Red Carpet Hair: The Sleek Rope Braid Chignon

A sleek braided chignon by hairstylist Bobby Elliot and makeup by Beau Nelson.

Updos with a center part have been a big trend this year on the red carpet and on the runway. Bobby Elliot, a celebrity hairstylist who’s clients include Jena Malone, Hailee Steinfeld, and Juliette Lewis, created this sleek rope braid chignon to accompany red carpet makeup artist Beau Nelson’s smoldering emerald eye look. It’s surprisingly easy to recreate this chic look, here’s how:

1. Star by detangling and blow drying the hair.

2. Create a clean center part. The key to this look is to make the center part as straight as possible (try using the YS Park Tail Comb).

3. Apply a small amount of Oribe Sculpting Cream ($32) to hands and smooth over the hair, starting at the part and working to the ends.

4. With a thin coat of sculpting cream on hands, twist the hair into a rope braid. Having the product on your hands while braiding will help you get a sleek, shiny finish.

5. Using a thin elastic, secure the base and then twist the braid around it, securing with French hair pins.

6. To set the look, finish with a spritz of Oribe Superfine Hairspray ($22).