Twisted Low Bun Hairstyles for Women: 19 Elegant Winter Looks

Winter hairstyles for women with a twisted low bun and face framing pieces elegant start with the updo that looks like you spent an hour on it — in ten minutes. A twisted low bun is a low bun made by twisting sections of hair before you pin them, and the twist is what makes it look expensive. It has texture, it has shape, and it has the soft face-framing pieces that keep it from looking severe. It is the elegant winter updo for women who want to look polished without spending the morning on their hair.

Winter is the twisted low bun’s season. The bun sits low at the nape, so it works under a coat and a scarf, the twist holds in cold air better than a smooth bun, and the face-framing pieces soften the face in the grey winter light. It is a hairstyle that works for a wedding, for a party, for work, and for a quiet dinner, and it is the one that gets the most compliments of any style in this guide.

In this guide you will find nineteen twisted low bun looks, from the classic twist with face-framing pieces to the wedding version and the version for fine hair, plus how to twist it, how to keep it in place, and how to wear it for every occasion. If you can twist, you can do this bun. And if you cannot twist yet, this guide will teach you.

The Basic Twisted Low Bun

The basic twisted low bun is simpler than it looks. Start with the face-framing pieces: take a small section of hair from each side of your face and leave it out before you do anything else. That is the key point of the whole style — leave the pieces out before you twist, not after. If you try to pull pieces out afterwards, the twist loosens and the bun falls apart. Gather the rest of your hair at the nape, divide it into two sections, and twist each section away from your face. Then wrap the twists around each other, coil them into a bun, and pin it in place with bobby pins crossed in an X. Crossed pins hold better than single pins, and they hide inside the twist.

If you are twisting your own hair, the trick is to keep the twist loose. A tight twist will look severe and will pull at your scalp by lunchtime. Twist until the section starts to coil on itself, then let it do the work. A twisted low bun should look soft and a little undone, not pulled tight. Finish by curling the face-framing pieces with a large curling iron, just one loose bend each, and set everything with a light hairspray. The whole style takes ten minutes, and it lasts all day.

Twisted Low Bun with Face-Framing Pieces

The twisted low bun with face-framing pieces is the signature look of this guide, and it is the one to learn first. The pieces are what make the bun elegant instead of severe. Leave out a section about as wide as two fingers from each side of your face, from the temples down. Twist the rest of the hair into the bun, then curl the pieces with a large iron, bending them away from the face. The pieces should fall to about cheekbone or jaw length — long enough to soften the face, short enough not to fall into your eyes.

A twisted low bun with face-framing pieces is flattering on every face shape, because the pieces do the framing. Round faces look longer, square faces look softer, and long faces look balanced. If your hair is fine, tease the crown lightly before you twist, so the bun has volume. If your hair is thick, twist in smaller sections so the bun is not too heavy. Either way, the face-framing pieces are the detail that makes people ask where you had your hair done.

1. The Classic Twisted Low Bun and 2. The Twisted Low Bun with Face-Framing Pieces

Look one is the classic: a neat twist coiled low at the nape, with the face-framing pieces left loose at the front. It is the bun to wear when you want to look polished without trying too hard, and it suits a wool coat and a silk scarf equally well. Twist two sections, wrap them around each other, and pin the coil flat against the nape. The bun should sit low enough to peek out under a coat collar, not high enough to fight with it.

Look two is the signature version: the same twisted low bun, with the face-framing pieces curled into soft bends. The curls are what make it romantic. Use a large iron on the pieces only, one bend each, away from the face, and let them cool before you touch them. This is the version to wear to a winter dinner, when you want the bun to look like it took an hour. It took ten minutes.

The classic twisted low bun is neat at the nape, and face-framing pieces make it romantic.

3. The Twisted Low Bun with a Middle Part and 4. The Twisted Low Bun with a Side Part

Look three is the middle-part version, and it is the most symmetrical way to wear the bun. The middle part gives the face-framing pieces equal length on both sides, which makes the whole style look calm and balanced. Part the hair in the middle before you leave the pieces out, twist the rest into the bun, and let the pieces fall evenly. This is the version for a wedding guest, when you want everything to look considered.

