Hair-up styles have moved well beyond the stiff bridal bun. The 2027 mood is softer and more wearable: sculpted shapes with loose tendrils, braids that do the decorating, and messy textures that still look deliberate. Whether the occasion is a wedding, a workday, or a humid afternoon that demands hair off the neck, there is a hold and a level of polish here to suit fine, thick, curly, and straight hair alike. The same idea, styled another way, appears in Curly Hair Hairstyles 2027.
1. Sleek High Bun for a Polished Finish
Photo credit by: lovelyish.com
A sleek high bun is the quickest route to a polished silhouette. The hair is smoothed back from the face, gathered high on the crown, and coiled into a neat knot, so the neckline and jawline stay fully visible. It works best on straight or lightly waved hair that can be brushed smooth without a fight. The concept gets a fuller treatment in Wavy Hair Hairstyles 2027.
For a long day, a smoothing cream before styling and a firm-hold spray at the end make the difference between a bun that holds its shape and one that loosens by lunch. Keep the front tidy and let the bun itself carry the drama. For a different spin on the same theme, browse Dirty Hair Hairstyles 2027.
2. High Bun with Soft Face-Framing Tendrils
Photo credit by: itakeyou.co.uk
Face-framing tendrils are what keep a high bun from looking severe. The bulk of the hair is secured up high, while two soft pieces are left loose around the cheeks to add movement and soften the hairline. The result reads elegant rather than scraped-back.
This version suits oval and heart-shaped faces especially well, since the loose strands balance height on top. A light texturizing spray gives the tendrils grip without making them stiff.
3. Curly High Updo with Soft Bangs
Photo credit by: trendygirlsstyle.com
Curly hair brings its own volume to a high updo, so there is no need to backcomb the life into it. The curls are gathered up high, with soft bangs left out at the front to frame the eyes, while the texture at the crown keeps the shape from looking flat.
A curl-defining cream worked through damp hair before styling helps each curl hold its pattern. The honest trade-off is that curly updos relax over the day, so a few extra pins at the base are worth carrying.
4. Chunky Textured Updo with Plenty of Volume
Photo credit by: thehairstylereview.com
A chunky, textured updo is built for thick hair that needs somewhere to go. Sections are twisted and pinned in layers, creating a full, dimensional shape with plenty of height at the crown. From the back, the layered pinning is the whole point.
This is a style that benefits from second-day hair, when natural texture gives the pins something to grip. A dry texturizing spray at the roots adds hold without weighing the shape down.
5. Low Chignon with a Soft Blonde Finish
Photo credit by: yourstyleinspo.com
A low chignon sits at the nape and never tries too hard, which is exactly its appeal. The hair is gathered low, twisted gently, and pinned into a soft knot, with a blonde finish that keeps the shape light rather than heavy.
It pairs well with both formal dresses and simpler outfits, since the low placement keeps the overall line calm. For fine hair, a little teasing at the crown before gathering stops the chignon from disappearing against the head. Our Short Hair Hairstyles 2027 rounds up more takes on this exact idea.
6. Textured Updo with Loose Bridal Waves
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Loose waves change the whole character of an updo, turning a formal shape into something romantic. The hair is waved first, then gathered loosely so the waves survive the pinning instead of being brushed out of it.
This approach suits weddings and evening events, where the softness photographs well from every angle. The key is pinning in sections rather than pulling everything tight, so the texture stays visible.
7. Voluminous Crown Bun with Face-Framing Layers
Photo credit by: hairtical.com
A volumized crown bun puts the height exactly where it flatters most, at the top of the head. The crown is gently teased for lift, the hair is swept up, and face-framing layers are left loose to keep the volume from looking like a helmet.
Older faces and rounder faces both benefit from the lift, since it lengthens the overall silhouette. A root-lifting spray applied before blow-drying helps the crown hold its height through the evening.
8. Floral Braided Updo for a Garden Celebration
Photo credit by: lovelyish.com
Fresh-looking flowers woven into a braided updo give a garden-party feel without needing a full floral crown. The braid provides the structure, and small blooms tucked along its length add color exactly where the eye lands.
The practical note is timing: flowers should go in last, once the braid is fully pinned, so they stay fresh and visible. For a long event, hardier blooms or good-quality faux flowers hold up far better than delicate petals.
9. Braided Updo with a Detailed Finish
Photo credit by: herlocks.com
A braided updo lives or dies on its detail work. Here the braid is kept visible rather than buried under the bun, so the woven texture becomes the decoration itself. The rest of the hair is pinned around it to support the shape.
Medium to long hair works best, since the braid needs enough length to read clearly. A texturizing spray before braiding stops smooth hair from slipping out of the weave as the day goes on. Related reading: Must Try Hair Clip Hairstyles For 2026 takes the same concept further.
10. Braided Crown for a Romantic Wedding Look
Photo credit by: zenhairstyles.com
A braided crown wraps the braid around the head like a headband made of hair, which makes it a natural choice for outdoor weddings. The crown adds height and interest from every angle, including the back, where wedding photos spend most of their time.
