Looking for a new way to twist your hair into shape? It’s time to break out those bobby pins! We’re here to share some swoon-worthy updos that are surprisingly easy to create. Find a new way to play up your style with these chic updos.
#1: Unstructured Messy Chignon
This is an unstructured, messy chignon. I love that she looks like she has loads of hair, but it is a long bob that barely touches her shoulders. This look was perfect for my client, that was off to a family wedding and wanted to look like she had made an effort without trying to outdo the bridesmaids!
#2: Soft Twisted Updo for Mother of the Bride
A stylish, straightforward updo is simply a low chignon, making a knot at the back of your neck. This MOB style manages to be neat and stylish without being too extravagant. For a fuller look, add some natural volume around the top of your head. Create the chignon through knotting, twisting, braiding, or tucking. If needed, you can use extensions. This chignon style looks great when paired with a side accessory.
#3 Low Tuck and Roll
Graceful and airy, this soft updo features a rolled tuck that frames the back of the head in a flattering sweep. It’s a beautiful choice for weddings or formal events, especially on fine to medium textured hair with subtle highlights. Best suited to soft face shapes like heart or oval, the style gives light volume without overcomplicating the look. The loose front pieces add to its romantic feel but may need a light setting spray to prevent flyaways.
#4 Looped Pony Wrap
Simple and structured, the looped pony wrap bun keeps things sleek while adding a twist—literally. Medium to long, smooth hair is best for this style, especially when paired with light caramel-blonde tones that highlight the wrapping detail. Works beautifully for oblong or rectangular face shapes. It’s quick to do but may need an elastic band or pins hidden inside to secure the loop. Less volume than other buns, so not ideal for those craving big texture.
#5 Classic Chignon
Ultra-smooth and elegant, this chignon is a no-fail choice for formal settings. Sleek black hair is wrapped into a tightly coiled bun with no frizz or flyaways, giving a refined and polished appearance. It’s ideal for straight, fine to medium hair and best suits oval and diamond face shapes. Minimalist yet chic, it’s low maintenance once secured but does require a smoothing serum or gel to achieve that glassy finish.
#6 Double Loop Bun
A playful and unique double loop design sets this bun apart—perfect for long, thick auburn hair. The loops add visual interest and balance out a center part, while keeping volume low and controlled. Great for oval or rectangular face shapes and anyone looking to keep hair off the neck with style. This one takes a little more time to arrange evenly, and fine hair may need padding or teasing to achieve the same fullness.
#7 Messy Low Bun
A loose and lived-in low bun with plenty of volume—this style is great for fine, straight to slightly wavy hair types. The silver-blonde color enhances the softness and texture, and the bun is loosely knotted with wispy layers left out for a casual, elegant finish. It flatters round and heart-shaped faces and is especially forgiving on aging hair that’s starting to thin. It may not stay put without pins or light hold spray, but that tousled effect is part of its charm.
#8 Pinned-Up Twirl
This artistic twirled bun gives a sculpted, voluminous look that flatters medium-length, highlighted blonde hair. Ideal for women with medium to thick density and some natural wave, the style sits securely at the back while showcasing intricate pinwork. Best on oval and longer face shapes, it brings elegance without being overly rigid. While it looks polished, recreating the twirls may take practice or a stylist’s hand. It’s not ideal for very short or layered cuts.
#9 Simple Clipped Tuck
Functional and fuss-free, this low bun updo combines a side twist with a practical metal clip to secure the tucked style. Perfect for thick or dense hair, this look keeps everything in place without sacrificing softness. Great for square or round faces due to its low placement and gentle side framing. It’s easy to recreate on second-day hair and doesn’t require heat styling. May not hold as well on baby-fine hair unless reinforced with texture spray or extra bobby pins.
#10 Rolled-In French Twist
A sleek take on a timeless classic, this rolled-in French twist works well on straight, fine to medium hair textures. The hair is gently swept and tucked into a structured low bun, with soft front pieces adding elegance. The finish is glossy but not overly tight, giving it a natural softness. Ideal for longer face shapes and formal settings. It holds well with pins and light hairspray but might slip out on very thick or layered hair without prep.
