Long, flowing locks are gorgeous when worn down in loose waves or sleek and straight.
But what about when you want to get your hair up and out of your face?
That’s when updos come in handy!
Updos are a great way to show off your beautiful long hair while keeping it stylized and elegant.
There are so many stunning updos that work perfectly for long hair.
Updos are a great choice for both casual daytime wear and formal events.
They keep your hair looking polished while showing off your gorgeous length and texture.
We’ll also provide tips and tricks for getting your updo to stay put all day or night!
Here are TOP updos that will make your long locks shine.
The Classic Bun
The classic bun is a timeless updo that works for any occasion. It’s simple yet sophisticated.
The great thing about a basic bun is that it can be dressed up with accessories and texture or kept sleek and minimal.
Start by brushing your hair back and gathering it into a ponytail at the nape of your neck or slightly higher. Make sure there are no bumps or lumps.
Use a hair tie that matches your hair color to secure the ponytail.
Next, wrap the ponytail around itself to create a bun shape. Insert bobby pins to hold the bun in place.
Fan pieces out from the bun to create fullness and texture. For added polish, wrap a small section of hair around the hair tie and secure with pins.
To amp up the elegance, add some volume at the crown before pulling back into a ponytail.
Backcomb or tease the top section of hair above the ears.
Smooth over with a brush and then gather into your ponytail. This creates a bit of lift and fullness on top. Sparkling hairpins can also dress up a basic bun for evening.
The Messy Bun
Want something more casual and undone?
The messy bun is the updo for you.
Messy buns are everywhere these days because they work for all hair types and textures. The imperfect look is part of the charm!
Pull your hair up like you would for a ponytail, but don’t smooth out all the bumps.
Stop halfway through gathering your hair and let the ends stick out a bit.
Twist your hair into a bun shape and wrap an elastic around just once; you don’t want this bun to be too tight and slick. Leave plenty of stranded pieces out around your face and throughout the bun.
Add texture spray before creating your messy bun for extra volume and hold.
If your hair is very smooth or fine, backcomb sections to create fuller, more disheveled texture. Insert bobby pins randomly throughout the bun to hold in place.
Pull out more pieces for an even messier vibe. Top with a fun scarf or headband. The messy bun works for day or night!
The Fishtail Bun
The fishtail braid creates gorgeous dimension for an updo.
Fishtailing your long locks before wrapping them into a bun results in a beautiful interwoven pattern.
This half-up half-down style is intricate yet easy to achieve.
Start by sectioning off the top half of your hair.
Tie this in a ponytail that sits at the top/back of your head. Next, fishtail braid the remaining lower half of hair.
Take small sections from the outside of your hair and cross them over each other in the center. Continue down the length of your hair until you have a complete fishtail braid.
Wrap the braid into a loose bun at the nape of your neck and secure with bobby pins.
Fan out the braid a bit to create fullness in the bun.
Then gently pull out pieces of the fishtail to add dimension.
Finish by arranging the top ponytail section over the bun and pinning it in place. Add a sparkling barrette or flowers for special occasions.
The Top Knot Bun
If you want to highlight your face and show off gorgeous makeup, go for the top knot bun.
This updo keeps all of the hair piled on top of the head in an elegant swirl. It’s quick and easy to do yourself.
Start with dry hair that’s free of knots and tangles for the smoothest finish.
Brush your hair straight back and gather it all on top of your head, directly on the crown.
Twist the length of your hair into a tight bun shape and wrap an elastic around to secure it. Insert pins around the base of the bun to keep it in place.
Fan pieces out from the center for fullness and texture.
For added polish, take a 1–2 inch piece of hair from your part and wrap it around the bun, tucking the ends underneath the twist.
Finish with a spritz of strong hold hairspray to keep flyaways in check. The top knot bun works well for both day and night events.
The Gibson Tuck
The Gibson tuck, sometimes called the elegant tuck, has old Hollywood glamour vibes.
It’s a very romantic updo that works beautifully on long hair for formal occasions.
This updo involves gathering the hair at the nape of the neck in a low bun or roll, leaving the ends to cascade down the back in soft waves.
Start by curling your locks in loose waves using a curling wand or rollers. Gather your curled hair into a low ponytail at the back of your neck.
Next, twist the ponytail and coil it into a round bun shape. Secure with pins and hair elastics as needed. Fan the hair out to create fullness in the bun.
Leave the remaining length of hair hanging in loose, romantic waves.
Place the bun off to one side rather than directly in the center for an asymmetrical finish. Insert decorative pins or flowers around the bun for extra embellishment.
Finish with medium hold hairspray for soft, touchable texture that lasts.
The Braided Crown
Braids add gorgeous texture and intricate detail to an updo. And braiding the hair before wrapping it into an updo helps keep flyaways securely in place.
For this look, a fishtail braid is incorporated into a regal crown bun.
Part your hair down the middle from forehead to nape.
Take a 1–2 inch section of hair from the front of your part and set this aside – you’ll use it to wrap around the base of the updo.
