Long hair deserves an updo that stays up past midnight. That is the whole point of a winter updo: it should look beautiful at 7pm, still be standing at midnight, and survive a coat, a scarf and a dance floor in between. A winter updo hairstyle for women with long hair is not just a pretty arrangement — it is engineering, and the best ones are built to last, with texture, pins and a little bit of patience.
In this guide to winter updo hairstyles for women with long hair, you will find 21 party-ready looks, from the secure low bun to twisted updos for thick hair, from half-up options to the 10-minute party updo that will save your evening. Every look here works with long hair, every one of them is designed for real winter parties, and every one of them will still be up when the night ends. Save the ones you love, practise the one you will wear, and walk into the party knowing your hair is not going anywhere.
What makes a winter updo different from a summer updo is the coat. A summer updo only has to survive the evening; a winter updo has to survive the coat, the scarf, the car, the hat and then the evening, and that changes everything about how it is built. The updos in this guide are all designed with that in mind: secure pins, texture for grip, and shapes that sit high enough to clear a coat collar and low enough to sit under a scarf.
The Secure Low Bun (Pins That Actually Hold)
The secure low bun is the foundation of every good winter updo, and it is the look to master first, because everything else in this guide builds on it. It sits at the nape, it is neat without being severe, and it holds — really holds — because it is built on texture and pins, not on hope. If your updos always fall out by 9pm, the low bun is the cut to practise, and the X-pin method below is the technique that will change everything.
The X-Pin Method
The X-pin method is the secret to an updo that stays up, and it is simple: instead of pushing pins in parallel, cross them in an X. Two bobby pins, crossed over each other, grip the hair from two directions and lock it in place, and a few well-placed Xs will hold more hair than a dozen parallel pins. Start by gathering the hair into a low ponytail, twist it into a bun, and pin the bun in place with Xs around the base — one at the top, one at each side and one underneath. Push each pin in against the direction of the hair, so it catches the bun and the hair underneath, and then give the bun a gentle tug to test it. If it moves, add another X; if it does not, you are done. The X-pin method works on thick hair, fine hair and everything in between, and it is the single most useful hair skill you can learn this winter.
Prepping Long Hair So It Stays Put
Prepping long hair so it stays put is the step most women skip, and it is the reason most updos fall out. Clean, slippery hair will not hold a pin, so never build an updo on freshly washed hair — second-day hair is better, because it has natural grip, and if your hair is freshly washed, add texture first. Work a texturising spray or a little dry shampoo through the roots and the lengths, backcomb the crown very gently for volume, and then build the updo on that textured base. The texture gives the pins something to grip, and it gives the updo the volume that makes it look deliberate instead of flat. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray, not a hard one, so the updo can move a little without breaking — a rigid updo will crack and fall, while a flexible one will bend and survive the night.
Twisted Updos for Thick Hair
Thick hair is the hardest hair to put up, and the most rewarding once it is up, because a thick updo has a presence that fine hair cannot match. The trick with thick hair is to divide it: never try to twist all of it at once, because the weight will pull the updo down. Work in sections, twist each one separately, and pin them together, and the weight will be distributed instead of concentrated. The two twisted updos below are designed for thick hair, and they are the ones to try if your hair is heavy.
The Twisted Chignon
The twisted chignon is the classic updo for thick hair: divide the hair into two sections, twist each one towards the centre, and pin them together at the nape in a low, soft chignon. The two twists support each other, so the weight is shared, and the result is a chignon that looks intricate but is really just two twists and a few pins. It suits a party, a wedding and a winter formal, and it works with a coat because it sits low at the nape, clear of the collar. Leave a few face-framing pieces out at the front to soften the look, and finish with a flexible-hold spray. If your hair is very thick, use a hair tie at the base of each twist before you pin, so the twists do not unravel while you work.
The Braided Twist
The braided twist is the twisted chignon with a braid in it, and it is the prettiest updo in this guide. Braid one section of hair loosely, twist the other section, and wrap them together at the nape, pinning as you go. The braid adds texture and grip, which helps thick hair stay put, and it adds a detail that makes the updo look like it took an hour, even though it took ten minutes. It is the updo to choose if you want compliments, because people will assume it was done by a professional. Work with second-day hair for grip, keep the braid loose so it looks soft, and pull a few pieces out at the front to frame the face.
21 Winter Updo Hairstyles for Women With Long Hair
Here are the 21 looks, grouped so you can find your favourite fast. Each group has a different mood — classic, romantic, bold or low-maintenance — and each one works with long hair and a winter coat. Look for the version that matches your hair type, your party and how much time you actually want to spend on your hair.
