When we’re in a rush to get out the door, most of us just whip our hair up into a traditional ponytail. There’s no denying the pony’s quick and easy nature and its low-slung sister was still super popular on the Spring 2018 runways, but it can become played out by the time Friday rolls around.
With that in mind, we wanted to track down easy updos practically anyone can accomplish in 10 minutes or less (some in no more than two). From a fresh take on the French twist that lets you hold on to your pony obsession to a pretty pompadour designed for short-haired gals to a wet look that you’ll have wrapped up in no time at all, you’ll be able to rock a new ‘do every day of the week with these easy updos.
[ Next: 30 Gorgeous Braid Styles to Try Now ]
TK Holiday Updos That Take 10 Minutes or Less
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Ponytail/French Twist Hybrid
Looking for a simple updo that reads casual yet super chic? Then this hybrid updo should be your new weekday go-to. This works best with medium to long lengths.
Tease your hair a bit before pulling it back like you’re going to fashion a runway-ready low ponytail, but twist it inward by the nape of the neck a la a French twist. Fasten the twist with some bobby pins and let the bottom of the pony hang loose. You can always finish things off with a finishing spray to set everything in place.
Image: Pinterest via Bumble and bumble
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Braided Top Knot
It’s a top knot with a twist, er, braid. And you don’t have to be a master braider to achieve this look.
Just weave two regular braids on top of your head in the front and pull both back into a ponytail instead of continuing the braids. Wrap up the pony into a high top knot and secure with an elastic that closely matches your hair color. Gently tug at the knot for a poofy bun effect.
Image: @lipstickncurls
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Crisscross Low Bun
Buns are a pretty simple updo, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. While it will look like a regular ol’ bun from the front, there’s a bit of a twist in the back. Only long-haired ladies should attempt this easy updo.
Divide your hair into three sections with the two side sections being even, but the center should boast more hair than the sides. Wrap up the middle part in an elastic to form a low pony. Twist it into a bun and hold it down with bobby pins. Grab the left section and layer it over the top of the bun, then wrap it under and around your bun before fastening with bobby pins. Repeat on the right.
Image: Pinterest via Latest-Hairstyles
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Cool-Girl Low Bun
This sleek ‘do comes courtesy of Ouai Haircare founder and celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, so you know it’s good. Before beginning, spray your boar-bristle brush with hairspray to keep those flyaways in check and to bolster shine.
Brush your strands back into a low pony at the nape of your neck. For a silky touch, smooth a tiny amount of styling cream down your hair. Separate your pony into two equal parts, both tied off with small elastics. At the bottom of each part, place a bobby pin vertically with one prong inside your hair tie and the other poking out. Hold on to both ends of the bobby pin and roll your hair away from your face in the direction of your head. Take that piece and roll it all the way up to the pony’s base and pin it in place. Repeat on the other side. The second section should fit in with the first one.
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Quick and Easy Braided Bun
If you can braid your hair pretty fast, you can do this easy updo in a snap. Just make sure you brush your hair first to remove any pesky knots or tangles.
Go ahead and braid your hair into one plait (to keep things secure longer, tie your hair into a low pony first). Use an elastic band to tie off the end of the braid. Wrap the braid toward your left, then wrap the end toward the right, fashioning a U shape. Bring the end of the braid back to where it began and tuck the end underneath. Use bobby pins around the edges of the bun until you’re satisfied it won’t budge. Gently pull the edges to make it fuller before spraying hairspray to set it.
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Pinned-Up Pompadour
Even if you have an above-the-shoulders cut, you can still rock a cute updo. First things first: create a pompadour by teasing a section of hair temple to temple, then push it against your normal part to crank up the volume.
After you’ve got your pompadour set, grab 1- to 2-inch sections of hair, twist and lock in place by placing bobby pins (use colored ones if you want the pins to stand out) in the twist. Pro tip: Position the open end of the pin against the direction your strands are pulled. Then rotate the pin so the open end faces the same direction as the hair, pushing the pin in toward your head. Repeat until everything feels secure.
