3 Wedding-Ready Updos Perfect for Medium Length Hair

Misty Spinney
Mar 25, 2015

‘Tis the season for updos! That’s right: Wedding season is officially here, and so is the search for a perfect wedding hairstyle for brides and plus ones alike. Finding an updo for shorter to medium length hair can be a little more challenging — and we know you’ve all been letting your stylists get scissor happy to achieve that perfect bob or lob, so I wanted to devote a post to perfecting the updo with medium length locks. Whether you are on the hunt for an ideal ‘do to DIY or just in need of realistic inspiration for what your hair could possibly achieve with the length it is at, these three hairstyles are designed with your medium length hair in mind.

  1. Prep: Beach Wave Hair Set

    Any time you are going to do an updo, it’s best to prep your hair by setting it in a wave pattern to help give body, smooth down hairs and shape your hair so it’s easier to manipulate. See the full tutorial on how to do this here! Be sure to set your hair before any of the following.

  2. Delicately Twisted Bouffant

  3. Step 1: Pull Out + Separate Curls

    Remove all of the pins and gently use your fingers to break apart the curls. You want your hair to be bouncy and have lots of shape, but remember — you’re still putting it up, so you don’t need to make this step perfect.

  4. Step 2: Backcomb Your Hair

    Use a rattail comb to pick up small, thin sections of hair and back comb them from the root to the mid-shaft of your hair. Work through until you’ve done this to all of your hair. This is going to give you a lot of volume and texture to make this look pop.

  5. Step 3: Throw Half Up + Ponytail The Rest

    Toss up the top half of your hair into a clip just to get it out of the way, and then put the bottom section of hair in a low ponytail.

  6. Step 4: Unclip + Frame Face

    Remove the top section of hair that was in the clip and use your finger to pull out a good 2 inches of hair surrounding your face. You ‘ll work with these hairs last — this is NOT the look, don’t worry ;)

  7. Step 5: Twist + Pin

    Now take the top half of your hair, twist it back and slightly push up to create a pomp-like volume around the top half of your head. Secure in place using a few bobby pins in a cross pinning pattern, which means you make an “X” with the pins so they anchor against one another to keep in place.

  8. Step 6: Twist, Spray + Pin


    Now back to the hairs that you pulled down around your face: Pick up a small piece of hair, twist it around your finger and spray with hairspray before you move it back and lay it down directly over the original place you pinned in step 5. Do this until the entire front section is all pulled back and pinned in place. Pro Tip: Try to place the pins in a way that you will not see them to achieve a really clean look.

  9. Step 7: Lower Ponytail Elastic

    Simply slide the elastic that you used to section off the bottom half of your hair down to the ends of your ponytail, leaving a couple of inches out. The elastic will help keep your hair in one section instead of falling out while trying to roll it up.

  10. Step 8: Roll + Pin

    Roll the hair up over itself and then pin in place directly under where the top half of your hair has been pinned.

  11. Lookin’ good, mama!

  12. Modern Gibson Roll

  13. Step 1: Brush + Side Part

    Start this updo like the others by setting your hair to provide a base of volume and smooth down your hairs. Use a brush to comb through the curls and then place a side part in your hair.

  14. Step 2: Back Comb

    For this updo volume is clutch! Use a rattail comb to tease the roots of your hair in the back section of your head. This will help give the proper silhouette.

  15. Step 3: Section Hair

    Separate your hair into three equal sections in the back of your head, adding a small elastic to the center section.

  16. Step 4: Twist, Roll + Pin

    Twist the center section and then roll the twisted pony upwards toward the nape of your neck, securing in place with bobby pins.

  17. Step 5: Twist + Roll Side Sections

    Grab one of the side sections of hair and twist it away from your face back toward the nape of your neck. Pin in place and then roll up the remaining hair into the same twisted pattern you pinned in place from the center section in step 4. Repeat on the other side.

  18. So glam, and would look fab with flowers or a hair accessory, don’t you think?!

  19. Spiral Textured Bun

  20. Step 1: Brush Out Curls

    After you take out the pin curls from your hair set, (don’t forget setting your hair, my lovelies!) brush through the curls to relax them.

