Updo Hairstyles: How to Style Them and 20 Looks to Try

An updo is any hairstyle that gathers your hair and secures it up off the neck, from a sleek low chignon to a messy top knot or a braided bun. The word chignon even comes from the French “*chignon du cou”*, the nape of the neck where the classic knot has sat for generations. The shape shifts with the occasion, but one base technique runs underneath almost all of them.

This guide starts with that single foundation, then walks through 20 updo looks grouped into four families: easy everyday, classic and elegant, braided and textured, and occasion. After the gallery, you will learn how to match an updo to your face shape and hair, how to add volume or length if your hair is fine or short, and how to keep the style in place all day. Every look is tagged for who it suits and the one tip that makes it work, including on fine, short, or coily hair.

How to Do an Updo Style in General?

Almost every updo comes down to four moves: prep and gather, twist or coil, wrap and tuck, then pin and set. Get those four right and any look in this guide sits cleaner and holds longer.

• Step 1: Prep and gather. Work a little texturizing spray through your hair, or start with second-day hair, so the strands have grip. Gather everything to your placement: low at the nape reads elegant, mid is the easiest to reach, and high sits lifted and youthful.

• Step 2: Twist or coil. Twist the length, then coil it into the shape you want, whether that is a bun, a chignon, or a soft roll. The tighter you twist, the more control you keep over the final shape.

• Step 3: Wrap and tuck. Wrap the coil around its own base, or tuck the ends under, for a clean finish with no loose tips poking out.

• Step 4: Pin and set. Cross two bobby pins over each other, open side toward the scalp, so they lock instead of slide. Mist with hairspray to hold, then leave a few face-framing pieces loose at the front.

Tools you will need:

• Bobby pins and U-pins: the workhorses that anchor the coil and hide inside the shape.
• Hair elastics: a no-snag tie to gather the base before you pin.
• A tail comb: for sectioning cleanly and smoothing the surface.
• Texturizing spray and a flexible-hold hairspray: one adds grip, the other sets the finish.
• A hair donut or bun filler, plus an optional curling wand if your look needs body or movement first.

From years of supplying updo-ready wefts and clip-ins to salons, the fix we repeat most is the simplest one: build on dry, gripped hair, not freshly washed strands. A coil set over a slick, clean crown slides out by lunch, while one built on second-day texture holds for hours.

Easy Quick Everyday Updos for Beginners

These are the updos you can do in a couple of minutes, with no skill and no mirror gymnastics. They answer the everyday search for a look that survives work, errands, and busy mornings without a single bobby-pin struggle. Five beginner-friendly styles sit below, each built on the foundation steps above.

1. Messy Low Bun

A messy low bun gathers your hair low at the nape and coils it into a loose, undone knot. It works for everyday wear, the office, and quick errands, and it flatters every age and texture. Fine hair actually wins here, since a little looseness reads as fullness.

Build a low, soft coil on the foundation steps, then pull the bun apart gently once it is pinned so it looks lived-in. Leave a few face-framing pieces out at the front. Resist the urge to smooth everything down, because undone is the whole point.

2. Twisted Top Knot

A twisted top knot twists your hair up high and coils it into a knot at the crown. Reach for it on gym days, hot afternoons, or any morning you are short on time. The added height flatters round faces, and medium-to-long hair coils into the fullest knot.

Flip your head forward, twist the length tight, then coil and pin at the crown. Tame the base with a little spray so nothing slips. Pull the knot apart slightly at the end to soften the shape.

3. Claw-Clip Updo

A claw-clip updo twists your hair up and holds it with a single claw clip, no pins required. It is the low-effort pick for the office, quick errands, or reviving second-day hair, and any texture from medium to long can wear it. This is about as fast as an updo gets.

Twist the section before you clamp it, so the clip has something firm to grip. Angle the clip up toward the crown for lift. Leave the ends tucked in for a polished finish, or let them stick out for a casual one.

4. Tucked Ponytail Updo

A tucked ponytail updo flips a low ponytail up and through itself, turning a basic pony into a neat roll. Total beginners can master it, and any length that ties into a ponytail will work. Everyday wear and the office are its home.

Make a loose low ponytail, split the hair above the tie, then flip the tail up and through the gap. Tuck the ends under and pin them flat. For the full range of ponytail looks beyond the tuck, our ponytail hairstyles guide covers the rest.

