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Bobs and lobs are two of the most popular haircuts at the moment. But while these ‘dos are super-stylish and on-trend, it can oftentimes be tricky to put your hair into an updo when you have a shorter cut. With long hair, it’s easy to throw your mane into a ponytail or braided bun and call it a day. But if you’ve recently made the chop and opted for a shorter haircut, you may be wondering if easy updos for short hair even exist. The good news is, it’s totally possible to rock cute updos for short hair, whether your strands are shoulder or chin-length. It’s all about finding the right bun (or another type of updo!) for your short haircut. Keep reading for 21 easy updos for short hair!
What’s better than an updo? A braided updo, of course! Not only is this style easy to do, but the braids give it a textured touch that’s anything-but-boring. Plus, braids are a great style to try when you don’t have time to wash your hair. So, if you have plans and are running late, turn your attention to this simple style. Because who has to know you’re on second-day hair? We won’t tell!
What you’ll need:
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Clean Style Gel
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray
Bobby pins
Clear elastics
Get the look:
Beginning with second-day hair, part your hair down the middle.
Squeeze a bit of hair gel into your palms. Then, work the gel through your roots at the front of your head for extra grip.
Take a three-inch section of hair at the front of your head and split it into three equally-sized strands. Use these strands to braid toward the back of your head. Secure with a clear elastic.
Repeat this process on the other side of your head.
Bring your two braids to the back of your head so that the ends meet in the middle. Pin the overlapping ends into place with a few bobby pins.
Split your remaining hair into two sections, then braid each section into a traditional three-strand braid.
Take your first braid and cross it to the opposite side, tucking the end of the braid under your previous braids. Bobby pin it into place. Repeat on the opposite side with your remaining braid.
Finish your style with a long-lasting hairspray to keep your strands in place all day and night!
That classic, sophisticated updo you’ve come to know so well? It doesn’t require having long locks! Getting the look is actually quite simple, and the end look is oh-so-professional and chic.
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Fine Control Hairspray
Hair elastic
L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold
Follow our step-by-step tutorial, How to Master a Chignon Hairstyle in 5 Easy Steps.
Slick your hair back into a sleek, polished ballerina bun. This is one of the best buns for short hair, and it’s suitable for more professional occasions like work or an interview.
L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty
Hair spray
Apply a bit of hair pomade to your hair to smooth back your strands.
Use a hair elastic to secure your hair into a ponytail, making sure no bumps are in sight!
Twist your ponytail into a sleek, smooth bun by wrapping the twisted section around the ponytail’s base. Pin the bun into place using bobby pins.
Spritz your mane with some hair spray to keep your style in place.
What’s easier than a regular updo for short hair? A half-up hairstyle!
Split your hair down the middle.
Section off your hair by parting your mane from ear to ear, leaving you with a top and bottom section of hair.
Split the top section into two equally-sized sections—one on each side of your part. Twist the first section into a small bun at the top of your head. Secure with bobby pins. Repeat with the remaining top section of hair.
Spritz on some hairspray to keep your half-up space buns from budging.
Tuck your strands up and out of the way with a tucked updo.
L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray
Bring your mane into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Secure with a hair elastic.
Use your fingers to create a hole in your hair just above where your hair elastic is. Then, wrap your ponytail around itself by pulling the ends through the top of said hole.
Tuck the ends of your hair into that same hole, pinning them into place so that the bobby pins aren’t visible. So chic!
Another classic, sophisticated updo, you can’t go wrong with a French twist.
Master this hairstyle staple with help from our tutorial, How to Create a Classic French Twist.
Not all updos have to be posh and polished, of course. Sometimes, the messier, the better! Messy buns for short hair are a classic look, and they’re perfect for running errands or heading to class.
Hair brush
Texturizing spray
Need to brush up on how to do this easy updo for short hair? Here’s How to Create a Messy Bun.
Just because you have short hair doesn’t mean you can’t create a voluminous bun! It’s all about using the right hair accessories to get the look.
Hair cream
Banana clip
Use a bit of hair cream to smooth your locks before creating your bun.
Create a high ponytail, securing your hair into place with your banana clip.
Pin your ends so that they cover your banana clip, creating a voluminous bun. Be sure to pin them securely and try to disguise the pins. Hello, volume!
Spritz on a little hair spray to keep your style in place.
Who says that long hair corners the market on sleek ponytails? You can actually create this timeless and versatile style with your short strands.
Hair gel
Use a hair brush to smooth out any tangles or knots taking over your strands.
Apply a dime-sized amount of hair gel to the roots of your hair and brush it back toward the nape of the neck. Gather your strands and secure with a hair elastic.
