Easy Updos for Medium Hair

Easy updos for medium hair that take ten minutes or less, from messy buns and French twists to braided buns and claw-clip styles, with tips to make them hold.

Medium-length hair, roughly from the chin to just past the shoulders, is a wonderful length for everyday styling, but updos can be tricky. There is not quite enough hair for a big bun, and shorter layers tend to fall out. The good news is that there are plenty of easy updos for medium hair that work with your length rather than against it. These take ten minutes or less and use only a few pins and elastics.

Tools and products

• Bobby pins that match your hair colour
• U-shaped hair pins (great for buns)
• Small clear elastics
• A claw clip
• Texture spray or dry shampoo
• Flexible hairspray
• A boar bristle brush

The most important product for updos on medium hair is texture spray. It gives grip, so pins hold and layers stay in.

1. The messy low bun

1. Brush hair back loosely and make a low ponytail.
2. On the last loop of the elastic, pull the hair only halfway through to make a loop.
3. Wrap the ends around the base and pin.
4. Pull a few face-framing pieces loose.

Perfect for everyday and works even with layers.

2. The French twist

1. Brush all hair to one side.
2. Pin a row of bobby pins vertically up the back of your head, criss-crossed.
3. Twist the hair back over the pins toward the other side, tucking the ends inside the twist.
4. Pin along the fold.

Elegant and timeless, and medium hair is the ideal length for it.

3. The double braid bun

1. Make two braids, one on each side.
2. Cross them at the nape and pin.
3. Tuck the ends under.

It holds all day, so it is great for weddings or busy days.

4. The claw clip twist

1. Gather hair at the back of the head.
2. Twist it upward.
3. Fold the ends down over the twist and secure with a claw clip.

The fastest updo there is.

5. The low chignon

1. Part hair in the middle and make a low ponytail.
2. Flip the ponytail through a gap above the elastic (a "topsy tail").
3. Roll the ends upward into the gap and pin.

Polished enough for formal events.

6. The half-up top knot

1. Gather the top half of your hair.
2. Twist it into a small bun and secure.
3. Leave the rest down.

Casual, cute and great for second-day hair.

7. The twisted crown

1. Take a section from each side above your ears.
2. Twist each backward and pin at the back.
3. Repeat with the next section below.
4. Tuck and pin the ends.

Looks romantic and keeps hair off your face.

8. The bubble updo

Make a low ponytail with several elastics spaced down its length, pull each section to puff it out, then fold the ponytail up and pin it. Playful and on trend.

9. The braided headband with a low bun

Braid a thin section from one ear over the top of the head, then pin. Make a low bun with the rest.

10. The sleek low bun

Brush hair back sleekly with gel, tie a low ponytail and wrap it into a tight bun. Minimal and elegant, perfect with statement earrings.

Tips for making updos hold

• Start with second-day hair or add dry shampoo for grip.
• Cross bobby pins in an X for extra strength.
• Use U-pins for buns. They hold more hair with less tension.
• Spray pins with hairspray before inserting them.
• Pin layers that fall out with small clips or pins.
• Leave a few pieces loose on purpose. It makes the style look intentional rather than falling apart.

Updos for layered medium hair

Layers can make updos tricky. Use a texture spray, braid the shortest layers first, or make the updo low, where layers are more likely to reach. A messy style also hides stray ends. If you have layered haircuts, embrace a soft, undone updo rather than a sleek one.

Updos for fine medium hair

To make updos look fuller, tease the roots lightly, use texture spray and gently pull sections of the bun or braid apart to add volume.

Updos for thick medium hair

Use two elastics and plenty of U-pins. A braid-based updo distributes weight better than a single bun.

Updos for special occasions

For weddings and parties, add pearl pins, a ribbon or a jewelled clip, and curl face-framing pieces. For holiday party ideas, our guide to Christmas hairstyles has more festive looks.

Tools for easy updos

• Bobby pins that match your hair
• Clear elastics
• Claw clips
• Texturising spray
• A teasing comb

Making updos last

Start with second-day hair or texturising spray. Cross bobby pins in an X. Use hairspray.

Shoulder-length hair can slip out of an updo, so grip is everything. Spray texturising spray through the lengths before you start, and slightly tease the crown if you want volume.

The bobby pin trick

Open the pin, slide the wavy side down against your scalp, catch a little hair from the updo and a little from the base, then push it in. Two pins crossed in an X hold far better than one.

Updos by occasion

• Work: a low twisted bun or sleek knot.
• Weddings: a soft chignon with face-framing pieces.
• Gym: a braided bun.
• Parties: a messy bun with a velvet bow or a pearl clip.

If your layers keep falling out

Shorter layers around the face often escape. Embrace them as face-framing pieces and curl them softly, or pin them with small matching clips. A light hold gel on a toothbrush smooths flyaways.

Five-minute updos for busy mornings

When time is short, a claw clip twist is the quickest option: twist all the hair upward, fold it, and clip. A low knotted bun takes two minutes: tie the ponytail into a loose knot and pin. A half-up topknot works for second-day hair.

Key takeaways

• Texture is everything: second-day hair or texturising spray.
• Cross bobby pins in an X for a secure hold.
• Let shorter layers fall as face-framing pieces.
• A claw clip twist or knotted bun takes under five minutes.
• Match the updo to the occasion and add an accessory for events.

One last tip

Practise each updo once or twice when you are not in a hurry. Most of them get faster with repetition, and after a few tries a polished bun or twist will take less time than blow-drying your hair down.

Second-day hair is often easier to put up than freshly washed hair, because a little natural grip helps pins and elastics hold. If your hair is very clean and slippery, mist it with dry shampoo or texturising spray and rough it up with your fingers before you begin. Keep a small kit of matching bobby pins, clear elastics and a travel-size hairspray in your bag so you can fix any loose sections during the day.

FAQ

What is the easiest updo for medium hair?

The claw clip twist or a messy low bun. Both take under five minutes.

How do I keep short layers in an updo?

Use texture spray, small pins and leave a few deliberate face-framing pieces.

Can I do an updo on shoulder-length hair?

Yes. Low buns, French twists and braided styles all work well.

Easy updos for medium hair are all about grip, a few good pins and accepting a little softness. Practise one or two of these and you will always have a quick, polished option ready.

Save this guide for later — this image is sized for pinning.

Some posts may contain affiliate links; see our disclosure. Photography: Kássia Melo; https://kaboompics.com/; Ahmad Almalki; Anastasiya Lichkina; Henry de Guzman; cottonbro studio via Pexels.