14+ Chic Up Do Hairstyles You NEED to Try This Year

Up do hairstyles always feel like one of those little things that can pull your whole look together so fast. I used to think they were only for dressier days, but honestly, I wear them way more when I just want to feel a little more put-together without doing too much. There is something about a good up do that feels easy, pretty, and a little more intentional, even when the rest of the outfit is super simple.

Lately, I have been loving hairstyles that get my hair off my face but still feel soft and cute, and up dos are always what I come back to. Some feel polished, some are more relaxed, and some are perfect when you want that effortless look that still feels styled. So if you have been in the mood to switch things up, these 14+ up do hairstyles are such cute ones to try.

Classic elegant updo

Okay please look at this first one. I think it is so crazy how a simple twist can instantly make you look so wealthy and put together. You literally cannot go wrong with something this timeless and sleek. I love how it sits perfectly at the back of the head without looking too stiff. It just gives off this very cool, effortless vibe that says you don’t care about crazy trends, you just care about looking elegant. You could totally pair this with an oversized blazer and some vintage jeans for a casual lunch date.

Messy bun with soft tendrils

This is my absolute favorite way to style my hair when I am running super late in the morning. You just pull it all up, leave a few little pieces framing your face, and you are completely done. The soft tendrils really soften the whole look so you don’t look too severe or pulled back. I always feel like having little pieces around my face makes me feel less exposed when I am tired. I feel like you could wear this to run errands or even on a casual coffee date and look totally flawless. It is just the most comfortable thing ever.

Let me tell you about a total hair disaster I had last summer that completely changed how I style my hair. I went home to the reservation for a massive family dinner and powwow weekend. I was so incredibly determined to look like a trendy, successful city girl for all my relatives. So, I tried to do this incredibly complicated, slicked-back braided thing I saw a girl do on TikTok. Huge mistake! I used so much cheap hair gel that my hair was literally hard as a rock. When I sat down at the outdoor picnic table to eat, a massive bee kept buzzing around my head because my hairspray smelled like literal strawberries. I panicked, swatted at the bee, and smacked my own head so hard that half the bobby pins instantly popped out! My older brother Jimmy just started laughing hysterically while half my hair stuck straight out like a stiff board. My auntie actually had to take me inside and wash my hair in her kitchen sink just so I could brush it out. So yeah, I learned my lesson right then and there. Effortless and soft is the absolute only way to go now!

Sleek low chignon

This takes the whole aesthetic and makes it perfect for a slightly nicer daytime event or a business meeting. A sleek low bun gives off very moody, confident energy and I am totally obsessed with it. You just add some chunky gold hoop earrings and a minimal makeup look, and you instantly look incredibly expensive. I feel like this is the ultimate cool-girl uniform when you want people to take you seriously.

Romantic braided upstyle

I have such a soft spot for braids, honestly. It is such a beautiful nod to our heritage, but styled in a really soft, modern way for everyday wear. If you have a friend who is actually good at braiding, you definitely need to make them recreate this exact look for you this weekend. It looks so romantic and intricate, perfect for a spring wedding or a nice outdoor dinner by the water.

Voluminous high bun look

When it comes to getting my hair completely out of the way on a hot day, high bun hairstyles are my absolute go-to. I literally rely on this specific look when I haven’t washed my hair in three days and I desperately need to hide it haha. You just use a good, thick scrunchie and pull it all to the very top of your head. It actually makes your cheekbones look amazing too because it draws the eye upward.

Twisted crown upstyle

This is so cute and playful! Twisting the front pieces back into a little crown just keeps everything out of your eyes while still looking super styled and intentional. I want to look like I spend my mornings reading poetry in a beautiful blooming garden, and this hair totally fits that whimsical vibe. It is so easy to do even if you are terrible at doing your own hair.

Speaking of trying to look cute, I have to confess something so embarrassing that happened to me recently. I went on a first date a few months ago to this really nice, dimly lit Italian place downtown. I had my hair up in this giant plastic claw clip because I thought it looked very 90s model off-duty. Well, I sat down in the cozy booth, leaned back against the hard wooden seat, and the entire clip shattered into like five sharp plastic pieces right against the back of my head! It made the loudest cracking noise ever. The guy looked absolutely terrified, and my hair just completely collapsed around my face in a messy, frizzy cloud. I had to awkwardly pretend I meant to let my hair down to be more casual, but I was literally picking sharp pieces of plastic out of my scalp for the rest of the appetizer course. I am sticking to soft scrunchies and gentle pins from now on when I go out, I swear.

Soft textured bun

Texture is literally everything for a good hairstyle. If your hair is too clean and soft, it just slips right out of the pins and falls flat within an hour. Spraying a little dry shampoo or texture spray gives it this amazing grip and crazy volume. This soft bun looks so fluffy and perfect, it almost looks like a little cloud. I definitely need to buy some better texturizing spray to achieve this.

Polished French twist

The French twist is making a massive comeback and I am so here for it. It used to feel so outdated, like something a strict librarian would wear, but seeing it done loosely like this completely changed my mind. It is basically a cheat code for looking like you have your life totally figured out. You just twist it up, pin it securely, and walk out the door looking like a chic Parisian fashion blogger.

Loose curly pinned style

If you have natural curls or waves, this is the absolute best way to show them off without them getting frizzy. Just pinning the curls up loosely at the back keeps the gorgeous volume without flattening the natural texture. It is just pure glamour.

I actually tried to artificially curl my hair for a fancy event last week and it was a total fail. I bought this brand new, super expensive hot tool online and thought I was going to look like a literal princess. I wrapped a huge section of hair around the barrel, and it somehow got completely stuck and tangled in the clamp. I was standing in my tiny bathroom panicking, pulling frantically at this burning hot iron stuck to the side of my head! I had to call my best friend on FaceTime while I was literally crying, and she had to patiently talk me through untangling it piece by piece so I wouldn’t have to cut a chunk of my hair off. My apartment smelled like burnt popcorn for two solid days.

Modern knotted bun

Okay please look at the amazing detail on this one. It literally looks like a cool little knot tied right at the nape of the neck. It is so architectural and interesting, it almost looks like modern art. I feel like you could wear this to a trendy art gallery opening and look totally flawless. It is minimalist but still makes a big statement.

Chic low bun with middle part

We really need to talk about the power of the middle part. It frames the face so beautifully and symmetrically when the rest of the hair is pulled back. A chic low bun with a sharp, clean middle part just gives off this very clean, aesthetic vibe that is so popular everywhere right now. I am totally obsessed with how sleek and shiny this looks.

Boho-inspired braided bun

This is exactly the energy I am trying to bring to my life this upcoming summer. A loose, chunky boho braid wrapped into a messy bun is just so earthy and pretty. You just look so connected and relaxed, like you spend all your weekends going to organic farmers markets and making your own pottery. I definitely want to try this for the next outdoor festival I go to.

Structured formal upstyle

If you have a fancy wedding or event coming up, you definitely need this style in your life. It is structured enough to last all night through hours of dancing and taking pictures, but it doesn’t look stiff or helmet-like. You just add some sparkly statement earrings and a nice dress, and you are totally ready for the red carpet.

Effortless tousled updo

This is the definitive go-to fit for a busy, stressful day. You just quickly slide your hair into this tousled shape and you are ready to tackle the world. It is giving major comfort but still looks incredibly cute and put-together. I really think you need to try this look tomorrow morning, seriously, it is completely foolproof even if you are half asleep.