14 Up Hairstyles For Long Hair Perfect for Your Next Salon Appointment

14 Up Hairstyles For Long Hair Perfect for Your Next Salon Appointment

Long hair is gorgeous, but let’s be honest — some days it just feels like a lot to manage. That’s where a good updo comes in. It gets the weight off your neck, shows off your features, and somehow still looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

Whether you’ve got a wedding on the calendar, a big work event, or you’re just heading into your salon appointment and want to show your stylist a picture instead of trying to explain what you mean, this list has you covered. These are fourteen up hairstyles for long hair that work across textures, face shapes, and occasions — from low-key everyday buns to full-on bridal moments.

Let’s get into it.

Classic Low Bun

There’s a reason this one never goes out of style. The classic low bun sits right at the nape of the neck and reads polished no matter what you’re wearing it with — jeans or a cocktail dress, it doesn’t matter.

This style suits pretty much everyone, but it’s especially flattering on round or oval faces since the low placement elongates the neck. It works best on medium to thick hair that has enough body to hold its shape without looking flat.

To style it, smooth your hair back into a low ponytail, twist it around itself, and pin it down. A little texturizing spray beforehand helps grip the hair so it doesn’t slide out halfway through the day. Maintenance is low — this is a five-minute style once you get the hang of it.

Braided Crown Updo

The braided crown is romantic without trying too hard. Two braids wrap around the head like a halo, giving you that soft, storybook look that photographs beautifully.

This one’s a favorite for wavy or curly hair since the texture blends naturally into the braid and hides any flyaways. It’s particularly pretty on people with longer face shapes, as the horizontal lines across the crown balance things out.

Start with two French braids on either side of a middle part, then cross them over the back of your head and pin in place. Pull a few pieces loose around your face for softness. This look holds up well through a full day of dancing or outdoor events, though fine hair may need some dry shampoo at the roots to keep the braids from looking thin.

Textured High Ponytail

Not technically an updo in the traditional sense, but a high ponytail with volume and texture absolutely counts as one for our purposes. This is the style that says “I have somewhere to be” without any of the fuss.

Straight and wavy hair both work beautifully here, and it’s a great option if you’ve got a longer face since the height at the crown adds width. Thick hair especially benefits from this look because there’s enough hair to create real volume at the base.

Backcomb the crown before pulling everything up for extra lift, then wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide it. Curling the ponytail itself in loose waves takes this from gym-ready to date-night in about two extra minutes.

Low Twisted Chignon

If you want something that looks intricate but is actually pretty forgiving to create, the low twisted chignon is it. Instead of one clean bun, you’re working with soft twists that give the whole thing more texture and dimension.

This is a wonderful pick for fine hair because the twisting creates the illusion of extra volume. It also tends to flatter square face shapes nicely, softening angular jawlines.

Section your hair into two or three parts, twist each one, then wind them together at the nape and secure with pins. A glossy finishing spray adds shine without weighing the twists down. It’s a bit more time-consuming than a basic bun, but the payoff is worth it for special occasions.

Half-Up Braided Top Knot

This one splits the difference between wearing your hair down and committing to a full updo. Half your hair goes up into a braided top knot while the rest flows loose around your shoulders.

Curly and coily hair textures shine in this style since the braid adds structure while the loose length showcases natural curl pattern. It works on nearly every face shape because you’re only pulling up a portion of the hair, so it’s easier to customize the fullness around your face.

Braid a section from the crown, twist it into a small knot, and pin. Leave the rest of your hair as is, or add loose waves for more movement. Upkeep is minimal, making this a solid choice for a casual salon-day trial run before committing to something bigger for an event.

Sleek Ballerina Bun

When you want maximum polish, this is your style. The sleek ballerina bun pulls every strand back tight and smooth, creating a clean silhouette that reads sophisticated instantly.

Straight, fine-to-medium hair takes to this look particularly well since it’s easier to get that glassy, no-flyaway finish. Oval and heart-shaped faces tend to look striking in this style because it puts full focus on the cheekbones and jawline.

Apply a strong-hold gel before brushing hair back into a tight, high ponytail, then wrap it into a bun. A boar bristle brush helps smooth everything down before you secure it. This is a low-maintenance style once it’s set, though thicker or coarser hair might need a flat iron pass first to tame texture.

Loose Bridal Updo with Face-Framing Pieces

This is the updo brides gravitate toward again and again, and for good reason. It’s elegant without being stiff, with soft face-framing pieces and gentle waves throughout the pinned-up sections.

Wavy and medium-thickness hair are ideal here since the natural movement blends right into the style. This look is especially kind to square or angular face shapes because the loose pieces soften strong jawlines.

