24 Best Hairstyles for Women: Cuts, Updos, Braids & Styling Tips

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon hairstylist with over a decade of hands-on experience creating looks that suit real lives. In this post I showcase 24 inspiring hairstyles for women, from sleek bobs and layered cuts to romantic updos, practical braids and color-forward ideas. Each look is chosen to flatter different face shapes, hair textures and lifestyles: low-maintenance cuts for busy professionals, soft layers for fine hair, voluminous styles for thick hair, and polished updos for special occasions. Alongside each image I include practical styling tips you can recreate at home — recommended tools, product picks and quick step sequences. Whether you’re considering a dramatic change or simply want fresh ways to wear your length, these 24 looks provide ideas and guidance to help you and your stylist get the result you want.

Textured Romantic Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This textured romantic messy updo with face‑framing tendrils suits medium-to-thick hair and works well on natural waves, loose curls or straight hair with added texture; fine hair can be adapted with light padding or clip-in extensions. Technique: prep damp hair with heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, blow-dry for lift, then create loose waves with a 1 curling wand. Tease the crown lightly with a tail comb for volume, gather hair at the crown and twist into a relaxed bun, securing with elastics and bobby pins while leaving a few front pieces out. Finish by pulling and loosening sections for an undone look. Tools needed: 1 curling wand, blow dryer and round brush, tail/teasing comb, sectioning clips, elastics and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray for grip, lightweight flexible-hold hairspray, and a small smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — salon-friendly but requires basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, re-curl loose tendrils as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap to preserve shape, and avoid heavy oils at the roots.

Romantic Tousled Updo with Face‑Framing Curls

Suitability: Works best on medium to thick hair and naturally wavy or loosely curly textures; fine hair can achieve the look with volumizing products and strategic teasing. Technique: Start on clean, towel‑dried hair. Apply root volumizer and a light heat protectant. Blow‑dry with a round brush for lift at the crown, then section and wrap pieces around a 1 curling iron to create loose curls. Lightly backcomb the crown for texture, gather hair into a low, slightly off‑center loose bun or chignon, and pin curls in place leaving several face‑framing tendrils and a soft side fringe. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, small elastic, round brush, and a blow dryer. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing/sea salt spray, flexible hold hairspray, and a tiny amount of shine serum for ends. Difficulty level: Moderate — achievable at home with practice; expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: Sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and a spritz of texturizer, and re‑pin loose pieces as needed to preserve the tousled shape.

Soft Messy High Bun with Wispy Curtain Bangs

This loose, textured high bun with curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and medium to thick densities best; fine hair can also achieve the look with added volume-building products. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a volumizing mousse at the roots and a light heat protectant on lengths. Blow-dry with a round brush or paddle brush to create lift at the crown, and shape bangs with a flat iron or small round brush for a soft curve. Backcomb the crown lightly for extra height, gather hair into a high pony, twist loosely and pin sections around the base to form a slightly undone bun, leaving a few face-framing strands. Tools: blow dryer, round/paddle brush, tail comb, hair tie, bobby pins, small flat iron or curling wand. Products: volumizing mousse, texturizing spray or dry shampoo for grip, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — requires practice to balance volume and softness. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and reposition pins daily; sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap with a scarf; trim bangs every 4–6 weeks to keep the framing neat.

Textured Half‑Up Topknot with Loose Beachy Waves for Long Hair

A modern textured half‑up topknot paired with loose beachy waves — a versatile salon look for long, medium‑to‑thick hair with face‑framing layers. Works well on naturally wavy or straight hair (fine hair benefits from layers and root lift; very curly hair will need smoothing first). Technique: blow‑dry with a round brush for volume, apply a heat protectant and a root‑lift mousse, then create loose bends from mid‑length to ends with a 1–1.25 curling wand, alternating directions. Leave a few face‑framing pieces softer, finger‑comb waves for separation, then gather the top 20–30% of hair into a loose twisted bun or knot at the crown. Secure with a thin elastic and a couple of bobby pins, then gently pull pieces to create a lived‑in shape. Tools needed: hair dryer, round brush, 1–1.25 curling wand, paddle/teasing comb, elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, root lift or volumizing mousse, sea‑salt/texturizing spray, lightweight smoothing serum, flexible‑hold hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and a light mist of texturizer on days 2–3, re‑shape the bun with pins as needed, touch up a few waves on low heat, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely braid to preserve shape, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to avoid weighty ends that flatten the texture.

