Sleek chignon
A low, smooth bun at the nape — refined, formal, and almost universally flattering. Pairs cleanly with strapless and high-neck dresses.
Hair Styling · West 3rd Street, LA
Updos & Special-Occasion Hair Styling
Special-occasion hair styling at MUA Salon — chignons, French twists, low buns, ballerina buns, hollywood waves, sleek ponies, and structured editorial updos for prom, galas, holiday parties, photo shoots, and red-carpet events. The service is $150 for a 1-hour appointment at our Beverly Grove studio at 8336 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles. Wedding-day styling is handled separately through our Bridal program.
Overview
When you need an updo
An updo is event hair — done by a professional, set with stage-grade product, and pinned to last from arrival through after-party. It is not the same thing as a blow-dry. It is the silhouette your outfit was built around.
We see this service most for prom, junior and senior galas, charity balls, holiday parties, photo shoots, music videos, awards shows, and red-carpet events. For wedding-day styling — including bridal trials, bridal-party group bookings, and on-location work — head to our Bridal program, which has its own pricing and team.
Types of updo
What we style
Bring inspiration photos. We work in the silhouette family that fits your hair length, density, and the occasion. Common requests:
French twist
A vertical fold up the back of the head, classic and structured. Best on medium-length hair with weight; we add modern softness at the front.
Low bun
Soft and lived-in, sitting at the nape with a few face-framing pieces left out. The most photographed updo of the last five years.
Ballerina bun
Center-crown placement, sleek across the head, with a tight, sculpted knot. Modern, editorial, and dance-floor ready.
Romantic curls
Loose, brushed-out curls pinned away from the face on one or both sides. Great for prom, holiday parties, and photo-heavy events.
Sleek pony
High or low, slicked at the crown, with a wrap of hair concealing the elastic. The most modern alternative to a traditional updo.
We also do hollywood waves, vintage finger waves, half-up looks, textured top knots, accessory styling around combs and headbands, and editorial pin-work for photo and music-video sets. Bring photos — we'll match them or honestly tell you what works on your hair.
Prep
Prep notes that change everything
The single biggest factor in how an updo holds is what you do with your hair the night before. The honest version:
- Don't wash that morning. Wash the night before. Updos grip best on day-old hair — clean enough to be soft, broken-in enough to hold pins.
- Skip heavy conditioner at the root. If you must wash that morning, condition mid-shaft to ends only.
- Let the hair dry fully. Wet hair will not hold a pin without slipping by hour two.
- Don't apply oil or leave-in serum the day-of. Oils prevent product grip; we will use the right product in studio.
- Don't blow it out smooth at home. A bit of natural texture is friend, not enemy.
- Eat before you arrive. Updos are an hour of sitting still. Show up fueled.
What to bring
For your appointment
- 2 to 5 inspiration photos. Pinterest screenshots, magazine clippings, or saved Instagrams. The more reference points the better. Show the stylist different angles.
- The outfit (or a photo of it). Especially the neckline. A high-neck dress and a low bun are very different conversations than a strapless gown and a sleek pony.
- Any hair accessories. Combs, clips, headbands, fascinators, veils for non-bridal photo shoots, jeweled pins.
- A clean face. If you are pairing with makeup, we work hair first.
- A button-down shirt or zip-front top to leave in. You will not be pulling anything over your head once the updo is set.
Pairing
Pairing the updo with makeup
Most event clients book hair and makeup back-to-back. The order matters: hair first, makeup second, so the makeup artist works on a face that already accounts for the hairline of the finished style. If you book makeup before hair, plan extra time and prepare for the artist to clean up powder fall-out at the end.
For everyday glam, see Makeup. For editorial, film, TV, and red-carpet appointments, book Studio Makeup, which is photo- and camera-tested at a different intensity. For wedding-day pairing, head to the Bridal program.
By event
Picking the right shape for the occasion
The most flattering updo is the one built for the event you are actually going to. Here are the silhouettes that we book most by category.
Prom & school dances
Romantic curls pinned away from the face, half-up styles with soft volume at the crown, and modern low buns are the most photographed. Younger guests often want curls left out at the front; we recommend pinning at least one strand back per side so the look stays through dancing.
Galas & charity balls
Sleek chignons, classic French twists, and ballerina buns dominate the gala silhouette. The cleaner the line, the more elegant the read in step-and-repeat photography. Bring jeweled pins or a pair of pearl combs if you have them.
Holiday parties
Hollywood waves down or pinned to one side, sleek high ponies, and textured low buns photograph well in low-lit indoor venues. The December events are typically warm-toned, so soft texture reads better than sharp graphic styles.
Photo shoots & red carpet
Editorial pin-work, vintage finger waves, and sculpted top knots are the categories we work in here. Bring the photographer or director's reference if you have one — we will match the silhouette and adjust hairline detail to the camera angle.
How long it holds
Lasting through the night
A well-pinned updo with proper setting product holds 12 to 18 hours through dinner, dancing, photographs, and a coat-on-coat-off situation in November. We finish every updo with a fixing spray, send you out with 6 to 10 emergency bobby pins in a small bag, and write a quick touch-up note for the night.
Conditions matter: humid outdoor venues, swimming-pool weddings, and long open-roof drives shorten the lifespan of any style. Soft, textured updos generally outlast smooth, sleek ones in any unpredictable environment.
Pricing
Updo pricing
- Updo / Special-occasion styling — $150, ~1 hour. Book Updo.
- Pair with makeup — see Day or Glam Makeup or Studio Makeup.
- Bridal styling — quoted on the Bridal page.
Cancellations and reschedules require 24 hours' notice. See policies for full details.
FAQ
Updos, asked & answered
How much does an updo cost?
$150 for a 1-hour appointment at MUA Salon.
What kinds of updos do you do?
Chignons, low buns, ballerina buns, French twists, romantic curls, sleek ponies, hollywood waves, half-ups, and editorial styles. Bring inspo.
How long does the appointment take?
1 hour. Plan 1.25 to 1.5 hours for very long or thick hair, or complex editorial styles.
Should I wash my hair the morning of?
No. Wash the night before. Updos hold best on day-old hair.
What should I bring?
2 to 5 inspo photos, any hair accessories, a heads-up about your outfit's neckline, and a button-down to change into so the hair stays intact.
Do you do bridal updos?
Bridal is a separate program. See the Bridal page for trials, on-location, and party pricing.
Can you pair with makeup?
Yes — book the updo first and the makeup second. See Day or Glam Makeup or Studio Makeup.
How long does it hold?
12 to 18 hours through dinner, dancing, and photographs. We send you out with bobby pins for touch-ups.
Related
Pair the updo with
Day or Glam Makeup
Skin prep, color match, and full event finish — pair with the updo.
Makeup →Studio Makeup
Editorial, film, TV, and red-carpet artistry.
Studio Makeup →Davines aftercare
Italian B-Corp luxury hair care for daily maintenance.
Shop Davines →Ready for the event?
Book online, call, or email. Open seven days a week.