Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over a decade in the salon chair. Turtleneck sweaters are chic and cozy, but they can hide your neckline and change how a hairstyle reads with an outfit. In this post I’ve curated 20 turtleneck-friendly hairstyles with photos and step tips to help you choose styles that minimize bulk, elongate the neck, or add balanced volume. Whether you have short, medium, or long hair, there’s a look here — from low buns and sleek ponytails to textured bobs, braids, and modern updos. I’ll explain which styles suit round, long, or broad shoulders, how to use accessories, and quick salon-to-street tweaks (dry shampoo, smoothing serums, or a root lift) so your hair complements the turtleneck rather than competes with it. Use the 20 images as a visual guide to recreate any look at home or ask your stylist for these finishes.
Soft Textured Messy Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This soft, textured messy bun with face‑framing tendrils suits fine to medium hair and works well on shoulder‑length to long hair; thick hair can also wear it with extra pins or light thinning. Start by prepping damp hair with a volumizing mousse or salt spray and a heat protectant. Rough‑dry while lifting at the roots to create body, then create a loose high or mid ponytail. Twist the pony into a relaxed bun, pulling out small sections to soften the shape; leave 2–4 front pieces to frame the face. Use a curling wand to slightly bend the tendrils for a lived‑in look and tease the crown gently for lift. Secure with elastics, bobby pins and a few strategically placed pins for hold. Tools: blow dryer, round brush or paddle brush, curling wand (optional), teasing comb, elastics, bobby pins. Products: volumizing mousse or sea‑salt spray, dry shampoo, light flexible hairspray, heat protectant. Difficulty: easy–moderate. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and reshape loose pieces, re‑curl tendrils as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and trim face‑framing pieces every 6–8 weeks to keep the style fresh.
Chin-Length Textured Bob with Soft Curtain Bangs
This chin-length textured bob with soft curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and fine-to-medium densities best; thicker hair can be texturized by your stylist and very curly hair will need smoothing or blow-dry styling to achieve the sleek silhouette. Technique: start on towel-dried hair with a lightweight heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at roots. Section hair and blow-dry using a medium (1–1.5) round brush, rolling the ends slightly under to create the inward curve and sweeping the face-framing pieces away from the center. Use a flat iron on small sections to refine the shape and smooth any frizz, then separate pieces with fingers for movement. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, flat iron, sectioning clips, tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, root-lift mousse or spray, smoothing cream/serum for ends, light-hold hairspray and optional texturizing spray for daytime lift. Difficulty level: easy–moderate — the cut requires a professional stylist, but daily styling takes 10–20 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, use sulfate-free shampoo, weekly deep-conditioning mask, dry shampoo between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize friction.
Soft Textured Low Bun with Curtain Bangs
This relaxed, textured low bun with soft curtain bangs suits fine to medium hair and works beautifully on natural waves. Straight hair benefits from added texture; very thick hair may need weight removal or sectioning for the same airy effect. Start on towel-dried hair with a heat protectant, then apply a sea-salt or texturizing spray from mid-lengths to ends. Blow-dry bangs with a round brush or use a 1 curling wand to create a gentle S-shape in the curtain fringe and loose pieces. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift, gather hair at the nape, twist into a low, messy knot and secure with elastic and bobby pins, pulling small sections free for softness. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling wand, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, small smoothing serum for flyaways, dry shampoo for second-day volume. Difficulty: easy–medium; 10–20 minutes with prep. Maintenance: trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, refresh texture with dry shampoo or salt spray, retouch waves quickly with a wand, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape.
Textured Curly Low Braided Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
Suitable for medium-to-thick textured, curly, coily and wavy hair; can also be recreated on finer hair using lightweight extensions. Technique: start on clean, detangled hair damp or fully dry with curl definition. Apply a moisturizing leave-in and curl cream, diffuse until about 80% dry, then create a loose crown braid or two small side braids from the temples. Gather hair at the nape, twist into a low bun and secure with an elastic and strong bobby pins. Gently pull out a few face-framing tendrils and pancake the braid for a soft, lived-in finish. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, rat-tail comb, hair elastics, strong bobby pins, diffuser (optional) and small sectioning clips. Products required: leave-in conditioner, curl-defining cream or light gel, anti-frizz serum, lightweight hairspray or texturizing mist and optional edge control. Difficulty level: Moderate — salon professionals can finish in 20–40 minutes; at-home stylists should allow extra time. Maintenance tips: sleep on a satin pillow or wrap, refresh with water and a small amount of curl cream or spray, re-pin loose pieces and avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down.