Romantic Messy Updo with Wispy Face‑Framing Tendrils and Full Fringe

Soft, romantic updo with a full textured fringe and loose, face‑framing tendrils. Best for fine to medium and naturally wavy or loosely curly hair at medium to long lengths — fine hair benefits from product and backcombing for lift, while thicker hair produces fuller, effortless volume. Technique: work heat protectant and a volumizing mousse through damp hair, blow‑dry with a round brush to smooth the fringe and lift the roots, then create loose S‑shaped curls with a 1 curling wand, leaving a few front pieces softer. Lightly tease the crown, gather hair into a low/mid messy bun, and secure with bobby pins, pulling out tendrils for a soft, undone look. Tools needed: hairdryer, round brush, 1 curling wand, teasing comb, sectioning clips, elastics and bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing or root‑lift mousse, texturizing/salt spray, flexible‑hold hairspray and a small amount of shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: refresh roots with dry shampoo, re‑curl tendrils as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase and trim the fringe every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape.

Textured Messy Low Bun with Soft Face‑Framing Waves

This relaxed, textured low bun works best on medium to long hair and suits fine-to-medium and slightly thick hair types with light natural wave or straight hair. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat-protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry with a round brush for lift, or air-dry for more natural texture. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25” curling iron or wand, alternating curl direction for movement. Lightly backcomb the crown for volume, then gather hair at the nape and form a loose twisted bun, securing with bobby pins and an elastic; leave two to four face-framing pieces out and gently pull the bun apart for a messy finish. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, and bobby pins. Products: volumizing mousse, sea-salt or texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, and dry shampoo for refresh. Difficulty: moderate — basic curling and pinning skills needed. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo or mist, re-curl stray pieces, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pin the bun, and avoid heavy oils that weigh down the texture.

Boho Textured Crown Braid with Loose Side Braid

This boho textured crown braid with a loose side braid works well on medium to long hair and suits straight, wavy or loosely curled textures. For fine hair, add volume with a root-lifting mousse and light backcombing; for thick hair, work in smaller sections and use extra pins to control weight. Start on towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and volumizing mousse, blow-dry or diffuse while rough-drying with your fingers for body. Create a Dutch/French braid along the hairline as a crown, then gather remaining hair and transition into a relaxed three-strand or fishtail braid down one side. Pancake the braid for width and pull soft face-framing tendrils. Tools needed: fine-tooth comb, sectioning clips, elastic bands, bobby pins, tail comb and optional curling iron for shaping pieces. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or salt spray, texturizing spray/dry shampoo and a flexible-hold hairspray; a light serum tames flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — you should be comfortable with basic braiding and sectioning. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re-pancake and tighten pins as needed, sleep with a silk scarf to preserve shape and reapply texture spray to revive the look.

Textured Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

Suitable for medium-to-long hair, this textured messy updo with face‑framing tendrils works best on fine to medium hair where added texture creates volume; thick hair also suits but may need thinning. Start by applying heat protectant and a root-lift mousse to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand, then mist with sea-salt or texturizing spray. Tease lightly at the crown for lift, gather hair into a low-to-mid bun, shape sections into a soft, messy silhouette and secure with bobby and U-pins, crossing pins for hold. Pull out a few face-framing strands and finger-tousle for softness. Tools: curling wand, blow dryer, round brush, teasing brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins and elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing/sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, small smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — 25–45 minutes; practice or a second pair of hands helps for formal styling. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re-pin loose pieces, sleep on silk and trim tendrils every 6–8 weeks.

