50 Wonderful Updos for Medium Hair to Try in 2025

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 Hairstyle. The sexy hairdo 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. Updo with Bangs. This neat hairstyle 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. Hairstyle 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. Bouffant Updo. The loose curls frame the face very gently. Highlights look marvelous in updos for all lengths!

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

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

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

11. Braided Low Hairdo. Your everyday hairdo 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 Style. Keep hair up and off the shoulders with criss-cross and tucked sections.

13. Blonde Hairdo with Curls. Slicked back and polished off with a few curly pieces pulled out loose.

14. Bronde Curled Bun. Look forward to prom? A sweet and feminine hairstyle 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. Wedding Hairstyle. Whether you’re the bride or a bridesmaid at the wedding, the coiffed hairdo is perfectly elegant.

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

18. Hairdo 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. 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. French Braided Hair. 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. Here we see an elegant hairdo for dark hair cut at a length just above the collarbone, styled gracefully. That’s where we see the beauty of modern messy hairdos.

23. Knotted and Twisted. The twisted knot could be even prettier with a jeweled barrette or a flower.

24. Criss-Cross Low Bun. Another criss-cross style perfect for a wedding.

25. Bouffant 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. No one will know you actually have straight hair if you wrap up your pre-curled strands into a cute tuck.

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

28. 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. Hairdo for a Bridesmaid. You won’t mind always being the bridesmaid when showing off a style like this.

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

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

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

35. Delicate Waves. 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. Messy Bun with Tendrils. A casual hairdo for the weekend calls for a quick hair pull-back.

37. Flower Girl Hairstyle. 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. Messy Low Updo. It doesn’t take much to gather messy hair into a knot, letting a few pieces fall out.

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

41. Embellished 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!

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

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

48. Bridal Hairstyle. 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. Hairdo for Boho Wedding. A super thick braid is really easy to use as a tie-in to a low updo.

50. Hairstyle 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 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 locks that are cut at shoulder length, you’ve just seen for yourself!