23 updos for short hair from effortless messy buns to sleek braided looks

There are updos for short hair to suit everyone, but it's fair to say styling a short haircut leaves less wiggle room for versatility. The shorter you go, the harder your hair becomes to get into an updo, much less one that stays secure for an extended period. 

It's worth persevering though, as with a bit of styling know-how there is an easy look out there to suit every head of hair, including the shortest of short hairstyles for women, from pixie haircuts to shags and bob hairstyles. The trick with finding updo ideas for more closely-cropped hair is embracing your shorter lengths and thinking outside of the traditional hair up styles box. 

“Half-up, half-down hair is a perfect choice,” says Andrew John of Percy & Reed Salon. “Create a half-up, half-down style by sectioning hair from the top of each ear and twist it into a loose bun, and pin." Hershesons CEO Luke Hersheson is well-versed in creating updos for short hair on celebs such as Sienna Miller, and advises, “plaited braids on either side of a middle parting and pinned into a low bun is an alternative updo that has an edge to it.” Short hair doesn't have to limit you, there are plenty of options out there and we've rounded up some top looks to inspire your creativity...

woman&home thanks Dionne Smith, Luke Hersheson and Andrew John for their time and expertise.