20 Fabulous Updos for Thin Hair Women: Expert Styling Tips to Add Volume and Elegance
Thin hair presents unique styling challenges, especially when creating updos. Many women avoid putting their fine hair up because they worry it will look flat or reveal sparse areas.
You can achieve beautiful, full-looking updos with thin hair by using the right techniques and styling tricks.
These styles work for both casual and formal occasions, making your hair appear thicker while staying securely in place.
1: Low Chignon Updo
Your low chignon updo starts with a neat, low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Secure it with a hair tie.
Twist the ponytail and wrap it around the base, creating a bun shape. Pin the hair in place with bobby pins.
For extra hold, add texturizing spray before styling. This helps grip thin hair and keeps the updo secure all day.
2: French Twist
The French twist adds height and style to thin hair. You can create extra volume by teasing your hair at the crown before twisting it.
Spray your hair with texturizing product and roll it upward from the nape of your neck. Pin the twist securely in place.
Leave a few strands loose around your face to soften the look.
3: Pinned Back Waves
Create soft waves in your hair using a curling iron. Brush through them gently to loosen the curls into natural-looking waves.
Secure the sides back with bobby pins, letting the waves fall naturally. This style adds beautiful movement while keeping hair off your face.
4: Braided Crown
A braided crown creates the look of fuller hair by wrapping around your head like a halo. This style works great for thin hair because it adds height at the crown.
You can keep this look tight and sleek or pull it slightly loose for extra volume. Add small flowers or pins for a special occasion.
5: Half-Up Fishtail Braid
The half-up fishtail braid gives your thin hair extra volume while looking elegant. Start by taking small sections from each side of your head near your temples.
Create two thin fishtail braids and secure them with clear elastic bands. Join the braids together at the back of your head and pin them in place.
6: Textured Bun
A textured bun adds volume to your thin hair through gentle teasing and loose styling. You can create this look by lightly backcombing sections of your hair before gathering it into a bun.
Pull your hair back loosely and twist it into a bun shape, letting some pieces fall naturally.
Secure with bobby pins and finish with a light hairspray to hold the texture while maintaining movement.
7: Twisted Updo
A twisted updo creates an elegant look for thin hair. Start by teasing your hair at the crown to add volume.
Take small sections of hair and twist them back, securing with bobby pins. Keep the twists loose to make your hair appear fuller.
Mist with hairspray to hold the style in place while maintaining a soft, natural look.
8: Messy Curls
Messy curls create a perfect updo style for thin hair. The curled texture adds natural volume and makes your hair appear fuller.
You can achieve this look by curling your hair with a wand and loosely pinning sections up. Leave a few strands free around your face for a soft, romantic effect.
9: Dutch Lace Braids
Dutch lace braids add a soft, elegant touch to thin hair. This style weaves close to your scalp while picking up small sections of hair along the way.
Your thin hair will look fuller with this braid since it creates texture and dimension near the roots.
10: Low Maintenance Chignon
A chignon is a perfect choice for thin hair when you need a quick, polished look. Simply gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it into a loose bun.
Secure the bun with bobby pins and gently tug at the sides to create softness. This style takes less than five minutes to create.
11: Elegant Braid and Bun
Start by French braiding your hair along the crown of your head. Keep the braid loose to create more volume.
Gather the rest of your hair and twist it into a low bun at the nape of your neck. Pin it securely with bobby pins.
This style works great for formal events and adds the illusion of thicker hair through the braided crown section.
12: Double Rope Twist
A double rope twist adds elegance to thin hair by creating two twisted sections that meet at the back of your head. Start by parting your hair down the middle.
Take each side and twist it away from your face. Pin the twisted sections together at the nape of your neck to complete this easy yet polished look.
13: Loose French Braid Updo
A loose French braid updo adds volume to thin hair while keeping a relaxed style.
Start by braiding your hair loosely from the crown, letting some strands fall naturally around your face.
Pin the braid at the nape of your neck and gently pull sections to create fullness. This style works well for both casual days and special events.
14: Side Swept Bun
A side swept bun adds elegance and creates the look of thicker hair. Pull your hair to one side and twist it into a bun at the nape of your neck.
Pin the bun in place and let a few wispy strands frame your face for a soft, romantic touch.
15: Top Knot with Volume
Pull your hair into a high ponytail at the crown of your head. Tease the ponytail gently to create extra body.
Wrap the teased hair around the base and pin it in place for a full, voluminous knot.
16: Curled Side Chignon
Create soft curls throughout your hair before gathering it to one side. Pin the curls into a loose chignon at the nape of your neck.
This style adds volume and texture to thin hair, making it appear fuller and more elegant.
17: Braided Headband
You can create a simple headband braid by taking a thin section of hair near your temple and braiding it across your head.
Secure the braid with small pins as you go, tucking the end behind your ear for a natural look.
This style works great for thin hair and gives the illusion of more volume at your crown.
18: Classic Ponytail Updo
A high ponytail adds instant polish to thin hair. To create this look, flip your head upside down and gather your hair at the crown.
Secure your ponytail with a hair tie, then gently tease the tail for extra volume. Pull a small piece of hair around the elastic to hide it.
19: Pulled-Through Braid
A pulled-through braid creates the look of thicker hair by using small elastics to section your hair. Start with 4-5 ponytails down the back of your head.
Pull each section through the one above it, then gently tug the sides to create fullness. This style works great for thin hair because it makes each section appear wider.
You can hide the elastics by wrapping small pieces of hair around them. This simple trick makes the style look more polished.
20: Bouffant Low Bun
A bouffant low bun creates a classic look that adds volume to thin hair. You can tease the crown section gently to create height at the top.
After teasing, pin your hair into a low bun at the nape of your neck. This style works for formal events and casual days.