Tousled Textured High Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This romantic, tousled high bun with soft face‑framing tendrils is ideal for medium to long hair with natural wave or loose curl. Fine hair gains volume with backcombing and product; thicker or curly hair will hold shape easily after smoothing the crown slightly. Start by adding texture with sea‑salt or texturizing spray to damp or dry hair. Section the top, lightly tease the crown for lift, then gather hair into a loose high ponytail and twist into a messy bun, securing with bobby pins and a soft elastic. Pull out delicate tendrils around the face and use a 1 curling wand to shape them into natural, curved pieces. Finish by misting with a light‑hold hairspray and scrunching to loosen the look. Tools: sectioning clips, teasing comb, elastic, bobby pins, 1 curling wand, blow dryer (diffuser optional). Products: heat protectant, texturizing/sea‑salt spray, light serum for ends, dry shampoo and light‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — 15–25 minutes with practice. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo or texturizer, re‑pin sagging sections, sleep on a silk pillowcase and trim ends regularly to keep the style airy.

Messy Fishtail with Crown Braid and Textured Bangs

This relaxed, textured style suits medium to long hair and works especially well on naturally wavy or lightly layered hair; fine hair can achieve the look with added texture, while very thick hair may need more pins to control volume. Start on clean, dry hair prepped with a sea-salt or texturizing spray and a small amount of mousse at the roots for grip. Create a shallow crown braid along the hairline, secure with pins, then gather remaining hair to one side and form a loose fishtail (or three‑strand) braid. Pull sections gently to pancake the braid for width and softness, and tuck the braid’s end under or wrap with a clear elastic. Use a round brush or flat iron to shape the face‑framing bangs. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, round brush/flat iron and optional curling iron. Products: texturizer or salt spray, light mousse, dry shampoo for day‑two hold, light flexible hairspray, and a touch of smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — allow 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap; refresh with dry shampoo and re‑pancake as needed; avoid heavy oils at the roots to retain texture.

Textured Half‑Up Tousled Style for Long Platinum/Icy Blonde Hair

This soft, textured half‑up is ideal for long hair with natural movement — especially medium to thick strands. Fine hair can achieve the same lift with volumizing products or temporary clip‑in extensions. Start on damp hair with a lightweight root‑lifting mousse and heat protectant. Blow‑dry using a round brush to create volume at the crown, then loosely backcomb the roots for extra lift. Gather the top section and secure it at the back with a small elastic or discreet pins, leaving face‑framing pieces out. Create loose S‑waves through the mid‑lengths with a 1 curling wand, alternating directions for a lived‑in texture, then separate curls with fingers. Finish with a sea‑salt or texturizing spray for grit and a light‑hold hairspray to lock shape without stiffness. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, tail comb, 1 curling wand, teasing brush, bobby pins/elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, light hold hairspray, smoothing serum and a purple toning shampoo for icy blondes. Difficulty: moderate, 20–30 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, reapply texture spray, deep‑condition weekly, tone monthly and trim every 8–10 weeks.

Textured Dutch Crown into Loose Fishtail Braid — Romantic Braided Updo

This textured Dutch crown that flows into a loose fishtail braid is ideal for medium to long hair and works best on straight to wavy textures; fine hair benefits from volumizing prep or light clip‑in extensions, while very curly hair can be smoothed slightly or braided as-is for a different finish. Technique: section a front crown panel and create a Dutch (inside‑out) braid along the hairline, adding hair as you go; gather remaining lengths and convert into a loose fishtail or rope braid, then gently pancake the braid for fullness and secure with a small elastic and pins. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, plenty of bobby pins, paddle brush and optional 1–1.25” curling wand. Products required: lightweight mousse or root lifter, salt/texturizing spray, heat protectant (if using hot tools), smoothing serum and a flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–45 minutes with practice. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and a little texturizer, re‑pin loosened sections, sleep on a silk pillowcase or rebraid loosely, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.

