Photo: harpersbazaarus on Instagram

A simple top knot is the perfect solution to tame your bed head for those rushed mornings while still looking put together as you step out the front door. Although it is the easiest updo to pull off for those days when you don’t have the time to coif your blowout or craft your curls, it can also be easily overdone when it has become your go-to hairstyle. For beauty mavens, looking to put a refreshing twist on a traditional top knot, here are a few ways you can update your twisted locks for a chic new updo.

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1) French Braid Laced Bun: Add a romantic flare on a simple bun with this French braid-laced top knot to amp up your everyday updo. To create this look, slick your hair back into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Then using a hair doughnut, pull your ponytail through the centre of the doughnut until it is sitting directly above your hair tie. To add volume to your knot, tease your ponytail with a comb and slightly smooth out the straggled strands to help you achieve a voluptuous pouf. Fan the tail out and around the doughnut to create the bun, making sure to spread the strands evenly to conceal the doughnut, and secure it with a hair tie. Finally, starting from the bottom of the bun, take a section of the hair ends and create a French braid, making sure to grab all the leftover ends as you go around the bun. Once you’ve wrapped the braid all around, tuck the ends of the braid underneath the bun with bobby pins. You can accessorize with a metallic hair band for a touch of glamour.

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2) Upside Down French Braid Knot:  For an unexpected twist on a classic messy bun, try this upside down French braided top knot to give your twisted locks a refreshing new style. If you’re aiming to give this look a go at home, start by flipping your head upside down to bring all of your hair to the front. Then, starting at the nape of your neck, grab a small section of hair and begin braiding upwards towards your crown. Once you’ve reached the crown of your head, break off the braid from the rest of the hair and continue braiding the sectioned hair into a tail until you’ve reached the ends and secure it with an elastic. Next, pull the rest of your hair along with the braid into a tight ponytail on the top of your head. Once it is secured into a ponytail, remove the elastic from the tail of the braid and begin wrapping your hair into a bun. For daring beauty addicts with rainbow underlights, this hair style is a great way to show off those vibrant pops of hues for a fun surprise.

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3) Fishtail Top Knot: This sleek yet chic updo is perfect for minimalist beauty lovers who want an easy style to simplify their morning routines yet still look professional for work. If you’re looking to swap out your messy bun for a more polished look then this fishtail top knot will do just the trick. First, pull your hair into a high ponytail, smoothing out all the strands with a comb for a slick-backed look. Then braid the ponytail to create a fishtail until you’ve reached the ends of your hair. For the final step, wrap the braid around the hair tie to create the bun and secure the ends with pins.