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50 Chic Updos for Medium-Length Hair to Try in 2024

All too often medium length hair ends up in the boring category. It seems too short to do anything spectacular and too long for an edgy look inherent to modern short cuts. But don’t forget there are tons of updos for medium hair out there – look in the right place, and you’ll see there are at least 50 worthy hairstyles to choose from.

From formal events to weekend hangouts and nights out on the town with friends, there’s a style for every occasion.

1. Loopy Mid-Length Updo. The sexy updo with messy loops is a jaw-dropper. Leave some hair loose for an added undone effect.

All too often medium length hair ends up in the boring category. It seems too short to do anything spectacular and too long for an edgy look inherent to modern short cuts. But don’t forget there are tons of updos for medium hair out there – look in the right place, and you’ll see there are at least 50 worthy hairstyles to choose from.

From formal events to weekend hangouts and nights out on the town with friends, there’s a style for every occasion.

1. Loopy Mid-Length Updo. The sexy updo with messy loops is a jaw-dropper. Leave some hair loose for an added undone effect.

2. Dimensional Braid and Bun. Balayage hair is perfect for dimensional braids. Finish it with a messy bun and get a simple yet standout look!

3. Medium Updo with Bangs. This neat updo has soft piecey bangs in the front that pair well with the style.

4. ‘Not Too Perfect’ French Twist. Don’t want your hair to look too slick and perfect? Pull pieces loose at the sides and bottom of your roll.

5. Medium Updo for Formal Events. Sweeping the hair back into a messy French twist is super classy. Show off your favorite earrings in this charming above-the-shoulders look.

6. Catwalk-Ready Knotted Updo. Buns aren’t given nearly as much credit as they’re due. A neat bun or a knot will always be classy.

7. Delicate Bouffant Updo. The loose curls frame the face very gently. Highlights look marvelous in updos for all lengths!

8. Intricate Romantic Medium Updo. A jumbo fishtail braid, instead of smaller ones, helps the hair look thick and full.

9. Low Medium Updo. Given a little texture, the chignon updo with one loose face-framing piece in the front is effortless and pretty.

10. Loose French Braid Updo. Take a cue from the French braid and finish your updo with a loose wrap.

11. Casual and Quick Braided Updo. Your everyday updo shouldn’t look like you put a lot of effort into it, but with a braid added, it turns out pretty fancy!

12. Loosely Twisted Medium Style. Keep hair up and off the shoulders with criss-cross and tucked sections.

13. Very Feminine Mid-Length Updo. Slicked back and polished off with a few curly pieces pulled out loose.

14. Tender Curled Bun. Look forward to prom? A sweet and feminine updo like this one will make you feel like a princess!

15. Curly Side Bun. A messy bun shifted to the side is a classy style with dimension to wear to any fancy event.

16. Medium Updo with Wedding Vibes. Whether you’re the bride or a bridesmaid at the wedding, the coiffed updo is perfectly elegant.

17. Loose Whipped Updo. Work a twisted bun with loose side pieces at a wedding or other formal event.

18. Medium Updo for a Date Night. A night out with your boo calls for a low bun, soft and romantic. Add a necklace or earrings to complete the look.

19. Beautiful Bob Updo. Messy doesn’t have to mean sloppy. A flirty style with lots of loose pieces is perfect for a casual weekend out and about.

20. Deconstructed Braid. Unleash you creativity and pin loose pieces of hair randomly to achieve a creative deconstructed updo.

21. A la’ French Braid. Your sixth grade French braid style has just got upgraded! Hide the end of the braid under the twisted and tucked messy bottom.

22. Braid and Tuck Updo for Medium Hair. These two last loose updos for shoulder length hair are basically the same but look different! That’s where we see the beauty of modern messy updos.

23. Simple Knotted Updo for Medium Locks. The twisted knot could be even prettier with a jeweled barrette or a flower.

24. Lacy Look. Another criss-cross style perfect for a wedding updo.

25. Bouffant Updo with a Twist. A little bouffant creates a fuller, luscious look especially when completed by a twist and tucked bottom pieces.

26. Tuck with a Messy Braid for Straight Hair. No one will know you actually have straight hair if you wrap up your pre-curled strands into a cute tuck.

27. Soft Medium Messy Updo . An easy formal look to work at the prom, wedding or a birthday party.

28. Mid Updo with a Big Bouffant. You don’t need long hair to make a statement. Give a little tease at the crown of the head for volume.

29. Loose Messy Knot. The nape knot is simple yet stunning, especially with side pieces completely loose.

30. Wrap-Around Braid. The French twist look is completed with a thick braid wrapping around the head.

31. Medium Updo for a Bridesmaid. You won’t mind always being the bridesmaid when showing off a style like this.

32. Messy Updo with a Fishtail. A fishtail braid is fed into a simple tuck for a classy, deliberately messy look.

33. Party-Proof Medium Updo. Hitting the dance floor soon? The twisted and pinned updo will hold together as long as you need.

34. Real Bedhead Updo. Backcomb and loosely pin only the back tresses for an easy change-up.

35. Delicate Waves for Medium Hair. Waves so soft! You’ll want to run your fingers over your hair every five seconds, but hold yourself together, it would be a shame to ruin this beauty!

36. Everyday Mid-Length Look. A casual updo for the weekend calls for a quick hair pull-back.

37. Flower Girl Updo. A low bun is really easy to put together in the morning. Add flowers or a lace ribbon as a detail.

38. Two Low Pigtail Buns. Pippi Longstocking gets an upgrade when braids are wrapped into two low buns.

39. Wild and Wonderful Messy Updo. It doesn’t take much to gather messy hair into a knot, letting a few pieces fall out.

40. Chic Chignon Hairdo. A chic chignon is a go-to for weddings and other formal events.

41. Embellished Medium Updo. If I were to pick a style for my wedding, it would be this textured updo with pearls.

42. Mermaid Updo Hairstyle. Forget the loose and flowy hair, let’s load it up with braids and volume this time!

Loose Braided Mermaid Updo
By Mary

43. Blonde Effortless Updo. An effortless-looking chignon equals beauty. Pairs well with both casual clothes, and evening gowns.

44. Loose Half-Updo. Don’t want all your hair up? Tame curly locks with two side twists connected in the back.

45. Tuck with Double Twists. The boho chic formal updo helps show off any textured details of your outfit.

46. French Twist Updo. It’s all in the details – there are no two French twists alike!

47. Very Loose Feminine Updo. You’ve got all the inspiration you need with this textured updo based on loose twists.

48. Bridal Medium Updo. A braid turns into a tiara if started at the crown of the head and wrapped along one side. Curly ringlets make for easy delicate details to adorn this fragile look.

49. Mid-Length Updo for Boho Wedding. A super thick braid is really easy to use as a tie-in to a low updo.

50. Medium Updo for Prom. Curls and braids blend to be packed into a lovely small bun.

Once you decide how you want to look – soft and feminine or edgy and hip – it’s just a matter of choice! Updos for medium hair come in all shapes and sizes, with braids or with no braids, neat or messy. You don’t need to chop your hair to your chin to update your look, and not having long hair doesn’t mean you can’t still look feminine. Many eye-catching updos are done on medium hair, you’ve just seen for yourself!

by Serena Piper
Serena graduated from the University of Oregon where she majored in magazine journalism. She is a published writer both in print and online. She currently lives in Daytona Beach where she works at the Early Learning Coalition, an organization supporting children of low-income families. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, reading, country music concerts, exploring Florida, and of course, the beach.