Easy Updos for Thin Hair

What is the easiest updo for thin hair?

The easiest updo for thin hair is a messy bun over a small base of your own hair. Thin hair often doesn't have enough volume to fill a bun on its own, so a messy bun hair piece adds the fullness. The JuvaBun Messy Bun wraps around your small bun like a scrunchie, with no clips or pins needed.

That one small base is the start of every look on this page. Below you'll find why updos fall flat on fine hair, how to make the base, and 8 easy updos with the JuvaBun Messy Bun, shown in our own videos.

Why do updos fall flat on thin or fine hair?

With thin hair, there is simply less hair to fill a bun, so even a neat updo can look small. Fine hair is also slippery, so pins tend to slide and the bun loosens. A messy bun hair piece answers both: it brings its own volume, and it wraps around your base instead of depending on pins.

How do you make a small base for an updo?

Gather your own hair into a small bun and hold it with a regular claw clip or a hair elastic, the way Jennifer does in our video below. That small base is what the JuvaBun Messy Bun wraps around.

What are 8 easy updos you can do with a messy bun hair piece?

In this video, Jennifer shows eight looks with the JuvaBun Messy Bun. The method is the same every time: make a small base, wrap the Messy Bun around it twice, then fluff it out.

Jennifer made this video with JuvaBun, and she may have received free product or a discount code from us.

1. Everyday bun (0:00): the basic look: make a small base, wrap the Messy Bun around it twice, then fluff it out.
2. Half-up bun (0:46): the same bun worn half up. The video shows how.
3. Messy bun with a hat (1:42): wrap the bun on your base and wear it with a hat. The video shows where to place it.
4. High bun with a head wrap (3:03): a high bun worn with a head wrap. The video shows how.
5. High bun (4:36): Jennifer's favorite of the eight. The video shows how.
6. Low messy bun (5:29): the same bun worn low. The video shows how.
7. Low side bun (6:21): the same bun worn low and to one side. The video shows how.
8. Space buns (7:35): two buns, one on each side. Space buns take two Messy Buns, one on each side.

How do you wear a side bun or a smoother bun with a hair piece?

With the JuvaBun Messy Bun, a side bun sits on the left or right instead of at the back, and a top bun can be combed out for a smoother look. Our own video shows all four styles: a classic bun at the back, a side bun on the left, a side bun on the right, and a top bun combed out for a smoother look.

What are easy updos for short thin hair?

Short hair can wear a bun piece too, as long as you can gather a small base for it to wrap around. If your hair is short or very fine, try the Small Messy Bun, a smaller tousled piece made for short or fine hair. If you can't gather a small bun yet, a bun piece has nothing to wrap around.

What are good updos for gray or graying hair?

Every updo on this page works on gray hair. What matters is a bun in your shade. The Messy Bun comes in 19 shades, including Silver Gray, Salt And Pepper and White. Our color guide for gray hair walks you through it, you can use Find My Shade, or send us a photo and we'll pick your shade. If the color is off, there's an easy shade exchange.

Which JuvaBun bun piece is right for my updo?

• Messy Bun: our original wrap-around bun, used for all 8 looks above. 19 shades.
• Premium Messy Bun: fuller than our classic Messy Bun, for a bigger bun. 15 shades.
• Small Messy Bun: a smaller tousled piece for short or fine hair. 15 shades.
• Claw Clip Messy Bun: clips over your own bun instead of wrapping.

Prefer a clip, or is a bun piece not right for you?

If you'd rather clip than wrap, the Claw Clip Messy Bun clips over your own bun instead. A bun piece also isn't for everyone: if the thin spot that bothers you is on top of your head when your hair is down, a bun won't cover it, and a topper fits better. Our guide to hair toppers vs messy bun hair pieces explains the difference.

Easy updos for thin hair: FAQ

How does a messy bun hair piece stay in?

The JuvaBun Messy Bun wraps around your own small bun like a scrunchie, so no clips or pins are needed. Bobby pins come in the box if you want extra hold.

Can I wear a messy bun hair piece with a hat?

Yes. Look 3 in Jennifer's video, at 1:42, is a messy bun with a hat.

Does a messy bun hair piece work on short hair?

It works if you can gather a small bun for it to wrap around. For short or very fine hair, try the Small Messy Bun, a smaller piece made for short or fine hair.

What if the shade is off?

Swap it with our easy shade exchange. Every JuvaBun hair piece is covered by our 60-day guarantee.

See all messy bun hair pieces.