18 Messy Updo Hairstyles That Belong on Your Inspiration Board

18 Messy Updo Hairstyles That Belong on Your Inspiration Board

If you’ve ever scrolled through hairstyle inspiration late at night and bookmarked a dozen photos of that perfectly imperfect updo, you’re not alone. Messy updos have become the go-to hairstyle for anyone who wants to look put together without spending forty-five minutes in front of a mirror. There’s something about the loose pieces, the soft texture, and the “I woke up like this” energy that feels both relaxed and intentional at the same time.

Whether you’re getting ready for a wedding, heading to the office, or just want an easy way to deal with second-day hair, these messy updo hairstyles cover pretty much every hair length, texture, and occasion. Let’s get into eighteen of the best options worth saving for your next hair day.

Messy Chignon with Fishtail Braid

This one combines two of the prettiest hair trends into a single look. A fishtail braid winds into a loose, low chignon, creating texture and movement that a plain bun just can’t match. It works beautifully on medium to long hair, and it’s a favorite for wavy or thick strands since they hold the braided texture so well.

This style suits round, oval, and heart-shaped faces especially nicely because the low placement elongates the neck. It’s a great pick for weddings, dinner dates, or any time you want something that looks like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.

Messy Updo with a Center Twist

A center twist running up the back of the head adds a bit of structure to an otherwise relaxed updo. The rest of the hair gets tucked and pinned loosely, leaving soft pieces to fall out around the twist for that lived-in look.

This one is great for fine to medium hair because the twist creates the illusion of extra volume without any teasing. Straight and wavy textures both take to it well. It’s low maintenance once it’s pinned, and it holds up nicely through a full day of errands or a night out.

Messy Twisted Chignon

Twisted chignons have a slightly more polished feel while still keeping that undone charm. Sections of hair get twisted and layered on top of each other before being secured into a low bun, so you end up with dimension instead of one flat shape.

This style flatters longer face shapes since the fullness sits closer to the head and doesn’t add extra length. Thick and coarse hair textures look especially good here because the twists hold their shape all day. Add a few bobby pins in a complementary metallic shade for a subtle detail that photographs well.

Messy Updo with Deconstructed Fishtail

Think of this as the fishtail braid’s more laid-back cousin. Instead of a tight, neat braid, sections get pulled apart gently after braiding to create that soft, undone texture people love in bridal and editorial hairstyling.

Medium to long hair works best here, and it’s forgiving for pretty much any face shape since the deconstructed pieces frame the face naturally. This updo is a favorite for outdoor events and summer weddings because it looks intentional even after a few hours in the heat.

Volumized Casual Messy Bun

This is the bun most people picture when they think “messy bun,” and for good reason. It’s quick, it’s forgiving, and it works on almost every hair type. The key is building volume at the crown first, then loosely wrapping the length around itself before pinning.

Fine hair benefits the most from this style since the extra volume at the crown gives the illusion of thicker strands. It’s ideal for gym days, running errands, or those mornings when you’re short on time but still want to look intentional.

Messy Low Rolled Bun

A rolled bun sits differently than a wrapped one, giving it a slightly more sculptural, sleek-but-undone finish. Hair gets rolled inward toward the nape of the neck rather than twisted, which creates a smoother base with soft, wispy pieces left out around the hairline.

This look works particularly well for straight or slightly wavy hair, and it flatters oval and square face shapes by softening angular features. It’s a solid option for office settings since it reads a little more refined than a typical messy bun.

Messy Bun with Braid Accents

Adding a small braid or two into a messy bun instantly upgrades it from basic to boho. A thin braid can wrap around the base of the bun, or a couple of accent braids can be woven in near the temples before everything gets pulled back together.

This style is popular for curly and wavy hair since the texture blends seamlessly with the braided sections. It suits round and oval faces well, and it’s an easy way to dress up an otherwise casual updo for festivals, brunch, or weekend plans.

Effortless Messy Bun with Face-Framing Strands

Sometimes the simplest tweak makes the biggest difference. Leaving a few soft, face-framing strands loose around a messy bun softens the whole look and draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones instead of pulling everything back tight.

This version works on nearly any face shape, but it’s especially flattering for square or heart-shaped faces since the loose pieces break up strong angles. Fine and medium hair textures both do well here, and a light texturizing spray helps those face-framing pieces hold their shape.