5. Milkmaid Braid Updo

A milkmaid braid updo wraps two braids over the crown like a soft halo. It leans everyday, boho, and festival, and long hair of any texture gives you enough length to cross the braids comfortably. The result is romantic without much effort.

Braid each side, cross the braids over the crown, then pin them behind the ears. Loosen the plaits gently for a softer, boho feel. If you are new to braiding, a basic three-strand braid is all this style needs to start.

Classic and Elegant Updos

These are the polished updos, the ones built for a dress code and a camera. The family centers on the chignon and the French twist, two shapes that have carried formal hair for decades, with the low chignon leading as the most-requested of all. Five refined looks sit below, each kept practical with a real how-to.

6. Low Chignon

A low chignon is a sleek, knotted bun that sits right at the nape (chignon means the nape of the neck). It carries weddings, proms, and the office with equal ease, and it holds securely all day. Soft face-framing pieces keep it from looking severe, and it flatters most face shapes.

Start with a low ponytail, then twist, coil, and pin as in the foundation. Smooth the surface with a drop of serum or a little gel. Tuck the ends under so the knot reads clean and closed.

7. French Twist

A French twist rolls your hair vertically and tucks it flush against the back of your head. It suits formal events, the office, and weddings, and it flatters straight-to-medium, fine hair especially. The shape is timeless and sits close, so it never overwhelms the face.

Mist texturizing spray through first for grip. Sweep your hair to one side, roll it inward against your head, then pin the seam from inside the fold so no pins show. Keep the roll tight at the base and a touch looser at the crown for a soft finish.

8. Sleek Ballerina High Bun

A ballerina bun is a high, smooth, perfectly round bun. It fits events, work, and dance, flatters every face, and elongates the neck. Fine hair can still reach the full round shape by wrapping the length around a donut.

Brush your hair into a high ponytail, then wrap the length around a bun donut and pin around the edge. Smooth flyaways with a little gloss or gel. A snug base ponytail keeps the whole bun from sagging as the day goes on.

9. Side-Swept Chignon

A side-swept chignon sets a low knot to one side, often with a few soft waves left in. It is a romantic choice for weddings and evenings, and the asymmetry softens round and square faces. Loose tendrils finish the look.

Part your hair deep on one side, sweep it to the opposite nape, then coil low and off-center. Pin it secure and leave a couple of face-framing pieces out. A light wave through the length before you gather adds the soft movement this style leans on.

10. Rolled Vintage Updo

A rolled vintage updo builds structured rolls, think victory rolls or a pin-up crown bump, for a retro finish. It belongs at vintage-themed and formal events, and it suits retro fans and mother-of-the-bride looks alike. A crown bump can soften a longer face.

Roll each section over your finger and pin it from underneath so the pins disappear. Set firmly with hairspray, since these rolls rely on hold. Work in small sections for cleaner, tighter rolls that keep their shape through the night.

Braided and Textured Updos

These updos protect and show off natural texture, from box braids to coils and locs. Braided and textured updos answer a large slice of updo demand that generic galleries skip, and they suit curly, coily, braided, and loc’d hair beautifully. Five looks sit below, with a light-tension note where it matters.

11. Braided Bun Updo

A braided bun updo gathers braids, box or knotless, and coils them into a bun. It works for everyday wear, protective styling, and events, and any braided texture can wear it. The bun keeps long braids up and out of the way.

Gather your braids into a high or low bun, then wrap one braid around the base to hide the tie. Keep the gather gentle at your edges rather than pulling tight. A few pins tucked under the bun hold heavier braids in place.

12. Crown Braid Updo (Halo)

A crown braid updo wraps a braid around the crown over a tucked length, forming a halo. It suits weddings, boho events, and festivals, and mid-to-long hair on oval or heart faces carries it best. The braid frames the face like a soft band.

Braid along your hairline, pin the tail underneath, then tuck the rest into a low bun. Loosen the braid gently for a softer halo. Face-framing pieces left out at the front keep the look from feeling too tight.

13. Cornrow Updo

A cornrow updo feeds cornrows back along the scalp and gathers the ends into a bun or knot. It is protective, everyday-friendly, and event-ready, and it suits coily hair especially. Keep the tension light at the hairline to protect your edges.

Cornrow toward the crown, then gather the ends into a knot and pin. A too-tight braided style worn often can strain the hairline, so ease the tension where the braids start. For the full cornrow technique and dozens more cornrow looks, see our cornrow hairstyles guide.

