I have a soft spot for an updo with bangs.

Sweeping your hair up can feel polished, while those face-framing pieces keep the look relaxed and a little more personal.

The fun part is how much the mood can change with a few details, from a wispy fringe to a fuller bang or a loosely pinned finish.

I’ve gathered pretty updo ideas that show how bangs can add shape and interest, whether you’re dressing up or just want your hair off your neck without feeling too formal.

High Bun With Long Curtain Bangs

Long, blonde face-framing pieces give this high bun a relaxed shape, while the dark roots keep the color looking blended. The curtain bangs part near the center and sweep along the cheeks, with a few loose lengths left down past the shoulders.

I’d keep the bun a little loose rather than smoothing every strand back, so the front pieces stay easy and natural. It’s a simple way to wear long hair up while still keeping the bangs as the main detail.

Low Bun With Side-Swept Bangs

Side-swept bangs and a loosely gathered low bun keep this updo relaxed rather than tightly pulled back. A few wispy strands remain around the cheeks and neck, giving the dark brown hair a softer outline.

I’d keep the bun a little undone so it doesn’t compete with the fringe. It’s a nice option if you want your hair up while still leaving some face-framing detail visible.

Curly High Updo With Loose Bangs

A high, rounded puff gathers the curls into an updo, while loose ringlets fall across the forehead and temples. The contrast between the lifted shape and the defined coils keeps the style full without hiding the face.

I’d keep a few curls free around the hairline rather than pulling everything back, since they give the updo its face-framing detail. This shape is especially suited to showcasing natural curl texture, though the height and fullness can be adjusted to suit your hair density.

Low Bun With Blunt Blonde Bangs

Blunt bangs give this low bun a clear focal point, with the straight fringe sitting just above the eyes. The rest of the blonde hair is swept back neatly, keeping the shape tidy and letting the bangs stand out.

I’d keep the bun smooth and close to the nape for a similar finish. It’s a neat updo option if you want your hair secured while still keeping a strong face-framing detail.

Braided Updo With Wispy Bangs

A braided crown wraps around the head and continues into a softly pinned updo, while long, wispy bangs fall across the forehead and along the cheeks. The loose pieces keep the shape relaxed rather than tightly polished.

I like the way the braid adds interest without competing with the face-framing fringe. A few fine strands left loose around the hairline help tie the updo and bangs together.

Textured Low Bun With Blonde Face-Framing Pieces

A loosely twisted low bun sits at the nape, with highlighted strands woven through the gathered hair. Long, side-parted bangs sweep across the forehead and fall in fine pieces beside the face.

I’d keep the bun a little relaxed so the pale streaks remain visible in the twist. The loose front sections also make this updo feel less pulled back than a neat, tucked-away bun.

Messy Top Knot With Short Bangs

Short, wispy bangs give this high top knot a softer outline than a pulled-back style with no fringe. The loose strands around the cheeks also keep the updo from looking too tightly swept back.

I’d keep the bun slightly undone to match the relaxed texture at the crown. It’s a nice option if you want the ease of an updo but still prefer some hair around your face.

Low Bun With Loose Center-Parted Bangs

A low, loosely gathered bun keeps the hair off the neck while long, parted bangs curve along the cheeks. The wispy pieces around the face make this updo feel relaxed rather than tightly pulled back.

I’d keep the bun a little undone so it suits the soft bend in the bangs. The shape works especially well if you want an updo with face-framing detail but prefer to leave your fringe long.

Twisted Updo With Wispy Bangs

The dark hair is gathered into a loose, twisted updo, with fine bangs falling across the forehead and longer pieces left around the cheeks. That slightly undone shape keeps the pinned-up hair from looking too formal.

I’d keep the fringe light rather than making it dense, so the updo still feels open around the face. A few loose strands can also help this style feel relaxed for everyday wear.

Low Chignon With Long Curtain Bangs

Long, center-parted bangs curve along the cheeks while the rest of the hair is gathered into a loose low chignon. The relaxed shape keeps the updo from looking too formal, and the loose strands make the fringe feel connected to the bun.

I’d keep the front pieces lightly brushed into shape rather than tightly curled, so they sit naturally around the face. This is a nice option if you want an updo that still leaves some of your longer layers visible.

Low Chignon With Long Side-Swept Bangs

Long, side-swept bangs blend into the smooth lengths gathered at the nape, while a rounded low chignon keeps the shape neat and tucked away. The dark hair’s silver strands trace the sweep from the crown into the bun, making the updo’s direction easy to see.