Look four moves the part to one side, which changes the whole feeling of the bun. The side part gives the face-framing pieces different lengths, which adds romance and volume on one side. It is the better choice if your hair naturally falls to one side, or if you want the bun to look less formal. A deep side part with a twisted low bun looks like old Hollywood, and it photographs beautifully in winter light.

A middle part is calm and symmetrical, and a side part adds romance and volume.

5. The Twisted Low Bun for a Wedding and 6. The Twisted Low Bun for a Party

Look five is the wedding version: the twist is a little looser, the face-framing pieces are a little longer, and a pearl pin or two finishes it. The bun should look soft, not stiff, because wedding photos are taken from every angle. Twist loosely, pin the coil flat, and let a few pieces fall free around the face. If you are the bride, practise the twist twice before the day, and take a photo of the back so you know what it looks like from behind.

Look six is the party version, and it is the most fun of the nineteen. The twist is fuller, the pieces are curled bigger, and a sparkly clip or a velvet ribbon dresses it up. This is the bun to wear to a winter party, when the lights are low and the hair needs to hold its shape until midnight. Set the twist with hairspray before you pin it, not after, so the hold is inside the bun and not sitting on top of it.

The wedding version is soft and romantic, and the party version is full of sparkle.

7. The Twisted Low Bun for Work and 8. The Twisted Low Bun with Loose Curls

Look seven is the work version, and it is the most practical of the nineteen. The twist is neat and flat, the face-framing pieces are short and tucked behind the ears, and the bun sits low enough to be comfortable against an office chair. It takes five minutes in the morning, it survives a commute and a scarf, and it still looks polished at the end of the day. Keep a few spare pins in your bag for a quick fix.

Look eight adds loose curls to the lengths before you twist, which gives the bun texture and movement. Curl the hair in large sections first, let the curls cool, then twist loosely so the curls show through the twist. The result is a bun that looks soft and touchable, not scraped back. This is the version to wear on a date, when you want the bun to look romantic rather than severe.

The work version is neat and practical, and loose curls make the twist soft.

9. The Twisted Low Bun for Fine Hair and 10. The Twisted Low Bun for Thick Hair

Look nine is the fine-hair version, and it is all about making the bun look fuller. Start with dry shampoo or texturizing spray, which gives the hair grip. Tease the crown lightly, twist in three small sections instead of two, and pull the twist apart gently once it is pinned, so it looks wider. The face-framing pieces should be curled, because straight pieces on fine hair can look thin. A fuller twist on fine hair looks like twice as much hair as you have.

Look ten is the thick-hair version, and it is the one that needs the twisted low bun most. Thick hair is heavy, and a smooth bun can slide out by lunchtime, but a twist holds its own weight. Divide the hair into four sections and twist each one separately, then wrap the twists around each other and pin the coil in several places. The bun will be substantial, which is the point — a chunky twist on thick hair looks expensive.

Fine hair needs a fuller twist, and thick hair makes the twist chunky and rich.

11. The Twisted Low Bun with a Ribbon and 12. The Twisted Low Bun with Pearl Pins

Look eleven ties a ribbon around the bun, which is the prettiest detail on this list. Choose a ribbon that matches your outfit — velvet for winter, silk for a party — and tie it in a small bow at the base of the twist, or wrap it around the bun and pin the ends underneath. The ribbon covers the pins, which is a useful trick, and it turns a simple bun into a finished hairstyle.

Look twelve adds pearl pins, which are the easiest way to dress up a twisted low bun. Slide two or three pearl pins into the twist, just above the bun, and let the face-framing pieces fall in front of them. Pearls are for a wedding, sparkle is for a party, and plain gold pins are for every day. One small detail, placed at the side, makes the bun look intentional.

A ribbon makes a twisted low bun romantic, and pearl pins make it elegant.