#11 Twisted Low Bun Elegance
Soft, romantic, and practical—this twisted low bun is a great option for medium-length, slightly wavy hair with moderate density. It’s styled at the nape with gentle volume through the crown and soft pieces framing the face, which adds a youthful lift. This works well on aging hair with natural gray tones and blends beautifully with subtle balayage. Best for oval or heart-shaped faces. While it’s flattering and low-maintenance, fine hair types may need light teasing or texture spray for hold.
#12: French Roll Updo for Mother of the Groom
A French roll updo is a great choice for the mother of the groom, especially when it’s your son who is getting married. The elegant vibe of this formal updo will not only leave you feeling stunning and amazing in photos!
#13: Casual Soft Updo with Bangs
For a simple hair updo at home, try this casual soft updo with bangs. We all know bangs make an updo more attractive. However, combine them with a high bun, chignon style, and the result is even more eye-catching.
#14: Formal Ballerina Bun with Face-Framing Strands
Go for a formal ballerina bun with face-framing strands. It can allow you to have quick updos, finished for any occasion. Creating a structured bun can be intimidating. However, with the right tools for this hairstyle, it can be a breezy walk in the park. The bungee elastics for optimum tension are my favorite tool for creating a structured bun. I also love securing buns with Frenchie’s Velvet Hairpins. These small yet powerful hairpins are coated with velvet to create maximum hold.
#15: Sleek Blonde Low-Styled Bun
A low-styled bun is a beautiful way to show off your highlights while creating quick updos. I love a timeless bun. You can always showcase the style more by adding small detailed hair pins or decorations. If you have a fine or a thinner hair type, add hair extensions to create more volume in the bun. This style is ideal if you’re in a time pinch. You can achieve this look quickly, efficiently, and with speed.
#16: Wrapped Bun Low Updo
A wrapped bun low updo is elegant and great for any wedding party. Most hair lengths work well with this hairstyle. You can have medium to long hair, and you’ll be able to achieve the desired results. Most hair types work well with this, too! If you have thicker hair, I recommend leaving more hair out around your face. This will ensure the bun doesn’t get too big or heavy.
#17: Straight and Sleek Wrapped Low Bun
A straight, sleek, wrapped low bun is perfect for the minimalist bride. Easy updos like this can be a timeless way to show off your veil or hairpiece. Finding a bridal hairstylist can also be part of the challenge. I suggest a no-fuss way of doing so on platforms like Instagram to be paired with the right person for you.
#18: Sleek Woven Bun for Long Hair
A sleek woven bun updo for long-length hair is a great way to incorporate cute updos into your formal attire. Secure your hair into a sleek ponytail, braid it, and twist it into a snappy bun. Secure with bobby pins and spray with a shine spray and firm hold hairspray.
#19: Classic Loose Bun on Brunette Hair
Try a classic loose bun if you have brunette hair and are looking for a casual updo. This is a great option for updo hairstyles for long hair as it has texture even though the look is effortless. Your stylist will need to use a product such as wax to add grit to your hair so it will stay in place. The Aquage Spray Wax is a wonderful product for these easy hair updos.
#20: Dimensional Bridesmaid Twisted Bun
Try a dimensional twisted bun for a quick and simple updo. These types of updos are ideal for wedding party members or bridesmaids. They’re super easy and painless to achieve and can get done in a fairly short amount of time. You first want to secure most of the hair back into a ponytail to achieve this look. It’s important to remember that the ponytail needs to be completely sleek. Softly twist the pony to create a spiral effect, then secure it in a bun with bobby pins. The key is to piece out the bun once it’s secure and use a volume powder for extra oomph. I love the Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder for the best results.
#21: Twisted Up
The Textured French Roll is designed to be a modern take on the classic French Roll. This look is heavily textured to feel modern and chic while remaining as sophisticated as the original classic style. I always leave a few tendrils out around the face for softness. My favorite thing about this style is that it is wearable and can complement almost any outfit!
This is my #1 favorite style for a client who wants to look formal without looking too overdone. You may dress this style up or down, depending on your outfit and the occasion you are wearing it to. It’s ideal for somebody with shorter hair who may struggle to get it into an updo. I always incorporate a crescent hair-padding piece to finer hair to give the illusion of thickness. I recommend this style to wedding guests so they can have their hair styled up without looking like a bridesmaid.
#22: Updo with Pearl Accessories
For an easy yet sophisticated updo, a low bun is a winner. You may like to leave a few loose strands around the face to frame and soften. A loose curl for these stands is flattering and feminine. Use a simple hair accessory to dress up your look.