The braid should be woven firmly at first and then gently loosened for a softer line. Loose curls left at the nape keep the whole look romantic rather than rigid.
11. Braided Crown Updo with Pearl Pins
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Pearl pins turn a braided crown into something unmistakably bridal. The braid circles the head, and small pearls are placed along the weave to catch the light without overwhelming the hairstyle itself.
Placement matters more than quantity: a few pearls where the braid crosses look deliberate, while too many can look scattered. Wired pins hold better than glued ones for a full day of wear.
12. Pearl-Infused Textured Updo
Photo credit by: lovelyish.com
A pearl-infused updo is about restraint. The hair is gathered into a soft, textured shape, and pearls are scattered through it sparingly, so the embellishment reads as jewellery rather than decoration for its own sake.
This style suits mothers of the bride and wedding guests as well as brides, since it adds polish without competing with a dress. Keep earrings simple when pearls are already in the hair.
13. Twisted Updo from a Stylist Portfolio
Photo credit by: updosbyjocelyn.com
Twisted sections are a reliable way to build an updo that looks intricate without a single braid. Each section is twisted on itself before being pinned into place, creating ridges and shadows that give the style depth from the back.
A salon finish helps here, because the back of a twisted updo is hard to judge in a mirror at home. Ask for the twists to run in the same direction for a clean, deliberate pattern. For readers who want more, Best Hairstyles For Thin Hair To Create Instant Volume In 2026 keeps the ideas coming.
14. Low Twisted Bun with Wispy Strands
Photo credit by: trendygirlsstyle.com
A low twisted bun with wispy strands is the everyday version of a formal chignon. The twists add texture that a smooth bun lacks, while the wispy pieces around the face stop the low placement from dragging features down.
Thick, wavy hair holds this shape well, and mid-back length gives the bun real volume. Twist each section before coiling it, then pull a few strands loose at the front for the softer finish.
15. Romantic Low Bun with Twisted Sections
Photo credit by: fabbon.com
A romantic low bun earns its name from the softness of its finish: nothing pulled tight, nothing scraped back. Twisted sections are coiled at the nape, and the edges are loosened just enough to look touchable.
It is a forgiving choice for angular faces, since the soft outline rounds the jawline. A flexible-hold spray keeps the shape without freezing it into place.
16. Low Twisted Bun with a Clean Silhouette
Photo credit by: instyluxe.com
A clean, low twisted bun is the updo to reach for when the occasion calls for composure rather than romance. The sides stay smooth, the twists sit neatly at the nape, and the silhouette stays controlled all day.
This is a strong office and formal-event option, since it looks intentional without demanding attention. A side part adds a little asymmetry and keeps the style from feeling too severe.
17. Side-Swept Braided Bun
Photo credit by: herlocks.com
A side-swept braided bun shifts the whole shape off-centre, which gives it an asymmetrical line that photographs beautifully in profile. The braid runs along one side before coiling into the bun, so the texture is visible from the front as well as the back.
It suits most face shapes, because the side placement can be adjusted to flatter the stronger side of the face. Braid first, coil second, and pin the tail underneath for a clean finish. We break down a similar look in Fall Hairstyles For Short Hair 2026.
18. Soft Wavy Low Ponytail for a Wedding Day
Photo credit by: boldhairstyles.com
A soft, wavy low ponytail is the gentlest way to wear hair up. The waves are curled and cooled before gathering, so the ponytail keeps its body, and the low placement at the nape keeps everything relaxed.
Loose tendrils around the face are essential here; without them, a low ponytail can look flat. This is a good wedding-day choice for anyone who finds a full updo too formal.
19. High Glam Ponytail with Volume
Photo credit by: styleyourbeauty.com
A high glam ponytail is all about volume built before the elastic goes in. The crown is backcombed at the root, the hair is gathered high, and the tail is left long and full, with front pieces falling loose.
Wavy, medium-density hair carries this style well, since the natural movement stops the ponytail from hanging like a single rope. A texturizing spray at the roots keeps the height from collapsing.
20. Textured Messy High Bun with Curtain Bangs
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A messy high bun with curtain bangs balances deliberate looseness with a framed face. The bun itself is pulled apart for airy texture, while the curtain bangs part softly down the middle and keep the look from tipping into bedhead territory.
The difference between airy and sloppy is the bangs: they give the eye a finished edge to land on. A light mist of flexible spray holds the pulled-out pieces without stiffening them.
21. Teased Messy Bun with a Textured Crown
Photo credit by: hairtical.com
A teased, messy bun leans into crown texture rather than smoothing it away. The top is backcombed for height, the hair is gathered loosely, and the bun is pinned in sections so the shape stays full rather than flat.
Thick, wavy hair at mid-back length is the ideal match, and the loose gathering suits most face shapes. The trade-off is upkeep: the volume will settle through the day, so a quick refresh with dry shampoo at the roots helps. See also Fall Hairstyles For Long Hair 2026 for more variations on this look.
22. Messy Side Bun with Natural Tendrils
Photo credit by: boldhairstyles.com
A messy side bun with natural tendrils is the curly-hair answer to a formal updo. The curls are gathered to one side, tendrils are left loose around the face, and the bun itself is kept soft rather than sculpted.
