21 Updos for Medium Length Hair: Easy & Stylish Looks

About this look — The Bow Bun pulls the length up and anchors it with pins — the placement of the pins is what makes it hold.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

Not a cutting appointment; book a styling lesson so you learn the exact pin placement for this shape.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Start on second-day hair for grip.
2. Tie into a low pony or twist.
3. Pin the ends into the shape you want with 3–4 bobby pins.

About this look — The Spiky Bun sweeps the length up and tucks it in place — the technique is about anchor points, not product.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

Not a cutting appointment; book a styling lesson so you learn the exact pin placement for this shape.

Maintenance

Style-only. The underlying cut still needs a trim every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Skip washing for 24 hours before styling.
2. Twist the length back into a low bun.
3. Anchor with 3–4 bobby pins and mist with flexible hairspray.

About this look — The Braided Bun Updo sweeps the length up and tucks it in place — the technique is about anchor points, not product.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

This is a style, not a cut — ask a stylist to walk you through the pin plan on your own hair once.

Maintenance

N/A. This is a style, not a cut — refresh cut every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Start on second-day hair for grip.
2. Tie into a low pony or twist.
3. Pin the ends into the shape you want with 3–4 bobby pins.

About this look — The Retro Ponytail gathers all the length up and secures it — done well, it holds through a workday or event without touch-ups.

Best face shape

Any face; the finish is defined by loose pieces around the face rather than the bulk of the style.

What to tell your barber

Not a cut — but ask your stylist to teach you the pin-and-tuck method for the specific updo shape you want.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The Knotted Updo twists and pins the hair away from the face — pin-count and placement drive the finish.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

Not a cut — but ask your stylist to teach you the pin-and-tuck method for the specific updo shape you want.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The Curly Bun collects the hair off the neck and secures with pins or a hair tie, keeping the perimeter clean.

Best face shape

Any face; the finish is defined by loose pieces around the face rather than the bulk of the style.

What to tell your barber

Not a cut — but ask your stylist to teach you the pin-and-tuck method for the specific updo shape you want.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The French Twist divides the hair into rows or sections and interlaces them into the chosen braid pattern.

Best face shape

Any — braids are a style choice, not a face-shape decision.

What to tell your barber

For protective work, ask for the specific braid technique and how you want the ends finished — rubber-banded, sealed, or tucked.

Maintenance

Every 4–8 weeks between installs. Nightly satin scarf preserves the pattern.

Style at home

1. Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair.
2. Section evenly and braid.
3. Seal ends with a small hair tie or clip.

About this look — The Braided Half-up, Half-down weaves the length into plaits — the tension of each pass determines how long the braid holds.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — braids follow the head, not the face.

What to tell your barber

Book a braid specialist and specify the pattern (box, knotless, feed-in, or cornrow) and end method (sealed with hot water or hair-tucked).

Maintenance

Refresh every 4–8 weeks depending on braid type; nightly satin scarf.

Style at home

1. Moisturize the scalp with a lightweight oil.
2. Section carefully with a rat-tail comb.
3. Braid with even tension and secure the ends.

About this look — The Simple Chignon twists and pins the hair away from the face — pin-count and placement drive the finish.

Best face shape

Any — updos frame the face rather than fight it.

What to tell your barber

This is a style, not a cut — ask a stylist to walk you through the pin plan on your own hair once.

Maintenance

Style-only. The underlying cut still needs a trim every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Start on second-day hair for grip.
2. Tie into a low pony or twist.
3. Pin the ends into the shape you want with 3–4 bobby pins.

About this look — The Low Bun Updo collects the hair off the neck and secures with pins or a hair tie, keeping the perimeter clean.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

Not a cutting appointment; book a styling lesson so you learn the exact pin placement for this shape.

Maintenance

Style-only. The underlying cut still needs a trim every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Skip washing for 24 hours before styling.
2. Twist the length back into a low bun.
3. Anchor with 3–4 bobby pins and mist with flexible hairspray.

About this look — The Loose Half-Updo sweeps the length up and tucks it in place — the technique is about anchor points, not product.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

This is a style, not a cut — ask a stylist to walk you through the pin plan on your own hair once.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Start on second-day hair for grip.
2. Tie into a low pony or twist.
3. Pin the ends into the shape you want with 3–4 bobby pins.

About this look — The Mermaid Updo Hairstyle collects the hair off the neck and secures with pins or a hair tie, keeping the perimeter clean.

Best face shape

Any face; the finish is defined by loose pieces around the face rather than the bulk of the style.