#23: Classic Full Updo
A classic full updo will have you feeling timeless for your next formal event. Celebrities have seen and worn this super polished wrapped bun over the years. I always prep the hair with a workable hairspray. Then I apply a dime size amount of the tame wild between my palms, grab a brush, and gather it into a ponytail. I then split the pony into two sections, wrapping, smoothing, and pinning it into place.
#24: Elegant Braided Updo
This features a super charming and romantic simple updo. Super easy to do – create a thick loose braid starting from the side of your head down to the other side, let down some front pieces, and curl them for a flirty vibe, and you’re ready to strut!
#25: Braided Bun
This style is a bohemian braided updo hair style. The loveliest thing about this look is how much detail can be seen in the style due to the thickness and color of the hair, giving a sophisticated yet effortless finish.
Loosely wave your hair using a soft tong first, which will help shape your hair much easier. The essential products for achieving this look are texturizing powder for teasing to create a chunky braid with hold and a natural hold hairspray to finish. This style best suits medium to thick hair; the detail is much more visible on lighter hair. These hair up styles are perfect for a wedding or special occasion.
#26: High Bun
This curly hair updo is a real beauty! A great and effortless look for any red-carpet event!
#27: French Twist
Be a maiden with hair so fair wearing this dashing formal hairstyle. Best to keep hair away from your face as you tuck it up in a low hairdo partnered with flower decor.
#28: French Braid
Loose and messy updos are always beautiful, but when combined with a halo braid, you have reached perfection!
#29: Two-Toned Twists
A really simple yet sophisticated-looking updo is this twisted bun that works amazingly when you have highlights or an ombre with your hair. The twists give your colored hair dimension and interest without effort. Make simple updo hairstyles more glam by letting down a few face-framing pieces.
#30: Simple Airy-Textured Bun
A messy yet sleek and classy bun gives a flattering look for any occasion, whether a formal night or a day in the mall. Add texture to your hair by spraying sea salt or simply tousling it before doing this lovely low bun.
#31: Messy Bun
This look is a textured bun. The cutest thing about it would be the effortless look. It’s soft-looking, and I love that it can be dressed with a delicate hairpiece to suit any occasion. The thing with a bun is you can have them so many different ways, so my advice would be to get your stylist to play around, make the style lose, give it a sleeker polished look, and have less or no hair shaping around the front, or keep the hair out around the face. Also, you can add hair pieces to dress it up. A bun is simple, but have fun and make it your own.
#32: Top Knot
Elegant and sophisticated – it’s a twist on a classic high bun. I love that it’s a little more undone and effortless. It’s a great look to complement a high neckline and showcase the delicate back details. This style is perfect for the client who wants to look like a modern-day princess with a fun-loving personality. It’s also a great look for a client who needs her style to last all day or will be in warm temperatures and wants her hair out of her face.
#33: Donut Bun
It is an elegant, classic, princess-like hairstyle. It’s feminine. The best part is that it’s very versatile. As hairstyles may reflect our personalities and lifestyle, I would indicate this look to those compatible with the adjectives mentioned before. That said, this look goes with any hair type and length. It’s an easy updo, so all you need are strong bobby pins, the right size of hair donut, and hair spray to tame the flyaways.
#34: Vintage-Inspired Swirls
This is romantic and perfect for clients looking to add Hollywood glamour to their style while keeping it sweet and contemporary. I love how the slight gaps in the top layer of hair reveal the curls underneath. Instead of one coherent wave over the surface, it adds texture and interest to the look. The flowers I included are interchangeable, and I did think retrospectively how cute this might have looked with a metal hair piece that was punky and ornate – think a steampunk kind of thing!
#35: Simple Faux Braid
This look is a simple faux braided look with an elegant feel without trying too hard to achieve it. My favorite thing about this look is that it’s SO easy to create, but it still looks very put together.
#36: Boho Chic Updo
This look is so boho chic. I love that it requires minimal to no heat, so it’s a look I can do on the fly! My advice for recreating this look would be to secure the braids by making an “X” with your bobby pins. This will keep the hair nice and secure while you pull out all the pieces you want to give it texture! I teased my hair slightly at the crown and sprayed it with a little texture to give it some volume, but you can customize it to your style and hair texture! These up hairstyles hold all day long and are a fun alternative to keep your hair out of your face. You could add fun hair jewelry to make it more festive and chic!
