The perfect updo is often a process of trial and error, which largely depends on personal preference, hair type, maintenance and the overall look you hope to achieve. However, there are a few updo hairstyles that stand the test of time and generally flatter most hair types and face shapes. One such style is the classic chignon. The chignon bun is more intricate and sophisticated than a regular bun, making it the best updo pick for formal or special occasions.
Classy Chignon Buns
One of the best things about chignon bun hairstyles is that there is a wide variety of ways to create the look with much individuality. If you’re looking to spice up the way you style your current updo, perhaps the following photos of flawless chignons will provide some welcomed inspiration. Get ready to swoon over these chignon styles that are on a whole other level of classy!
1. Wavy Chignon
Soft blonde waves always provide a sexy look to your hair, even when your locks are pulled back. Before this chignon bun is created the hair is filled with waves, then it is lightly twisted on the side and formed into a slightly messy chignon.
2. Extreme Crown Chignon
Those of you who simply can’t do without the crown of your hair being teased to the heavens will want this polished chignon immediately. All the focus of this gorgeous updo hairstyle is on the massive crown that is teased into the perfect circular shape.
3. Side Bang Chignon
When searching tutorials on how to make a chignon bun, you’ll likely find more than a few variations that involve a chic side bang. This chignon is secured a little looser, allowing the side strands to fall around the face and over one eye.
4. Sophisticated Formal Updo
The twisted design on this bun is definitely something that will turn heads. The front and sides of the ‘do are pretty understated, but in the back the pieces of the chignon are twisted around the base to form the flawless curved lines.
5. Low Textured Chignon
Adding some height at the crown of a low chignon bun is a great way to convey a dose of drama to the look. Here the hair is lightly teased at the roots and there are a few tendrils escaping the sides to enhance the natural-looking messy feel of the updo. The final touch is a very delicate hair piece placed inside for decoration.
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6. Bright Blonde Tucked Chignon
The sleek, tucked-in low bun is the epitome of chic. This look is ideal for any black-tie event, and it doesn’t require a ton of your time to put it together. Just be sure to prepare your hair beforehand with a straightener or a hairdryer with a round brush and give the look a hefty spritz of hairspray when you finish to keep the chignon in place while you dance, schmooze and chat the night away.
7. Braided Updo
Go one better than the typical messy chignon. Wrap a thick, Dutch braid around the side of your head and feed it into the bun or wrap around its base. Pull at the braid and loosen the bun until you reach the ideal level of undone-ness. You’ll definitely be the belle of the ball with this ‘do.
8. Wispy and Whimsical Chignon Bun
Give the classic chignon look a romantic upgrade. Add some twisted elements to loosen up a typical uptight bun. Leave the front sections of the hair loose and curl them with a curling iron. Then, wrap the curls around the bun and secure with bobby pins. Make sure to let the ends of the curled strands flow free.
9. Fabulous Full Bun
If that thick, long hair is giving you grief, it’s about time you showed it who’s boss. Create a full, bodacious tucked bun and let your hair work for you, not against you. Simply pull your hair into a low pony and tuck it over into the base of the ponytail. Pin it down and tug at the bun until you reach the fullness and volume you want.
10. Low Bun with Asymmetrical Twists
Dress up your deep pink mane styling a lovely chignon bun. With just two twists and a tuck, your ‘do will have people mesmerized by both its style and vibrant shade. Get ready to have your dance card filled to the brim.
11. Side Chignon Bun
Prepping for a formal affair? Make sure your hairdo is one that is primed to be in ALL the pictures. Try a tangled and twisted side chignon that features a loose and unrestricted bun base. The ‘do is ultra-feminine and guaranteed to make you the It girl of the evening.
12. Big and Bold Bun
The cinnamon roll look is very now and perfect to rock on your head. Take some inspo from your favorite dessert pastry and create a large, rolled bun that covers half the head. Make sure the top of the hair is textured and pumped up a bit to match the fullness and messy finish of the bun.
13. Floral Chignon Bun
Chignon hair can definitely hold its own, but when accessorized, it really takes on a new life. And it doesn’t take much! You can use real or faux flowers and tuck them into the top of the bun, so they create a lovely floral frame. The look is completely feminine and completely perfect, especially for brides, or those participating in a wedding party!
14. Sleek Vintage Updo
Make your hair a work of heart by creating a sleek and curvy chignon. The defined twisted section that feeds into the bun is retro yet modern. Make sure you pin the bun and the accent piece down right to keep the style stiff and secure.
15. Voluminous Chignon
Sometimes chignon updos are so fancy and intricate that they surpass the look of a bun and take on a new form. A full, voluminous chignon can do this, especially when both the top and the bottom half of hair are in full effect and pumped up.
16. Swirled Bun with a Bouffant
Chignon hairstyles are far from plain or simple. They can be incredibly intricate, complex and fit for the fanciest formal affair. In fact, layering curled pieces of hair over a low bun can give the style an incredibly interesting feel. Simply pin down curled sections and spray with hairspray. It will keep the look perfect all day long.
17. Plaited and Weaved Chignon Bun
Basket weaving shouldn’t just be for baskets. It can be applied to your hair, too! The woven and overlapping styling on the base of a messy low bun hairstyle looks chic and unhackneyed. Try it for your next girls’ night out to switch things up a bit.
18. Gorgeous Bun with a Side of Fishtail
When in doubt, try a bun with braid look. Braids serve as natural accessories to your chignon and make it look instantly more elegant and refined. The thick, messy fishtail braid, for example, works as a nice wreath wrapping around your chignon and sectioning it off of a bouffant, if you do one to balance out your large low bun.