Image: Pinterest via Cosmopolitan
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Easy Messy Updo
For that cool, casual French girl vibe, it helps to get a little messy. This basic bun lets some of your strands spill out in a haphazard manner.
Tie a small, clear hair tie to act as an anchor. You’ll want to place the elastic further toward the ends of your hair to make it appear that some of those excess strands just happened to fall out. Once it’s in position, twist your low bun and pin it in place, keeping the tail exposed. Finish by spraying some hairspray to keep things from shifting too much throughout the day.
Image: Pinterest via The Beauty Department
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Easy Curly Hair Updo
Attention curly girls: this stylish ‘do is just for you to flaunt your coils. Ignore your instinct to brush out your curls and instead rely on some leave-in conditioner spray to work out any tangles.
First separate a section on top of your head all the way down to your temples. Twist it in the back and secure it with bobby pins (for added volume, you can leave it a bit loose). Then take the section closest to your left ear and twist it over and around the first pins. Add more pins to set everything in place. Split the remainder of your locks into two to four sections, depending on how much hair you’ve got, and twist each section into a loose bun and pin. Take a look to make sure no strays are poking out and if you find any, push them back in place.
Image: Pinterest via Hair Romance
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Multi Buns for Wet Hair
The best part about this easy updo? It looks super fresh with wet hair. Oh, and it only takes a couple of minutes. So once you hop out of the shower or the pool, you can wrap up your locks into small buns.
Split off the top section of your hair from around the temples back. Then twist into a bun and use bobby pins to secure. Create a bun level with your ears underneath the first bun and repeat until you run out of hair/space. Make sure you pull each bun to make them flat as you go since it will help keep the buns close together. After the last bun, you can push some more pins through to connect the buns.
Image: Pinterest via Hair Romance
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Easy Knotted Updo for Natural Hair
If you’re sporting bangs, this simple updo’s for you. It’s meant for natural hair and if you can tie a knot, it’s a piece of cake. The longer your hair, the more knots you can create.
Start off with a heavy side part and then tuck your bangs behind your ear. Grab two large sections of hair at your crown and loop into a knot. Position a bobby pin through the center to secure. Hold on to your other sections, gather a little more hair in each hand, then make another knot and secure with a bobby pin. Repeat this process until you hit the nape of your neck. Tuck any last strands around the last knot and set everything in place with a bobby pin on each side.
Image: Pinterest via Saving Our Strands
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Two-Step Updo
For a more rigid, winded bun, all it takes is a bit of a twist. And this easy updo only involves two steps. Yup, you read that right.
Split your strands in two and then wind them into a thick twist. Roll it up doughnut style so it rests at the base of your neck. Secure the twist with bobby pins all around and then delicately pull it to thicken the bun.
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Classic Chignon
Whether you’ve got a wedding or a red carpet event, this low-slung chignon will turn heads. This is an especially easy updo for long hair that's on the thick side.
Gather all of your strands into a tight, smooth pony situated at the nape of your neck. Curl the ends of your pony under with a 1 1/4” spring iron. Separate your pony into an upper and lower layer. Tease the lower for more volume. Grab a second elastic and make a half loop with the entire pony, but leave the tail exposed. Take that tail and wrap it around the elastic, pinning it underneath with large bobby pins.
Image: Pinterest via The Beauty Department
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Woven Ponytail
Ponytails are one of the quickest and most functional hairstyles ever, especially if you're playing host for a party and running around. But regardless of what you're doing, you can rock a ponytail even on a special occasion — and it doesn't take long to make it chic. This look is worn best with wavy or straight hair (but it doesn't need to be freshly washed, thank goodness).
For this elegant ponytail look, start by parting hair down the middle and divide into three sections. Secure the back middle section with a hair tie, creating a low ponytail. You should have two remaining chunks of hair on the sides. Starting from the front half of one side, begin to twist strands and pull back towards the ponytail. Cross the twisted section along the top of the ponytail, and pin the hair over the hair-tie. Secure with a bobby pin. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other side. Then twist back remaining twisted sections and secure with bobby pins. Spritz with some hairspray and be on your way!
