Let’s be honest: some days, the thought of wrestling with a curling wand, a thousand bobby pins, and a can of hairspray feels more daunting than running a marathon. If you have medium-length hair, you’re in the sweet spot—long enough to style, but short enough to be frustrating when you try to follow those intricate online tutorials. You love the polished, elegant look of an updo, but you hate the complicated routines that seem to come with them.
Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief. This guide is for you, the busy person who values style and simplicity in equal measure. We’ve curated a list of eight stunning updos that require minimal tools, even less time, and absolutely zero hairstylist-level expertise. Get ready to fall in love with your medium-length hair all over again.
1. The Effortless Twisted Bun
This is the ultimate go-to updo for when you need to look put-together in under two minutes. It’s messy in that perfectly intentional way and works beautifully on day-old hair.
How to do it: Gather your hair into a low ponytail, but instead of pulling it all the way through on the last loop of the hair tie, leave it as a loop. Then, split the loop down the middle to create a hole, and tuck the tail end of your ponytail up and through that hole. Gently pull to secure. For an extra touch, pull gently at the sides of the bun to loosen it and create more volume. You can also pull out a few face-framing pieces for a soft, romantic effect.
Pro Tip: A light-hold texturizing spray applied to dry hair before you start will give your locks the grit and hold needed to keep this bun from slipping out.
2. The Sophisticated Low Ponytail
Never underestimate the power of a simple low ponytail. When executed with a few small tweaks, it transforms from a basic gym look into a red-carpet-worthy style.
How to do it: Brush your hair back as if you’re making a standard low ponytail. Before securing it, take a small section of hair from underneath the ponytail at the nape of your neck and wrap it loosely around the base. Secure your ponytail with a clear or color-matched elastic. Then, take the wrapped section and twist it around the elastic, pinning it discreetly underneath. This little trick hides the hair tie instantly. Finally, gently tease the crown of your head with your fingers for a little lift and pull out a few pieces around your ears.
Pro Tip: For ultra-sleekness, run a small amount of smoothing serum or hair wax over the front and sides of your hair before gathering it back.
3. The 30-Second Hair Clip Updo
This style is quite possibly the easiest thing you will ever do with your hair. It’s perfect for those “I literally have zero time” moments and has become a favorite for its effortless chic.
How to do it: Flip your head over and gather all your hair as if you’re making a high ponytail at the top of your crown. Twist the length of your hair once or twice. Then, while holding the twist, coil the hair into a loose bun against your head. Instead of using pins, simply secure the entire bundle with a large, decorative claw clip or a jaw clip. Let some pieces fall out naturally—the messier, the better.
Pro Tip: The key here is the clip. Invest in a sturdy, large clip that has a good grip. This style works best on second or third-day hair when there’s more natural texture.
4. The Braided Crown (Simplified Version)
A braided crown sounds intricate, but our simplified version uses only one braid to create the same ethereal effect without the hassle of managing two separate sections.
How to do it: Part your hair deeply to one side. On the heavier side, take a front section and create a simple three-strand braid, starting from your hairline and going back towards your ear. Secure the end with a small clear elastic. Now, take the braid and drape it across the top of your head, just above your forehead, like a headband. Tuck the end of the braid behind your opposite ear and secure it with a bobby pin. Gather the rest of your hair, including the braid’s tail, into a low ponytail or a loose bun.
Pro Tip: Gently pull apart the sections of the braid to make it look fuller and more bohemian. This little bit of “pancaking” makes the style look much more complex than it is.
5. The Messy Ballerina Bun
Channel your inner dancer with this classic, high bun. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s effortless elegance with a touch of playful mess.
How to do it: Gather your hair into a high ponytail at the crown of your head. Twist the ponytail and begin wrapping it around the base to form a bun. As you wrap, don’t pull the hair tight; let it be a bit loose and messy. Secure the bun with a second hair tie wrapped around the base or use bobby pins to anchor any loose sections. The final, crucial step is to pull out plenty of face-framing pieces and gently tug at the bun to create volume and a softer shape.
Pro Tip: Tease the ponytail slightly before twisting it into a bun for instant, lasting volume. A donut bun form can also help achieve a perfect round shape in seconds if your hair is on the thinner side.
6. The Rope Twist Ponytail
This is a simple way to elevate your standard ponytail with a touch of texture and sophistication. It looks intricate but is deceptively easy to create.
How to do it: Part your hair down the middle, creating two equal sections. Twist each section tightly in the same direction (both clockwise or both counter-clockwise). Once both sections are twisted, twist them together in the opposite direction. This counter-twisting is what locks the style in place. Once they are twisted together, secure the end with an elastic. You can leave it as a chic, textured ponytail or coil the twisted length into a small bun at the nape of your neck.
Pro Tip: For a more defined twist, lightly mist each section with water or a light-hold spray before you begin twisting.
7. The Half-Up Twisted Topknot
Can’t decide between wearing your hair up or down? This style gives you the best of both worlds. It keeps hair off your face while showing off your length, and it takes about 60 seconds.
How to do it: Take a section of hair from the crown of your head, about from temple to temple. Gather it into a high ponytail but do not pull the hair all the way through the last loop of the hair tie. You’ll be left with a small, cute topknot. Gently pull at the sides of the knot to loosen it and create more volume. Fluff out the rest of your hair down below.
Pro Tip: For a more polished look, gently backcomb the crown section before making the ponytail for extra lift and volume that lasts all day.
8. The Tucked-In Roll
This style is incredibly gentle on your hair and creates a beautiful, seamless look from the back. It’s perfect for a dinner date or a day at the office.
How to do it: Gather your hair at the nape of your neck as if for a low ponytail, but don’t use a tie. Instead, twist your hair away from your neck. Once it’s twisted, tuck the ends of your hair upwards and into the roll you’ve created at the base of your head. Use 2-3 bobby pins inserted horizontally to secure the roll in place. The result is a soft, rolled shape that looks elegant and requires no elastics.
Pro Tip: If your hair is slippery, create a very loose ponytail first, then twist and tuck the tail into the base, using the ponytail holder as an anchor. Pin around it to hide the elastic.
Embrace the Easy Updo Lifestyle
As you can see, achieving a beautiful updo doesn’t require a professional stylist on speed dial or an hour of your precious time. Each of these eight styles leverages simple techniques—twisting, tucking, and using the right accessories—to create looks that are anything but basic. The key is to practice, embrace a little imperfection, and find the two or three styles that feel most natural to you.
So the next time you’re running late, having a bad hair day, or simply want to feel a little more polished without the effort, remember this list. Your medium-length hair is a versatile canvas for easy, elegant styles. Ditch the complicated routines and fall in love with the simple art of the updo.
