Passionate author specializing in the vibrant world of hairstyling. With a knack for unraveling trends and sharing expert insights, Marissa crafts engaging content on the latest hairstyles, techniques, and industry innovations. Committed to empowering readers with knowledge, inspiration, and the confidence to embrace their unique style.
Read full bio Editorial guidelines
Meet Mary Allen, a writer at The Right Hairstyles Magazine with a passion for the artistry of hair, who first joined our editorial team in January 2022. With a keen eye for trends in haircutting and coloring techniques, Mary Allen explores the diverse spectrum of beauty, ensuring that her articles resonate with women from all walks of life.
Read full bio Editorial guidelines
@tonyastylist
A classic French twist is a great hairstyle to show off long, thick hair. Make an upgrade of this popular formal go-to by opting for messy texture, balayage color and shifting your twist to the side.
Messy hair is trending pretty hard right now, which is great news for all of us ladies with less-than-perfect hairstyling skills. If your hair tends to incur fly-aways, frizz or rebellious curling on a regular basis, then guess what? You’re currently leading the fashion world! Read on for 40 great messy updos for long hair.
Low buns, top knots, twists or simply pinned up curls acquire a unique effortless and relaxed feel when they are messy. Today messy hair is worn not only in casual, but also on the red carpet. So, you simply can’t miss the trend!
@kellymccormickhair
If you want a soft, romantic updo with an original design, try this elegant plaited bun. Start with a ponytail, make a loose plait, then wrap it into a bun and pull at the parts of the braid to make them look like petals. Secure with bobby pins.
At the forefront of cute updos are sweet symmetrical styles like this fun twisted bun look. Separate your hair into two sections and twist each side from front to back. Secure the hair at the nape of the neck, then continue to twist the hair into two buns.
@taylor_lamb_hair
Combine boho messiness with a neat twist for a ‘best of both’ updo. This intricate-looking hairstyle includes two loose twists and a large messy chignon. The butterfly is a charming subtle touch to complement the beautifully highlighted hair. A lovely idea!
@weddinghaircompany
We all know that effortless-looking messy buns are anything but easy. Instead of using one ponytail, try pulling your hair into two or three bobbles on the crown of your head. This will give your bun more volume when you wrap the hair up.
@nastty_lisicina
Updos for long hair can be made both elegant and quirky by using a couple of different techniques. For example, combine a messy loopy bun with a halo plait and you’ve got an entirely new style! Add a unique hair color and it’s anything but your average updo.
@salon202
A classic French twist is a great hairstyle to show off long, thick hair. Make an upgrade of this popular formal go-to by opting for messy texture, balayage color and shifting your twist to the side.
@tonyastylist
This simple bun is cute and easy to accomplish. Start with a ponytail and loop it through a bobble like you do with a simple knot but leave a longer tail for the wrap. Spread the knot making it wider. Then, wrap the left-over hair around the bobble and secure with bobby pins. This looks especially showy with ombre hair that features lightened ends.
@jenniekaybeauty
Updos for long hair are a perfect way to keep disobedient locks out of your face, but that doesn’t mean they have to be neat! This textured updo uses a combination of braids and loosely pinned tousled locks for one of the most unique low updos we’ve ever seen.
@beautyandtheblush
To make the most of highlights in your updo, embrace braids and twists. This idea can be realized through a cute braids-to-bun updo. The style doesn’t have to be perfectly preened to look gorgeous. Looser braids with no distinct part and a messy bun are a lovely casual solution.
@hairby_chrissy
Colorful highlights or hair chalking are amazing in intricate-looking updos that are actually pretty easy to do. With long hair you can braid only the end of your ponytail and twist it into a bun as you usually do. The high position of this updo also draws attention to the underneath layer of highlights.
@christinakreitel
If you’re looking for easy updos for long hair, this one is for you! French plait your hair from the nape of your neck to the crown. Pull the end of the braid and the hair that was left out into an imperfect bun to show off your handy work.
@hairbyjaxx
For this style, wrap the length of your hair over a hair band worn over the perimeter of your head. You’ll need plenty of bobby pins to hold everything in place, but it’s easy to hide them with a perfectly-placed braid.
@rachaelharris_hairmakeupbeauty
Keep it classy with a traditional chignon. This is an amazing style for girls with really thick hair as you can literally roll it up and go! Prepare those heatless waves beforehand or start with light backcombing to get that cute texture and make the style more casual.
@neon_beauty
Long hair updos can look mildly mind-boggling, but this one’s deceptively easy. Create this beautiful Dutch braid hairstyle by braiding the hair along one side of your head and wrapping the end of the braid to shape a loose low bun. Encourage flyaways and even pull a few pieces out of your braid.
@sadiejcre8s
For ladies with stunning highlights, this updo is ideal. The crown braid has been upgraded by using a fishtail instead of a regular plait, adding more weight to the halo effect. Admittedly, this style can be rather fiddly and takes quite a while.
@christinagunnell
This messy updo is full of personality while still maintaining class. To get the style, keep the simple shape of a low bun but use plenty of backcombing. Throw a fishtail braid into the mix for an accent and added texture.
@theprettyparlour
Deconstructed updo hairstyles for long hair are very popular because they feature a lower degree of elegance and can be worn casually providing a smart and effortless look. This style boasts all the details of a formal updo (a bouffant, a headband braid and bun) but looks absolutely spontaneous and relaxed.