Textured Low Messy Bun with Face‑Framing Wisps

Salon-ready textured low messy bun with face-framing wisps is ideal for shoulder-length to long hair and suits fine, medium and wavy textures; thick hair can be thinned or smoothed for easier shaping. To create the style, prep damp hair with a light volumizing mousse and heat protectant, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the roots or diffuse to enhance natural wave. Add loose bends with a 1 curling wand for movement, mist salt spray or texturizer through mid-lengths and ends, and lightly tease the crown for extra height. Gather hair into a low, loose bun at the nape, secure with an elastic and discreet bobby pins, and pull out soft face-framing strands to finish. Smooth flyaways with a lightweight styling cream and lock in shape with a flexible-hold hairspray for touchable texture. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, teasing comb, elastics and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, salt spray, light styling cream, flexible hairspray and dry shampoo. Difficulty: easy–medium. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, retuck pins as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase and trim wisps every 6–10 weeks.

Tousled Half‑Up with Voluminous Crown, Face‑Framing Layers and Loose Waves

This textured half‑up style works best on medium to long hair and flatters straight, wavy, and relaxed curly textures — layers through the face enhance movement and soften the look. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry with a round brush or diffuse to build lift at the crown. Create loose waves with a 1

Boho Loose Braided Half-Up with Textured Waves

Suitable for medium-to-long hair with fine to thick density, this romantic half-up braid works best on naturally wavy or slightly textured hair but can be created on straight hair after adding waves. Start on towel-dried hair with a heat protectant and rough-dry while lifting roots for volume. Apply a salt/texturizing spray, then create a shallow French or Dutch braid along the hairline on one side and secure into a loose low braid at the nape; repeat or twist the opposite side, leaving ends free. Curl mid-lengths and ends with a 1 curling iron for soft waves, then gently pancake the braids with your fingers to add fullness and a relaxed boho finish. Tools: 1 curling iron, blow dryer, sectioning clips, rat-tail comb, elastic bands, bobby pins, boar-bristle brush. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, lightweight smoothing serum for ends, light-hold hairspray, dry shampoo to refresh. Difficulty: Moderate — expect 30–45 minutes at home; a stylist will execute the braids faster. Maintenance: sleep on silk or in a loose braid, refresh texture with water or dry shampoo, re-secure stray pieces with pins, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the shape.

Tousled Textured Wavy Bob with Deep Side Part

This chin‑length tousled wavy bob is ideal for natural waves or loose curls and can be adapted for straight hair with heat styling. The cut uses a slightly angled bob with soft, face‑framing layers and point‑cut ends to create movement without bulk—excellent for fine to medium hair; denser hair benefits from internal thinning. To style, apply a lightweight mousse or sea‑salt spray to damp hair, then rough‑dry with a diffuser while scrunching to encourage waves. For more defined pieces, wrap 1–inch sections around a curling wand or bend through with a flat iron, alternating directions for a lived‑in look. Tools: stylist scissors and thinning shears (for the cut), blow dryer with diffuser, 1″ curling wand or flat iron, wide‑tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or salt spray, texturizing spray or paste, light hairspray, and an anti‑frizz serum for shine. Difficulty: salon cut is required; daily styling is easy–moderate (10–15 minutes). Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, use sulfate‑free shampoo and a weekly deep conditioner, refresh waves between washes with dry shampoo and a few spritzes of texture spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize frizz.

