Please raise your hand if you’ve ever heard someone say short hair is not suitable for updo styles. Are you one of them? I completely understand.
Many of my clients think I’m crazy when I tell them they can rock a classic elegant updo even on short hair. The most important elements for achieving a flawless updo on short styles are enhanced texture, bobby pins (lots of them!), hair accessories, and plenty of creativity.
Whether looking for an elegant or casual updo for short hair, you’ll find the most flattering style for every occasion below. I’m so excited to show you the great potential of short hairstyles and how they can be transformed into breathtaking updos that will make everyone speechless!
1. Voluminous Messy Updo For Short Hair
Short fine or thin hair requires a different approach for updo styles. Soft waves or curls styled into a messy bun are the best choice for this hair type.
Face-framing tendrils make this style look effortlessly romantic. Beautiful texture and elegant vibes are the signature of this stunning short hair updo.
2. Textured Twisted Updo For Fine Hair
I recommend braided updos to those with thicker hair, while those with fine hair should opt for twists because they have more movement and volume.
This textured twisted updo for fine hair is suitable for every occasion. For a more elegant option add a decorative barrette or hairpin.
3. Textured Easy Updo For Short Hair
Short hair? No problem. You would be surprised what a skilled hairstylist can do with just two things: curling iron and bobby pins. You can achieve this stunning look easily at home. Here are the two most important tips to follow:
1. After you’re done curling your hair with a curling iron, brush through your curls with a soft bristle brush for added volume and soft, wavy texture.
2. Strategically place bobby pins to create the desired shape of your updo bun.
3. Don’t forget to thank me later. (optional)
4. Braided Half Updo With Flowers
Half updos are another great style for those with short hair. The braided half updo is the most popular style for short hair and can be customized to look amazing on all hair types.
For example, if you have thin, fine hair, a loose braid would look perfect. Or if you have thick hair, a standard Dutch or French braid would do the job.
Flowers and other hair accessories can make your half updo look more personalized and stylish.
5. Easy Updo With A Bow
This beautiful updo with a bow gives off chignon vibes. Choose a sleek or textured look depending on your hair type and occasion. In a nutshell, sleek updos look great on thick hair while thin hair requires a more voluminous and textured look.
6. Messy High Bun Updo
I remember one of my clients saying “I’ve always wanted to rock a high bun updo for my wedding, but I’m scared that’s not doable without hair extensions.”
Do you know what I said? “I’ll make you the most beautiful bride ever and you’ll be so impressed with your high bun updo that you’ll keep wearing it even after your wedding.” It’s amazing what you can achieve with loose texture on short styles.
7. Chic Half Updo For Short Hair
Are you looking for a minimalistic, elegant wedding style for short hair that won’t outshine your outfit (or wedding dress)?
The chic half updo with loose twists and pearls is my personal favorite and I hope you’ll like it, too. This style looks best on a long textured bob.
8. Waterfall Braid Half Updo
Unlike the previous one, this half updo is more subtle and accentuates the beauty of your natural hair texture. Hair accessories can make this style look more glamorous and sophisticated.
Also, highlights bring out the best in this chic half updo for short hair. If you want a more textured look, thicker (chunky) highlights are a great option.
9. Twisted Short Hair Updo
Do you want to rock a short bun updo but are worried that your bun won’t look as massive as you expect? The secret lies in wrapping your hair around a bun sponge to create the illusion of a fuller, thicker bun.
These bun sponges come in different sizes and it’s best to choose the one in color closest to your hair. Even if your sponge “takes a sneak peek”, it won’t be that noticeable.
10. Sleek Low Bun With Flowers
A sleek bun updo is a great option for those with thick short hair who want a glamorous, elegant style for various occasions. Hair gel, a bit of oil, and a soft bristle brush are all you need to achieve this simple yet gorgeous look.
Decorate it with flowers to achieve a romantic appeal, or choose another hair accessory that complements your look and overall style.
11. Voluminous Dimensional Updo
Remember when I mentioned how chunky highlights create the illusion of thicker hair? Chunky highlights turn even the simplest updo styles into breathtaking masterpieces.
If you have thin hair, I recommend thicker (chunky) highlights that naturally create the illusion of a more textured updo style even without braids or twists.
12. Voluminous Bun Updo
Anyone can achieve a voluminous bun updo regardless of their hair length. If you have short hair, hidden ponytails, and bun sponges are your go-to options for achieving breathtaking volume and texture.
Your step-by-step guide is right here! Find the simple instructions in the image above to recreate this look. Happy styling!
13. Messy Short Hair Updo
If I had to give one piece of advice to everyone with thin or fine short hair, it would be the following: the messier, the better!
Messy short hair updos are great for any occasion and can be personalized with different hair accessories. Best of all?