Textured Messy Updo with Soft Face‑Framing Tendrils
This soft, textured messy updo suits medium-to-long hair and works well on fine, medium and layered thick hair (very thick hair should be thinned or loosely twisted). From salon practice, the look is built around volume at the crown and loose, face‑framing tendrils for a relaxed, modern finish. Technique: prep damp hair with a root-lifting mousse, blow-dry with a round brush for lift, then create loose waves with a 1
Low Messy Bun with Curtain Bangs and Soft Face‑Framing Tendrils
This relaxed low messy bun paired with curtain bangs is ideal for straight to wavy hair in fine to medium densities; thicker hair will need more pins or light thinning at the crown to sit loose. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry with a round brush to add lift at the crown and smooth the bangs. Use a 1–1.25 curling wand to create gentle bends in the ends and two face‑framing pieces. Lightly backcomb the crown for texture, gather hair low at the nape, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic plus discreet bobby pins — pull small sections out to soften. Finish with a texturizing spray for grip and a flexible‑hold hairspray to set. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, tail comb, elastics, bobby pins. Products: root volumizer, heat protectant, texturizing spray, light hairspray, small shine serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–intermediate (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, retouch tendrils with a wand, sleep on a silk pillowcase and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks to keep shape.
Textured Messy Low Bun with Curtain Bangs
A salon-ready textured messy low bun with curtain bangs suits fine-to-thick hair and works best on naturally wavy or relaxed-straight textures. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a light volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through lengths. Blow-dry bangs with a round brush for a soft curve while rough-drying the rest with fingers to enhance natural wave. Create volume at the crown by backcombing lightly with a tail comb, then gather hair into a low loose ponytail. Twist and wrap into a messy bun, securing with a soft hair elastic and scattered bobby pins; pull out face-framing pieces and loosen the bun for an undone look. Define tendrils with a 1 curling iron if needed and mist with a medium-hold texturizing spray. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling iron, tail comb, hair elastic, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root booster, texturizing spray or powder, flexible hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: easy–medium. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texture spray, re-pin loose sections, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks.
Textured High Bun with Curtain Bangs — Messy Topknot Updo
Salon-tested versatile updo ideal for medium‑to‑long hair with straight to wavy texture. Start by applying a volumizing mousse at damp roots and blow-dry with a round brush to lift the crown. Create a loose high pony and backcomb lightly at the base for additional lift, then twist into a messy topknot and secure with an elastic and bobby pins. Pull out soft face‑framing curtain bangs and a few wispy strands; use a 1‑inch curling wand for subtle bends if needed. Tools needed: blow-dryer, round brush, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins, 1‑inch curling iron (optional), texturizing shears (pro only). Products: root‑lift mousse, heat protectant, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light‑hold hairspray, small amount of smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: Easy–medium — quick to learn but requires a little practice to balance volume and softness. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo between washes, re-pin sections as needed, touch up curtain bangs with a flat iron or round brush daily, trim bangs every 4–6 weeks, and deep‑condition weekly to keep ends healthy.
Voluminous Textured Messy Updo with Curtain Bangs
A soft, textured messy updo with curtain-framing bangs that works best on medium to thick straight or wavy hair and on medium‑to‑long lengths. Fine hair can achieve the look with root‑lifting products and strategic padding. Start by prepping clean, towel‑dried hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Blow‑dry with a round brush to build lift at the crown, then section the top and lightly backcomb the roots for lasting height. Gather hair into a high, loose ponytail leaving two face‑framing strands, twist sections into a relaxed bun and secure with bobby pins, pulling small loops free to create texture. Use a 1–1.25” curling wand to soften the tendrils and curtain bangs. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, teasing/tail comb, curling wand, hair elastic, bobby pins. Products: volumizing mousse, dry shampoo or texturizing spray, heat protectant, flexible‑hold hairspray, light smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — salon‑level finish in 20–30 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, retouch loose curls, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and trim bangs every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape.
Textured Low Messy Bun with Curtain Bangs
This relaxed, textured low bun with curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and medium‑fine to medium‑thick densities; light layering through the face helps the soft tendrils sit naturally. To create it, work a heat‑protectant through dry or towel‑dried hair, mist a salt spray or texturizing product from mid‑lengths to ends, then rough‑dry or diffuse while scrunching for movement. Use a 1 curling wand to add loose bends to pieces you want to frame the face. Backcomb slightly at the crown for lift, gather hair low at the nape and twist into a loose bun, securing with an elastic and a few bobby pins — pull gently at the crown and bun for softness. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, 1 curling wand, tail comb, elastics, long and U‑shaped pins. Products: heat protectant, salt/texture spray or dry shampoo, light‑hold hairspray, smoothing serum or oil for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–intermediate (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re‑texturize ends with spray, retighten pins as needed, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape.