Next, fishtail braid both sides of the remaining hair from root to tip.
Gather the braids at the back of your head and wrap them into a high bun shape. Coil the ends under and pin the braids in place at the bun’s base.
Then take the small section you set aside earlier and wrap it to cover the elastic band.
Finish by inserting decorative pins or hair jewels throughout the braided crown bun. This updo is perfect for a special event or wedding!
The Low Chignon
Want an updo that’s low maintenance but still polished?
The chignon is your best bet. A chignon is a knot or twist of hair that sits at the nape of the neck. It’s simple to do yourself and stays put without constant fussing.
Start with smooth, tangle-free locks.
Brush your hair straight back and gather it into a low ponytail above your neck.
Next, twist and wrap the ponytail into a tight bun shape. Secure with bobby pins and hair elastics as needed. Concentrate pins around the bun’s base and ends for hold.
For extra polish and control, lightly backcomb the ends of your hair before gathering into the ponytail. This creates more texture and fullness when wrapped into the chignon.
If desired, leave a few curly tendrils out in the front to soften the look. Finish with medium hold hairspray. The low chignon works for both casual and formal events.
The Braided Updo
This intricate braided updo is gorgeous for a wedding or formal event. It adds major textural interest and intricacy to your long locks.
While it looks complex, it’s achievable by patiently braiding small sections at a time.
Start by parting hair diagonally from the front of one eyebrow up toward the other ear. Braid this section in a French braid toward the back of the head.
Secure the end with an elastic. Repeat this on the opposite side, braiding from the eyebrow up toward the opposite ear.
Next, braid each side section of remaining hair into a simple braid.
Coil the braids together at the back of your head in a rounded shape and secure with pins.
Fan the braids out slightly to create fullness.
Finally, gently pull out pieces of the French braids to add softness around the face. Finish with medium hold hairspray.
The Side Braided Bun
For an unexpected twist, try the side braided bun.
This updo involves French braiding one side of hair before gathering it all into a low side bun.
The result is gorgeous dimension thanks to the sweeping braid.
Part your hair deeply to one side.
Take a small section of hair from the heavier side and French braid it back along the part.
When you run out of hair, continue the braid with a simple 3-strand plait down the remaining length. Secure the end with an elastic.
Gather the rest of your hair over your shoulder on the side with the braid and smooth any bumps.
Twist everything into a bun shape and position it slightly behind your ear.
Wrap an elastic around to secure the bun and insert pins around the base for hold. Finish with medium-hold hairspray to control flyaways.
The Half Updo
This is one of the easiest updos for long hair.
It simply involves pinning back the top front section for a polished half-up style. But it makes a big impact by showing off your face while still letting length flow free.
Start by creating a deep side part and gathering the heavier side into a ponytail. Smooth any lumps or bumps. Next, take the ponytail and split it in half horizontally to create two sections.
Twist the top section back on itself and pin flat against the head. Leave the bottom section smooth.
Repeat this process on the other side with the lighter side section.
Twist the top ponytail back and pin flat to mimic the first side.
The remaining hair in the back should hang free and loose. If desired, curl the ends for extra bounce and body. Finish with a mist of firm hold hairspray to lock in the shape.
The Faux Bob
Give your long locks a fresh look by styling them into a sleek, blunt faux bob.
This is a fun updo that lets you experiment with shorter hairstyles without actually committing to the chop. It looks amazing on long, thick hair.
Start by blow drying your locks with a round brush to ensure every strand is silky smooth.
Once hair is knot-free, brush it straight back into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Make the pony very tight, sleek, and flat to your head.
Next, fan the length of the ponytail out to create width and tuck the ends underneath to form a blunt edge. Insert bobby pins horizontally to hold the ends in place right at the elastic.
Mist hair with medium hold spray and smooth down any flyaways or bumps. Your ponytail is now transformed into a trendy bob!
The Tucked Updo
Similar to the faux bob, this updo involves tucking all the hair under itself for a voluminous rolled effect. It adds tons of body and texture for special occasions.
Start by curling hair in bouncy waves or tight ringlets.
Backcomb the roots all over to boost volume even more.
Loosely gather hair into a ponytail near the crown of your head. Smooth any major bumps, but keep texture intact.
Slowly wrap the ponytail around the base, inserting pins as you roll to hold in place.
Continue rolling the length upward and outward to create a wide, round shape on top.
Concentrate pins around the exterior edges to keep ends tucked under. Finish by misting with firm hold hairspray. Gently arrange any loose front pieces around the face.
As you can see, there are so many gorgeous options when it comes to updos for long hair.
The key is taking your time, sectioning hair meticulously, and securing styles with proper hold products and pins.
What’s great about updos is that they allow you to showcase your beautiful long locks in creative, polished ways.
You can amp up the volume, braid intricate detailing, and pin styles to perfection.
So next time you want your hair up, try one of these stunning updos to keep your long hair looking fabulous!
Your locks will be party-ready in no time.
