59 Cute, Easy Updos For Short Hair (2024 Styles) (2024)

Short hair is perfect for a stylish and sexy updo. In fact, there are many trendy updo hairstyles for women; all you need is some inspiration to apply these styles for short hair. While shorter hair lengths can have limitations, you can choose from easy and cute updos for short hair to elegant, formal styles you can wear to fancy occasions like weddings or prom. Whether you’re looking for a messy, casual look or need a simple hairstyle to manage thick, thin or curly hair, here are the best updos for short hair!

Cute Updos For Short Hair

When you have day two or three hair, want to do something nice with your locks but keep things easy, this cute updo is a simple solution. To achieve this double-Dutch braid, section the hair into two main sections.

From there, braid together three smaller sections, feeding into them from the top. This is ideal for shorter hair, especially on the cute-yet-messy side. With so many different cute updos for short hair, experiment with styles to find one that fits your hair texture and face.

Easy Updo For Short Hair

This easy updo for short hair is as simple as pulling your hair back with braids and bobby pinning the pieces. Tuck in the plait underneath, as a quick yet put-together option for those mornings you need to do a little something-something.

Updos For Short Curly Hair

Embrace for wild side with this updo for short curly hair. Don’t try to contain your curls when you can let them thrive with messy yet cute styles. Pull back a strand on either side of your face and pin them to the back.

If you have enough hair, add a bun at the base of your head. Otherwise, keep decorating with bobby pins until you get the desired updo for your wild mane.

Updos For Very Short Hair

Even if you have very short hair, there’s an updo for you. Using the twist-and-pin technique, along with dry shampoo and other volumizing sprays, a short updo hairstyle can prove to be beautiful. Don’t be afraid to layer your twists for extra dimension and variety.

Medium Short Hair Updo

With slightly longer hair, there’s plenty of medium short hair updo styles to explore. One timeless look is a large, chunky braid that works its way from the side of the head across the back. A loose and messy bun can rest at the base, for a casual hairdo that is also classy.

Prom Updo

When it comes to prom, it’s key to find a hairstyle that fits the pomp and circ*mstance of the dress; for people with short hair, the answer is in an elegant prom updo. For a chic hairstyle, go for a voluminous edge using dry shampoo, combined with a fishtail braid feeding into a low bun. Gently pull the braid outward for some more height.

Updo For Wedding

For the perfect, glamorous, and sophisticated hairstyle on the best day of your life, consider an updo for your wedding. There’s something timeless about a swept bridal style that looks effortless, but still manages to stay intact from the first look to the aisle walk to any wild dance floor antics.

One version involves curling the hair and placing the pieces underneath one another, until you’ve created an elegant bun. Add some flowers for a natural look or a comb as your “something borrowed” and you can’t go wrong.

Updo For Short Fine Hair

If you don’t have thick hair, fear not; there are plenty of fabulous updos that work well for women with short, fine hair. For a playful look with thin shot hair, start with a middle part and separate the two sections into two small buns, then use bobby pins to secure them and keep them in place. It’s quick, easy, and looks great without any kind of hassle.

Curly Hair Updo

People with curly hair can also get into the short hair updo craze. A faux mohawk look is easily achieved – perfect for textured hair – by pulling a layer of hair from front to back, and letting the rest stay out naturally. The result is a volume-heavy look that looks high-fashion without too much effort.

Straight Hair Updo

On the reverse side of things, the straight hair updo is also easy to achieve. One of the easiest and most effective ways to show off short and straight tresses is by pulling it into a low, intricate bun in the back, with a few strands pulled out to frame the face.

To do straight hair updos, separate the hair into two braided pigtails, keeping them loose. Wrap the two together to form a bun, twisting inward and using bobby pins to tidy up any wayward strands. It’s beautiful, simple, and chic.

Messy Updo

There’s something captivating about a messy updo, as many women willingly trade in slicked down hair for fly aways, preferring the natural style. It can be cute and casual, especially when the hair is swept into an easy-going low ponytail.

