Easy Updo Hairstyles You Can Do in 5 Minutes or Less

Getting a polished look doesn’t have to mean spending ages in front of the mirror. In fact, a recent survey found that women average 55 minutes per day on hair and makeup. That’s about two full weeks per year dedicated to primping. Who has that kind of time on busy mornings? The good news is that there are quick hairstyles that still look fabulous. With a little creativity and the proper technique, you can whip up an elegant hairstyle in mere minutes.

Fast Updos for Long Hair

Long hair offers lots of versatility, and you can use that length to create stunning updos in a flash. The key is to keep it simple yet secure. Here are a few ideas:

• The Quick Knot: Brush your hair back and literally tie it into a loose knot at the back of your head. Tuck the ends under and pin. This “knotted ponytail” style looks chic and can be done in under 2 minutes.
• High Wrap Ponytail: Gather your long hair into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic. Take a small section from the pony, braid or twist it, and wrap it around the base to hide the hair tie. Pin the end underneath. This creates a sleek high pony that’s office-ready in no time.
• Loose Braid Bun: Divide your hair into two low braids, then wrap each braid around the other at the nape of your neck to form a braided bun. Pin in place. This style looks intricate but is quick to do, and it keeps long hair neatly tucked away.

Long hair tends to be heavy, so using two or more sections can make an updo easier to manage. Don’t worry about making it perfect – a few loose strands can give a casual, romantic vibe. A messy bun or loose braid often looks better with long hair, as it showcases the volume. With these quick techniques, even very long locks can be styled into hairstyles that you can do fast and with minimal fuss.

Easy Updos for Medium Hair

If your hair is medium-length, you might not have the extreme length of long hair, but you still have enough to create plenty of cute updos. Medium hair often benefits from using simple tricks to maximize volume or secure shorter layers. Here are some quick ideas for updos for medium hair that work well:

• Half-Up Bun: Take the top half of your hair (from around your temples upward) and pull it into a high half-pony. Twist that half into a small bun on the crown of your head and pin it. Leave the bottom half of your hair down. This half-up style is playful and holds medium hair nicely, keeping your face clear while still showing off some length.
• Twist & Pin Low Roll: Gather your hair at the nape of your neck as if making a low ponytail, but instead twist the whole ponytail. Coil the twist upward and inward (forming a roll against your head) and pin it across the back of your head. This simple French-twist-inspired roll looks polished for work and takes just a couple of minutes. It’s perfect for medium hair, which easily folds into a twist.
• Braided Side Sweep: Create a loose braid with a front section of your hair. Sweep all your hair to one side and form a low side bun or ponytail. Secure with pins or an elastic. The braid adds detail while the side placement gives a casual feel. This is great for medium hair because it doesn’t require a ton of length to execute, and it keeps medium strands nicely in control.

These styles show that simple updos for work or play are absolutely achievable with medium hair length. A few well-placed pins and maybe a pretty clip or headband are your best friends. Medium hair can sometimes have slippery shorter layers, so don’t hesitate to use a spritz of hairspray or texture spray to give your updo extra grip.

Updo Hairstyles for Short Hair

What if you have short hair, such as a bob or a crop? You might think an updo is out of reach, but short-haired gals can still rock creative “mini-updos” or half-up styles that look just as chic. One great go-to is a casual short hair updo like a low side bun, which adds a bit of volume at the back while allowing cute wisps in front. Here are more ideas for short hair:

• The Faux Updo (Pinned Curl): Take small sections of hair, one at a time, and curl or twist them, then pin them loosely at the back of your head. By pinning many small sections, you create the look of a single updo. This works even if your hair barely reaches your neck. It’s a bit like assembling a puzzle of curls! Leave a few curled tendrils out in front for softness.
• Double Mini Buns: Divide your short hair into two sections (top and bottom). Make a tiny bun or twist with the top section high on the head, securing with bobby pins or a small elastic. Then, gather the bottom section into a second small bun right below the first. This stacked bun look is playful and keeps short hair contained. It’s essentially two little “space buns” but aligned vertically in the back – very cute and casual hair up for a fun look.

When working with short hair, updo hairstyles for short hair are often more creative arrangements than big buns or braids. Embrace the texture of your short cut – messy or textured looks can add volume. If little pieces stick out, you can either pin them discreetly or simply let them be for an effortless look. Short hair updos are perfect for casual days or even dressy events, especially when paired with the right sparkly clip.

