Casual updos for long hair are a must-learn skill. Summertime can be brutal for long hair, with sun and water damage paired with the overall discomfort of lugging around a full head of hair. Fortunately, there are plenty of casual updos that are fun to experiment with and are sure to look good on the beach, at a summer concert or even at the office.
Long hair is most beautiful in curly downdos and all kinds of updos. Present-day casual updos embrace a few different elements in one hairstyle – braids and buns, twists and braids, messy texture and cool accents… Well, today’s casual hairstyle is never boring!
Many people assume an updo is designed to be prim and proper, with an overall dressy look. However, your style can have the classic look of an updo without giving off the feel that you’re heading to your school’s semi-formal dance. This `do manages to be both classy and casual with a hint of simplicity.
Of course, when you think of casual updos, you picture a simple bun or ponytail. Unless you’re a hair guru, it is completely understandable that you aren’t versed in the different variations of the more classic styles. Adding a braid to your bun can dress it down, creating a cute everyday look for you. Letting a few wisps of hair fly free gives this style a carefree feel.
Sick of the average ponytail? We don’t blame you. First, adding some color to your hair is a fun way to put a unique spin on an everyday hairstyle. For long hair that just seems drab every time you pull it up, putting a single braid down the side adds so much to your entire look. It turns a banal style into a trendy look.
For dressier occasions, many women opt for some variation of an updo. For some reason, it easily provides the wearer with a regal appearance. This simple pulled-back updo is upgraded with a double braid that sets it aside from your everyday messy bun.
Like anything in life, presentation is everything. Most don’t spend much time analyzing appearance of other people, they take in what they can at first glance and assess accordingly. Dress your casual updos up the simplest way you can – with a bow. It’s both easy and cute – a bow adds a bit of “wow” flair in the same way it does atop a present.
Heading to an interview or work event, and crunched on time? This look is ideal for the business setting and an after-work date. Its perfection stems from its simplicity in both creation and appearance. For a versatile look that can work with your 9-5 and after, this is perfect.
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Clearly, a braid can change everything. The messier, the better with this look. A cute bun that works perfectly for medium hair isn’t the easiest thing to come across, so we understand the need for something different. Putting a giant braid through your average low bun switches things up with little to no effort.
If you want to stand out in a crowd, go for pastel-colored hair. Depending on the style, you can display a variety of personas. This particular braided style is great for long hair, because who doesn’t love long locks willowing from a ponytail? Hide that dreaded scrunchie by wrapping your hair around the base of your ponytail, creating one of the easiest casual hairstyles you can think of.
Possibly the most adorable updo on our list, this collection of buns is surprisingly easy to put together. However, its simplicity isn’t evident at first glance making this the perfect style for a day out on the town, or an evening of unexpected adventures. The subtly sexy style is playful, making it great for any event or look.
@modaprints
Growing tired of your high bun? Add some pizzazz by braiding your hair up the back of your head and feeding the end of your braid into the bun. This style is great because it maintains the classic look set in place by the original bun, but the braid adds the necessary zest.
What makes an updo casual is its apparent lack of effort. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean all casual hairstyles have to be done in minutes. This style in particular takes a certain amount of time and patience to create. The braid ends up looking very relaxed and the bun is messy, hence why this look is stylish and casual.
Add some texture to your hair life with this tousled high ponytail. Incorporate different types of braids to the top and sides. If you’re aiming to straddle the line between edge and class, this look is ideal.
Perfect for long hair, this look combines the effortless wave with the complexity of a fishtail braid. As a complicated variation of your everyday braid, this style may take a bit of skill to achieve. However, once you master this special braid, the possibilities are endless. The chic pony updo is just one of your many options.
The bigger the bun, the better. Whether you like yours to be high atop of your head or low, grazing the nape of your neck is completely a matter of preference. Of the many casual hairstyles listed here, this one is definitely on the more polished end of the spectrum.
Itching for some excitement in your life? Add it to your hair! Spice up your hairstyle menu with a giant braid running into an even bigger ponytail. Dramatic, runway-ready styles like this are so much fun and convenience. Wear it in windy weather, in the sun or under the rain and look invariably gorgeous!
Why not to add rainbow-inspired colors to your simple casual ‘dos? Every style you choose, no matter how simple, will always stand out in the crowd. This blended mixture of buns and twists creates an aesthetically pleasing swirl of color, perfect for the gym, an interview, or a first date.
@liz.colors
You may think that all casual updos are meant to show off the nape of your neck, however this is not necessarily a rule. This look works with longer hair, or by adding extensions to your ponytail. Delicately curled wisps and waves gracefully flow down your back in a sort of curly Mohawk updo.
This labyrinth of a hairstyle comes complete with more twists and turns than one can count, once again giving the illusion of complexity. Get creative with your updo, as this style has no distinct rhyme or reason. Innovation is your friend, and will definitely prove to be helpful when putting together this style.
Creating a balanced blend of texture and sleekness is the formula of a winning updo for natural hair. This style combines sleeked sides with a textured afro puff. Putting all this together creates the ideal natural updo for short hair.
Casual updos are varied, but incorporating a braid seems to be the common denominator in most styles. It dresses even the most chic style down, making it wearable for a multitude of occasions. Even a high bun, paired with carefully styled braids is perfectly suited for a day at the park. This look wraps braids around the head, offering a unique spin on your favorite top knot updo.
Simple and quick, braid your hair into a few side French braids, and roll each pair into a bun. If your hair is shoulder length, you might want to make a few smaller buns in the back.
Long, silky ethnic hair will look gorgeous with this hairstyle that’s designed to hold up thick, heavy hair. Of course, other hair textures will work just as well. This hairstyle is quick, easy and resembles a knotted bow once complete.
Here’s another cute and simple style, that looks best on hair with the length below the shoulders. Pull your locks into a high pony and then place elastics in equally spaced sections down the gathered hair. Fluff out each section for more body and a truly creative, sweet look.
When it comes to casual updos, boho is always in. Relaxed, simplistic and often embellished with a pretty scarf or flowers, boho updos can be accomplished with minimal effort.
Adorable and unique, a top knotted hair bow may not be created quite how you think. For this look you’ll actually want to pull hair into a bun and then spread out the final loop through into a bow shape. Add a pretty head band and side tendrils/bangs to finish off the look.
Clever like a sock bun but extra special in its styling, this fan out sock bun makes for a perfect casual updo for long hair. Add some sweet side bangs for a more dramatic look. This hairstyle will look great messy or fully pulled together.
Twist, twirl and pull your hair up into this creative fun-loving bun that’s perfect when you’re looking for a pretty summertime hairstyle. You’ll need a lot of hairpins for this one, but it will be worth it when your hair is up, out of the way and looking gorgeous.
The braid and bun come together for one lovely, romantic hairstyle with the low bohemian updo. Perfect for all occasions, this one looks exceptionally nice at casual summer gatherings. The style works best when you finger comb your locks and ignore the temptation to make them sleek and straight – allow them to just flow freely.
Curly girls, rejoice! There are some updos that really do look best on your hair type. No need to fight with the flat iron over this one –just gather the hair up, twist and secure into a low bun at the nape of your neck.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a casual updo for long hair in your repertoire that doesn’t require a whole lot of time and effort? This three-step updo is perfect in making your wish come true. Again, don’t worry about it being perfectly neat and tidy – wispy locks look pretty in the summertime.
These are just a few of the great casual updos for long hair that you should try your hand at. All of them require nothing more than hairpins, elastics and some setting spray, meaning you will be up and ready to get on with your day in no time flat.
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