There’s something undeniably magical about a voluminous updo. It’s the hairstyle that whispers of red carpets, glamorous events, and that effortless “I woke up like this” chic. But let’s be honest, achieving that perfect balance of elegant structure and soft, bountiful volume can feel like a secret known only to celebrity stylists. The fear of a flat, tight, or overly perfect updo is real, leaving many of us to opt for the safety of down-dos.
What if we told you that rocking a voluminous updo is not only achievable but can also be surprisingly simple? This isn’t about creating a stiff, shellacked helmet for your head. It’s about embracing texture, movement, and height to frame your face and elevate your entire look. Whether you’re heading to a wedding, a fancy dinner, or just want to feel extra special on a Tuesday, a voluminous updo is your ticket to a trendy, confidence-boosting style. Get ready to toss the hairspray can of the past and dive into our ultimate guide on how to create a show-stopping voluminous updo.
Why Voluminous Updos Are Dominating the Trends
Fashion and beauty are cyclical, but the voluminous updo has proven to be more than just a fleeting trend. It’s a timeless style that has been reinterpreted for the modern era. Today’s updos are less about perfection and more about personality. We’re seeing undone buns, textured chignons, and messy-but-elegant styles that prioritize a lived-in, authentic feel.
This shift is liberating. It means you don’t need a professional stylist on speed dial. The goal is to create a shape that complements your features, adding height at the crown and fullness at the back to elongate the neck and draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones. A voluminous updo is incredibly versatile—it can be bohemian and romantic, sleek and sophisticated, or edgy and modern, all depending on how you tease, twist, and tuck. It’s the ultimate hairstyle for making a statement without saying a word.
The Foundation: Prepping Your Hair for Maximum Volume
You cannot build a skyscraper on a weak foundation, and the same goes for a voluminous updo. The secret to all-day hold and body starts before you even pick up a hair tie. Texture is your best friend. If your hair is freshly washed and silky smooth, it will struggle to hold any style.
For the best results, start with day-old or even two-day-old hair. The natural oils and any leftover product will provide grit and hold. If you must wash your hair, avoid heavy conditioners on your roots and instead, focus on the mid-lengths and ends. Once your hair is towel-dried, apply a volumizing mousse or root-lifting spray directly at the crown and massage it into your roots. Blow-dry your hair upside down for an instant boost. For even more texture, you can use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo on dry hair to add that essential grip and matte finish that helps every section hold its place.
Essential Tools and Products for the Perfect Voluminous Updo
Having the right arsenal is half the battle won. You don’t need a salon’s worth of equipment, but a few key items will make the process infinitely easier and the results far more professional.
Tools: A rattail comb is non-negotiable. Its fine tip is perfect for sectioning hair and for backcombing (teasing) with precision. You’ll also need a set of strong, snag-free hair elastics that match your hair color. Coiled hair pins or bobby pins are far superior to standard ones as they grip better and hold more hair. For certain styles, a donut bun form can be a cheat code for instant, perfectly round volume.
Products: We’ve already mentioned volumizing mousse and dry shampoo. The other heroes are a strong-hold hairspray (preferably with a flexible finish to avoid crunch) and a texturizing spray. For fine hair, a root-lifting powder or spray can work miracles, creating unbelievable grip and lift at the roots. Finally, a light-hold smoothing serum or oil can be used sparingly on the very ends of any face-framing pieces to tame flyaways without weighing down the volume.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Classic Voluminous Messy Bun
Let’s start with a classic: the voluminous messy bun. This style is the epitome of effortless cool and is surprisingly easy to master.
Step 1: Create Base Volume. Flip your head upside down and gather all your hair into a high ponytail at the crown of your head. Do not make it too tight or neat. Before you secure it with the final loop of the hair tie, pull the ponytail only halfway through, creating a loop. This is your base.
Step 2: Tease and Separate. Gently pull apart the loop of hair to widen it and create fullness. Then, take small sections of the remaining tail of hair and loosely wrap them around the base of the bun, securing each piece with a coiled pin pushed directly into the base of the bun and then into your scalp for anchor.
Step 3: The “Messy” Part. This is the most important step. Once all the hair is secured, gently pull at the sides of the bun with your fingertips. Tug out a few small pieces around your face and at the nape of your neck. The goal is to create a soft, romantic frame. Don’t be afraid to make it messy!