  21. Step 2: Pomp It Up

    Back comb the top section of your hair (a good way to measure this is to use the outside corner of your eyes as the boundaries of this top section). Back comb volume into this section and then pin in place.

  22. Step 3: Pin Half Up

    Let the section from the pomp you just pinned in place fall into the top half of your hair, and then pick up the top section of your locks (all the hair from your ears up) pinning in place in the center back of your head.

  23. Step 4: First Twist

    Once the top section of hair is pinned in place, pick up the ends of that section and wrap around into a twisted bun, securing in place with a few bobby pins.

  24. Step 5: Final Twist

    Now grab all the hair left out in the bottom section and twist it in the same direction, wrapping it around the smaller base twisted bun you made in step 5. Pin in place with a few bobby pins.

  25. Go ahead and practice these looks on yourself a couple times before your event. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can nail them. With a couple run-throughs, you’ll be able to throw these looks together in 10 minutes flat!

What other updo hurdles do you have, and are there any inspiration images of updos you want to learn how to do? Share a link to the image in the comments below.

This Is The Cheapest Day To Buy Flights — & It Might Surprise You!

Now that the holiday chaos is long gone and the warmer months are right around the corner, countless people are currently planning their summer vacations. Yet, before you book any airfare or travel accommodations, you may want to consult Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks Report for the cheapest day to buy flights — you may be surprised to find out what day (and what time) it actually is!

Scroll to find out the cheapest day to buy a flight!

Uliana Novitskaia

The report's findings have shown that Sunday is actually the cheapest day to book flights, with travelers saving an average of 6% on domestic flights and as much as 17% on international flights compared to Mondays or Fridays.

Why exactly Sunday offers the most affordable airfare options could be due to two factors. First, recreational travel is typically booked on Fridays; meanwhile, travel for work is more popular on Mondays. These two days represent the most expensive days of the week to book a flight.

Sunday tends to be viewed as a day reserved for catching up on rest and gearing up for the week ahead. Perhaps that's why fewer people decide to fly on Sunday, and the lower demand leads to cheaper ticket prices.

emilie faraut

However, it's important to note that the day of your actual flight departure also matters. Those flying domestically could save as much as 17% if they head out on a Saturday; meanwhile, international vacationers may save up to 15% if they leave on a Thursday.

And even though booking on a Sunday may be the most budget-friendly, departing on a Sunday is actually the most expensive.

Aside from what days to book and fly, Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks Report also debunked plenty of popular travel myths to help better inform passengers.

Sweet July

First, it's long been thought that summer is the most expensive season to travel, given the warmer weather. Contrary to popular belief, August is the cheapest month of the year to jet set. The chillier months of February and March turn out to be the most costly, possibly because people like to escape cold weather over mid-winter and spring break.

Grace Brown

Next, many people think that booking flights as far in advance as possible is the best way to save on airfare costs. This isn't always the case, with the "sweet spot" for ticket-buying differing depending on whether you plan to travel within the States or abroad.

For instance, domestic travelers can save 25% when they book their flights from one to three months in advance as opposed to people who wait until the last minute. International travelers, on the other hand, may save up to 17% if they wait to book until 18 to 29 days before their intended departure, compared to three months or more in advance.

Sydney Savage

Finally, if you hate encountering delays or cancellations, you may want to book a morning flight, as the report suggests these departures are much less likely to be canceled.

After 9:00 p.m., the risk of flight cancellation is 57% higher, with flights between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. experiencing the lowest cancellation rate. Time of year may impact cancellation chances, too, as the months of August and September have just 1.2% cancellation rates.

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OMG, Your First Look At 'The Odyssey' Is Here — And It Finally Confirms The Cast

The age of the movie star might have been replaced by the age of the fictional character, but there are still more than a few actors audiences L-O-V-E. Rachel Zegler, Florence Pugh, and Madelyn Cline are some of the stars who make the list, but there's one A-lister who's finally making his return to the big screen: Tom Holland!

