The Celeb Hairstylist Secret to a Romantic Updo That Stays All Night

E! illustration/Veronka & Cia via Getty

'Tis the season for fall weddings. We may have the dress, but the hair is a total mystery. While we've seen loose and beachy waves take over red carpets, updos are on the up for the fall. So, if it's worthy of the red carpet, it'll be perfect for any upcoming weddings this autumnal season—whether you're the bride or a guest. 

And yet, updos can be incredibly intimidating. That's why we reached out to a professional to give us all the tips, tricks, and product recs for that perfectly undone (and long-lasting) updo. Celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena (who has worked on stars like Inde Navarrette, Ariana Greenblatt, Natalia Dyer, and more) created that romantic updo Madelyn Cline wore for the Outer Banks season five premiere. 

• The secret to a red-carpet-worthy updo for your fall wedding is all in the prep: build texture and grip in the hair before going in with any styling. 
• The main advice is to make the structure underneath the updo really secure, while keeping the hair on top soft and touchable. 
• The Hair Products Recommended by Marc Mena: KISS COLORS & CARE Maximum Hold 2-in-1 Super Stay Freezing Spray & Hair Wax Styling Stick

"We went with this oversized, undone updo with loose pieces around the face," Mena told E!. "When I’m ideating, I always look at the entire silhouette first: the neckline, the fabric, the makeup, the overall mood, and then figure out what the hair needs to bring to the story. I wanted this to feel beautiful and elevated, but still young and effortless." 

Do it like the pros: start with the entire picture and then focus on the hair. So, keep scrolling to learn more about how to do this romantic updo and shop the products this celebrity hairstylist uses on his star clients. 

The Secret to an Updo That Lasts:

For Mena, the secret to a long-lasting updo is prep. "I build texture and grip into the hair before I ever start pinning. For this look, I created loose bends throughout the hair first, then brought it back and twisted it into almost a mock French twist before pinning everything into that soft, oversized shape," he told E!.

"The trick is making the structure underneath really secure while keeping what you see on the outside soft. A strong finishing spray like the KISS Colors & Care Super Stay Freezing Spray is essential too. You want hold without making the hair look stiff or overworked."

Celeb-Loved

KISS COLORS & CARE Maximum Hold 2-in-1 Super Stay Freezing Spray

"The KISS Colors & Care Super Stay Freezing Spray gives me the security I need for a red carpet. I know the style is going to hold through photos, interviews, and the entire night, while still looking effortless," Mena told E!. And that also makes it perfect for your next wedding!

Updos Will Be Trendy This Season

While loose and beachy waves have been the hair look during the spring and summer, Mena predicts updos will be everywhere this fall. But don't expect a perfectly done look, these trendy updos will be a little messy—which reminds us of the loose waves look, after all. 

"I definitely think updos are coming back in a bigger way, but they’re not the super perfect updos we used to see. They feel looser, sexier, and a little more undone," Mena told E!.

"There’s something really fresh about exposing the neck and shoulders, especially with fall fashion becoming more structured and dramatic. Loose waves will always have their place, but I think we’re going to see much more personality in hair, twists, knots, sculptural shapes, and modern versions of classic updos."

Recommendations from a Celebrity Hairstylist for the Perfect Updo:

For Mena, the perfect products for that coveted updo look are the ones that perform well, last through red carpets, and let the hair breathe. "With celebrity hair, I need products that perform but still allow the hair to move and look touchable," he told E!.

"That’s what I love about KISS Colors & Care. The products make it easy for me to build a look in layers, from heat protection and prep to controlling flyaways and really locking everything in at the end," he explained. 

Celeb-Loved

KISS COLORS & CARE Hair Wax Styling Stick

"The Hair Wax Stick is especially great for refining the hairline without losing that softness," Mena told E!. Infused with biotin and shea butter, this styling stick promises to give you maximum hold for 24 hours without your hair looking oily. 

Shop More Hair Products for the Perfect Updo:

Editor's Pick

Ceremonia Pequi Medium-Hold Styling Hair Gel

This hair gel will keep your locks sleeked back without looking greasy or stiff. It's infused with pequi oil, açai extract, and aloe vera to nourish, revitalize, strengthen, and boost shine in hair.
Plus, it washes away easily with water!

Editor's Pick

IGK Good Behavior Frizz and Flyaway Lightweight Gel Hair Taming Wand

Featuring an extra-large brush, this IGK gel taming wand works beautifully and smells like heaven. It's formulated with spirulina protein and snow mushroom extract to hydrate and strengthen your hair while keeping it shiny (but not too shiny). 

Editor's Pick

Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream

Don't want too much product in your hair, but still want it to look good? The Dae Cactus Fruit cream is ideal. The scent has notes of creamy vanilla, praline, and candied lemon. It promises to remain brushable while smoothing and defining your natural texture. 

Top Rated

Bed Head Hair Wax Stick

This viral must-have wax stick gives any hairstyle instant strong hold, definition, or texture. Plus, it's easy to apply (and reapply) on the go. 

CÉCRED Strong Hold Gel

The Strong Hold Gel is a firm gel that will keep your hair locked in place but still flexible and moisturized, with its blend of shape-memory polymers, plant stem cell lipids, black honey fermentation, and more. 

Rizos Curls Sleek Styling Cream + Taming Wand

For your edges or frizzy flyaways, this hair-taming wand from Rizos Curls is ideal with its formula filled with hyaluronic acid, hibiscus flower extract, willow bark extract, and castor oil. 

Emi Jay Angelstick Hair Smoothing Styling Stick

This styling stick is infused with candelilla, murumuru butter, and castor seed oil to moisturize, soothe, soften, and nourish your hair while holding it in place and taming flyaways. 

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