14. Loc Updo

A loc updo piles or coils your locs into a bun or knot. It carries everyday wear and events, works on any loc length, and needs almost no product. The style shows off the texture of the locs themselves.

Gather your locs into a high or side bun, secure with a band, then tuck the ends under. A decorative gold cuff or two adds polish without much effort. Keep the band loose enough that it does not stress the roots of your locs.

15. Curly or Natural Puff Updo

A puff updo gathers natural curls up into a high, rounded pineapple shape. It suits everyday and work wear, and curly or coily hair of any length can wear it. The puff keeps curls off your neck while showing their full volume.

Define your curls first, then gather them up with a snag-free band. Pick out the puff gently for shape and height. Smooth your edges with a little gel so the front stays sleek against the soft, full puff.

Best Updos for Occasion (Wedding, Prom, and Work)

Some updos are built for a specific moment: a wedding, a prom, or the office. Occasion updos run more polished, more photogenic, and more secure than an everyday style, because they need to hold through hours of dancing or a full workday. Five event-ready looks sit below, each with a practical how-to.

16. Bridal Updo with Veil

A bridal updo with a veil is a soft, full updo built to sit with a veil comb. It is made for brides, flatters oval faces, and photographs beautifully. Fine hair gets its bridal fullness from a bun filler or a few clip-in wefts.

Place the veil comb underneath the updo so it stays hidden. Leave face-framing tendrils out to soften the look. Do a full trial run before the day, and for a half-up bridal option, our half-up half-down guide has the alternatives.

17. Bridesmaid Twisted Updo

A bridesmaid twisted updo pins rope-twisted sections into a soft, low shape. It suits bridesmaids and wedding guests, photographs well, and holds through a night of dancing. Every hair type can wear it, and mid-to-long lengths give you the most to twist.

Rope-twist the side sections back to the nape, then coil them into a low knot. Pin securely and mist to hold. Leave a couple of tendrils loose so the finished look stays soft rather than stiff.

18. Prom Glam Updo

A prom glam updo is a voluminous, curled updo with a teased crown. It is built for prom and formal nights, and the added height flatters taller frames. Extensions supply the drama when your own hair needs more length or body.

Tease the crown for height, curl the length, then pin the curls up into a loose, full updo. Gloss the surface and lock the base with extra pins. A firm anchor at the start is what keeps a heavy glam updo from dropping mid-night.

19. Professional Work Bun

A professional work bun is a sleek, low, polished bun made for the office. It works for interviews and long workdays, flatters every face, and asks almost nothing of you once it is set. Low maintenance is the entire appeal.

Smooth your hair with a brush and a little gel, secure a low bun, then pin it clean. Set with hairspray so no flyaways lift through the day. Keep the bun compact and low for the most polished, all-day finish.

20. Vintage or Mother-of-the-Bride Updo

A mother-of-the-bride updo is an elegant, soft, structured shape, often a rolled chignon with a little crown volume. It suits formal and elegant events, flatters mature wearers, and softens a longer face. The style reads refined without feeling fussy.

Build soft volume on top, then coil the length into a chignon and secure it firmly. Finish with pearl or decorative pins for a polished touch. A light backcomb at the crown adds the gentle height that balances the face.

Which Updo Suits Your Face Shape, Hair, and Occasion?

The right updo matches three things: your face shape, your hair length and texture, and the occasion. Start with those filters instead of scrolling at random, and the gallery above narrows fast. Here is how to sort yourself into a family.

• By face shape: Round faces gain from height, so a high bun or topknot lifts and lengthens. Oval faces wear almost anything. Heart-shaped faces balance best with a low chignon or a side-swept shape that softens the jaw. Square faces soften with a side chignon or a curly puff, while longer faces do best with a low bun or French twist that avoids adding height.
• By length and texture: Short or fine hair leans on a claw-clip updo, a tucked pony, or a donut and clip-ins for fullness. Curly and coily hair shines in a puff, a braided bun, or a loc updo. Long hair carries the French twist, the ballerina bun, and the milkmaid braid with room to spare.
• By occasion: Everyday calls for a messy bun, a topknot, or a claw clip. Work suits a professional bun or a French twist. Weddings lean bridal, chignon, or crown braid, and prom wants a glam updo.

Once you know your face shape, hair type, and the event you are dressing for, use the table below as a quick shortcut. Match your starting point with the updo family that gives you the most flattering shape, the right amount of hold, and the right level of polish.