Textured Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils 17

This relaxed, textured updo works best on medium to thick hair and on natural waves or slightly curly hair; fine hair can achieve the look with added texturizing and light backcombing. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a volumizing mousse or root lift, rough‑dry with fingers or a diffuser to boost texture. Section the top, lightly tease the crown for lift, then gather hair loosely at the crown and twist into a messy bun, securing with bobby pins and U‑pins while leaving a few face‑framing pieces out. Use a 1 curling wand to define tendrils and smooth ends. Tools: blow dryer, medium round brush, 1 curling iron or wand, teasing comb, sectioning clips, assorted bobby/U‑pins and elastics. Products: texturizing or sea‑salt spray, dry shampoo for grip, light‑hold hairspray, and a small amount of anti‑frizz serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — typically 20–30 minutes in salon; beginners may take longer. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and re‑shape tendrils daily, re‑pin loose areas as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and trim split ends every 8–10 weeks to keep the shape looking fresh.

Messy Half‑Up Lob with Face‑Framing Layers

This effortless half-up, half-down lob with wispy face-framing layers suits straight to wavy hair and medium to thick textures best; fine hair can achieve the same look with root-lifting products and gentle backcombing, while curly hair can adapt by defining curls at the front before pinning. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, then rough-dry with fingers or a round brush to create body. Section the top third of hair, lightly backcomb at the crown for lift, twist into a small loose knot or mini bun and secure with a small elastic and a couple of bobby pins. Leave two soft face-framing pieces out and use a 1

Textured Messy High Bun with Curtain Bangs

This playful, textured high bun with soft curtain bangs works best on medium to long hair with layers. Ideal for fine to medium hair—add volume with texturizing products—and for thicker hair, thin sections at the crown for manageability. Start with clean, towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or root-lift, blow-dry while lifting the roots. Use a 1 curling iron or flat iron to add loose bends, then mist with sea-salt or texturizing spray. Tease the crown lightly with a fine-tooth comb, gather hair into a high pony, leaving curtain bangs and a few face-framing pieces out. Twist pony into a loose, messy bun and secure with an elastic and bobby pins, anchoring pins crosswise for hold. Finish with light-hold hairspray and a small amount of smoothing serum on ends. Tools: blow-dryer, round brush, 1 curling or flat iron, teasing comb, bobby pins, elastic. Products: heat protectant, mousse/root lift, texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, shine/smoothing serum. Difficulty: Moderate — requires basic curling and backcombing technique. Maintenance: refresh by re-texturizing and re-pinning, use dry shampoo between washes, trim bangs every 4–6 weeks, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and use color-safe treatments to protect red tones.

Textured Wavy Pixie with Side‑Swept Fringe

Suitability: Best for fine to medium natural waves or straight hair that needs volume; thick hair can wear this look but will require extra thinning and texturizing. Styling technique: Begin with a precision pixie cut using point‑cutting to create soft, layered movement and a longer side‑swept fringe. On towel‑dried hair, apply a root‑lifting mousse and heat protectant. Blow‑dry with a small round brush or your fingers to lift the crown and shape the fringe across the forehead. Use a ¾ flat iron or small curling iron to add subtle bends and separation through the top pieces for lived‑in texture. Work a pea‑sized amount of lightweight pomade or cream wax through the ends, scrunch to define pieces, and finish with a flexible‑hold hairspray for hold without stiffness. Tools needed: hairdryer, small round brush, ¾ curling iron or flat iron, texturizing scissors (for cut), wide‑tooth comb and clips. Products required: volumizing mousse, heat protectant, sea‑salt or texturizing spray, light pomade/cream wax, flexible hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty level: Easy–Medium for daily styling after a professional cut. Maintenance tips: Trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape, use dry shampoo to preserve lift between washes, avoid heavy conditioners at the roots, and refresh texture with a quick mist of sea‑salt spray and finger styling.