19. Bun Updo with Fishtails
Put that low chignon through the ringer…in a good way. Try weaving a chic-yet-messy fishtail braid along the side, through the back and into your bun. Pull at the bun and the braided sections to give them some fullness.
20. Messy but Magical Chignon
Chignons can take a casual, everyday flair when styled in a specific way. A messy, loose bun is ideal for weekends or weekdays when you want to look relaxed. To achieve a nice naturally messy look, apply some texturizing spray or powder to the roots and mid-shaft of the hair prior to styling.
21. Tucked and Twisted Chignon
Take a new spin on the classic French twist by trying a twisted chignon. The tucked and rolled technique gives your hair a classy sleek look that works with any ensemble and any occasion.
22. Pumped-Up Bun
Give your chignon style a bit of much-needed lift. Tease the hair at the crown (generously) and comb over the upper layer so it’s smooth on top. Then create your twisted, rolled-up bun at the bottom. Once the style is set, lightly comb over the teased top and sides so they are totally smooth.
23. Curled Chignon Bun
Formal chignons take on new levels of chicness when they are designed specifically for curly hair. Prepare your curls as you normally would with mousse or gel, so the ringlets are at their most flawless. Then, twist the hair into a messy, undone bun at the base of the neck. Secure with pins and you are good to go.
24. Large and in Charge
Look every bit the bride or debutante you are, by trying a full, dramatic formal chignon look. The bun is more intricate and complicated than traditional bun styles and requires overlapping sections being aptly tucked into your ‘do. The outcome is incredibly stunning and totally unexpected.
25. The Princess Chignon
Princess hairstyles are characterized as big, regal and totally stunning, and the princess chignon bun is all of these things — and then some more. The thick braided crown and oversized-bun combo fits the bill and delivers a hairstyle that’s not just fit for a princess. It works for a queen, too!
26. Classy Beehive Chignon
It’s definitely possible for hairstyles of this type to combine two styles into one, as proved with this low bun. This chignon is highlighted by the presence of a well-formed beehive. What a classy idea of a prom updo or wedding hairstyle!
27. Wrapped Base Chignon
As with many low ponytails and buns, an easy and decorative way to secure your style is to wrap the base of it with your own hair. This blonde bun features a wide section of hair that is wrapped around its base for a sleek and polished look awesome in its pure minimalism.
28. Overlapping Chignon
The question of what is a chignon hairstyle could be easily answered by this picture. Here, the hair is formed into a bun at the nape of the neck, while some selected pieces are sectioned out and overlapped over each other to add an interesting detail to the look.
29. Floral Chignon
A simple flower is one of the oldest and most classic ways to add some instant beauty points to a hairstyle, especially a chignon. The chignon itself is kept very simple, allowing the flower placed behind the ear to be the focal point.
30. Intricate Chignon
If you want your chignon bun to be the ultimate conversation starter, you should definitely give this one a try. This intricate chignon features several pieces of hair that are twisted and weaved together beginning at the lower middle part of the head.
31. Sleek Chignon
No-fuss and beautifully polished, this is the low bun for those who prefer an understated look. Low on the neck and embellished with a floral accessory, this chignon is as sleek and classy as can be.
32. Swirl Chignon
This chignon bun is one of the more complex ways to create the style, but it looks absolutely beautiful. The swirl design created with this chignon requires a skilled hand, but the outcome is breathtaking.
33. Basket Weave Chignon
The basket weaving technique is quite a popular way to spice up an updo, and a chignon is no exception. This look displays two different basket weave techniques at the base of the chignon to create lots of dimension, a few different textures and the depth.
34. Classic Chignon
Elegant, classic and perfectly polished, this low bun is simply beautiful. The style itself may be simple, but that is exactly what makes this look so stunning.
35. Thick Chignon
All you, thick-haired girls out there, will love this take on the chignon bun. Featuring a high crown and a wide base, this chignon proves that you can have heavy locks and still pull off this style as if it was designed exclusively for you.
36. Multiple Braid Chignon
In what is perhaps the most modern chignon on the list, this one definitely has a personality of its own. The chignon itself is sort of deconstructed and secured to the side, while the multiple braids are running in different directions, enhancing the intricacy and visual interest of the style.
37. Twisted Side Chignon
Some bun hairstyles look elaborately twisted, while in reality they are done on a whim. Looser fixation and minimal styling products are the clues to such effortless-looking spontaneous updos. A curly texture and balayage highlights are also very helpful.
38. Flower Crown Chignon
It is well-known that many simple hairstyles look much better when you add floral accessories as decorative elements. This chignon bun takes a step further by featuring a floral crown that is the hairstyle’s focal point.
39. Accessorized Chignon
Accessorizing your chignon is the ideal way to inject more personality into the look. Many chignon bun hairstyles incorporate hair accessories, and this one uses a multi-strand chain with two decorative brooches on each side.
40. Braided Chignon
It may take a little more time to achieve, but adding braids to your low chignon bun is absolutely fabulous. This one features medium width braids at the base, accessorized with floral hairpins.
Your hairstyle with chignon can be any variation you like, from classic and sophisticated to modern and edgy. The only thing that matters is this: the look represents you. It’s also good to know that these days, a chignon bun doesn’t have to be worn at only formal occasions, but whenever you feel like it. So give those ponytails a rest and spice up your hair routine with a chic chignon!