Do you love chignons? Want to know a new way of giving your chignons a twist? Spotted at the Christian Dior Spring-Summer 2017 fashion show, the chignon is now being coupled with sleek close-to-the-head braids. A hairstyle which requires patience and technique for a stunning result.

This fashionable chignon, created in straightened hair, or even slicked-back locks, with extremely tight braids, is suited to all types of hair, provided it is at least shoulder length.

The three steps to success

To create this braided chignon, you will need:

• Anti-frizz serum
• Straighteners
• A comb
• 10 or so transparent hairbands
• Wavy hair grips
• A can of hairspray

Our advice: start with dry hair, preferably not freshly washed, so that your hair is less soft and slippery. This makes it easier to work with.

Step 1. Straighten your locks

• Apply one or two drops of anti-frizz serum to the lengths of your hair to tame them, and to the tips for protection.
• If your hair is wavy or curly, straighten it with straighteners to get poker-straight locks.
• Tie up your hair into a half-ponytail, keeping a strand loose at the front on one side. You will use this strand to finish off the hairstyle.

Step 2. Create sleek tight braids

• Tilt your head downwards. Start from the nape of your neck and work upwards to about halfway up your head (where your bun will be). First separate the lower section of hair into three equal sections using a comb. Make sure you mark out perfectly straight partings. To make things easier, temporarily tie up each section with an elasticated hairband. Leave the upper section of hair for now.
• Start by braiding the bottom right section, starting from the nape of the neck. Pick out three strands, taking care not to use all of the hair in that section. Use the standard braiding technique, but add a strand from the right-hand section into each twist. This will make the braid lie flat against your head. When you reach the top of the head, stop braiding (it doesn’t matter if hair is left un-braided at the top) and tie up the braid with a transparent elasticated hairband.
• Repeat this process with the two other strands to create three cornrows.

Step 3. Create a sophisticated bun

• Put up the upper section of your hair tightly, incorporating the three braids to form a high ponytail.
• Roll the ponytail into a coiled chignon using a transparent elasticated hairband and wavy hair grips.
• Pass the strand which you left loose at the front of the head at the beginning around your chignon. This will make it look like the chignon is holding by itself. Hold it in place with more hairpins.
• Finish off the hairstyle with hairspray.

An easier variation. Replace the three braids with one looser cornrow. The hairstyle will be easier to create and the result will look more relaxed.