I’d keep the bun softly gathered rather than pulling every strand tight, so the bangs stay connected to the rest of the style. It’s a lovely option if you want an updo with face-framing detail but prefer a fringe that can tuck behind the ear.

High Top Knot With Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs break up the height of this loose top knot, while a few longer strands fall beside the face. The bun sits high and has a relaxed, slightly undone shape rather than a tightly wrapped finish.

I’d keep the fringe light so it blends with the loose pieces around the cheeks. This updo is a nice option when you want your hair up but still want some softness around your face.

Half-Up Bun With Long Curtain Bangs

A loose bun at the crown keeps the front of this long, layered hairstyle open, while the rest of the hair falls past the shoulders. Long curtain bangs part near the center and blend into lighter pieces around the cheeks.

I’d keep the bun a little relaxed so it suits the loose texture through the lengths. The face-framing pieces also make this a nice option if you want an updo that still leaves some hair around your face.

Blonde Low Bun With Straight Bangs

Straight, eyebrow-skimming bangs give this blonde updo a clear shape, while the rest of the hair is gathered into a loose low bun. A few longer pieces fall beside the face, keeping the pinned style from feeling too severe.

I’d keep the bun softly textured rather than pulling it tight, especially if you want a relaxed finish. The light blonde color also makes the fringe and loose strands stand out against the swept-back hair.

Loose Updo With Curved Bangs

The loosely gathered updo keeps the hair lifted at the back while wispy strands escape around the sides. Curved bangs sweep across the forehead rather than sitting in a straight line, giving this brunette style a relaxed, face-framing shape.

I’d keep the finish a little undone so the loose pieces feel connected to the gathered hair. The bangs also give you a clear way to change the look if you usually wear your hair pulled back.

Braided Crown Updo With Loose Bangs

A thick braid wraps around the crown and joins a softly gathered updo at the back. Long blonde pieces fall around the cheeks, giving this updo a relaxed face-framing finish rather than a tightly pulled-back look.

I’d keep the braid a little loose so its shape stays visible, especially through highlighted hair. The longer bangs also make this a nice option if you want an updo but prefer not to sweep every strand away from your face.

Low Ponytail With Side-Swept Bangs

Long side-swept bangs are the focus here, falling across the forehead and tapering beside the cheek. The rest of the dark auburn hair is gathered into a low ponytail with a small twist at the base, keeping the updo simple and neat.

I like that this shape keeps the fringe prominent while pulling the length away from the face. A low ponytail is an easy option for everyday wear, though the long bangs may need a quick adjustment to sit as shown.

Low Bun With Wispy Curtain Bangs

A relaxed low bun keeps the hair gathered at the nape, while long, wispy bangs part near the center and sweep along the cheeks. The silvery highlights stand out against the darker roots, giving the loose front layers extra definition.

I’d keep the bun slightly undone so it feels in step with the soft fringe. A few fine pieces around the temples help connect the bangs to the updo without making the style feel overly arranged.

Twisted Low Bun With Face-Framing Pieces

The hair is swept into a low bun, with broad sections crossing over one another to create a woven shape at the nape. Loose pieces around the sides soften the updo, while the swept-back top keeps the focus on the twisted detail.

I’d keep the finish slightly relaxed rather than smoothing every strand flat, since the loose texture suits this bun’s shape. The style can also work with bangs, which would bring more face-framing detail to the front.

Curly High Updo With Loose Curly Bangs

A high, rounded updo gathers the curls while leaving shorter spirals loose across the forehead and beside the face. The full shape keeps the natural curl texture at the center, rather than smoothing it into a sleek bun.

I’d keep a few curls free around the hairline so the updo feels relaxed and the bangs blend into the rest of the texture. It’s a nice option when you want your curls up without losing their shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I keep bangs from looking flat with an updo? A: Dry them in the direction you want them to sit, then give the roots a little lift with a round brush or your fingers. A light mist of hairspray can help them hold without making them stiff.

Q: Can I wear an updo with bangs if my hair is short? A: Yes. Pin up the longer sections at the back and let your bangs frame your face. A few loose pieces around the sides can make the style feel intentional, even if every strand doesn’t reach the pins.

Q: What’s an easy updo that works with side-swept bangs? A: Try a low bun or a loose chignon, with your bangs swept across your forehead. Secure the bun with pins, then gently loosen it for a softer finish.

Q: Should I curl my bangs before putting my hair up? A: You don’t have to, but a slight bend can help them fall neatly and blend with the rest of the style. Use a low heat setting and keep the curl loose so the bangs don’t spring up too much.