Textured High Bun with Loose Tendrils

A high bun gets an upgrade when you skip the sleek, pulled-tight approach and let it stay soft and textured instead. Hair gets gathered high on the crown, twisted loosely, and secured with a few pins while some shorter layers escape around the hairline and neck.

This look is a favorite for long, thick hair because the height balances out the volume. It suits oval and long face shapes nicely since the height draws the eye upward. It’s also a reliable option for hot days when you want hair off your neck but still want something photo-ready.

Undone Braided Crown Updo

A braided crown updo has a slightly romantic, old-world feel, but keeping it undone brings it into more everyday territory. Two loose braids wrap around the head like a halo, with the ends tucked in and pinned toward the back, while a few strands are left loose for softness.

This works particularly well on medium to long wavy hair since the waves add extra texture to the braids. Round and oval face shapes tend to suit it best. It’s a lovely choice for outdoor weddings, garden parties, or any occasion that calls for something a little more special.

Loose Messy French Twist

The French twist gets a modern refresh when it’s styled loose instead of sleek. Hair is gathered to one side and twisted upward, but rather than smoothing every strand down, pieces are pulled out gently to add softness and dimension.

This style flatters longer necks and works beautifully on straight to wavy hair. It’s a great transitional look, appropriate for both office settings and evening events, and it takes noticeably less time than the traditional tight version.

Messy Space Buns

Space buns have shifted from a festival-only look to a genuinely versatile everyday style, especially when kept loose and textured rather than tight and slick. Hair is parted down the middle and split into two sections, each twisted or braided loosely before being wrapped into a bun.

This look works well on medium length to long hair and suits round or oval faces especially nicely. It’s an easy way to add a playful edge to your routine, and it holds up surprisingly well through long days since there’s less tension pulling on the scalp.

Wavy Half-Up Messy Updo

Not every updo needs to pull all your hair back. A half-up version keeps length visible while still giving you that textured, piled-up effect at the crown. The top section gets twisted or braided loosely into a small bun, while the rest is left down in soft waves.

This style is ideal for long or thick hair, and it’s a great option if you love your length but still want something a little more done-up. It suits nearly every face shape since it doesn’t pull hair fully off the face.

Tousled Low Ponytail Updo

This one starts as a ponytail but ends up looking like an updo thanks to some strategic teasing and wrapping. The base sits low at the nape, and the length gets loosely twisted and tucked under, with a few pieces left out to soften the shape.

Straight and wavy hair both work nicely here, and it’s a good pick for fine hair since the teasing adds noticeable volume. This look photographs really well from the back, which makes it a smart choice for formal events.

Braided Bun with Wispy Bangs

Pairing wispy bangs with a braided bun creates a nice contrast between structure and softness. The bangs stay loose and face-framing while the rest of the hair gets braided and coiled into a bun at the crown or nape.

This combination flatters longer face shapes since the bangs visually shorten the forehead. It works on most hair textures, though wavy hair tends to blend with the braid most seamlessly. It’s a low-maintenance option once styled, since the bangs need minimal daily attention.

Loose Bubble Braid Updo

Bubble braids have a fun, sectioned texture that looks a lot more intricate than it actually is. A single ponytail gets divided into sections with small elastics, then each section is gently pulled apart to create the “bubble” effect before the whole thing is coiled into a loose updo.

This works especially well on medium to thick hair since there’s enough volume to create noticeable bubbles. It’s a great choice for younger clients or anyone wanting something a little more playful for parties or photo shoots.

Messy Updo with Curly Texture

Curly hair has a natural head start when it comes to messy updos since the texture does a lot of the work for you. Curls get gathered loosely at the crown or nape, with a few curly tendrils left out around the face for movement.

This style is a great low-manipulation option for curly and coily hair types, since minimal handling helps preserve curl pattern and reduce frizz. It suits every face shape and works well for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Undone Top Knot with Face-Framing Layers

A top knot gets a softer update when it’s kept loose and paired with longer face-framing layers left out around the hairline. Hair is gathered high, twisted loosely, and wrapped rather than pulled tight, giving it a relaxed, slightly undone finish.

This look works particularly well on fine to medium hair since the height adds volume without extra product. It suits round and square face shapes nicely, and it’s one of the fastest styles on this list to recreate on a busy morning.

At the end of the day, the beauty of a messy updo is that it doesn’t have to be perfect to look good. A few loose pieces, a little texture, and a light-hold spray are usually all you need to pull off any of these looks. Try a few, see what your hair takes to naturally, and keep this list handy the next time you need updo inspiration.