They don’t take much time to style, meaning they’re one of the best easy summer styles for both long and short hair.
14. Side-Parted Short Hairstyle With A Headband
I love headbands because they keep your hair secure and allow you to express your personality with different headband shapes, patterns, and materials.
Here’s a simple headband style for short hair you’ll love: pair side-parted hair with a headband of your choice for enhanced volume and a cute, charming look.
15. Loose Braided Half Updo
Achieve an undone and effortless look with a loose braided half updo that maximizes your hair’s volume and texture. Choose this style to embrace boho vibes and rock a unique, romantic look.
16. Classic Twisted Updo With Flowers
A classic twisted updo, indeed, looks best on long hair because of the added volume and texture. However, this doesn’t mean those with short hair can’t achieve equally stunning style with the help of bun sponge and/or hair extensions.
Agreed?
17. Loose Twisted Crown
Despite having short hair, you can still wear a crown without wearing a crown. What I meant is that you can style your hair into twists that mimic an effortless crown for a sophisticated and elegant appearance.
Tucking a few flowers to your twists is a great way to add a dash of romance and boho vibes to your style.
18. Loose Fishtail Braid Half Updo
French braids are a classic, and Dutch braids are celebrated for their thick appearance. The effortlessly intricate design of fishtail braids is the secret to adding personality to any style, and they look amazing in this half updo!
19. Loose Wave Bun Updo
Want those effortless loose waves? A curling iron and a soft brush are your best friends! Just remember to wrap your hair around the iron for best results. Add a bun sponge to make your bun appear more voluminous (optional).
20. Messy Twisted Low Bun Updo
Get ready to impress everyone with your messy, twisted low bun updo! The secret to maximizing your updo’s volume? Pulling up your long bangs or short face-framing layers is a simple trick for the extra lift on top.
21. Elegant Slicked-Back Bun Updo
The glossed slicked-back bun updo is a charming and elegant style for short hair. Who would benefit most from this stunning updo?
• Those with thick hair.
• Those who don’t have much time for styling.
• Those who want a secure updo style that will last all night regardless of their activities.
22. Formal Hairstyle For Short Hair
A curly or wavy bun updo that gives off effortless and romantic vibes is a timeless classic for formal occasions. This style looks best on dimensional hair with lowlights and highlights that enhance every twist and swirl in your updo.
23. Easy Updo For Short Hair
Whether going to the store, to dinner, lunch, or a more formal event, a low messy bun with face-framing tendrils is always a great choice. Here are a few tips to bring out the best in your messy bun:
1. For a minimalistic, elegant look, use a super-thin elastic.
2. Create extra volume on top by using a rattail comb handle (or any thin comb) to gently lift your hair for added volume.
3. Add a touch of hair gel to your tendrils for a subtle wet-look effect.
24. Braided And Twisted Low Bun Updo
Braids, twists, or braids + twists? The choice is tough, I know. Perhaps I can simplify it for you.
Choose braids if you have thick hair. Choose twists if you want to add more volume to your thin hair. Or choose both braids and twists to create a super textured updo.
25. Copper Orange Loose Braided Updo
Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between loose twists and braids because they look similar in texture. You can incorporate both into your hairstyle for a “blended” messy appearance and beautiful soft waves.
26. Effortless Updo With Elegant Barrette
Sometimes, an elegant barrette and loose twists are all you need for your big day to look and feel like a diva. You can create any shape with your loose twists thanks to the versatility of bobby pins.
27. Dutch Braided Wavy Half Updo With Decorative Hair Pin
Dutch braids create more textured, trending styles because of their thicker appearance. To do Dutch braids, you’ll need to cross the right strand UNDER the middle strand and then cross the left strand under the middle strand.
French braids are done by crossing the right strand OVER the middle strand and that’s the crucial difference between the two.
28. Elegant And Easy Updo For Curly Hair
Style your short hair in tousled waves, add an elegant barrette and you’re ready to conquer the world! This style doesn’t require much effort and looks as if you have spent hours at the salon. Well, that’s the beauty of easy updos for short curly hair.
This style is also ideal for short curls with bangs.
29. Claw Clip Updo For Short Hair
Claw clips are real life saviors when you don’t have much time to style your hair. Whether you have a short bob cut or a lob, you can style your hair into a bun with a claw clip.
From flower-shaped to elegant claw clips with diamonds or pearls, I bet you’ll find the perfect claw clip for any occasion. Okay, enough about claw clips for now (because I mentioned them too many times).
30. 3-Strand Braid Half Updo For Short Hair
Decorate your long pixie with a stunning 3-strand braid! A 3-strand braid is a fundamental braiding technique for both classic French and Dutch braids.
The key difference lies in whether you weave the side strands over (French) or under (Dutch) the middle. Want a cute and charming braid style? Try adding ribbons!
