, clear elastic bands. You can choose to leave some hair unbraided at the back to create a fuller bun or chignon later.
- Forming the Updo: Gather all your hair – the ends of your braids and any unbraided sections – at the back of your head, typically at a mid-level or low position for a romantic feel. Begin to twist and loop the hair, integrating the braided sections into a soft bun or chignon. Use bobby pins generously to secure the shape, crisscrossing them for extra hold. Don’t aim for perfection; a slightly undone look often contributes to the “effortless” charm.
- Add Volume and Texture: Gently tug on the loops of the braids and the bun to create more volume and soften the overall appearance. This step is crucial for achieving that lush, full look Julianne often sports. Pull out a few delicate face-framing pieces around your temples and ears to enhance the romantic aesthetic.
- Final Hold: Finish the style with a strong-hold hairspray to lock everything in place, especially if you’ll be moving around a lot. A light mist of shine spray can also add a beautiful, healthy sheen without weighing the hair down.
Beyond the technical steps, the star’s hairstylist also added some invaluable words of encouragement for fans who are eager to attempt copying Julianne’s intricate look. Riawna’s candidness reminds us all that even professionals encounter challenges:
“Ps. It took me 3 tries before I liked what was happening 😉 #practicemakesperfect,” posted Riawna on May 13. This gentle reminder is a testament to the fact that mastering complex hairstyles takes patience and persistence. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect; every try is a learning opportunity, bringing you closer to achieving that desired effortless elegance.
How To Get Julianne Hough’s Captivating Beauty Look
With Julianne’s hair elegantly styled off her face, her stunning eye makeup and enviable bone structure naturally took center stage, complementing the intricate updo perfectly. Her overall beauty look is a masterclass in enhancing natural features with strategic application, resulting in a fresh and captivating appearance that always commands attention.
To achieve her mesmerizing gaze, take a beauty tip directly from the dancer’s acclaimed makeup artist, Spencer Barnes. He consistently works to open up Julianne’s beautiful eyes by expertly applying iridescent shadow on the inner corners of her lids. This technique instantly brightens the eye area, making them appear larger, more awake, and sparkling. Choose a light, shimmery shade – think champagne, pearl, or a soft gold – and dab it gently into the tear duct area and along the first third of the lower lash line. Next, for that ultimate doll-like flutter, lash out with falsies just like Julianne. Her never-ending eyelashes, combined with Spencer’s eye-opening makeup, truly made her baby blues pop, creating a focal point that is both dramatic and enchanting. When selecting false lashes, opt for styles that add length and volume without being overly heavy, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your natural lashes. Carefully apply them close to your lash line with a good quality adhesive, and finish with a coat of mascara to marry your natural lashes with the falsies.
Plus, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the star’s stunning, sculpted cheekbones, which add definition and sophistication to her facial structure. Achieving this radiant contour is made simple with the right product. Using the LORAC Blush/Bronzer Duo, you will be able to emulate her ethereal makeup, creating a soft yet defined look. Apply the bronzer shade just beneath your cheekbones, sweeping it upwards towards your temples to create a subtle shadow that enhances definition. Then, swirl the blush shade onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it back into the bronzer for a healthy, natural flush. This duo is perfect for adding warmth and dimension to your complexion, giving you that covetable sculpted glow that Julianne effortlessly showcases.
Beyond the Braids: Final Touches for a Radiant Finish
To truly embody Julianne Hough’s radiant appearance, consider a few additional elements that tie the entire look together. A luminous foundation or tinted moisturizer provides an even base, while a touch of highlighter on the high points of the face – cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow – amplifies that ethereal glow. Keep the lips soft and understated; a nude lipstick or a tinted lip balm allows the eyes and cheekbones to remain the stars of the show. Remember, balance is key to Julianne’s beauty philosophy. While her updos can be intricate, her makeup often focuses on enhancing her features rather than masking them.
Why Julianne Hough’s Style Continues to Inspire
Julianne Hough’s influence in the beauty and fashion world extends beyond fleeting trends. Her consistent embrace of elegant, yet approachable, hairstyles and makeup looks makes her a relatable style icon. She exemplifies how classic techniques, when executed with precision and tailored to individual features, can create timeless beauty. Her braided updos are not just hairstyles; they are statements of grace, confidence, and artistic expression. By sharing the secrets behind these looks, she empowers her fans to experiment and discover their own versions of celebrity-level glamour, proving that with the right tools and tips, everyone can achieve a red-carpet-worthy presence.
HollywoodLifers: Are you inspired by Julianne’s flawless DWTS look and ready to try your hand at recreating her iconic braided updo or captivating eye makeup? We certainly are! Let us know your favorite aspect of her style or any tips you discover on your own beauty journey. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
— Jordyn Shaffer