The Bouffant Updo is a voluminous and glamorous hairstyle that emphasizes fullness at the crown while maintaining a smooth, elegant shape. Hair is teased and lifted at the top, creating height, then drawn back into a rounded bun or twist at the nape. This style balances dramatic volume with controlled sophistication, making it one of the most iconic hairstyles of mid-20th-century fashion. The bouffant exudes confidence, femininity, and flair, while its sculptural silhouette has remained a lasting influence in both vintage and modern hairstyling.
- Category: Vintage Updo / High-Volume Hairstyle
- Structure: Hair is backcombed for volume, smoothed over, and pulled back into a rounded bun or tuck at the base.
- Front View: Height and fullness at the crown; soft parting or sweeping strands frame the forehead.
- Side/Back View: Elevated crown tapering back into a compact bun or twist at the nape, creating a bold yet balanced profile.
- Texture/Finish: Teased for internal volume but sleek and polished on the surface.
- Era of Popularity: Became a defining look of the 1950s and 1960s, especially among glamorous public figures.
- Cultural Influence: Linked to mid-century First Ladies, screen sirens, and music culture. Frequently referenced in period films and retro fashion.
- Artistic Appeal: Ideal for studying contrasts between volume and sleekness; its dramatic curves and height offer a strong, stylized silhouette in portraiture and fashion design.