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on October 21 that the Spider-Man actor would join Christopher Nolan's new movie alongside Matt Damon and I have never leapt down an internet rabbit hole so fast — especially since the biggest names in Hollywood just joined the cast. If you're wondering "What is Tom Holland's next movie?" then look no further. Here's everything you need to know about the new movie before it hits theaters.

Here's everything we know about Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, coming to theaters July 17, 2026.

Your first look at Matt Damon in 'The Odyssey'

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The Odyssey first look is a gritty, realistic look into the film and I wouldn't expect anything else from Christopher Nolan! And the internet is more than excited — especially since this post confirms Matt is leading the movie as Odysseus.

"Man finally gets lead role in a Nolan movie," one user commented, while another said, "Can we all agree that Christopher Nolan is one of the greatest Directors of all time?" Yes. Yes we can.

Who's in The Odyssey cast?

AppleTV+

Tom Holland will star in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey cast for Universal Pictures alongside Matt Damon, Mia Goth, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and Bill Irwin. Okay, this just became my most-anticipated movie of 2026!

Considering Tom Holland is one of my favorite actors ever, I'm super excited to see him return to the screen — especially given how devastated I was when he said he needed a break from acting. "This show absolutely broke me in every way possible,” he said at the premiere for AppleTV+ show The Crowded Room in New York City. “I just kept my head down. I dug my heels in, and I just tried my best.”

"I'm no stranger to hard work," he told ExtraTV. "I've lived by the idea that hard work is good work. Then again, the show did break me. There did come a time where I needed a break and disappeared and went to Mexico for a week and had time on a beach and laid low. I'm now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was."

When is the movie coming out?

Pascal Le Segretain/John Nacion/Getty Images

The Odyssey is scheduled for July 17, 2026, and thanks to this first look image we know they've started filming!

What is The Odyssey about?

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Set after the Trojan War, The Odyssey follows Greek king Odysseus as he journeys home, coming face-to-face with cyclops, sirens, and goddesses along the way.

Check back here for the latest news on The Odyssey movie! And read up on Tom's adorable relationship with Zendaya, of course.

This post has been updated.

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10 Terrifying Paranormal Horror Books That Are Seriously Scary

I never need a reason to be entertained by scary things, but I've been trying (and failing) to wean myself off Nosferatu ever since I saw it. That film is the sole reason why gothic horror books and movies have been at the forefront of my mind, and now? Well, I fear my weird intrigue with tales of paranormal activity has been invited to the party.

All jokes aside, the perfect day for me looks like watching or reading anything that features specters, a display of psychic powers, and forces that come from the depths of hellish places. If this is your vibe, I want to be friends!

Scroll to see the paranormal horror books and ghost stories that'll reignite your love for all things scary!

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1. The Orphanage By The Lake by Daniel G. Miller

30-year-old Hazel's life is a mess and so is her career as a private investigator. Unsure of what's next, she's stunned when socialite Madeline Hemsley dangles a new mystery in her face. There's been a disappearance from The Orphanage By The Lake and Hemsley is confident Hazel can find the missing child.

Hazel's investigation starts off normal, but then she continues discovering weird symbols and hostile shadowy figures at every turn. She'll have to figure out what's going on behind the doors of the orphanage and what Madeline really wants before it's too late.

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2. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Teenaged Fern finds herself living among other young and unwed pregnant mothers at the Wellwood House in Florida. Under Miss Wellwood's strict tutelage, it's meant to be a place of hiding from "proper" society and reform. Not only does Fern develop a bond with a few of the other girls, they realize they've been sent somewhere that truly wants to break their spirits.
It isn't until Fern receives a special book filled with spells that she and the girls unleash their power. Seeking revenge against their harsh conditions, they vow to make things right. But with great power comes even greater responsibility leading someone to take things too far.

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3. Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker

Mara's luck changes for the better when she becomes a P.A. (production assistant) on Haunt Sweet Home, a paranormal decor show created by her cousin. She immediately takes a liking to placing spooky elements that'll scare the show's participants, but her joy is short-lived when off-putting things occur.
From an odd co-worker to her own secrets, Mara won't be the same once Haunt Sweet Home gets done with her.