Once your ponytail is in place, spritz strong-hold hairspray evenly over your mane to seal the deal. If there are any short pieces that don’t make it into your pony, you can leave them out as face-framing strands or pin them back. Easy!
The mohawk hairstyle is making a comeback—but you don’t have to commit to chopping your locks. Instead, try a faux hawk hairstyle for a short updo that evokes total rocker vibes.
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse
Curling wand
L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT High Lift Creation Spray
Fine-tooth comb
L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Strong Hold
Go super edgy with help from our article, How to Rock a Faux Hawk Hairstyle.
Remember when we mentioned our love for a braid-meets-updo combo? Well, here’s another cute updo for short hair that falls into the category.
Hair texturizer
Hairspray
Click through to find out How to Get a Braided Headband Hairstyle.
Slick your hair into a low bun for a super easy, very simple updo.
With a dollop of hair gel, slick your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, then secure with a hair elastic.
Twist your ponytail into a low bun, wrapping it around the base of the pony. Secure with bobby pins.
Looking for a messy, undone romantic updo? We’ve got heart eyes for this one!
Heat protectant
Curling iron
L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Volume
Spritz your locks with a heat protectant before creating loose, effortless curls. For a more dimensional updo, vary the sizes of your curls.
Take sections of hair at random and pin them up as you see fit. The fun part about this updo is that you have full creative control! Your curls will look gorgeous no matter where you put them—promise!
After you’ve finished pinning, spray your mane with a weather-proof hair spray for an updo that can withstand the elements.
It wouldn’t be an updo roundup without mention of a top knot, now would it? This classic hairstyle can be worn to brunch, the grocery store, or the office.
Need to brush up on your top knot skills? Here’s How to Do the Perfect Top Knot.
Looking for bohemian, romantic updos for short hair? We think this style is fit for a princess—or at the very least a night out.
Clear elastic
Anyone can master this royal look with our tutorial, How to Create a Beautiful Crown Braid.
If you want an easy updo that looks like it took a lot of time when in reality, it took no time at all, this is your guy!
Hair clips
Hair elastics
Split your hair into three equal sections: a top, middle, and bottom. Clip away the middle and top sections for now.
Spritz texture spray onto the bottom section of hair. Then, pull the bottom section into a low ponytail, securing it with a hair elastic. Next, twist the ponytail into a bun—it’s totally okay to be messy—and pin it into place with bobby pins.
Repeat step two on the middle and top sections of hair. Make sure that your twists line up and are of equal size. All done!
This popular updo for natural hair doubles as a protective hairstyle. Score!
Curl cream
Grab a one-inch section of hair at your hairline.
Reach for your curl cream or gel and apply it to the section of hair.
Twist the strand from root to tip. Then, twist the twist around itself, forming your knot. Pin the knot into place with a bobby pin or two.
Repeat this process all over the rest of your head. Once all of your hair is in knots, that’s a wrap!
When you have short hair, traditional space buns can be difficult to recreate, thanks to your lack of length. Besides half-up space buns, low space buns are another easy, cute alternative.
Part your hair down the middle and split it into two equally-sized sections.
Take your first section and secure it into a low ponytail with a hair elastic. Then, wrap the length of the ponytail around its base to form a bun. Secure into place with bobby pins.
Repeat step two on the remaining section of hair, making sure both buns are of equal height and size.
Put a trendy hair scarf to use with a full coverage updo! This is a great option if you’re trying to camouflage frizz, greasy hair, gray roots, or a multitude of other hair concerns.
Hair scarf
Twist your hair at the back of your head, securing it with a banana clip.
Reach for a square hair scarf and fold it in half, creating a triangle. Place the base of the triangle at the nape of your neck and pull the tip of the triangle forward so that it falls over your forehead. Bring the ends to the front of your head, tying them into a knot. Tuck the tip of the triangle into your knot, and you’ve mastered wrapping your hair with a scarf.
Sometimes, simple is best. Get your hair out of your face while still showing off your short length with a half-up bun for short hair.
Create a section of hair at the top of your head from temple to temple. Pull this section into a high ponytail.
Wrap your ponytail around itself to create your bun. Pin into place with bobby pins.
Last but not least, rock some twisted buns for an elegant updo!
Split your hair into three equal sections: left, middle, and right.
Secure the left section into a low ponytail at the base of your neck. Then, twist the ponytail around itself to form a bun. Pin into place with bobby pins—and feel free to make it messy and carefree! Repeat on the middle and right sections of hair, making sure your twisted buns are lined up along the nape of your neck.
Seal in your style with the help of some hair spray. Gorgeous!
Next up: Use your hair color to switch up your short hairstyle even further. Here are 35 Short Hair Color Ideas That Will Transform Shorter Strands.
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