Master the Chignon – A step by step guide on how to style your hair like Hollywood’s “A” list stars.

08/12/2020

‘Chignon’
noun

French word meaning ‘a knot or coil of hair arranged on the back of a woman’s head’

Our chignon radar has been going crazy recently with the look appearing everywhere at all the red-carpet events, Christmas parties, Galas and Charity balls.
Franck Provost Barangaroo’s expert hairdressers explore just a few of our absolute favourites from Hollywood’s A-list!

Emma Stone is not one to shy away from changing her hair ever. Seen wearing a variation of hair colours from dark chocolate brown through to strawberry blonde and of course her classic and perhaps our favourite the rich copper that suits her so well. It was the auburn brown tresses paired with the soft and romantic chignon upstyle she wore for the SAG awards that really did it for us.

Franck Provost Tip: Style your Chignon with a deep side parting and wavy fringe sweep like Emma’s for a sultry, relaxed feel. This type of Chignon is secured a little looser allowing for the hair to fall naturally over one eye.

Zendaya takes all of her red carpets looks to the next level. We’ve seen everything on her from box braids, poker straight and sleek to a beautiful afro. The look that stood out to us was the Oscars high and sleek chignon top-knot – A complete show stopper, with all of her hair away from her face it showcased her gorgeous features perfectly, giving us major hair envy.

Franck Provost Tip: Chignon’s don’t always have to be styled low into the nape of your neck. Get high and mighty with it like Zendaya. The sleek and smooth finish gives you an instantly cosmopolitan look.

Jennifer Lawrence is considered to be Hollywood’s most valuable star right now and always pulls out all the stops for her red-carpet looks. We still can’t get over that elegantly textured chignon she wore at the premiere of her Hunger Games movie that she teamed with that rich purple Christian Dior dress. The entire look was perfection and frankly, we are still obsessed!

Franck Provost Tip: Incorporate your hairs natural movement into your Chignon and wear it low like Jennifer has. The curls will provide stability for the style helping you feel confident that your style will last all night long.

Margot Robbie is usually seen at the big events with her staple look of long beachy waves that works so perfectly with her golden blonde hues. She decided to switch up her look when she graced the red carpet at the BAFTAS sporting a stunning chignon loosely pulled back into the nape of her neck with a textured side panel left out creating a flawless look perfectly balancing the sophistication of her dress with her signature lived-in cool-girl look.

Franck Provost Tip: If you feel a little exposed with all of your hair away from your face, do a Margot and leave out the side panels to cascade down for added etherealness. It’s almost like a half-up half-down style that still has all of the sophistication of a chignon.

Scarlett Johansson stole the show at the Golden Globes. Scarlett’s make-up was understated and neutral with hair placed into a simple mid-height chignon for the night which let that plunging red Vera Wang gown do all the talking. By keeping all of her hair back into that classic shape it really allows all of the other elements of her look like the diamonds flourish!

Franck Provost Tip: Scarlett’s look is perfect for those who don’t want to spend ages on their hair. No fuss, yet still beautifully polished this type of chignon can be put together in a matter of minutes for the girl on the go. However, if you want to dial up the glamour play about with different hair pieces, pins and accessories for an endless variety of looks!

When it comes time to show off a knockout upstyle yourself the Chignon should be top of your list. It has the ability to suit almost all of us due to there being a wide variety of ways to create the look with much individuality. The epitome of French chic. Classic, feminine, romantic and understated, it’s the must-have hairstyle for your Christmas parties, cocktail party or your next wedding invite. In fact, one of the amazing advantages of the chignon hairstyle is that it can be pulled out of your hairstyle arsenal for almost any occasion, as it manages to pull off being elegant and yet effortlessly modern all at the same time.

Want to make a good impression at a job interview? Out for dinner with the girls? Perhaps you’re going on a romantic date? Or is it your prom?

Chignon Chignon Chignon!

It’s easy when you know-how! The Classic Chignon can be created in a few simple steps. It’s Perfect on medium to long length hair and works best on hair that hasn’t been washed for a day or 2. Freshly washed hair can be too slippery and your Chignon can easily fall out.

The Franck Provost Studio Team

Prep your hair before styling with products to create some grip and texture like the Loreal Tecni.art full volume extra mousse and our favourite texturising spray – Loreal Tecni.Art Savage Panache Powder Spray. (1)
If you’re looking to a chignon with a little extra volume, stability and height you can add in some soft backcombing into the roots with your soft bristle brush. (2)
Use your tail comb to part your hair down the middle before gently brushing your hair with your soft bristle brush back and behind your ears, gathering your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure in place with your hair tie. (3)
Begin twisting the ponytail from the base to the ends until it begins to coil back on itself. (4)
Keep gently twisting your locks whilst you guide the shape into a bun with a wrapping motion using your fingers. (5)
Secure everything in place with some pins. Magic! (6)
To frame the face sections of hair can be gently teased out from around your ears and hairline creating softness. (7)
Once you’re happy with how everything looks a quick spritz of a lightweight fixing spray like the Loreal Tecni.Art Air Fix Hair Spray will secure everything in place with a clean shiny finish that’s not hard or sticky. (8)