#37: Knotted Bun
This knotted bun is great for any occasion, formal event, or everyday look. I love how easy it is to achieve, and it still looks sophisticated. This look works great for medium to long hair and can be worn by anyone. I used Redken Control Addict 28 to set this style. It is a strong-hold hairspray that helps fight against humidity without residue or flaking. It is also flexible, allowing you to change the style easily.
#38: Fishtail Twist
I call this easy up ‘do the fishtail twist. It’s a simple hair bump wrapped with a fishtail braid that is also wrapped with the front/bang piece. It makes one of the lovely and easy formal hairstyles you can wear. My favorite thing about it would be the twist around the fishtail braid. While creating this updo, I did it thinking it would look strange, but it turned out to look cute and different!
#39: Simple & Elegant
I love this look because it is so simple and easy to do! Anyone could do it, I swear! This elegant and simple look makes it perfect for any occasion. I’ve used it on clients who want something simple, flirty, and elegant, and I’ve also used it on brides with a nice jewel clip or even a flower crown.
#40: Modern Chignon Bun
This look is a modern take on the classic chignon bun. My favorite thing about this updo would be the movement of it all. I love how the hair drapes, sweeps, and wraps around itself to create an effortless look.
#41: Heatless Modern Chignon
This look is soft, simple, and romantic. My favorite thing about this look was that it was done without hot tools. My favorite products for recreating a look like this are from Unite. I love 7 Seconds Glossing to smooth out the sections and add shine, Texturiza for pancaking the twists and adding texture to the look, and Expanda Dust for tons of volume.
#42: Sock Bun
Arrive in fashion with braids up in a big bun. The secret? A sock to serve as the body of your hair’s main attraction.
#43: Formal Blonde Ballerina Bun with Thin Bangs
A formal blonde ballerina bun with thin bangs is a simple hairstyle you can easily do at home. When creating this hairstyle, leave a few strands out to frame your face it enhances the look of your cheeks and jawline.
#44: Low Twisted Updo for Natural Hair
A twisted updo is an easy hairstyle for natural hair. This style makes use of your natural hair’s texture and thickness by interlacing sections to achieve a full and large bun.
#45: Romantic Updo
It is a loose, romantic updo. I love this style because it’s softer than perfectly pinned updos, and it’s also easy to fix if a piece or two comes loose throughout the day. I had her wash and blew dry her hair the day off because she gets oily. I used many products to provide texture (Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray, Puff Me, etc.). I finished with a firm hold hairspray and shine spray to set everything.
#46: Romantic Braided Crown Updo
This short hairstyle is a fun, romantic, braided crown updo with pinned ends. It’s polished enough to ensure it would hold up for a night of dancing! Having shorter/fine hair can be challenging to create an updo with. However, braids that show off the dimensional hair color while adding texture and hold to your hair can be the perfect solution!
Short hair updos are easy to style if you consider the outfit and setting. Hair length and texture make a huge difference, but if you have at least shoulder-length hair, you could achieve something close to this look. Products are amazing in helping achieve any short updo hair styles.
#47: Sleek Braided Low Bun
If you want to go simple and easy, these side braids put into a messy low bun are the best option. Like the picture above, you can top it off with a gorgeous hair band.
#48: Soft Low Knot with Long Bangs
A soft low knot with long bangs is a simple yet stylish updo for your next event. This style includes a braided pattern, which can be on either or both sides of the hair. The hairstyle ends with a bun placed just above the back of the neck. Any bangs you have can be left out for a varied look around the face, or you can tie them back for a neater appearance.
#49: Tucked Grecian Curls
This Grecian upstyle could be better for a formal event. If you already have curly or wavy hair, you will save time and have a great daily look. Pinning your hair up can be beautiful for those who can’t stand their frizzy curls on that second day. This easy curly updo was prepped with a triple barrel waver on pin-straight hair with my favorite KMS products!
#50 Easy Bridesmaid Updo for Short Hair
This simple yet chic updo for short hair uses clever pinning to create a compact, low bun with loose strands adding softness around the face. Perfect for bridesmaids with shorter hair lengths who want an elevated look without extensions. This style works well on fine to medium hair and offers a quick, stress-free styling option.
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