How to Style Your Hair in a Top Knot

The beauty of a topknot is that it can be styled loosely for a casual look or made sleek for a formal affair.

Step 1: Prep your hair Start with slightly dirty hair; freshly washed locks are difficult to control.
Step 2: Make a high ponytail Brush or comb your hair into a very high ponytail on top of your head, and secure it with a ponytail holder.
TIP: Spray the ponytail with hairspray to make the subsequent styling hold more easily.
Step 3: Make some waves Taking a small section of ponytail at a time, create soft curls with either a curling iron or hot rollers.
TIP: To make a braided topknot, braid the ponytail sections instead of curling them.
Step 4: Let curls cool Let the curls cool for a few minutes.
Step 5: Make loops Using your fingers, make a loop out of each curled or braided section, tucking the tip under the ponytail base and securing with a bobby pin.
Step 6: Spray again Give your style staying power with a final spritz of hairspray.
FACT: Did you know? The fabric and elastic ponytail holder known as a "scrunchie" was actually given the name Scunci by its inventor, who named it after her dog.