17 layered updo Hairstyles That Are Trending Everywhere Right Now
Are you tired of the same old ponytail or messy bun? If you have layered hair, you’re sitting on a goldmine of styling potential that’s just waiting to be unlocked. Layered haircuts are the secret weapon for creating updos that are anything but basic. They bring natural volume, dynamic texture, and a sense of effortless movement that blunt cuts simply can’t replicate.
This year, hairstylists and fashion icons are leaning hard into styles that celebrate texture and dimension. The layered updo is having a major moment, appearing everywhere from red carpets and wedding aisles to chic city streets and your favorite social media feeds. These styles are perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of romance, sophistication, or modern edge to their look.
1. The Textured Messy Bun
Let’s start with a classic that gets a layered-hair upgrade. The messy bun is a go-to for a reason, but when you have layers, it transforms into a work of art. The shorter layers naturally frame your face and escape the bun, creating a soft, romantic, and intentionally undone look. The key is to embrace the pieces that don’t quite fit. Pull out a few face-framing strands and allow the shorter layers at the back to create a halo of texture around the main bun.
Pro Tip: For maximum texture, curl your layers lightly before attempting the bun. This gives the escaped pieces beautiful shape and prevents them from looking like straight, awkward flyaways.
2. The Modern Gibson Tuck
This vintage-inspired style has made a huge comeback with a contemporary twist. The Gibson tuck involves loosely folding the hair under itself at the back of the head. With layered hair, this style becomes incredibly soft and dynamic. The layers create a beautifully undone, cascading effect at the crown instead of a sharp, solid fold. It’s an elegant yet surprisingly simple updo that works beautifully for both casual and formal events.
3. The Braided Crown with Wispy Layers
Take your bohemian vibes to the next level with a braided crown that highlights your layers. Instead of a tight, perfect crown braid, the trend is a looser, more relaxed version. As you braid the hair around your head, your shorter layers will naturally refuse to be fully contained. This results in a gorgeous, ethereal look with soft pieces framing the forehead and temples. It’s a romantic and whimsical style perfect for festivals, weddings, or a sunny day out.
4. The Low, Loose Chignon
The chignon is the epitome of classic chic, but a layered cut gives it a fresh, modern feel. A low chignon on layered hair is less about sleek perfection and more about organic texture. When you twist and pin your hair into a low bun, the layers add incredible dimension and volume. You can gently pull the chignon apart to make it look fuller and allow the ends of your layers to peek out, creating a soft and sophisticated silhouette.
5. The Half-Up, Half-Down Voluminous Bouffant
This isn’t your middle school half-updo. The trending version is all about maximum volume and texture. By teasing the crown section and loosely pulling back only the top layers, you create a dramatic, bouffant-like effect. The remaining layers are left down to cascade around your shoulders, providing a beautiful contrast between the structured top and the flowing bottom. This style effortlessly elevates any outfit and is perfect for a night out.
6. The Twisted Rope Updo
This elegant updo is a fantastic way to show off the movement in your layered hair. It involves creating two or more large twists and pinning them together into a bun. The layers mean the twists won’t be perfectly smooth; instead, they’ll have a lovely, textured feel with pieces sticking out for a lived-in, modern look. It’s a secure yet soft style that holds beautifully throughout the day.
7. The Layered Ponytail with a Twist
Even a simple ponytail becomes a statement with layered hair. The goal is to create a ponytail that’s full of body and movement. After securing your ponytail, gently pull on the sections above it to create volume at the crown. Then, take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic to conceal it. The layers will ensure the ponytail itself isn’t a blunt block of hair but a feathered and flowing masterpiece.
8. The Bubble Braid Updo
Playful and trendy, the bubble braid is a fun way to style layered hair. You create this look by putting your hair into a high ponytail and then tying elastics down the length of the tail at even intervals. After each elastic is secured, you gently puff out the section between elastics to create “bubbles.” Layers add to the playful texture of this style, making it look youthful and fashion-forward.
9. The Elegant Ballerina Bun with Face-Framing Pieces
The sleek ballerina bun gets a modern update when paired with layered hair. Instead of pulling every single hair into a tight, slicked-back bun, the trend is to leave out all the shorter, face-framing layers. This softens the entire look, making it less severe and more romantic. It’s the perfect marriage of elegance and ease, ideal for formal events when you still want to look approachable and soft.
10. The Tousled Updo with a Hair Clip
This is perhaps the easiest trendy updo on the list. Simply gather your hair as if you’re making a low ponytail, twist it loosely, and then fold it upwards, securing it not with bobby pins, but with a stylish, large hair clip. Because of your layers, the updo will naturally be tousled and textured. Pieces will fall out around your neck and face, creating an effortlessly chic look in under a minute.
11. The Fishtail Braid Updo
A fishtail braid has a naturally intricate and textured appearance that pairs perfectly with layered hair. Sweep all your hair to one side and create a loose fishtail braid, then gently pull it apart to amplify the texture. You can then coil it into a low bun or simply pin the end underneath. The layers will make the braid look fuller and more detailed, resulting in a boho-chic masterpiece.
12. The Voluminous Top Knot
The top knot is a staple, but with layers, it becomes a voluminous showstopper. The shorter layers add height and a messy-chic texture that a blunt cut can’t achieve. To get this look, tease the hair at the crown before gathering it into a high bun. Don’t worry about making it neat—the goal is a full, textured, and slightly rebellious knot that makes a statement.
13. The French Twist with Escaping Layers
A timeless French twist gets a modern, soft finish when done on layered hair. As you twist the hair upwards and secure it, the shorter layers will resist being tucked in. Instead of fighting it, let them be. These escaping pieces at the crown and sides create a soft, feminine aura around the structured twist, updating a classic for the modern era.
14. The Pull-Through Braid Updo
This braid looks incredibly complex but is deceptively simple. It involves creating a series of ponytails and “pulling” the hair through to create a braided effect. The finished look is a beautiful, loose, and textured braid that works perfectly with layered hair, as the pieces naturally create volume and a slightly undone feel. It’s a romantic and elegant choice for any special occasion.
15. The Messy Space Buns
Channel your inner 90s icon with space buns that are perfectly imperfect. Part your hair down the middle and create two high pigtails, then twist each into a bun. With layered hair, these buns will be full of texture and personality. Pull out plenty of pieces around your face and at the nape of your neck. The result is a playful, cool-girl style that’s perfect for festivals or a fun day out.
16. The Low Twisted Bun with a Scarf
Incorporate a pop of color and pattern by using a silk scarf in your layered updo. Create a low, loose bun or a simple twist at the nape of your neck. Then, take a long, thin scarf and tie it around your head, allowing the ends to be incorporated into the bun or to flow down with your hair. The scarf helps to tame and also accentuate the wispy layers, creating a polished yet playful look.
17. The Wrapped Low Ponytail
For a sophisticated take on the ponytail, try the wrapped low ponytail. Gather your hair low on your neck. Before you secure the final elastic, pull a small section of hair through the ponytail to create a wrap around the elastic. With layered hair, this style looks soft and elegant, with the layers providing body and movement to the tail itself. It’s a red-carpet favorite for a reason.
Embrace Your Layers!
As you can see, having layered hair is a gift when it comes to creating beautiful, textured, and modern updos. Your layers are not a styling obstacle; they are the key ingredient to achieving volume, movement, and that coveted effortless chic. So, stop fighting those shorter pieces and start celebrating them. The next time you’re looking for a hairstyle that’s both beautiful and interesting, embrace your layers and try one of these trending layered updos.
