There is a particular magic to hair that looks as though you tied it up without looking in a mirror, then somehow made it the best part of your outfit. For spring/summer 2026, that easy, low-slung updo is having a runway moment: loose ponytails, softly gathered buns and unfussy twists that feel polished without looking shellacked.
Who What Wear’s spring/summer 2026 beauty report picked out pulled-back styles at shows including Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Tove and Carven, with loosely tied shapes rather than severe, high-shine constructions. Think of this as a direction to borrow, not a strict rulebook. The appeal is its useful middle ground: hair is off the face, but the finish still feels like you.
The new rules of an easy updo
Start with your own texture. A little natural bend or flyaway is part of the look, so there is no need to iron every strand into place. If your hair is freshly washed and slippery, a small amount of texturising spray through the lengths can help it hold. If it is already day-two hair, brush gently and keep the roots comfortable rather than coating them in product.
Gather the hair low, around the nape or just above it. Tie a ponytail loosely, then twist it into a bun and secure it with pins or a clip. Another option is to fold the ponytail through the elastic on the final loop, leaving a soft, tucked shape. Keep the tension even: the style should feel secure, not pulled tight enough to make your temples ache.
Make the softness look intentional
Choose one or two face-framing pieces, rather than pulling out every short layer. A fine-tooth comb can smooth the parting, while fingertips soften the surface around the crown. If humidity or fine hair makes the style escape, mist a flexible-hold hairspray onto your hands and skim them over the flyaways. That gives control without turning the whole look rigid.
The finishing touch can be almost invisible: a simple elastic, a matte pin or a small tortoiseshell clip. A satin ribbon or sculptural barrette will make the same basic shape feel more dressed up. The contrast is what keeps it modern: uncomplicated hair, with one considered detail.
Three ways to wear it
- For work: a low ponytail with a clean centre part and a narrow section of hair wrapped around the elastic.
- For a relaxed day: a loose bun, secured with a claw clip, with a few natural wisps left around the face.
- For evening: a low twist pinned at the nape, finished with a polished clip or a pair of discreet pins.
Keep the rest of the look in balance. A soft updo works with a sharp collar, a simple knit or a more decorative earring; it does not need a complicated makeup look to explain itself. And if your hair is short, the same idea translates to a half-up twist or a few pinned-back sections. The point is not to force every length into a bun. It is to make the pulled-back shape feel relaxed and personal.
Effortless, but still yours
Runway beauty can make even the simplest style look intimidating, but this one is forgiving by design. Let your hair’s texture show, secure it where it feels comfortable, and stop before every strand is perfectly accounted for. The finished effect is not “undone” for its own sake. It is a practical, flattering way to get hair off your face while keeping the softness that makes it feel like real life.
Trend reference: Who What Wear’s spring/summer 2026 beauty trend report, published 10 February 2026.