Your stylist will typically curl sections before pinning them up in a loose, gathered shape, leaving a few curled tendrils out near the temples. Maintenance during wear is easy, but this style often benefits from a good dry shampoo application the day before for texture and grip.

Double Dutch Braid Bun Combo

For something a little more editorial, try pairing two Dutch braids with a bun. It’s a step up visually from a single braid style and adds an unexpected twist most people haven’t tried before.

This style is great for thick or coarse hair because the braids help control volume while still showing off dimension. Round faces benefit from the vertical lines the braids create along the head.

Braid two Dutch braids starting near the front hairline, bring them together at the back, and twist the ends into a bun. Finish with a light-hold spray to keep any shorter layers from popping out. It’s a slightly longer process to create, but it holds beautifully through long events.

Messy High Bun

Some days call for polish, other days call for the messy high bun. This one leans into imperfection on purpose, with loose strands and a slightly undone texture that still looks intentional.

It’s a great match for wavy or curly hair since the natural texture works with the messiness instead of against it. Long or oval faces look great with the height and volume this style creates at the crown.

Gather hair into a high ponytail, twist it loosely, and pin without smoothing everything down. Pull a few pieces out around the face and neck for that lived-in look. This is about as low-maintenance as updos get, and it’s forgiving on second or third-day hair.

Twisted Side Bun

Moving the bun off-center changes the whole feel of an updo, giving it a more asymmetrical, modern edge. The twisted side bun sits just above one ear, adding visual interest without a ton of extra effort.

This style flatters heart-shaped faces particularly well since the off-center placement balances a narrower chin. It works on fine to medium hair, though very thick hair may need extra pins to keep the twist secure.

Gather your hair to one side, twist the length, and coil it into a bun near your ear. Secure well, since off-center buns tend to shift more than centered ones throughout the day. A texturizing spray beforehand gives the twist something to grip onto.

Voluminous Pineapple Updo

Borrowed from the curly-girl community, the pineapple updo has become a legitimate styling choice rather than just a nighttime hair-saving trick. Hair is gathered loosely at the very top of the head, letting curls or waves fall freely from a high point.

This is obviously a natural fit for curly and coily hair textures, where it shows off curl definition and shape beautifully. It suits most face shapes since the height balances out width at the jaw or cheeks.

Flip your head forward, gather hair loosely at the crown using a scrunchie (skip elastics that crease), and let curls cascade from there. Very little product is needed beyond what you’d already use on wash day, making this one of the easier styles on this list to maintain.

Elegant French Twist

The French twist has old-Hollywood glamour baked right in. Hair is smoothed to one side and rolled vertically up the back of the head, creating a sleek, columnar shape that’s hard to beat for formal events.

Straight and slightly wavy hair textures work best here since the twist needs to lay smoothly. This is a flattering choice for round faces, as the vertical line elongates the whole look.

Comb hair to one side, roll it upward, and pin along the seam to hold the twist in place. A shine serum adds polish for evening wear. It takes some practice to master the pinning technique, but once you’ve got it down, it’s quick to recreate.

Boho Braided Half-Up with Loose Waves

This style takes the half-up concept and gives it a relaxed, festival-ready feel. Small braids are woven through the top section before being pulled back, while the rest of the hair falls in loose, undone waves.

Wavy and curly textures are the natural pairing here, since the waves already do half the work. It’s a great choice for square faces, softening the jawline with movement around the lower half of the face.

Braid two or three thin sections from the front hairline back, gather them together, and secure. Add loose waves throughout the rest of your hair with a curling wand for extra texture. This look holds up well outdoors, which makes it a favorite for summer events and beach weddings.

Sculpted Updo with Volume at the Crown

Rounding out the list is a more structured, sculptural updo built around height and volume at the crown, with the rest of the hair smoothed into a low pinned section. It’s a striking choice when you want something that looks custom-designed rather than a simple bun or ponytail.

Medium to thick hair handles this style best since there’s enough hair to build real volume without extensions. Long face shapes benefit from keeping the height moderate, while round or oval faces can go bigger at the crown.

Backcomb the top section generously, smooth the surface with a brush, and pin the back into a low twist or fold. Finish with a strong-hold spray to keep the volume from collapsing. This one takes a bit more skill, so it’s worth bringing a reference photo to your stylist if you’re going for precision.

However you wear your hair up, the right updo really can change the whole feel of an outfit or event. Bring a photo of your favorite look from this list to your next salon appointment — your stylist can adjust any of these based on your hair’s natural texture, length, and thickness so it works specifically for you.