Wondering what the best up-do is for thin, fine hair? As someone with fine hair who has recently been in the trenches with postpartum hair loss, I am well and truly at your service.
When done right, the up-do can instantly add height, fullness and volume for even the thinnest of hair. With the help of the positioning and certain products, you can create the illusion of density, volume and texture, preventing the hair from looking limp and flat.
“An updo can really accentuate your features such as the cheekbones and jawline depending on its placement,” says Dale Herne, stylist at Hershesons salon. “If the hair is super fine, I’d recommend adding some structure to it like a doughnut or a piece that you can tie hair to, so you get more of this thicker fuller look.”
Another way to instantly elevate an up-do is the placement of loose hair. “Bangs are a great way of adding strength to the front of the hair, so when you wear the rest up you’ve got an instant versatile cool look. Similarly, pulling loose strands out at the front will immediately frame the face for an easy and effortlessly cool look.”
The idea of an up-do always sounds appealing, but it can often feel like one of those tasks that is a lot more effort than it initially appears. Dale’s top tip?
“Tong all the hair first to give it a uniform texture, and then loosely tie it back with a hair band. Also don’t underestimate the power of hair accessories, like a fun scrunchy or claw clip.”
With all this in mind, I bring you 9 of the best updos for fine hair which will add volume and fullness with ease. Screenshot at the ready!
The red-carpet ready up-do
A great technique for adding volume to an up-do is by softly backcombing the hair at the root, perfectly demonstrated on Elsa Hosk. The added wispy curtain bangs make this a red-carpet ready look.
The slick-back up-do
A low bun paired with a side parting is a fail-safe way to make hair look instantly chic. To create instant fullness, wrap the hair around a mini hair doughnut and pin in place.
The accessorised up-do
Zoe’s Golden Globes glam is the perfect example of how a hair accessory can add a whole new element to a hairstyle and take the eye away from absence of thickness.
The whimsical up-do
To recreate Margot’s effortless look, twist the hair loosely, leaving out face-framing pieces, and gently tease out sections of the bun for volume and texture, pinning where needed.
The textured up-do
Product is the key to Jessie’s ultra-textured look. Use a texture spray through wet hair and blow-dry it in to add grit and hold, then side part the hair and add movement with a thick barrel hair tong like the Hershesons Wavemaker.
The low messy bun up-do
Another perfect example of how hair placement can level up a look. Pull one section of the hair at the front, and smooth down the opposite side with a lightweight oil.
The low ponytail up-do
Sabrina’s fringe always adds tons of personality to her red carpet looks. A low ponytail works wonders with soft curtain bangs and loose front sections which have been tonged to add volume.
The 60s inspired up-do
The power of softly backcombing the hair for volume and fullness as seen on Kaia. Use a texture mist like the Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist to give your look hold ahead of backcombing with a teasing brush.
The half-up half-down
If you have fine hair that’s been cut into a bob, don’t sleep on the humble half-up half-down ‘do. Use a fine tooth comb to section off the top, and tie into a messy bun while leaving the front sections loose.