Textured Messy Top Knot with Curtain Bangs
A relaxed textured top knot paired with long curtain bangs — ideal for shoulder-length to long hair. Best on fine to medium hair where layers add movement; thicker hair can be thinned at the crown or sectioned for an equally undone look. For styling, work on second-day hair or start with dry shampoo for grip. Rough-dry roots, then loosely backcomb the crown for lift. Create a high, messy bun by gathering hair, twisting sections and securing with an elastic; pin individual twisted pieces with bobby pins to shape the silhouette and pull out soft face-framing strands. Lightly curl ends of the bangs or front layers with a 1
Textured Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This relaxed, textured updo works best on medium to long hair and suits straight to wavy or lightly curly textures; fine hair can be pre-thickened with products or clip‑in pieces, while thick hair creates fuller volume naturally. Start by applying heat protectant and a light salt‑spray or texturizing mousse to damp hair, then blow‑dry roughly to build body. Use a 1
Textured Chin-Length Bob with Deep Side Part and Soft Waves
This polished chin-length bob features a deep side part, inward-facing soft waves and a subtle ear tuck for a modern, face-framing finish. Suitability: ideal for fine to medium hair that benefits from shape and movement; naturally wavy hair will hold the style easily. Thick hair can wear this look with internal thinning or long layers to reduce bulk. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair with a light volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry using a medium round brush, directing the hair inward toward the jawline to build shape. Create relaxed bends with a 1 curling iron or by rotating a flat iron on 1–2 sections; alternate direction slightly for a natural effect. Finish by finger-combing and misting a texturizing spray, then set with a flexible-hold hairspray and a dab of smoothing serum on the ends. Tools & products needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, 1 curling iron or flat iron, sectioning clips, heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, light hairspray, smoothing oil. Difficulty: easy–moderate; 15–25 minutes at home. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep the shape, refresh between washes with dry shampoo and a light salt spray, sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz, and avoid heavy conditioners at the roots to preserve lift.
Short Wavy Bob with Side‑Swept Fringe — Soft Textured Pixie Bob
This short wavy bob with a soft side‑swept fringe suits fine to medium hair and can be adapted for thicker hair with internal thinning and graduated layers. The salon cut is a short bob with short layers at the crown and longer pieces around the face to create natural movement and a gentle wave. Styling technique: apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair, blow‑dry with a 1–1.5” round brush to lift the roots and shape the fringe, then define loose waves with a 1” curling iron or small flat iron using alternating directions for a natural finish. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1” curling iron or flat iron, clips and a vent brush. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, light styling cream or pomade for definition, flexible‑hold hairspray and optional dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty level: moderate — 15–25 minutes once comfortable with round brush and iron techniques. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to preserve shape, use a sulfate‑free shampoo and silk pillowcase, refresh waves with water/mousse spritz or small touch‑up curls, and avoid heavy oils that weigh down the fine texture.
Platinum Blonde Wispy Bangs with Low Tousled Updo
This polished-yet-effortless style pairs soft, side-swept wispy bangs with a low, tousled updo and delicate face-framing layers—ideal for modern, minimalist looks. Suitability: Best on fine to medium hair and naturally straight or slightly wavy textures; layered cuts add movement and help bangs sit smoothly. Styling technique: Prep hair with a root-lift mousse at damp roots, blow-dry using a medium round brush to create volume at the crown and smooth the fringe. Use a flat iron to refine the bangs and add subtle bends to face-framing pieces. Gather hair loosely at the nape, twist into a relaxed bun and secure with pins, pulling out a few strands for softness. Tools needed: blow dryer, medium round brush, flat iron, tail comb, hair ties, bobby pins and sectioning clips. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root-volumizer, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray and a small smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty level: Easy–moderate (salon-friendly, 20–30 minutes). Maintenance tips: Trim bangs and layers every 6–8 weeks, use a purple/toning shampoo for platinum upkeep, deep-condition weekly and refresh texture with dry shampoo between washes.