Image: LuLus.com
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Messy French Twist
The French twist is a timeless look that looks gorgeous for any occasion. For a more relaxed vibe, try "messing it up" a little. This style is worn best by ladies with long hair (don't care).
Start by backcombing your hair on the crown of your head for added volume and lightly tease the sides of your head. Use your fingers to come hair back as if you're about to do a half ponytail. Starting from the ends of your hair, roll it in towards the back of your head in a twist. Keep rolling until you reach the head. Secure the look with bobby pins and strong hold hairspray.
Image: Makeup.com
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Sexy Ponytail
Functional AND sexy? Sign us up! We recommend this style for ladies rocking a straight 'do. To steal this cute updo, start with smooth straight hair and separate into three sections — one in the back and two on each side. Pin one of the side sections of your hair to the middle of your head. Pull the other section back and twist it. Pin that over the existing pins.
Create a low ponytail by securing the bottom of your twisted hair with a hair tie, leaving a one-inch section of hair free. Wrap that one-inch section around your hair tie and secure it with a bobby pin. Secure the look with a strong hold hairspray and a boss-lady attitude.
Image: Makeup.com
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Chignon Hair
Think this style takes hours? We thought so too but that's not the case. In fact, it's one of our quickest hairstyles and most elegant! To steal the look, start by brushing hair back into two low ponytails and begin to twist them. Once twisted to your satisfaction, secure them together with an elastic.
Next, take your (now one) ponytail and flip hair over the elastic and through the hole your ponytails have formed. Continue to do this until you make a big bun at the nape of your neck. Secure with bobby pins and hairspray, and off you go! The holiday champagne calls.
Image: Pinterest
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Braided Bun
Already running late? All you need to do for this elegant yet easy updo is make three braids and you'll come out with a hairstyle that looks like you had it done at a salon. Start by separating your hair into three different sections from the top of your head. Take the middle section and create a low ponytail. Braid this ponytail, secure with a small rubber band and take your braid and wrap it around the elastic, creating a bun at the nape of your neck. Secure with bobby pins.
Next, take one of your side sections and braid that. Once braided, wrap it around the bun at the nape of your neck, securing with bobby pins. Repeat for the remaining section of hair. Finish with a flexible hold hairspray and parade that 'do around proudly.
Image: Fashionsy
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Braided Ballerina Bun
For a fun spin on your classic ballerina bun, try spicing it up with a braided base. Start by tying your hair in a sleek, high ponytail at the top of your head. Place a foam bun donut or thick scrunchie over your hair tie.
Next, take your pony and allow your hair to surround and cover your bun donut/scrunchie. Place a hair tie over the hair (around the bun donut/scrunchie) to secure your bun, leaving the excess hair hanging out from the elastic. Use that excess hair to create two sections and braid each of them. Wrap the two braids around the base of the bun, and secure them with bobby pins and hairspray.
Image: xoJane
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Top Knot
Totally in love with the dancers in the Nutcracker performance you see every year (as per family tradition)? Steal their timeless topknot look by creating a sleek high ponytail at the top of your head, making sure hair is smooth.
Next, take thick pieces of your ponytail and tease them until your hair is nice and wild (we haven't even broken out the holiday champagne yet). So as not to startle co-workers, take your bristle comb and smooth over only the top of the ponytail to eliminate the frizz. This smooth part will be the outside of your bun. Wrap your ponytail around your hair tie in a counter clockwise motion. Secure it with bobby pins and a firm hold hairspray.
Image: Lovely Blonde Closet
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Headband Updo
What better way to rock that headband than by making it your hair accessory? The best part is, it does all the work for you. To steal the look, create a deep side part and place your headband over your hair on the crown of your head.
Starting with your bangs (or the front of your hair), take 2- to 3-inch sections and begin to tuck and twist, hair over and under the headband. Repeat this process until you've gone completely around your head, securing as you go with bobby pins. Secure the look with your best hairspray.
Image: PrettyDesigns.com