Looks 1 to 4: The Low Bun, the High Bun, the Braided Bun and the Messy Bun
The low bun is the starting point: neat, low at the nape, and secure enough to survive a coat and a scarf. It is the most versatile updo in this guide, and it suits every face shape and every party. The high bun is its opposite — piled high on the crown, with volume and a little drama — and it is the version to choose if you want to look taller and more formal, because it lengthens the neck and shows off earrings. The braided bun adds a braid to the low bun, which gives it texture and grip, and it is the version to choose if your hair is slippery, because the braid holds the bun together. The messy bun is the relaxed version: a low bun with pieces pulled out, a little texture and a lot of charm, and it is the one to choose if you want to look like you did not try very hard, even though you did. If you are new to updos, start with the low bun — it is the most forgiving, and you can build any of the other three from it.
Looks 5 to 8: The French Twist, the Chignon, the Knotted Updo and the Pinned Curls
The French twist is the most elegant updo in this guide: a vertical roll of hair pinned up the back of the head, with a smooth finish and a little volume at the crown. It is the updo to choose for a formal party, because it looks like it belongs in a ballroom, and it holds beautifully, because the twist is pinned along its whole length. The chignon is its softer cousin — a low, loose knot at the nape, with pieces pulled out to soften it — and it is the version to choose if you want elegance without formality. The knotted updo is the modern version: the hair is tied in a loose knot and pinned, which gives it a relaxed, contemporary feel, and it is the one to choose if you want to look fashionable rather than formal. The pinned curls updo is the romantic one: curls pinned up in a soft, cloud-like arrangement, with pieces falling around the face, and it is the version to choose if you want to look like a heroine from a period drama. Together these four cover the classic updos, so choose the one that matches the party you are going to.
Looks 9 to 12: The Low Ponytail Updo, the Side Bun, the Crown Braid Updo and the Twisted Ponytail
The low ponytail updo is the simplest updo in this guide: a low ponytail, twisted and pinned into a soft bun, with a few pieces pulled out at the front. It takes five minutes, it holds all evening, and it looks far more polished than the effort suggests. The side bun is its more romantic cousin, worn low and to one side, which shows off earrings and makes the neck look longer, and it is the version to choose if you are wearing a one-shoulder dress. The crown braid updo wraps a braid around the head like a crown, with the rest of the hair pinned up underneath, and it is the most romantic look in the group — it suits a winter wedding or a formal party, and it photographs beautifully. The twisted ponytail is the modern one: a ponytail twisted and pinned into a soft, textured shape, with a little volume at the crown. Together these four show how many updos start with a ponytail — and how different they can look from that one simple beginning.
Looks 13 to 16: The Sleek Updo, the Voluminous Updo, the Retro Updo and the Boho Updo
The sleek updo is the most polished of all 21 looks: smooth, neat, with not a hair out of place, and a shine that makes the whole cut look expensive. It is the version to choose for a formal party or a work event, because it looks deliberate and it holds its line for hours. The voluminous updo is the opposite — big, soft and full, with volume at the crown and pieces falling around the face — and it is the version to choose if you want drama, because it makes an entrance before you do. The retro updo takes its inspiration from the 1960s, with a beehive-like volume at the crown and a smooth finish, and it suits a vintage-themed party or anyone who loves a little drama. The boho updo is the relaxed one: loose, textured, with braids and pieces falling free, and it is the version to choose if you want to look like you are at a festival, even in January. Together these four show the range of a long-hair updo — sleek, big, retro or boho — and each one is a different mood from the same length of hair.
Looks 17 to 21: The Party Buns, the Wrapped Updo, the Pin-Curl Updo, the Sculpted Updo and the Effortless Updo
The party buns are the funniest look in this guide: two soft buns, worn high or low, with pieces pulled out to soften them, and a whole lot of personality. They suit a fun party, a night out with friends, and anyone who wants their hair to be a conversation starter. The wrapped updo wraps a section of hair around the base of the bun, which hides the pins and makes the updo look finished from every angle. The pin-curl updo is the most intricate: curls pinned up one by one into a soft, sculpted shape, and it is the version to book a stylist for, because it takes patience and a lot of pins. The sculpted updo is the most dramatic — a smooth, architectural shape that looks like it was carved, not pinned — and it suits a formal event. The effortless updo is the one you will actually wear most often: a soft, loose updo that took ten minutes, looks like it took an hour, and stays up past midnight. It is the least fussy of all 21 looks, and for most women it is the right answer.