13. The Twisted Low Bun with a Centre Twist and 14. The Twisted Low Bun with a Braided Twist

Look thirteen is the centre-twist version, where a single twist runs down the middle of the head and into the bun. Part the hair down the middle, twist a section from each side toward the centre, and join the twists at the nape before you coil them. The centre twist adds a line of texture that a plain bun does not have, and it keeps the crown smooth without a single pin showing.

Look fourteen combines the twist with a braid, which is the most textured version of the style. Braid a small section from each side of the head, then twist the rest of the hair and wrap the braids around the bun. The braid and the twist together look intricate, but the whole style still takes fifteen minutes. This is the version to wear when you want people to ask how it was done.

A centre twist adds a line of texture, and a braided twist looks intricate.

15. The Twisted Low Bun for a Winter Wedding and 16. The Twisted Low Bun for a Date Night

Look fifteen is the winter-wedding version, and it is the most elegant of the nineteen. The twist is loose and soft, the face-framing pieces are curled into gentle waves, and the bun sits low enough to work with a veil or a fur stole. Winter weddings are cold, and a twisted low bun is the updo that survives a coat, a scarf, and a church door opening onto the snow. Pin it well, and it will last from the ceremony to the last dance.

Look sixteen is the date-night version, and it is the most romantic of the nineteen. The twist is soft, the pieces are longer and looser, and a little volume at the crown keeps it from looking flat. Leave the pieces out, curl them into soft bends, and let one piece fall a little longer than the other — the asymmetry is what makes it look effortless. This is the bun that looks like you spent an hour on it, in ten minutes.

The winter-wedding version is pure elegance, and the date-night version is pure romance.

17. The Twisted Low Bun with a Low Ponytail Base and 18. The Twisted Low Bun with Volume at the Crown

Look seventeen starts with a low ponytail, which is the easiest way to build the bun. Tie the hair into a low ponytail at the nape, divide the ponytail into two sections, twist each one, and wrap the twists around the base. The elastic gives the bun an anchor, which is useful if your hair is slippery or very long. Hide the elastic by wrapping a small section of hair around it, and pin the end underneath.

Look eighteen adds volume at the crown, which is the detail that makes the bun look expensive. Tease the crown lightly before you twist, then smooth the top layer over the teasing so it looks full, not messy. The volume lifts the face and balances the low bun, and it is the difference between a bun that looks flat and a bun that looks styled. A little volume goes a long way — tease less than you think you need.

A low ponytail base makes the bun easy, and volume at the crown makes it look expensive.

19. The Everyday Twisted Low Bun

Look nineteen is the everyday version, and it is the one you will actually wear most. Twist the hair loosely, coil it low, pin it with crossed pins, and leave the face-framing pieces out. It takes five minutes, it keeps your hair out of your face, and it looks like you tried. The everyday twisted low bun is also the kindest to your hair. It keeps the hair off your face without pulling, and it does not need heat or product to look good.

The everyday version is the one to learn first, because every other version on this list is a variation of it. Once you can twist and coil in five minutes, you can add a ribbon for a party, pearl pins for a wedding, or volume at the crown for a date. The bun is the same; only the details change. Learn the twist once, and you will have it for every winter to come.

The everyday twisted low bun takes five minutes and looks like you tried.

Twisted Low Bun for Weddings

For a wedding, the twisted low bun needs a little more care. Make the twist looser and fuller, curl the face-framing pieces bigger, and add a pearl pin or a small flower. The bun should look soft in photos, because wedding photos are taken from every angle, and a bun that looks good from the front but flat from the back will show. Practise the twist twice, take a photo of the back, and check the pieces fall evenly on both sides.

The wedding version also needs to last. Set the twist with hairspray before you pin it, not after, and use crossed pins at the base of the bun, where the weight sits. If you are a guest, keep the style simple — the bride is the one with the elaborate hair. If you are the bride, the twisted low bun is the updo that works with a veil, a tiara, and a fur stole, and it will still look perfect at midnight. For more ideas, our low bun hairstyles for winter wedding guest are the elegant next step.

For a wedding, make the twist fuller, the pieces bouncier, and add a pearl pin.