Step 4: Lock it In. Hold a can of flexible-hold hairspray about 10 inches away and mist your entire creation. For extra volume at the roots, you can gently tug at the hair at the top of your head to loosen it slightly.
Elevating the Look: The Textured Low Chignon
For a more sophisticated, yet equally voluminous look, the low chignon is a timeless choice. This style says “elegance” but with a modern, relaxed twist.
Begin by creating a deep side part or leaving your part natural for a softer look. Create a low ponytail, but instead of pulling it tight, leave it a little loose. Lightly backcomb the ponytail itself to add bulk and texture. Twist the ponytail loosely, then wrap it around its base to form a bun. Unlike the messy bun, you’re aiming for a more defined, but not perfect, spiral.
As you wrap, let the ends of your hair stick out freely. Secure the bun with pins, focusing on anchoring it to the base of your head. Once secure, the magic happens: gently pull the chignon apart from the sides to flatten and widen it, creating a beautiful, voluminous disc shape. Pull out a few tendrils around your face and ears to soften the look. The final result should be a chignon that looks full, textured, and intentionally undone.
Pro Stylist Tricks for Unbeatable Volume and Hold
Want to know what the pros do that you might not? Here are their insider secrets for creating updos that look amazing and last all night.
Backcombing vs. Backbrushing: For the most natural-looking volume, use a rattail comb to tease the hair at the roots only in small, horizontal sections. Place the comb a few inches from the scalp and gently push it down towards your head. This creates a cushion of air and hair that lifts everything above it. Avoid dragging the comb all the way down the hair shaft, as this can cause damage and create a tangled mess.
The Pin-Wiggle: When inserting bobby pins, don’t just push them straight in. For a secure hold, insert the pin with the wavy side facing your scalp, then give it a slight wiggle as you push it in. This motion helps it grab more hair and lock into place.
Hairspray Before and After: For an iron-clad hold, lightly mist each section with hairspray before you backcomb it. Then, once your entire updo is complete, do a final mist, holding the can below your hair and spraying upwards to catch the underside and really set the volume.
Avoiding Common Voluminous Updo Mistakes
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. Here’s how to avoid them and ensure your updo is always on point.
Mistake 1: The Over-Tease. It is possible to have too much of a good thing. Over-teasing can lead to severe tangling and damage. The goal is to create a foundation of volume, not a bird’s nest. Tease in small, controlled sections and always smooth the top layer over the teased sections to hide the “mess.”
Mistake 2: Skipping the Texture. Trying to create an updo with slippery, clean hair is a recipe for frustration. If your hair is fine and silky, texturizing spray is not optional—it’s essential. It provides the grip needed for pins and elastics to hold.
Mistake 3: Making it Too Symmetrical. Perfection is the enemy of the modern voluminous updo. A style that is slightly asymmetrical, with a few strategically placed loose pieces, looks far more intentional and chic than one that is perfectly round and tight.
Adapting Your Voluminous Updo for Different Hair Types
The principles of a voluminous updo can be applied to all hair types, though the techniques may need slight adjustments.
For Fine Hair: Your secret weapons are texture sprays and bun forms. A donut bun form will give you instant, believable volume that is hard to achieve with fine hair alone. Backcomb at the roots lightly and focus on creating a tousled, rather than sleek, finish to add the illusion of thickness.
For Thick Hair: You have the volume, so your challenge is control. Use a strong-hold mousse when wet to manage frizz and add definition. Don’t be afraid to use more pins than you think you need, criss-crossing them for security. A thick hair can handle—and look amazing in—a larger, more dramatic updo.
For Curly Hair: Your natural texture is a gift for voluminous updos! Enhance your curls with a curl-defining cream before you start. Instead of brushing out your curls, use your fingers to gather and pin your hair. This will preserve your curl pattern and create a stunning, full shape with incredible texture built right in.
Conclusion: Embrace the Volume and Own Your Style
Mastering the voluminous updo is about more than just following steps; it’s about embracing a mindset of effortless elegance and confidence. It’s a hairstyle that celebrates texture, movement, and individuality. Forget the pressure of creating something perfect. The most beautiful updos are the ones that look like they were created with a sense of joy and a little bit of playful messiness.
So, arm yourself with your rattail comb, your texturizing spray, and a handful of pins. Experiment with the messy bun, play with the low chignon, and don’t be afraid to pull out a few pieces and make it your own. With these tips and tricks, you are fully equipped to rock a voluminous updo that is not only trendy but uniquely and beautifully you. Now go forth and turn some heads!
