The banana updo hairstyle is one of those rare looks that takes five minutes yet reads as though you spent an hour in a salon chair. It has stayed popular for decades for a simple reason: it is elegant, it is quick, and it flatters almost everyone. Whether you are heading to a wedding, a job interview, or just the school run followed by a coffee in town, this is a style you can rely on.
I have been recommending the banana updo to readers with fine or colour-treated hair for years, because it lifts length off the neck without the strain a tight ponytail puts on your roots. As someone with a BSc in Cosmetic Science from the London College of Fashion, I care as much about how a style treats your hair as how it looks, and this one scores well on both.
Here is the part nobody mentions: an updo can actually be kinder to your hair than wearing it loose. Left down, your hair rubs against collars, coat hoods and bag straps all day, which roughens the outer cuticle and encourages frizz. Tucked into a banana updo, it is protected. And yes, it genuinely holds all day.
What Is a Banana Updo Hairstyle?
A banana updo hairstyle involves twisting and tucking sections of hair towards the back of the head to create a soft, textured shape that curves like a banana. Unlike a sleek chignon, it is meant to look a little relaxed, with a few pieces left loose. That forgiving finish is exactly why it works for beginners.
It suits medium to long hair best, on both straight and curly textures. If your hair is very fine, you will want to build in a little volume first, which I will come to below.
Preparing Your Hair Before Styling a Banana Updo
Good prep is the difference between an updo that collapses by lunchtime and one that holds through the evening. Do not skip this stage.
Wash, condition and dry to 80 percent
Start with clean hair, washed with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner. Towel dry gently by squeezing rather than rubbing, since rough towelling lifts the cuticle and creates frizz. Then blow dry to roughly 80 percent dry, using a round brush at the roots for lift.
A quick word on heat. The British Association of Dermatologists notes that repeated high heat and constant tension can weaken the hair shaft over time, so use a heat protectant and keep your dryer on a medium setting rather than the hottest one (source: British Association of Dermatologists).
Add grip with the right products
Freshly washed hair is often too soft and slippery to hold pins. A light mist of texturising spray or a little dry shampoo through the mid-lengths and roots gives your hair the grip it needs. On the ends, work in a pea-sized amount of leave-in conditioner or hair oil to keep everything smooth and protected.
Section before you start
Split your hair into a top and bottom section and clip the top away. Working in sections is the single biggest time-saver, and it is how you avoid that lumpy, uneven finish.
Tips and Tricks for Styling a Banana Updo Hairstyle
- Match your grips to your hair. Bobby pins in a shade close to your own colour disappear into the style. Criss-cross them for a much stronger hold than sliding them in straight.
- Build volume if your hair is fine. A volumising mousse at the roots before drying, or a gentle tease at the crown, gives thin hair the body a banana updo needs.
- Do not go scalp-tight. A comfortable updo is a healthier updo. The same dermatology guidance above links very tight, high-tension styles worn repeatedly to traction hair loss along the hairline, so leave yourself a little give.
- Set it, do not soak it. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray rather than a firm one. You want movement, not a helmet.
- Frame your face. On rounder face shapes, pulling out a couple of soft strands at the front instantly balances the look.
I wore a twisted banana updo to a wedding in Birmingham last autumn and it held from the ceremony right through to the last dance, with nothing more than bobby pins and one mist of hairspray. After wearing it two or three times a week for about a month, I noticed my ends looked less dry, simply because they were tucked away rather than catching on everything.
Banana Bun vs Banana Updo Hairstyle
People often use these two names interchangeably, but they are not quite the same.
A banana bun hairstyle is a neat vertical roll of hair at the back of the head, shaped like a banana and pinned in place. It is smooth, structured and quick.
A banana updo is looser and more textured. You twist and tuck several sections rather than rolling one, and you leave a few pieces out for a softer, slightly undone finish. In short, the bun is the polished everyday option, while the updo is the dressier, more relaxed one.
On face shapes, a banana updo tends to suit longer or oval faces, since the curved volume at the back balances the length. A banana bun often flatters rounder or heart-shaped faces by adding height. Neither is a hard rule, so treat it as a starting point rather than gospel.
