Updo Hairstyles

Start with second-day hair or spray clean hair with a dry texturizing spray — freshly washed, silky hair won't grip pins. Use bobby pins in an X pattern at stress points (where the weight pulls) rather than parallel, and push them in against the hair's direction so they lock in place. For thick or heavy hair, anchor the base with a hidden elastic before pinning — pins alone can't hold hair that weighs more than a few ounces. Spin pins (corkscrew-shaped) hold better than flat bobby pins in buns and chignons.

Yes — chin-length hair and longer can be pinned into updo hairstyles with the right technique. A low chignon at the nape works by twisting small sections and pinning them in overlapping layers. A faux bob tuck rolls shoulder-length hair under and pins it at the nape for a cropped-look updo. For very short bobs (ear to chin), add 2-3 clip-in weft extensions ($15-40 for synthetic) at the back for extra length to work with. Texturizing spray is essential for short updos — you need maximum grip from every strand.

Height at the crown is the most effective trick — high buns, voluminous top knots, and any updo with lift above the forehead create vertical lines that visually elongate a round face shape. Avoid styles that sit wide and flat at ear level, which emphasize width. Pull out 2-3 long, wispy face-framing pieces on each side of your part — these break up the cheek line and create the appearance of a narrower face. A diagonal side part works better than a center part because asymmetry disrupts the round symmetry.

Book your updo trial 4-6 weeks before the event. This gives enough runway to rebook with a different stylist if the trial doesn't go well, while your hair length won't change meaningfully in that window. During the trial, photograph from every angle (front, both sides, back, and three-quarter) — many updos look great from the front but flat or messy from behind. Wear a top with the same neckline as your event outfit so the stylist can see how the updo works with bare shoulders or a high collar.

The classic chignon (a low bun at the nape of the neck) is considered the foundational updo in cosmetology training. Every other updo — French twists, Gibson tucks, braided updos — builds on the basic skills of sectioning, rolling, and pinning that the chignon teaches. To create one: gather hair at the nape (ponytail or loose), twist the length into a rope, coil it into a flat bun, and pin from the outside in with bobby pins. The chignon has been worn for centuries across cultures and works on hair from shoulder-length and longer.

Start simple: a twisted chignon is the most achievable DIY updo. Pull hair into a low ponytail, twist the tail into a rope, wrap around the elastic, and pin with 4-6 bobby pins in an X pattern. For a French twist: sweep all hair to one side, pin a vertical line of bobby pins along the center back, roll the hair over the pins, and tuck ends under. Use a second mirror to see the back. Day-old hair with texturizing spray gives more grip than freshly washed hair.

A basic updo (classic bun, ponytail, simple twist) costs $65-100. A formal updo for a wedding, prom, or gala runs $100-200 at a mid-range salon, $200-350 at a high-end salon in a major city. Bridal updos — which include a consultation, the trial appointment ($50-85), and day-of styling — total $250-500 for the package. Prices increase with complexity: braided updos with multiple sections cost more than a simple chignon. Hair length and thickness also factor in — very long or very thick hair takes longer and may cost 20-30% more.

Curly hair actually holds updos better than straight hair because the texture creates natural grip and volume. Skip the flat iron — work with your curls. Gather hair into a loose ponytail at your desired height (low for formal, high for youthful). Instead of twisting into a tight bun, pull individual curl clumps out and pin them in a scattered pattern around the base, leaving some spirals loose for dimension. Secure with spin pins rather than flat bobby pins — they thread through curls without flattening them.

Four updos anyone can do in under 10 minutes: (1) The twisted low bun — divide hair into two sections behind each ear, twist each, cross at the nape, tuck ends under, and pin. (2) The rope braid bun — ponytail, split into two, twist each the same direction, wrap around each other opposite, coil into a bun. (3) The half-up twist — take two front sections, twist back, pin where they meet at the crown. (4) The messy French twist — sweep hair to one side, roll upward, tuck ends in, pin vertically.