From there, pull some of the hair out from the top, and don’t be afraid to frame the face with some loose strands. Find the right balance of purposeful messy for you.

Bridesmaid Updo

One way to slay the wedding game for everyone involved is to add the perfect bridesmaid updo to pair with that stylish dress. Whether each person rocks a different variation or all your bridesmaids have the same updo, you can’t go wrong by incorporating some curls, slight teasing, and a French braid or twist.

The result is an effortless-looking, clean hairdo that will look amazing when you look back at your bridal photos in the future.

Quick Updo

When you don’t have a lot of time to spare, a quick updo is an easy way to still do something while also not having to dedicate any extraneous resources and effort.

A loose and low bun achieves this masterful look, especially when you use a few bobby pins to clean things up a little and add a scarf or headband into the mix.

Casual Updo

Braids are a really handy tool when trying to create the ultimate casual updo. One popular version combines a classic ponytail with a French braid, starting from one side and working its way into the low pony.

Keep the braid light and loose, tufting it out for extra volume and to soften the angles of the plait. It’s fun, casual, and flirty.

Braided Updos

Braided updos look great on long, medium and short hair. Whether you want elegant braids with unique knots, a braided and twisted bun that sits on top of the head, or a messy braided updo that is thick and loose, this gorgeous yet easy hairstyle idea will stand out in any crowd.

Formal Updo

There are so many different ways to work your short hair into a flawless formal updo. One popular style involves folding layers into themselves to create an illusion of longer hair. To do this, separate your hair into two low ponytails, one above the other.

From there, transform one of the ponies into a low bun, and wrap the other over the top, wrapping and pinning as you go. This is a higher-level creation, with a final result that is amazing.

Elegant Updo

To create the ultimate elegant updo, create two fishtail braids with your hair divided equally in half. Twist them to wrap around the back of your head, tucking in any odd angles and loose strands with bobby pins and decorating with beaded berets or decorative clips.

Lightly pull out some face-framing strands to loosen up the style, and consider curling them for a wavy addition.

Fancy Updo

Play with direction with this fancy updo that gives a modern update to the French twist. After parting your hair and teasing the ends for an added lift, use bobby pins to secure the right side to the middle of the head. Make sure it’s secure, but not too tight.

From there, take the left side and twist it in the center as well. Wrap the hair rather than gather it in a bun, using pins to keep things in place from the bottom up. The result is a classy and flawless look, reminiscent of Hollywood movie stars in black and white.

Bohemian Updo

For a glimpse into modern trends, this bohemian updo is fun and easy-going, as well as beach-ready. This braided hairstyle intertwines two Dutch braids – each on both sides of the head – lovingly combined into a messy bun in the back.

It can be as messy or as structured as you’d like, with bobby pins readily available to make your boho chic hairstyle last all day long.

Flat Twist Updo

As an inclusive style for Afro-textured hair, the flat twist uses braids to tie the hair back beautifully. This hairdo is created by creating braids out of several smaller sections, until all of your hair has been braided. Keep in mind: the thickness of the braids are entirely up to you.

Afterward, wrap the plaits underneath each other. The final effect is a waterfall-style twist at the bottom, which is both elegant and cute, and looks amazing on short hair.

How To Do Updos For Short Hair

If you want to do an updo with your short hair, here’s a step by step guide to help you style this chic short hairstyle for women. First, part your hair in the middle. Take a small section on one side of your head, above your ears, and twist it, temporarily clipping it in the back.

Now, do the same thing with a section of hair on the other side of the head. Use a small hair tie to connect the two sides together, with bobby pins for extra hold. You can leave the rest of your strands down or tie the back into a stylish low ponytail for the ultimate cute updo.

Lastly, use bobby pins to hold back half of your hair while you work on the other side. Getting an updo with short hair is super easy and simple once you practice and get the process down.