Updo for a Balding Front Hairline

A woman's hair with a balding front hairline
Photo: New Africa/Shutterstock
Q: I'm looking for updo ideas for a woman in her fifties who's experiencing hair loss along her front hairline. Her daughter is getting married, and she really wants to wear her hair up for the special day. I've tried several styles, but everything seems to emphasize the thinning area rather than camouflage it. While her hair looks beautiful when worn down, she's determined to have an updo for the wedding. Do you have any suggestions that might work better?
 
A: Creating a flattering updo for someone with a receding or thinning front hairline requires strategic styling that draws attention away from sparse areas while creating the illusion of fuller hair. Without seeing the specific hair texture, length, and pattern of thinning, it's challenging to give recommendations, but there are several techniques that work well for this concern.
 
The key principle is to create volume and texture where the hair is thickest while using clever placement and styling techniques to minimize focus on the hairline. A combination approach often works best, incorporating curls or waves at the crown to add height and fullness, then sweeping the side and back sections into an elegant updo.
 
Start by using volumizing products at the roots, particularly around the crown area where you'll be creating the most lift. Consider using a root-lifting spray or mousse before blow-drying to maximize volume. For the front section, try rolling the hair from the crown forward on medium to small rollers, depending on the hair's length and natural texture. This creates soft curls that can be arranged to provide coverage and create the appearance of a fuller hairline.
 
For the sides and back, a French twist remains one of the most elegant options. The swept-back style naturally draws the eye toward the nape of the neck and away from the front hairline. To execute this, gather the hair at the sides and back, twist it upward, and secure it with bobby pins, leaving the front section free to work with separately.
 
Once the curls from the rollers have set and cooled, gently separate them with your fingers rather than brushing them out completely. This maintains volume while creating soft, natural-looking texture. You can then strategically place these curls to create coverage over any sparse areas, using the fuller sections to camouflage the thinner ones. The goal is to create an asymmetrical, softly romantic look rather than a severe, pulled-back style.
 
Hair accessories can be incredibly helpful in this situation, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. Decorative combs, jeweled pins, or even a headband can be positioned to draw attention upward and add glamour to the look. Small flowers can create focal points that direct the eye away from any areas of concern. For a mother-of-the-bride look, consider accessories that complement the wedding's color scheme or style theme.
 
Another effective technique is to create a side part rather than a center part, which can help disguise uneven hairline issues. Sometimes, switching the part to the opposite side of where it naturally falls can provide better coverage and create the illusion of more hair along the front.
 
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See also:
 
Photos of up-styles
 
Techniques for updos