Half-Up Options When Full-Up Feels Too Much
Sometimes a full updo feels like too much — too formal, too tight, too much work. That is when a half-up style is the answer: it keeps the hair out of your face, it shows off the length, and it takes half the time. The two half-up options below are the best of the group, and they both work with long hair and a winter coat.
The Half-Up Twist
The half-up twist is the simplest half-up style there is: take the top half of your hair, twist it back, and pin it at the crown, leaving the rest to fall down your back. It takes two minutes, it keeps the hair out of your face, and it looks polished without feeling formal. It suits a dinner, a party and a day at the office, and it works with a coat because the pinned section sits high enough to clear the collar. Add a little volume at the crown with a gentle backcomb, and finish with a flexible-hold spray, and the half-up twist will hold all evening.
The Half-Up Bun
The half-up bun is the half-up twist with a bun: take the top half of your hair, twist it into a small bun at the crown, and pin it, leaving the rest down. It is a little more playful than the twist, a little more youthful, and it suits a casual party or a night out. It is also the easiest half-up style to do on yourself, because you can see what you are doing in the mirror, and it is forgiving — if the bun is a little messy, that is part of the charm. Keep the bun small and the rest of the hair smooth, and the half-up bun will look deliberate rather than accidental.
Updos That Survive a Coat and a Scarf
An updo that survives a coat and a scarf is built differently from one that only has to survive a room. The shape should sit clear of the collar — a low bun at the nape or a high bun on the crown, not a mid-height bun that the collar will crush. The pins should be crossed in an X, the hair should be textured for grip, and the finish should be a flexible-hold spray, not a hard one, so the updo can bend without breaking. Put your coat and scarf on after you have finished your hair, not before, and when you take them off, give the updo a gentle check in the mirror — a quick tuck and a little spray will fix anything the scarf disturbed. The updos in this guide were all chosen with coats in mind, so any of them will survive the journey to the party, as long as you build them on texture and pin them in an X.
The scarf itself deserves a little thought, because not all scarves are kind to updos. A smooth silk or satin scarf will slide over an updo without catching, while a chunky wool scarf will grab at the pins and pull the shape apart — so if you love your wool scarf, drape it loosely around your neck instead of wrapping it tight, and keep it away from the base of the updo. A hat is the same story: a loose beanie, worn back on the head, will leave a high bun alone, while a tight beanie pulled low will flatten it. Choose a low bun on a hat day, a high bun on a scarf day, and a half-up style on the days when you cannot decide — and remember that a quick check in the mirror when you arrive, with a couple of spare pins in your bag, will fix almost anything the journey did to your hair.
The 10-Minute Party Updo
The 10-minute party updo is the one to learn by heart, because it is the one you will use most often. Start with second-day hair and a little texturising spray, gather the hair into a low ponytail, twist it into a bun, pin it with Xs, pull a few pieces out at the front, and finish with a flexible-hold spray. That is the whole routine, and it takes ten minutes — five if you have done it before. It works because it is built on the two things that matter most: texture for grip, and X-pins for hold. Practise it once on a quiet evening, and you will be able to do it with your eyes closed on a party night, which is exactly when you need it most.
Keep an emergency kit in your bag, because even the best updo can have a moment. A few bobby pins in your coat pocket, a travel-size flexible-hold hairspray, and a small mirror are all you need to fix a loose piece in a bathroom in thirty seconds. If a whole section comes down, do not panic: gather it, twist it, pin it in an X, and spray it — no one will know it was ever different. The best party updos are not the ones that never move; they are the ones that can be fixed in a minute, and the 10-minute party updo is the easiest of all to repair, because it was built on texture and crossed pins, not on a rigid shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before the party, here are the two questions every stylist hears about winter updos for long hair.
How do I keep an updo from falling out?
Build it on texture, not on clean hair, and pin it in an X. Second-day hair, texturising spray or dry shampoo will give the pins grip, and crossed pins will lock the hair in place from two directions. Finish with a flexible-hold spray, and test the updo with a gentle tug before you leave — if it moves, add another X, and if it does not, it will survive the night.
Can I do a party updo on second-day hair?
Yes — second-day hair is actually better for an updo than freshly washed hair, because it has natural grip and volume. Add a little dry shampoo at the roots, a texturising spray through the lengths, and build the updo as usual. The texture will help the pins hold, and the updo will look fuller and more deliberate than it would on slippery, freshly washed hair.
Love winter updos? You will also love the updos for women over 50 — read our winter updo hairstyles for women over 50 for 15 elegant looks that flatter.
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