UPDO HAIRSTYLES

Gorgeous looks that sweep your tresses up and off your neck are a game-changer. Polished chignons, boho braids, romantic ponytails – play with your style and you’ll find there’s a range of bombshell updo looks to choose from.

HOW-TO CREATE UPDO HAIRSTYLES

Perfect for weddings, parties and prom, our how-to guides for updo hairstyles can help you transform your locks into seriously wow styles. Take your look to a whole new height and work a covetable updo. 

ghd half up half down tutorialHOW-TO

HALF UP CURLS

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TOUSLED TOP KNOT WITH CURLS

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HAIR UP TWIST

ghd how to flipped out pony hairstyleHOW-TO

FLIPPED OUT PONY

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SPACE BUN TUTORIAL

UPDO HAIR INSPIRATION

Updos are all about the prep - create body with ghd total volume foam and achieve texture using the ghd tail comb. The ghd platinum+ styler is perfect for creating curly tendrils and romantic wisps. All you need to finish the look is a spritz of ghd final fix hairspray

Which updo hairstyles are trending in 2024?

Here are always new updo hairstyle trends that you can try. Here are 15 of the popular updo hairstyles for 2024:

Half-up Curls

Half-updo curls are a great way to show off your long locks! This style looks great with heat-styled or naturally curly hair, and it’s perfect for any occasion. Pull half of your hair up into a ponytail or bun to get this look, and then curl the rest of your hair. You can leave it loose or pin it back with bobby pins to keep it in place. 

Tousled Top Knot with Curls

This tousled top knot is one of our favourite updo styles! It’s a great way to dress up any outfit and give yourself an instant confidence boost. To achieve this look, tie the top half of your hair up into a high bun and then curl the bottom half. Finish off the style by teasing your curls for added texture and volume. 

Twisted Low Knot

The twisted low knot is a classic style that never goes out of fashion! To get this look, take two sections of hair from either side of your head and twist them together until they fall into a low knot at the nape of your neck. Secure with bobby pins, hairspray, or both.

Messy Half Top Knot

Try this messy half-top knot if you want an effortless updo that still looks polished! It’s easy to create and looks great with any hair type or length. All you have to do is pull half of your hair back into a high bun and secure it with an elastic band. Leave some strands loose around your face for an undone finish. 

Twisted Pony

This classic updo is both stylish and easy to do. Start by gathering your hair into a low ponytail, then twist the tail around itself and secure it with bobby pins. Finish off with hairspraye to keep the style in place all night long. Add some stylish hair accessories—like bobby pins or clips—to dress up the look for an extra touch of glamour. 

Flipped Out Pony

Want a bold look that will turn heads? The flipped-out pony is perfect for you! This style starts as a regular low ponytail but with one difference: Instead of pulling the hair into the elastic band all at once, leave some pieces out in front to create texture and volume. Secure the ponytail with an elastic band, then use your fingers or a comb to flip out some pieces around your face. Finally, finish off with hairspray and voilà! Instant glamour!

Space Bun

This fun and flirty style has been gaining popularity lately thanks to its simplicity and versatility—it looks great on medium-length hair as well as longer lengths! To create this look, gather your hair into two top knots (one on each side of your head). If desired, add decorative clips or bands around each bun for an extra pop of colour. And don’t forget the final touch of hairspray so this look stays put all day long.

Sleek Front Loose Back

If you’re looking for something more elegant than a basic ponytail but still want a polished finish, try this sleek front loose back updo. Begin by parting your hair down the centre from forehead to neckline, then gather loose strands into tight low ponies at the nape of your neck. Secure each pony with an elastic band and finish off with hairspray for extra hold. This simple yet stunning style works best on medium-long hair but can be adjusted depending on your length. 

Relaxed Waves Updo

This romantic updo is perfect if you want something chic yet low maintenance. To get this effortless look, start by curling your hair using large barrel curling tongs (or wand) until it's lightly waved throughout (you can use fewer curls if desired). Then gather all of your hair into a high bun on top of your head and secure it with bobby pins or decorative clips/bands if desired – voila! A beautifully updated take on classic waves that's sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Low Updo with Braids

Low updos featuring intricate braiding are all over the red carpet and on social media. This style looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to do yourself at home. Start by creating two Dutch braids on either side of your head and then loop them together into a low bun at the nape of your neck. Secure with bobby pins or hair clips, and you’re good to go.

Inverted Low Bun Updo

Another popular updo style is the inverted low bun. This look starts with a classic low bun at the nape of your neck but instead of keeping it smooth, you pull out sections of hair from around the bun's edges and tuck them underneath. This will create an “inverted” look that adds extra volume and interest to an otherwise simple hairstyle. 