What to tell your barber

Not a cut; a 30-minute styling session teaches you the anchor points you'll use every time.

Maintenance

N/A. This is a style, not a cut — refresh cut every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The Embellished Updo sweeps the length up and tucks it in place — the technique is about anchor points, not product.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

This is a style, not a cut — ask a stylist to walk you through the pin plan on your own hair once.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The Messy Bun with Tendrils gathers all the length up and secures it — done well, it holds through a workday or event without touch-ups.

Best face shape

Any face; the finish is defined by loose pieces around the face rather than the bulk of the style.

What to tell your barber

This is a style, not a cut — ask a stylist to walk you through the pin plan on your own hair once.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Start on second-day hair for grip.
2. Tie into a low pony or twist.
3. Pin the ends into the shape you want with 3–4 bobby pins.

About this look — The Messy Fishtail Updo collects the hair off the neck and secures with pins or a hair tie, keeping the perimeter clean.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

Not a haircut — book a styling tutorial with your stylist so you learn where the pins go.

Maintenance

Style-only. The underlying cut still needs a trim every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Skip washing for 24 hours before styling.
2. Twist the length back into a low bun.
3. Anchor with 3–4 bobby pins and mist with flexible hairspray.

About this look — The Wrap-Around Braid sections the hair into plaits — the pattern depends on the braid style (three-strand, French, Dutch, cornrow).

Best face shape

Any face; braids sit against the scalp regardless of shape.

What to tell your barber

Braids are specialist work — ask for the pattern by name (box, knotless, feed-in) and the end finish (sealed or tucked).

Maintenance

Refresh every 4–8 weeks depending on braid type; nightly satin scarf.

Style at home

1. Detangle wet hair with a wide-tooth comb.
2. Section using a rat-tail comb, keeping the parts clean.
3. Braid to the ends and secure.

About this look — The Crisscross Low Bun collects the hair off the neck and secures with pins or a hair tie, keeping the perimeter clean.

Best face shape

Any face; the finish is defined by loose pieces around the face rather than the bulk of the style.

What to tell your barber

Not a cut; a 30-minute styling session teaches you the anchor points you'll use every time.

Maintenance

N/A. This is a style, not a cut — refresh cut every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Skip washing for 24 hours before styling.
2. Twist the length back into a low bun.
3. Anchor with 3–4 bobby pins and mist with flexible hairspray.

About this look — The Braid and Tuck Updo gathers all the length up and secures it — done well, it holds through a workday or event without touch-ups.

Best face shape

Any face; the finish is defined by loose pieces around the face rather than the bulk of the style.

What to tell your barber

Not a cutting appointment; book a styling lesson so you learn the exact pin placement for this shape.

Maintenance

Style-only. The underlying cut still needs a trim every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The Bronde Curled Bun gathers all the length up and secures it — done well, it holds through a workday or event without touch-ups.

Best face shape

Any — updos frame the face rather than fight it.

What to tell your barber

Not a haircut — book a styling tutorial with your stylist so you learn where the pins go.

Maintenance

The cut underneath still needs a refresh every 8–10 weeks — updos hide bad ends only so long.

Style at home

1. Prep with a texture spray on dry hair.
2. Section, twist, and pin into your chosen shape.
3. Finish with a flexible-hold spray.

About this look — The Updo with Bangs brings a fringe forward across the forehead — the exact shape is a face-shape and brow-height decision.

Best face shape

Flatters oval, long, and heart shapes by breaking the vertical line of the face.

What to tell your barber

Specify the fringe shape by name (blunt, wispy, curtain, micro) and the exact height on your brow — bring a photo.

Maintenance

Fringe needs a 3–4 week trim; ask your stylist for a free fringe-only touch-up between full cuts.

Style at home

1. Wet the fringe with a spray bottle if it's second-day.
2. Blow-dry side to side, then finish straight.
3. Set with a light-hold spray if humid.

About this look — The Bouffant Updo gathers all the length up and secures it — done well, it holds through a workday or event without touch-ups.

Best face shape

Universally flattering — the face-framing tendrils are what tune the look to your face shape.

What to tell your barber

This is a style, not a cut — ask a stylist to walk you through the pin plan on your own hair once.

Maintenance

N/A. This is a style, not a cut — refresh cut every 8–10 weeks.

Style at home

1. Start on second-day hair for grip.
2. Tie into a low pony or twist.
3. Pin the ends into the shape you want with 3–4 bobby pins.