Soft chignons make low updos feel a little romantic without looking overly formal, and that’s a lovely sweet spot in my book.

I also appreciate how a low bun can change with just a few loose strands or a softer, less polished shape.

It gives the style room to feel personal, whether you’re dressing up or simply want your hair neatly gathered.

These 25 ideas show how much variety can come from building an updo around a gentle chignon, with details that make each look feel a bit different.

Low Chignon With Face-Framing Layers

The low chignon sits loosely at the nape, with long, parted layers left out around the face. A few wispy pieces also escape near the bun, keeping the updo relaxed rather than tightly pinned.

I’d keep the bun softly gathered so its shape stays casual, especially with these longer layers. It’s a nice option when you want a low updo that still leaves some hair visible around the face.

Low Chignon With Wispy Curtain Bangs

Wispy bangs and a few loose strands give this low chignon a relaxed shape, while the rest of the dark brown hair is gathered neatly at the nape. The updo suits medium to long hair, especially if you like a softer finish than a tightly pinned bun.

I’d keep the front pieces light so they blend into the fringe rather than looking separate from the bun. A few face-framing strands also make this an easy idea to adapt for a casual day or a slightly dressier occasion.

Low Chignon With Loose Face-Framing Pieces

A low chignon gathers the hair neatly at the nape, while a few loose strands keep the updo from feeling too formal. The swept-back shape also shows off the blonde highlights as they follow the twist.

I’d keep the front pieces relaxed rather than pinning everything tightly back. This simple variation works well when you want an updo with a softly undone finish.

Low Chignon With Curly Face-Framing Pieces

A low, softly gathered chignon keeps the coily hair tucked back while leaving two defined curls loose at the front. The side part and natural texture give the updo shape without making it look overly neat.

I’d keep the front pieces separate while pinning the rest into a low bun, then let their curl pattern stand on its own. It’s a lovely way to wear a chignon when you want a little texture around the face.

Low Chignon With a Center Part

A relaxed center part and loose strands at the temples keep this low chignon from looking too neat. The blonde hair is gathered into a softly coiled bun at the nape, with a few wisps left out to break up the shape.

I’d keep the bun a little undone rather than smoothing every flyaway into place. That casual finish suits the soft, face-framing pieces and makes the updo feel easy to wear.

Low Chignon With Swept-Back Silver Hair

The smooth, swept-back top gathers into a rounded chignon low at the nape, keeping the silhouette neat while the bun’s tucked sections add a little detail. Bright silver strands show through the twist, giving the updo a softly varied finish.

I’d keep the bun slightly relaxed rather than pulling it into a tight knot, so the shape stays full and the silver highlights remain visible. It’s a lovely way to wear longer hair up without adding bangs or loose face-framing pieces.

Low Chignon With a Braided Detail

A small braid woven into this low chignon gives the tucked bun a little extra texture. The dark hair is swept back smoothly, while a few loose pieces around the face keep the updo from feeling too neat.

I’d keep the braid slightly relaxed so it blends into the bun rather than looking too formal. This is a lovely way to add detail to a simple low updo without changing its soft shape.

Low Chignon With a Center-Parted Fringe

A loose low chignon keeps the hair gathered at the nape, while a center-parted fringe curves along the cheeks. The blonde face-framing sections stay out, giving the updo a relaxed shape rather than a tightly pulled-back finish.

I’d keep the bun slightly undone so it feels in step with the loose fringe. This is a nice option if you want an updo that still leaves some of your usual hair shape visible around your face.

Low Chignon With a Side-Swept Front

A deep side part sweeps the long front section across the forehead and blends it into a neat, low chignon. The smooth, dark brunette hair keeps the shape polished, while a fine loose strand near the cheek makes the updo feel less formal.

I’d keep the bun softly rounded rather than tightly pinned, so it holds its shape without looking severe. This is a lovely option for wearing long hair up while keeping some face-framing detail.

Low Chignon With a Relaxed Side Part

A loose low chignon gathers the hair at the nape, while a soft side part and long, wispy pieces keep the shape from feeling too neat. The honey-blonde highlights show through the tucked-up sections and give the updo some natural texture.

I’d keep a few strands loose around the temples rather than pinning everything back. That small detail makes this an easy option for wearing a soft chignon with a casual finish.

Low Chignon With a Crown Braid

A braid swept along the crown leads into this low, softly gathered chignon. The brunette hair has a few lighter strands around the face, left loose to break up the neat shape.

I like the contrast between the braided detail and the relaxed bun at the nape. Keeping a couple of fine sections free gives the updo a less formal finish while still keeping the hair gathered.

Soft Low Chignon With Long Side Pieces

Blonde hair is loosely gathered into a low chignon, with long, wispy pieces falling beside the face. The relaxed updo keeps some height through the crown, so the shape feels soft rather than tightly pulled back.

I’d keep the front sections lightly curved instead of pinning them flat. They give the chignon a more casual finish and are easy to tuck back if you want the hair away from your face.

Low Chignon With Loose Curly Tendrils

Curly tendrils left loose around the face give a low chignon a relaxed, natural finish. The rest of the dark hair is gathered back, while the longer spirals keep the updo from feeling too neat.

I’d keep the curls’ natural shape rather than trying to make each piece match. A few tendrils around the temples and cheeks are enough to make this an easy variation on a soft chignon.