Twisted Low Bun for Parties

For a party, the twisted low bun needs a little more drama. Make the twist fuller by pulling it apart gently once it is pinned, curl the face-framing pieces bigger, and add a sparkly clip at the side. The party version is the one that should catch the light, so a little shine spray on the twist helps. Keep the bun low, so it works with a high collar or a statement necklace, and let the pieces frame the face.

The party version also needs to last until midnight. Set the curls with a light hairspray before you twist, so the hold is inside the bun, and carry a few spare pins in your bag. If the twist loosens during the evening, take it down, shake your hair out, and re-twist it in the bathroom — it takes two minutes, and nobody will know. A twisted low bun is the party hairstyle that forgives you.

For a party, make the twist fuller, the pieces bouncier, and add a sparkly clip.

Twisted Low Bun for Fine Hair

For fine hair, the twisted low bun should be built up, not pulled tight. Start with dry shampoo or texturizing spray, which gives the hair grip and volume. Tease the crown lightly, twist in three small sections instead of two, and pull each twist apart gently once it is pinned, so the bun looks wider than it is. The face-framing pieces should be curled, because straight pieces on fine hair can look thin, and curled pieces look fuller.

For fine hair, the pins matter more than the twist. Use small bobby pins, crossed in an X, and push them into the bun at an angle, so they grip the hair instead of sliding out. A twisted low bun on fine hair should feel secure without feeling heavy. If the bun feels like it is slipping, add one more pin at the base, where the weight sits, and set everything with a light hairspray.

Fine hair needs texture, teasing, and crossed pins to make the twist look full.

What to Ask Your Stylist for a Twisted Low Bun

If you want a cut that makes a twisted low bun easier, ask your stylist for long layers and face-framing pieces that fall to the cheekbone or jaw. The layers give the twist texture, and the pieces are the ones you leave out before you twist. Ask for the pieces to be cut on dry hair, so the length is right, and ask your stylist to show you the twist once, so you can copy it at home. A good stylist will show you the twist in the chair.

If you are having the bun done for a wedding or a party, bring a photo of the twist you want, and tell your stylist how long it needs to last. Ask for the twist to be set with hairspray before it is pinned, and ask for the pins to be crossed, not single. And if you like the braided look too, our braided headband hairstyles pair beautifully with a twisted low bun for a winter wedding.

Ask for long layers and face-framing pieces, and ask your stylist to show you the twist.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Twisted Low Bun

Here are the questions we hear most about winter hairstyles for women with a twisted low bun and face framing pieces elegant.

Can I do a twisted low bun if I cannot twist well?

Yes, and the twisted low bun is the best twist to learn on, because it is forgiving. The twist is hidden inside the bun, so a messy twist still looks good once it is coiled and pinned. Practise on dry hair, twist away from your face, and let the section coil on itself. After three tries, your hands will know the movement.

How do I keep a twisted low bun from falling out?

Start with a little texturizing spray or dry shampoo, which gives the pins grip. Twist loosely, not tightly, and pin the coil with bobby pins crossed in an X, pushed into the bun at an angle. Set the twist with hairspray before you pin it, not after, and carry a few spare pins. If the bun loosens, take it down and re-twist it — it takes two minutes.

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For more elegant winter hair, our low bun hairstyles for winter wedding guest are the romantic next step. And when you are ready for an elegant winter updo, save this guide and follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more winter hair ideas.

One last thing worth knowing: a twisted low bun is the rare updo that actually gets better as the day goes on. The twist loosens slightly, the face-framing pieces relax into soft waves, and the whole style looks more romantic by evening than it did in the morning. It is the hairstyle that does not need to be perfect to look beautiful, and that is why it works so well in winter, when hats and scarves undo perfect styling anyway. Learn the twist once, and you will have it for every winter to come.

And if you are building a small collection of winter hairstyles, the twisted low bun should be in it, next to the braided headband and the velvet scrunchie ponytail. They are the three styles that ask the least of you and give the most back: a twist, a braid, and a scrunchie. Winter hair does not have to be complicated to look elegant. Sometimes it just needs a twist at the nape and soft pieces framing the face.