Tousled Curly Updo with Wispy Curtain Bangs

This relaxed, textured updo is ideal for naturally wavy to curly hair and medium-to-thick straight hair that’s been pre-textured. Start on damp hair: apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner and curl-enhancing mousse or cream, then diffuse to about 80% dry while scrunching to encourage spring and separation. Section the crown, lightly backcomb the roots for lift, then gather hair into a loose high bun, twisting and pinning small sections with flexible bobby pins to create an airy, undone shape. Leave delicate face-framing tendrils and the wispy curtain bangs unpinned for softness. Tools: diffuser, 1

Textured Crown Braid Updo with Face-Framing Tendrils

This textured crown braid updo with soft face-framing tendrils is ideal for medium to long hair of fine to thick density and works particularly well on naturally wavy or lightly straightened hair; use clip-in extension pieces for added fullness. Technique: create a deep side part, French or Dutch braid from the temple across the crown, pin the braid into a low messy chignon and pancake the braid for width, leaving a few tapered strands around the face. Tools: rattail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, plenty of bobby pins, 1-inch curling wand or flat iron, and a blow dryer if pre-creating volume. Products: lightweight mousse or root-lift spray before blow-dry, texturizing or sea-salt spray to add grip, heat protectant, a light serum for ends, and a medium-hold flexible hairspray to finish. Difficulty level: intermediate – 25 to 40 minutes in a salon setting; allow more time for added volume or extensions. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap in a silk scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo and a few drops of oil on ends, re-pin any loosened sections and touch up face-framing waves with a quick curl.

Textured Asymmetrical Red Pixie Bob with Side‑Swept Fringe

Suitable for fine to medium hair and adaptable to thicker textures with internal thinning. Straight to loose-wave hair works best to hold the shape; very curly hair should be relaxed or blown-out first. The cut is an asymmetrical textured pixie-bob with a long side-swept fringe and choppy layers. In the chair start with a scissor-over-comb base and point-cut the ends for movement; use a razor or thinning shears to remove bulk on the heavier side. To style, apply a lightweight heat protectant and volumizing mousse to damp hair, then rough-dry while directing hair to the longer side with a round brush for root lift. Create soft separation with a 1 curling iron or flat iron, bending pieces away from the face for a natural bend. Finish by raking a pea-sized amount of texturizing paste through ends, misting with flexible-hold hairspray and adding a shine serum sparingly. Tools: professional scissors, thinning shears/razor, blow dryer, round brush, 1 iron and sectioning clips. Products: sulfate-free color-safe shampoo/conditioner, heat protectant, mousse, texturizing spray/paste, light hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires a professional cut but simple daily styling. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, color refresh as needed, weekly deep-conditioning, sleep on silk and use dry shampoo between washes.

Textured Braided Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This romantic textured braided updo suits medium to thick hair and works best on wavy or slightly curly textures; fine hair can achieve the look with light padding or a small volumizing extension. Technique: create a deep side part and work a loose Dutch/French crown braid along the hairline, gently pancake for width, then gather the remaining hair into a low, messy bun, pinning the braid over or around the bun and leaving a few face‑framing tendrils. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, bobby pins, a 1 curling iron to refine tendrils, and a teasing brush. Products required: root‑lift mousse or texturizing spray on damp hair, heat protectant before curling, a light finishing serum for ends, and a medium‑hold hairspray to lock shape. Difficulty level: moderate — requires basic braiding and pinning skills; allow 25–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and a few re‑pins between wears, and re‑curl tendrils as needed. Avoid heavy oils at the roots to keep texture and grip.

Choosing the right hairstyle is a combination of technique, maintenance and honest communication with your stylist. My professional advice: start by identifying your hair’s natural texture and your daily styling routine — this helps determine which of the 24 looks will be realistic and flattering. Invest in a few salon-grade basics (sulfate-free shampoo, heat protectant, a light styling cream and a round brush) and schedule regular trims to maintain shape and health. For colored hair, ask about bond-building treatments and color-safe products to extend vibrancy. When styling, use lower heat settings and finish with a flexible hold spray or serum to control frizz without stiffness. If you’re unsure, bring photos from this gallery to your consultation — visuals plus an honest chat about upkeep make the best results. From quick braids to polished updos, these looks are adaptable: tailor them to your lifestyle and have fun experimenting. — Lena