Lindy Segal
Quick: Name three things that are quintessentially French. In addition to croissants and berets, we hereby move that the classic chignon hairstyle should make the list. Not only is the chignon synonymous with elegance, itâs also surprisingly easyâafter all, itâs really a hairstyle youâre already quite familiar with. âQuite literally it means âbunâ in French,â explains celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein. But âchignonâ and âbunâ arenât exactly interchangeable; weâre here to explain just what the chignon bun is, along with Rubensteinâs expert insight. Plus, get a step-by-step tutorial, and keep scrolling for some stunning red carpet looks worth copying.
It's about glam time you treated yourself.
Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
âTraditionally a chignon is worn low near the nape of the neck, and contains the majority or all of the hair,â explains Rubenstein. It may translate to âbun,â but a chignon âdoes not have to be a classic-style bunâ[i.e.] wrapped around itselfâbut can be tucked under or twisted in a simple style,â according to the hairstylist. Lastly, the style is âworn as a single bun, never in multiples,â says Rubenstein. (In other words, donât expect to see âspace chignonsâ anytime soon.)
The chignonâs origins may be French, itâs strikingly universal. âIf your hair is long enough to be pulled back and tucked or wrapped into a bun, you can wear a chignon,â says Rubenstein. But donât worry if you donât have long hair, says the stylist: âIf you need more length, temporary extensions or even a clin-in bun work well.â The style can also be worn by all hair types. âAbsolutely all hair textures can wear a chignon,â states Rubenstein.
Hair pins: âTextured French hair pins work the best,â recommends Rubenstein. (We like KITSCH Industrial U Bobby Pins.) âIf you are unable to find textured pins, lay your pins on a towel, coat them with texturizing spray and hairspray on either side and allow them to dry before using. This gives them much more grip and staying power.â
A hair brush, such as BRIOGEOâs Vegan Boar Bristle Brush
Hair spray, such as AVEDA Air Controlâą Light Hold Hair Spray
Optional: A clip-in bun, such as INSERT NAME HERE Tousled Wave Bun
Prep your chignon. âSmooth all hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck. If you are going for more texture or working with natural curls, simply use your fingers so as to not to disrupt the texture. If you are going for a smoother look, brush the ponytail with a natural bristle brush,â says Rubenstein.
Form the bun. âCreate your bun by wrapping the hair around the base with your hands, and secure it using French hair pins,â says the stylist.
Et voilĂ ! Add a spritz of hairspray to keep your chic chignon in place, and au revoir!
Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, often opts for some form of this hairstyle, and her slightly messy bun (in a good way) is perfection. We love how she keeps the look from being overly simplistic by styling it with a pretty side tendril and volume at the crown.
Leave it to Zendaya to pair two timeless stylesâfinger waves and a low chignonâand make them seem modern and fresh. Feel free to pin her look to your âWedding Hairstylesâ Pinterest board (we already have!)
As Rubenstein stated, not all chignons have to be classic buns to be called chignonsâand this fanned-out style on Lily Aldridge is a perfect example. Chignons also tend to look fantastic with hair accessories, and Alridgeâs gold hair piece is a gorgeous finishing touch.
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