@sunkissedandmadeup
The low bun is as old as time, but it doesn’t have to look that way. Add some modernity to the hairstyle by simply including twisted pieces of hair on either side of your head. Or, keep it casual with a few loose wavy locks.
@ellasbridalhair
Once you get your hair twisted, you’ll want to try wearing it in different styles, including updos. A French twist is a popular go-to, and it has variations. You can leave your bangs loose and ruffled for a casual look. Alternatively, style them back into a quiff or a neat twist for formal occasions.
@loopsalon
Put a new spin on the updo for long hair with a side bun secured with a thick hair wrap. Separate your hair into two sections, using the top layer for the bun. Then use the underneath layer for the wrap around.
@tonyastylist
The low rolled bun is wonderful because it’s just so simple and also appropriate for literally any occasion. Be it a beach day or formal gala, this hairstyle works on both straight and curly hair, as well as any length of long locks. Finger comb your hair instead of using a brush to achieve that wonderful messy bun look.
This hairstyle couldn’t be simpler, which is welcome news to those who are used to the daily struggle of maintaining the health and harmony of long hair. For this ‘do, all you need is a strong hair elastic. Pull hair up and secure it into a ponytail on top of your head. Don’t pull that final loop through – let it lay halfway through for this classic warm weather bun.
For more fancy occasions, check out this messy updo for long hair. While chaos can be cute in some styles, this involves a bit more strategy. Straight hair will fare best with this style, and don’t forget those loose hair wisps on the side.
Enjoy a throwback to childhood when your mom would do those fancy braids on your long hair. This messy updo for long hair involves a twisted braid with a low casual loopy knot for the perfect summer look.
Again, perfection is discouraged for this formal yet messy updo for long hair. Simply French braid one side of your hair and then pull it up into a high ponytail. Hold back on that final look and then twist and pin the flyaway ends in place.
This hairstyle is a legitimate mess, but still in a really cute, stylish way. You can pair this messy updo for long hair with casual or formal attire, and if you have thinner, straighter hair, it will look even better. There’s really no rhyme or reason to it, just a simple base style. So use your imagination and go wild.
Crimped hair with braids? Who knew combining these hairstyles would look so chic! This is a stunning look for longer hair and showing off multi-dimension highlights. Added bonus: when you undo this updo, you’ll get beautiful loose waves.
Updos for long hair don’t always have to be fancy, this funky bun is a new way to do an updo! With the mix of metallic hues and multiple braids, this messy bun will be hard to forget, but easy to do.
@lapomponnee
If you’re looking for an elegant hairdo, this is it. This hairstyle looks fabulous from any angle, so you will look picture perfect in every photo. It’s a glamorous way to dress up that little black dress or compliment an exquisite wedding gown.
Whether you really have a garden party to attend or you’re just going to brunch, this is a simple yet chic look that will be sure to get you noticed. The leaves add a unique spring-ready element that will make others wish they were that imaginative with their styles!
Adding white flowers to your hair takes your updo from looking like everyone else’s to making you the stand out! Braiding your hair with the flower’s vine intensifies the texture, making it perfect for any special occasion. This bun is so cute
@femmeakoi
This messy updo is a charming look for a night on the town. The waterfall of curls on the sides gives this hairstyle a carefree feel that says she is one fun lady. With this look everyone will be dying to hang out with you, so you are going to be the life of the party!
Pinning curls is such an easy way to make your hair ready for any upscale event. You can even add jewels to make the look more glamorous. Pinning curls like this brings a ton of volume and depth, while keeping the rest of your hair smooth makes for a very elegant hairstyle.
Long hair updos can be whimsical and romantic too. By twisting random pieces on the sides she creates an effortless texture and nice volume with this delightful look. The messy bun is low and loose which gives it a romantic feel, but the messiness keeps it whimsical. You could wear this anywhere. Plus, it’s a hairstyle for long hair that is quick and easy to do!
An updo is an easy way to get an elegant look, even when it’s as messy as this style. When you keep your pinned curls closer to the centre of the back, your updo gains a Mohawk-like appearance.
The simplicity of this hairstyle creates an overall sophisticated feel, like wearing pearls does. You can add a small flower to make this rolled bun a little more youthful or playful. Her solid color looks amazing in this hairdo, but so would multi-color hair.
Hairdos for long hair can seem complicated, but this messy updo is an easy way to pin your locks up off the neck. It is as simple as braiding a side braid that you further bring around your head to the nape where you loosely pin twisted pieces of hair. As a result, you are getting a sort of a sloppy low bun.
This beautiful bun almost looks like a flower. Curling the hair before putting it up creates the perfect texture for a voluminous bun. This is an easy hairstyle for any special occasion that will keep all eyes on you! Pair it with a beautiful dress or a snazzy pantsuit
Twists and braids are an appealing way to show off chunky highlights. This updo looks like an endless twist rolled into a bun, but you don’t need extremely long hair to recreate it. Just overlap your twists and pin them in semicircles hiding the ends and creating the illusion of an endless twist.
This is one of the best updos for long hair because you can look done up while still showing off how long your hair is. The ponytail makes this updo young and fun, while the side braided element creates a cool attention-grabbing detail.
When you’re looking for some new styles that are stress-free and still fun to wear, be sure to give these messy updos for long hair a try. With a little practice, you can pull off a look you’ll love for any occasion.
Enter your email to get this picture to your inbox, and get other ideas you might like 💌