Simple Updos for Work

When you’re headed to the office or a professional setting, you want a hairstyle that looks neat and polished – but you also might be racing against the clock in the morning. That’s where simple updos for work come in handy. These styles prioritize neatness and ease. Consider these quick office-ready updos:

1. Sleek Low Bun: Brush your hair back or part it on one side for a side-bun variation. Gather it at the nape into a ponytail, secure with an elastic, then twist into a tight coil and pin. Smooth any flyaways with a bit of hairspray or gel. This look is perfect for meetings or interviews because it’s tidy and keeps the focus on your face.
2. French Twist Cheat: A traditional French twist can be time-consuming, but a simplified version is easy. Brush your hair back and hold it as if making a low ponytail with your hand. Then twist the length upward, tucking the ends down into the twist. Use a strong claw clip or a few large bobby pins vertically along the twist to secure. It looks refined and only takes a minute or two – perfect for a business casual updo.
3. Looped Half-Updo: If you have medium to long hair and want a softer work style, try a half-updo with a twist. Take the top half of your hair and secure it into a low ponytail at the back of your head. Then make a little gap above the elastic and flip the ponytail through that gap. You can leave it as is, or even take the remaining tail of that half-pony and tuck it up into the gap again to form a small bun. Pin it and you have an elegant half-up twist that keeps your hair off your face for work.

For work updos, the mantra is “quick and easy” but also controlled. You might be dealing with casual hair-up days in a creative office or more formal expectations in a corporate setting. Either way, a fast bun or twist will serve you well. Don’t forget, accessories like a thin ribbon, a polished barrette, or a few pretty pins can instantly make a simple style look more intentional. And if you’re ever in doubt, a classic ponytail or bun with a bit of volume at the crown is an easy updo hack that never fails in a professional environment.

Quick and Casual Updos for Curly/Wavy Hair

Curly and wavy hair has its own personality. Sometimes your curls look perfect, other times they have a mind of their own. The great thing is that textured hair can actually be easier to style quickly because it has volume and grip naturally. There are plenty of casual curly hair updos that will help tame your curls while still showcasing them.

• Messy Top Bun with Tendrils: Curls make the perfect messy bun because they add texture and fullness. Pile your curly or wavy hair into a high, loose bun. Don’t worry about making it smooth – let some curly tendrils fall out around your face and nape for a soft look. In just a few minutes, you have an effortless updo that works for both casual outings and even dressier events when accessorized.
• Wavy Half-Up Twist: If you have casual updos for wavy hair in mind, try this: take the front sections of your hair and twist them toward the back. Pin the two twists together at the back of your head. This half-up style keeps your hair out of your face while letting your waves flow. It’s quick and gives a boho vibe. You can also braid those front sections instead of twisting for a slightly different look.

A little frizz is okay – it often makes the style look intentional and voluminous. If needed, smooth just the hairline or edges with a bit of gel or serum, but let the rest of your texture do its thing. These curly hair easy updo ideas prove that you can embrace your curls’ natural beauty and get a cute style in minutes. From the pineapple to the side braid, you’ll be able to manage your curls on the fly and maybe even save yourself from a bad hair day without reaching for heat tools.

Classy and Easy Updos for Black Hair

For those with natural hair or afro-textured hair, quick updos are absolutely within reach as well. Many braid updos for black hair double as protective styles that keep your hair healthy. Your curls, coils, or locs can be styled into elegant looks that appear intricate but can be done very fast. Natural black hair is incredibly versatile. You can play with classy easy updos for black hair that use your hair’s volume to your advantage or incorporate braids and twists for interest. The styles listed above also help protect your hair while looking elegant. And if you need a little help or extra fullness, don’t forget that things like drawstring ponytails or clip-in extensions can be lifesavers when creating an updo in a hurry.

As you can see, having a stylish updo doesn’t mean spending all morning on your hair. From casual updos for wavy hair to polished buns for the office, these ideas cover every hair type and occasion. Even on the busiest days, you can rely on these time-saving hairstyles for women to look great in a pinch. Remember, something as simple as a ponytail or braid can be elevated into a chic style at lightning speed. Braids and ponytails are fast go-to hairstyles for all lengths or types of hair. The next time you’re in a rush, try one of these quick updos. With a bit of practice, you’ll find that fast hairstyles can still make you feel confident and put-together.

Sources:

• Refinery29 – The Average Woman Spends HOW Much Time Getting Beautified? (2014)
• Sand and Snow – My Favorite Five Minute Updos for Long Hair (2017)
• FYI (A&E Networks) – Quick and Easy Hair: The Knotted Updo (2016)
• Heat Free Hair – Easy, Five Minute (or Less!) Hairstyles for Natural Hair (2023)
• Real Simple – 24 Easy Work Hairstyles You Can Do in One Minute Flat (2025)