The Pretty and Classic Chignon

A great hair look that works for every day as well as special events is the chignon. What is a chignon? Well, it's a fancy word for a bun, and it is pronounced as "sheen-yon." This can be a very elegant look for weddings and other events, and this style can also look great with a suit at work and jeans and sweatshirts on the weekend. It is a very classic look. Here's how you can achieve this look.

Begin with clean dry hair that has been brushed or combed to remove tangles. If you have wavy or curly hair you may want to dry it straight for this hairstyle. Apply mousse to your hair and a small amount of anti-frizz product before you begin styling.

Gather you hair into a low ponytail. Shorter side layers can be pinned back with jeweled hair pins or a head band. Get a firm grip around the base of the ponytail and use your other hand to twist the tail into a tight spiral.

Hold the base of the ponytail with one hand. Next, lift the tail straight up with the other. Begin to coil it clockwise around the base. When you've made a half circle, release the hand holding the base and use it to hold the forming bun as you continue to wrap the tail of the chignon.

Complete one rotation, or it may be a little more if you have longer hair, and then tuck the end of the tail under the chignon. If your hair is long enough you might be able to push the tail through the bun and make a knot.

Secure the chignon using a bobby pins or other accessory. Push one pin through at any outside edge, collecting a small amount of the bun as you make the insertion. Secure the opposite side with a second pin. If you're using a hair stick accessory, push the tip up through the right corner of your chignon so that a thin flat layer rests on top of the stick. Rotate the stick 180 degrees and push it gently through the base of the bun. As the stick begins to emerge, hook a small amount of hair on the underside of the left corner and then center the stick.

You can find many decorative bobby pins with beads, jewels and flowers on them to decorate the chignon. Depending on where you are going and what you are wearing, the bun actually becomes an accessory in itself. The next time you don't know what do with your hair, try this classic and pretty look.