Deconstructed Curly Bun

Try a deconstructed curly bun for those who want something more dynamic than a traditional bun. Start by creating two French braids on either side of your head and then twist them together into a loose knot at the back of your head. Leave some pieces out in front for extra texture and secure them with bobby pins or hair clips. 

Classic Bouffant Low Bun

If you’re looking for something timeless, try a classic bouffant low bun. To achieve this look, gather all of your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with an elastic band. Then use bobby pins or hair clips to lift sections of hair from around the edges until you have created a bouffant effect around the perimeter of the bun. Finish off with hairspray for extra hold.

Quick Chignon Updo

A chignon is one of the perfect updo hairstyles that always looks chic yet effortless—suitable for any occasion! To get this look, gather all of your straight hair into a high ponytail at the top of your head and secure it with an elastic band before loosely twisting it into a messy knot at the base. Use bobby pins or hair clips to keep everything in place, and voila—you have yourself an elegant chignon in just minutes.

Dutch Braid Updo

Last but not least is one of our favourite styles—the Dutch braid updo! This style starts off like any other Dutch braid, but instead of letting it hang down past your shoulders, you wrap it around itself into an elegant chignon at the back or side (depending on where you part your hair). Secure with bobby pins or hair clips and finish off with some hairspray for extra hold.

Updo hairstyle styling tips

Are you looking for a way to spruce up your look without much effort? An updo hairstyle is the perfect solution. Whether you have short, mid-length, long, thick, or thin hair, there are plenty of updo styles to choose from.

Updos For Short Hair 

The first step in creating an updo for short hair is to use GHD PICK ME UP - ROOT LIFT SPRAY before styling. This will give your hair texture and lift, making it easier to style.
After applying the product, use a curling wand or tong to curl small sections of your hair until they are all curled.
Gently brush out the curls with a GHD PADDLE BRUSH and secure them in place with bobby pins.
Finally, take a few strands of hair around the face and use you curled to add soft waves around the face for extra volume and texture.

Updos For Shoulder Length Hair 

Creating an updo with shoulder-length (medium) hair can be tricky because there isn’t enough length to pull back into an updo but not enough length to create full-bodied curls, either.

To start off, apply GHD PICK ME UP - ROOT LIFT SPRAY and blow dry using a GHD CERAMIC VENTED RADIAL BRUSH SIZE 2 for added lift at the root area.
Use a curling wand or tong to create loose curls throughout the lengths of your hair, and then gently brush them out with a GHD PADDLE BRUSH for added volume and texture.
Pull the top half of your hair back into a ponytail, leaving some strands out at the front for framing purposes.
Secure it in place with bobby pins or an elastic band, depending on how tight you want the look to be.

Updos For Long Hair

Creating an updo hairstyle with long hair is relatively simple because there is more than enough length to create beautiful styles with lots of volume and movement.

Start off by prepping clean damp locks with GHD PICK ME UP - ROOT LIFT SPRAY, followed by blow drying using a diffuser attachment to avoid flattening out any natural volume that may already be present in your locks.
Create loose waves throughout your entire head using either hot brushes or large barrel curling tong, then gently brush them out with a natural bristle brush until they are all brushed through evenly.
Take two sections from each side of your head near your temples and tie it back into a low ponytail at nape level using an elastic band or bobby pins, depending on how tight you want it secured in place.
Then take some pieces from underneath the ponytail and pin them around it for added texture and volume as desired.
Finish off with hairspray as needed. 

Updos For Thick Hair 

Styling an updo on thick hair requires patience but looks amazing once finished!

Start by sectioning off the top part of your head before brushing down any layers around your face and spraying them lightly with GHD PICK ME UP - ROOT LIFT SPRAY for hold.
Gather the remaining sections into low ponytails at either side of the head near the ears.
Twist each into a bun shape before securing with bobby pins as needed—this will ensure extra volume at the sides.
Finish off with another layer of hairspray if desired. 

Updos For Thin Hair 

Thin hair can also be styled into an elegant updo.

Start by brushing all sections back away from the face
Gather them together near the crown area on top of the head (or wherever feels most comfortable).
Secure this section with small elastic bands, then begin twisting/braiding each strand until they form two separate braids going down either side of the head towards the ears (or wherever else desired).
Finally, secure this braided updo with more elastics bands as needed, plus hairspray if desired—and you’re done. 

Updos can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with styling techniques but don’t let that stop you from trying! With these five styling tips, anyone can achieve beautiful updos regardless of hair type or length. So go ahead - grab those tools and get creative. You may just surprise yourself.