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4. The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Mars and his twin sister Caroline couldn't be any different. Whereas the latter is a ray of sunshine, Mars is eclipsed in her shadow. Still, his love for her never wavers even when their bond is severed. So when Caroline's life is cut short, Mars immediately wants to take action. However, his identity causes his well-connected family to shun him.
Undeterred, Mars decides to become Caroline and attends Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy to understand what happened to his sister. What he finds is stoic tradition that demands too much of its students. Even more, Mars locates the Honeys and their "too perfect" personalities.
The deeper he goes to find out the truth about Caroline, the more Mars stars to lose himself and his plan to seek justice.

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5. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Dan Torrance was only a child when his father lost his mind at the Overlook Hotel, but he's been haunted by the memory of it all...and the ghosts. He's since tried to ignored his ability to see paranormal activity, but that along with his father's anger and alcohol dependency have turned him into an unrecognizable version of himself. The only thing that keeps him sane and sober is his job at a local hospice. Though he's known as "Doctor Sleep," no one knows his gift is what helps patients transition from this life to the next.
One day, he's contacted by someone who's more powerful than he is and is horrified when he realizes she's only 12. When they both realize a horrific cult is after them, Dan tries to keep young Abra as safe as possible. The closer he gets to her, the more he understands how intertwined their fates.
He'll have to decide if he's willing to lean into his gift to save her, even if it means sacrificing himself in the end.

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6. Ghost Eaters by Clay Chapman

Erin's having a hard time creating boundaries with her ex Silas and it's causing her great stress. The last thing she wants to do is keep bailing him out every time he succumbs to his addiction, but she shows up for him anyway. What she doesn't expect is hearing about his death days laters.
On her hunt to uncover what happen, Erin learns about a drug named Ghost that allows users to see those who've died. Against her better judgement, Erin attends a drugged séance to speak with Silas one last time, but she enters a world from which there's no returning.

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7. Hell House by Richard Matheson

Belasco House hasn't been occupied for over two decades because terrible things have happened within it's walls. And guess what? Any time someone's tried to figure out what happened, it seems like the house unleashes something that leads to their death.
This still doesn't stop four strangers from trying to unlock the truth for themselves. They're sure they'll find something exciting and they do. It's just they may not live long enough to tell anyone what they saw.

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8. The Year of the Witchingby Alexis Henderson

Immanuelle Moore was conceived in ill conditions because of her mother's outlawed interracial relationship. Determined to fall into her family and society's good graces, Immanuelle dedicates her life to worship. If this means becoming a "yes woman," then so be it. However, a grave accident leads her to Darkwood and the angry spirits that haunt it discover her. Intending her no harm, they gift her with words left behind by her mother.

Soon, Immanuelle learns that the very Church she's been trying to follow has dark secrets that doesn't align with the pious nature it expects of its members. If she wants to set things right, she'll have to abandon the path she thought she was supposed to be on in favor of revealing the truth.

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9. The Swarm by Andy Marino

Detective Vicky Paterson's cursed with solving a terrible case and understanding why her teenaged daughter Sadie was viciously attacked by a group of cicadas. But, she's not the only one puzzled by what's going on.
Private investigators Will and Alicia are trying to figure out what a girl disappeared when they're also attacked by cicadas. Their only refuge from them is behind the doors of a motel full of other survivors.

The key to stopping the ravenous cicadas rests with figuring out who unleashed them and why, but time is running out...

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10. The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

Zara Jones is trying to believe in something ever since her sister died because she's trying to find a logical explanation for what happened to her. Sadly, she chooses to follow the occult in order to bring her sister back. Then there's Jude Wolf. A deal with a demonic presence is tormenting her soul and she's not sure if there's much hope for her.
Lastly, Emer Byrne rounds out the trio with her witchy abilities that are able to help Zara and June. Despite her chosen life, she helps women via invocations if they're willing to part with a little of their soul.
On the hunt for Emer are Zara and Jude because a trail of dead bodies is trailing behind the witch. However, she's not responsible for their deaths.
Together, the girls work together to stop a murderous killer with the hope of getting something in return. But, Emer's not sure she has the heart to tell Zara and Jude the truth about what they expect her to give them.

Browse more of the books we can't stop talking about to find your next TBR read!

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