Low Chignon With a Soft Side Part

The smooth, silver-gray front is parted slightly off center, then swept back into a compact chignon at the nape. Longer pieces around the temples keep the updo from feeling too tightly pulled back.

I’d keep the bun relaxed rather than pinning every strand flat, especially if your hair has natural texture or flyaways. The gray tones are especially visible across the swept-back sides, giving this simple updo a little extra definition.

Low Chignon With Loose Tendrils

The hair is gathered into a low, softly textured chignon, with long, loose tendrils left around the face. A center part keeps the front balanced, while the relaxed updo lets the medium-brown hair with lighter highlights show through.

I’d keep the bun slightly undone rather than smoothing every strand into place. That gives the chignon a casual feel and lets the front pieces sit naturally around the cheeks.

Low Chignon With Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs and a low, loosely gathered chignon give this updo a relaxed shape. The dark hair is pulled back at the nape, while a few fine strands fall beside the ears and the fringe sweeps softly across the forehead.

I’d keep the bun slightly undone rather than smoothing every strand into place. That finish suits the loose pieces and makes this a nice option when you want an updo that feels casual rather than formal.

Low Chignon With Defined Curly Tendrils

A compact low chignon gathers the curls at the nape while a few defined tendrils fall loose around the face. The contrast between the tucked-up shape and the springy curls keeps the hairstyle relaxed rather than overly neat.

I’d keep the front curls in their natural pattern instead of trying to smooth them into place. That small detail makes this a lovely option if you want an updo that still shows off your texture.

Blonde Low Chignon With Swept-Back Layers

The hair is gathered into a loose chignon at the nape, while the top layers sweep back in a soft curve. A long front section stays out and bends gently beside the cheek, giving the updo a relaxed shape.

I’d keep the bun slightly undone rather than tightly wrapped, so the swept-back layers remain visible. The blonde highlights pick up those curves and help distinguish the loose pieces from the tucked hair.

Low Chignon With Long Side-Swept Fringe

The long fringe sweeps across the forehead and blends into loose pieces around the face, while the rest of the dark hair is gathered into a low, relaxed chignon. That combination keeps the updo from feeling too neat or pulled back.

I’d keep the chignon softly pinned rather than tightly smoothed, so the loose strands sit naturally. It’s a nice option if you want an updo with a little coverage and shape around the face.

Low Chignon With a Braided Crown

The braid follows the side of the head and blends into a compact chignon at the nape, giving this updo a defined shape without looking too formal. The loose strands at the front soften the pulled-back style.

I’d keep the braid slightly relaxed rather than tightly pulled, so it sits naturally beside the bun. Copper-red hair makes the woven sections easy to see, though the same arrangement can suit other shades too.

Brunette Low Chignon With a Twisted Back

Swept-back layers gather into a rounded chignon at the nape, with a small twist crossing above the bun. The brunette color has subtle lighter strands that show the shape of the pinned sections.

I’d keep the finish slightly relaxed, with a few fine wisps near the neckline rather than smoothing every strand into place. It gives this low updo a softer feel while keeping the chignon as the focus.

Low Chignon With Wispy Blonde Bangs

Wispy bangs soften the front of this low chignon, while the rest of the blonde hair is gathered into a relaxed bun at the nape. A few longer pieces near the temples keep the updo from feeling too tightly pulled back.

I’d keep the bun loose rather than overly neat so it suits the light, airy fringe. The style works especially well when you want an updo that still leaves some hair around the face.

Low Chignon With Highlighted Face-Framing Pieces

Long, loose pieces fall from this low chignon, with lighter highlights making them stand out against the darker hair. The softly gathered bun sits at the nape, keeping the updo relaxed rather than tightly pinned.

I’d keep the front sections gently curved and leave a little natural texture through the bun. That gives the style a less formal finish while still feeling neat enough for an occasion.

Relaxed Low Chignon With Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs and loose strands give this low chignon a relaxed, slightly undone shape. The rich auburn hair is gathered at the nape, with a few longer pieces left out around the ears and neck.

I’d keep the bun loosely pinned rather than smoothing every strand into place, so the fringe and flyaways feel consistent with the rest of the style. It’s a lovely option if you want an updo that still has a soft, casual finish.

Low Chignon With a Twisted Side Detail

The hair is gathered into a relaxed low chignon, with a loose twist sweeping back from the side part. Long highlighted pieces fall around the face, keeping the updo from looking too tightly pulled back.

I’d keep the twist slightly undone to suit the soft texture of the bun. It’s a useful idea for medium-to-long hair when you want a pinned-up shape with a few loose pieces left out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I keep a soft chignon from looking too polished or stiff? A: Leave a little texture in your hair and avoid pulling every strand tight. Once the chignon is pinned, gently loosen a few pieces around your crown and temples for a softer finish.

Q: Can I wear a low chignon if my hair is fine or not very long? A: Yes. Add a few loose curls first to give your hair more grip, then build the chignon with small sections and plenty of pins. A compact, slightly messy shape can look lovely without much length.

Q: What’s the easiest way to make a low updo last through a long event? A: Start with hair that isn’t freshly washed, and use pins that match your hair color. Tuck them into the bun at an angle so they hold more securely, then finish with a light mist of hairspray.