The best updo ideas for long hair to inspire your next "hair up" look

In need of some ideas for updos for long hair? You’re spoilt for choice in terms of options, but it's always nice to have some visual inspiration. That's precisely why we've compiled an edit of some of our favourite celebrity looks.

Hair-up styles are an incredibly broad category, covering everything from buns and ponytail hairstyles to more intricately sculpted designs. And while options for short hair updos are more limited, due to having less hair to style, there are plenty of options to choose from when working with long hair or extensions.

If you’re considering wearing your hair up to an upcoming event, or you simply want to try out a new hairstyle, we’ve collated a host of winning updos for long hair as seen on celebrities to help inspire you. Here are some of the greats…

Updos ideas for long hair to inspire your next outing

Eva Longoria

We're sure you'll agree that Eva Longoria's ponytail is a gorgeous updo, complete with added height and loose, face-framing sections. A light and flexible hairspray will help to hold the whole thing in place, while if your hair isn't naturally voluminous you can add body with a mousse or texture spray.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington's hair always looks incredible and we love this slicked down, low, curly ponytail on her, worn to the HISTORY Channel HISTORYTalks in 2024.

Sienna Miller

With a nod to one of the most popular '60s hairstyles, we love this modern take on the beehive on Sienna Miller, worn to the world premiere of Anatomy Of A Scandal in 2022.

Lupita Nyong'o

Complete with a sculpted front twist, Lupita Nyong'o's red carpet bun is a winning look, worn at the 2024 San Sebastian Film Festival. (We're also kind of obsessed with this berry lipstick shade, too.)

Anne Hathaway

A ponytail is a classic for more than one reason; it's easy to create and works for both casual and formal occasions – which is most likely why celebs like Anne Hathaway regularly choose it for the red carpet.

Helen Mirren

A quick, voluminous topknot-style bun is a go-to for many – we love it on the legendary Helen Mirren here, who opted for this look for a London screening in 2023.

Sandra Oh

The curtain bangs trend isn't going anywhere any time soon and they look great with curls, as Sandra Oh demonstrates with her gorgeous red carpet updo here.

Jennifer Lopez

At a glance, this is your classic slicked-back, wraparound bun, but Jennifer Lopez's sits slightly to one side for an asymmetric look.

Julianne Moore

A low ponytail is a classic hairstyle and one that works for many occasions – including the red carpet, as Julianne Moore proves.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has the messy bun down to a fine art and it's still considered one of her signature hairstyles.

Gabrielle Union

We love this ultra-long braid on Gabrielle Union, which works perfectly when paired with one of the best red lipsticks.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Slicked-down hairstyles look incredible, but we also love a voluminous take on the updo, like Catherine Zeta-Jones' beautiful look here.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett's quiffed updo feels very reminiscent of '80s hairstyles; we love her polished red carpet take on the hairstyle.

Lucy Liu

This ultra-high ponytail, featuring a classic centre parting, looks really chic on Lucy Liu.

Catherine, Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales always looks great but this face-framing chignon-style bun looks especially good on her.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow showcases just how chic a sleek low bun can be at the 2019 amfAR Gala Los Angeles.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet makes a strong case for the power of face-framing sections of hair with this updo, worn at the Zurich Film Festival in 2024.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson's heavily side-parted bun made for a gorgeous red carpet look at the 2024 Tony Awards.

Gemma Chan

We absolutely love this chic, feathery fringed updo on Gemma Chan, which the star wore at Cannes 2023.

Salma Hayek

This piled-high updo is giving us Cinderella vibes, worn by the lovely Salma Hayek to Cannes in 2023.

Rosario Dawson

We love the detailing here in Rosario Dawson's ultra-long braid, as seen at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2022.

Julia Roberts

This heavy side fringe with a sleek low bun is a gorgeous pairing, as seen on Julia Roberts at the Annual Academy Museum Gala in 2022.

Serena Williams

We love this low side ponytail on Serena Williams, who stepped out with this look at Paris Fashion Week in 2024.

Margot Robbie

The single free section of hair adds a nice bit of asymmetrical detail to Margot Robbie's look.

Michelle Yeoh

Though she usually wears her lengthy hair loose, we love updos on Michelle Yeoh, too, like this undone low ponytail.

Jessica Biel

A topknot is such a classic hairstyle and one that can be dressed up for fancier occasions, as Jessica Biel demonstrates here.

Taraji P. Henson

An ultra-high ponytail is a great way to draw attention to your bone structure and makeup, as Taraji P. Henson showcases here.

Kate Hudson

Swept-back updos look great in slicked, wet-look styles or with a more tousled and undone feel, like this one on Kate Hudson.

Andie MacDowell

With its sweeping quiff, we love this updo on Andie MacDowell, worn on the red carpet at Cannes 2024.

Emily Blunt

A bun is a classic updo with many variations; we love the plaited detail in Emily Blunt's high and wispy updo here.

Alicia Keys

We love this braided updo on Alicia Keys, which she wore on the red carpet of the Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in 2024.

Jennifer Garner

The added height of this tousled updo looks great on Jennifer Garner, worn to the New York premiere of The Adam Project in 2022.