One more axis, if your own hair falls short of the look you want: a bun filler or a few clip-in wefts add the body a full updo needs, and they stay optional rather than required.

How to Add Volume or Length to an Updo with Extensions?

An updo pulls your hair tight and up, so fine or short hair can leave you with a thin chignon or a flat bun. Extensions add the body and length that make an updo look full, and they come in three easy formats: a bun filler, clip-in wefts, and a pre-styled updo wig.

Here is the honest version of the choice most guides skip. Synthetic hair is affordable and usually single-use, while 100% Vietnamese Human Hair blends with your own, takes heat and color, and lasts through many restyles. Apohair makes that human hair factory-direct, so it matches and reuses far better than synthetic alternatives.

• A bun filler or hair donut builds a full, round bun on fine hair. Wrap your own hair over it so the filler disappears.
• Clip-in wefts thicken a chignon or French twist fast. Clip one to three clip-in wefts in at the crown before you gather everything up.
• An updo wig gives a full, pre-styled updo with no heat and no skill, which suits protective-style wearers and anyone short on time.

To match and hide the hair, pick your texture and color with a physical color ring, which runs from off-black (#1B) to platinum blonde (#613). Then tuck the wefts under and pin the seam inside the updo so nothing shows. Our wholesale clients tell us updo pieces are one of their steadiest reorders, because a color-matched weft turns a thin bun into a full one in minutes.

How to Make an Updo Last All Day?

An updo lasts when three things line up: the hair is prepped with grip, the shape is anchored with crossed pins, and the whole thing is set with spray. Miss one and the slow slide starts by lunch. The short routine below is the difference between an all-day hold and a mid-afternoon redo.

Tools and products to keep on hand:

• Bobby pins and U-pins to anchor the shape and hide inside it.
• Hair elastics and a tail comb for a clean gather and a smooth surface.
• Texturizing spray for grip and a flexible-hold hairspray to set, plus a donut or bun filler and an optional curling wand.

For the hold itself, second-day hair grips best, so plan your updo for the day after a wash. Cross your bobby pins with the open side toward the scalp and pin against the direction of pull. Set the style in layers with spray, then re-pin the edges to refresh it later in the day.

One safety note is worth taking seriously. A too-tight updo worn often can pull on the hairline and, over time, lead to traction alopecia, the gradual edge loss the American Academy of Dermatology links to tightly pulled styles. Keep the tension gentle and vary your placement through the week.

On time and cost, a simple updo takes about 5 to 10 minutes at home, while an elaborate or bridal updo takes longer. Salon updo prices vary by area and by how detailed the style is, so ask for a quote and book a trial for big events.

Frequently Asked Questions About Updos

These are the updo questions we hear most often that the sections above do not already answer in full.

What is an updo hairstyle?

An updo is any hairstyle that gathers your hair up and secures it off the neck, including buns, chignons, French twists, and braided updos. The word chignon comes from the French for the nape of the neck, where the classic knot sits. In short, if your hair is pinned up rather than left down, it counts as an updo.

How do you do a simple updo?

The simplest updo is a twisted low bun. Make a low ponytail, twist the length, coil it around the base, and pin it in place, then set it with hairspray. Start with second-day hair for grip, and the whole thing takes about five minutes.

How long does an updo take, and what does it cost?

A simple do-it-yourself updo takes about 5 to 10 minutes, while an elaborate or bridal updo takes longer. Salon updo prices vary by area and by how detailed the style is, so ask for a quote up front. For weddings and big events, book a trial run so there are no surprises on the day.

What is the difference between an updo and a half updo?

An updo gathers all of your hair up and off the neck, while a half updo takes only the top section up and leaves the rest down. A half updo keeps your length visible and reads more casual. For the full range of those looks, see our half-up half-down guide.

Conclusion

Pick your updo by your face shape, your hair, and the occasion, and start with the foundation steps if this is all new to you. The 20 looks above give you plenty of places to begin. If you want more volume or length than your own hair gives, APOHAIR’s hair extensions get you there in factory-direct 100% Vietnamese Human Hair, ethically sourced and color-matched from off-black (#1B) to platinum blonde (#613). Salons and sellers can source the same hair wholesale: send us your texture, length, and color, and our team will match it.

APOHAIR — ETHICAL & PREMIUM HUMAN HAIR EXTENSIONS AND WIGS MANUFACTURER

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