5 Variations of the Banana Updo Hairstyle
1. Twist and Tuck Banana Updo
Best for formal occasions and long hair. Part your hair down the middle into two sections. Twist one section back to the nape and pin it, then repeat on the other side. Roll the remaining length upwards, tuck it under at the nape and secure. The twists give it that quiet, wedding-guest elegance.
2. Braided Banana Updo
Perfect for a boho wedding, a festival or any outdoor day. Create a Dutch braid on each side, from the hairline to the nape, and secure the ends. Twist the two braids together, tuck in the ends and pin. The braids add texture and make fine hair look fuller.
3. Half-Up Banana Updo
A relaxed option for brunch or a date night. Tease the top section for volume, twist it and pin it at the crown. Roll the rest upwards and tuck it in. You get the polish of an updo while still showing off some length.
4. Dutch Crown Braid Updo
The regal one, ideal for a gala or a formal wedding. Make two Dutch braids from the hairline towards the back, then wrap them around the crown and pin. It looks intricate but is mostly just two braids and a few grips.
5. Curly Banana Updo
Fun and flirty for a night out. Curl your hair first with a heat-protected iron or hot rollers. Twist the front section back and pin, then roll the rest upwards and tuck in. The curls add volume and that effortless, undone finish.
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Bonus: The Banana Clip Updo
If you want the look in under two minutes, reach for a banana clip. Brush out any tangles, gather your hair at the nape, twist it up towards the crown and close the clip so it sits hidden underneath.
A banana clip is often dismissed as a nineties throwback, but it is genuinely gentle on hair, because it holds a wide section without the concentrated pull of a tight elastic band. That makes it a smart choice for anyone with fine or fragile lengths. Leave a few face-framing strands out, or add a couple of pins for extra security.
Styling a Banana Updo Under a Hijab
For hijab-wearing readers, a banana updo is one of the most practical styles going. Kept low and flat at the nape, it sits neatly under a scarf without creating a bulky lump at the back of the head, and it stops long hair sliding around during the day.
If your hair is covered for long stretches, scalp comfort matters. Choose a soft, wide clip or fabric-covered pins over tight elastics to avoid tension along the hairline, and let your scalp breathe when you can. The other quiet benefit is convenience: a banana updo looks finished the moment you take your hijab off at a women-only gathering, so there is no scrambling to fix flat hair.
A Note on Products, Halal and Cruelty-Free Status
You need very little to hold this style: some grip, a leave-in, pins and a flexible hairspray. Here are UK-available options.
- OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Hair Oil, 100ml | Buy on Amazon UK | around £8
- Cobana Large 6″ Banana Clip, set of 2 | Buy on Amazon UK | around £9
- Texturising spray (e.g. Superdrug or Boots own brand) | Boots or Superdrug | around £4 to £8
- Flexible-hold hairspray (e.g. L’Oréal Elnett) | Boots | around £6
Halal status: several UK haircare brands, including some own-label ranges, are now cruelty-free and free from animal-derived ingredients, but formulations change. Always check the current halal or cruelty-free certification directly with the brand before buying if this matters to you.
Banana Updo Hairstyle FAQ
What length of hair do you need for a banana updo?
Medium to long hair works best, roughly shoulder length or longer. Shorter hair can work with a smaller clip and a few extra pins, but you will have less to tuck.
Is a banana updo good for fine or thin hair?
Yes, as long as you prep with a little texturising spray or mousse for grip and volume. A banana clip is particularly kind to fine hair because it spreads the hold across a wide section.
How do you make a banana updo last all day?
Start on second-day hair or add grip with dry shampoo, criss-cross your bobby pins, and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray rather than a stiff one.
Can you do a banana updo on curly hair?
Absolutely. Curls add natural volume and texture, so you often need fewer products. Twist and tuck sections gently to keep your curl pattern intact.
Is a banana clip bad for your hair?
Used sensibly, no. It is gentler than a tight elastic because it holds a broad section without concentrated pulling. Just avoid clamping it too tightly at the same spot every single day.
A banana updo hairstyle earns its place in your routine because it is quick, forgiving and genuinely versatile, so pick the variation that fits your day and keep a few bobby pins in your bag.
Beauty & Wellness content at MyBreezyLife is created by our editorial team and reviewed by founder Noreen Fahad. Clinical claims are referenced. This article may contain affiliate links. We only recommend products we genuinely rate.