This is a genuinely doable at-home style: enhance the natural curl, gather, pin, and pull out tendrils where they fall. Highlights through the curls add dimension that keeps a dark base from reading flat.
23. Casual Textured Updo for Everyday Wear
Photo credit by: cleodiva.com
A casual textured updo is the one to wear when a full formal style would feel overdressed. The hair is waved, gathered loosely, and pinned with strands left out around the neck and face, so it reads relaxed but still put together.
For workdays and casual events, a texturizing spray at the roots and a few crossed pins are usually enough. The style holds for a few hours on fine hair, longer on hair with natural wave.
24. Messy Textured Updo for Shorter Hair
Photo credit by: yourstyleinspo.com
Shorter hair can absolutely carry a messy textured updo; it just needs a different build. With less length to pin, the texture itself does the work, and the bun sits smaller and closer to the head, which suits a more casual silhouette.
Texturizing spray is non-negotiable here, since shorter layers slip out of pins easily. Pin in small sections and accept a few escaped strands as part of the design.
25. Loose Updo with Soft Textured Pieces
Photo credit by: thehairstylereview.com
A loose updo with soft textured pieces sits between a tight bun and a full cascade. The hair is gathered with deliberate looseness, so individual pieces stay visible and the shape keeps moving as the head turns.
Medium-long, wavy hair with medium density gives this style its body. A salon finish is worth it for formal events, since the loose pieces need pinning that holds without drooping. For more ideas in the same lane, see our August Hairstyles And Hair Color Ideas 2026.
26. Low-Effort Long Updo with Soft Layers
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A low-effort long updo is built for days when styling time is short but hair still needs to be off the neck. The lengths are waved lightly, gathered low, and pinned in a few quick sections, with soft layers left around the face.
The beauty of this style is its tolerance: it looks fine slightly undone, so there is no pressure for a perfect finish. A light-hold spray is enough to keep it together.
27. Messy Updo Finished with a Gold Pin
Photo credit by: hairstylespot.com
A single gold pin can change a messy updo from casual to occasion-ready. The bun stays relaxed and textured, and the pin is placed where it catches the light, usually at the side of the bun or where the twists cross.
Gold suits warm hair tones and warm-toned jewellery, and one statement pin beats several small ones. Anchor it with a bobby pin behind it so it stays put through the evening.
28. Low Bun with a Classic Pearl Comb
Photo credit by: herlocks.com
A classic pearl comb is the most understated way to dress up a low bun. The bun itself stays relaxed, and the comb slides in beside it, adding a soft shimmer that complements wedding dresses without competing with them.
This is a timeless choice for brides who want polish rather than sparkle. Ivory pearls suit traditional gowns, while smaller combs work better with minimalist dresses and veils.
29. Twisted Low Bun with a Delicate Gold Hair Vine
Photo credit by: zenhairstyles.com
A delicate gold hair vine woven through a twisted low bun adds metallic shimmer without the weight of a tiara. The vine follows the line of the twists, so the gold appears to grow out of the hairstyle rather than sitting on top of it.
Gold accessories flatter warm and neutral undertones and pair well with lace gowns. Secure the vine with discreet pins along its length so it cannot shift during the ceremony. A companion piece, Cinnamon Hair 2027, explores the same palette.
30. Low Side Bun with Braided Detail
Photo credit by: herlocks.com
A low side bun with braided detail combines two reliable techniques: a braid for texture and a low bun for polish. The braid runs along the side of the head before the hair is gathered low, so the detail is visible from the front.
Long, wavy hair shows this style off best, since the braid needs length to register. Loosen the braid slightly after weaving for a softer, fuller line.
31. Side-Twist Low Bun for the Office
Photo credit by: hairstylespot.com
A side-twist low bun is the office-safe updo that still looks considered. The hair is twisted from a side part and secured at the nape, with a smooth, polished finish and just a few soft pieces left around the face.
Fine to straight, medium-density hair suits this style well, and the neat nape placement keeps it professional through a full workday. A smoothing serum before twisting controls flyaways without adding weight.
32. Classic Wedding Updo with Soft Volume
Photo credit by: itakeyou.co.uk
A classic wedding updo with soft volume is the safe, beautiful choice for a reason. The hair is curled first for grip, gathered loosely, and pinned section by section, with face-framing strands pulled out as the stylist goes.
It suits most face shapes, because the pulled-out pieces can be adjusted to sit wherever they flatter most. The style holds well for a full evening, and the soft volume photographs beautifully from the back.
Pick the updo that matches both the occasion and the patience available on the day, and let texture, braids, or a single well-chosen accessory do the extra work.
Hi, I’m Zoey Mitchell, the creator of ChicStyle Blog.
I share simple, wearable outfit ideas, hairstyles, nail trends, and beauty tips that feel natural and easy to recreate.
This blog is where I explore everything that makes a woman feel put together and confident every day. I’m not an expert — just a woman who genuinely loves style, mixing looks, and discovering what works.
If you love effortless fashion with a personal touch, you’ll feel at home here.