Soft Messy Low Bun with Curtain Bangs and Face‑Framing Strands
This relaxed, textured low bun with curtain bangs suits straight to wavy hair and fine-to-medium densities; those with thicker hair should consider long layers to reduce bulk. Start on towel-dried hair with a light volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow-dry bangs with a round brush to shape the curtain part, using a flat iron or small barrel curling iron to bend the ends slightly inward for movement. Backcomb the crown lightly for lift, then gather hair at the nape and twist into a loose, slightly off-center bun, securing with an elastic and a few bobby pins—leave several face-framing strands out for a lived-in feel. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, tail comb, small curling iron or flat iron, elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, root lift or mousse, sea-salt or texture spray, light-hold hairspray, a dab of shine serum. Difficulty: easy–intermediate. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo or salt spray, retwist and repin nightly rather than over-brushing, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks to retain shape.
Textured Short Pixie with Long Side‑Swept Fringe
This modern textured pixie with a long, side‑swept fringe suits fine to medium hair best — it creates the appearance of fuller hair and natural movement. Thick hair can work with heavier internal thinning and more aggressive layering to reduce bulk. To style, towel‑dry hair after a volumizing shampoo, apply a light volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry using a small round brush or your fingers to lift the crown, directing the fringe across the brow. For definition, lightly twist small sections with a flat iron or 19–25mm curling iron and break them up with fingers. Finish with a pea‑size amount of matte paste or lightweight wax to add texture and separation, then lock with a flexible hold hairspray. Tools needed: blow dryer, small round brush, flat iron (optional), comb, and styling paste. Products: volumizing mousse, heat protectant, matte paste, dry shampoo for second‑day lift. Difficulty: easy to moderate — cut precision is salon‑level, daily styling is 10–15 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape, wash 2–3 times weekly, and use a weekly deep conditioner to preserve shine.
Textured Messy Top Knot with Soft Curtain Bangs — Casual Blonde Updo
This soft, textured top knot with face‑framing curtain bangs suits medium to long hair and works well on fine to thick textures when layers are present. Start on second‑day hair or refresh with dry shampoo for grip. Apply a light volumizing mousse at the roots and heat protectant through the lengths. Use a round brush and blow dryer (or a flat iron on the bangs) to shape curtain fringe. Backcomb gently at the crown for lift, gather hair loosely at the crown, twist into a messy bun and secure with an elastic and a few bobby pins, leaving tendrils loose for a relaxed finish. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, tail comb, flat iron (optional), hair elastic, bobby pins. Products: dry shampoo, texturizing or sea‑salt spray, light pomade for pieces, flexible hairspray, bond‑builder or purple shampoo if hair is bleached. Difficulty: easy–moderate; 10–20 minutes once practiced. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo and texturizer, resecure loose pieces with pins, trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, and use weekly deep conditioning to protect bleached or heat‑styled hair.
Textured Short Bob with Wispy Curtain Bangs
Suitability: This slightly tousled, layered short bob with wispy curtain bangs suits fine to medium hair textures and works best on straight to softly wavy hair. Its flattering on oval, heart and small faces; adaptable to thicker hair when internally thinned. Styling technique: Start with towel-dried hair. Apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through lengths. Blow-dry with a vented brush or 1–1.5 round brush, lifting at the roots for volume; use fingers to encourage natural separation. Create soft bend by wrapping random 1–2 sections around a 25–32mm curling iron or by smoothing with a flat iron and bending the ends under. Finish by texturizing the ends with a small amount of cream or pomade, then scrunch with a matte sea-salt spray for separation. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, 1–1.5 round brush, 25–32mm curling iron or flat iron, clips, fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt or texture spray, light styling cream or pomade, flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: Easy–Moderate; 15–25 minutes daily once cut. Maintenance: Salon trims every 6–8 weeks for bangs and shape, weekly deep conditioning if colored, refresh with water and texture spray between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
Textured Messy Low Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils
Suited for straight to wavy and loose-curly hair of medium to thick density; fine hair can still achieve this look with light teasing or clip-in pieces for fullness. Start on towel-dried hair with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots. Rough-dry while lifting the crown, then mist with a sea-salt or texturizing spray. Create soft waves on the mid-lengths with a 1-inch curling iron or wand (away from the face), and finger-comb for separation. Gather hair into a low, loose bun at the nape, twisting sections and securing with bobby pins to build a messy, lived-in shape; leave delicate face-framing strands out and slightly curl them for softness. Finish with light-hold hairspray and a tiny dab of smoothing serum on flyaways. Tools needed: blow dryer (diffuser or round brush), 1 curling wand, rat-tail comb, teasing brush, elastics and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lift, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray and optional dry shampoo. Difficulty: easy–intermediate (20–30 minutes). Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo or texturizer, re-pin fallen pieces, sleep on silk to reduce frizz, and trim face-framing pieces every 6–8 weeks.
As a stylist, I recommend choosing turtleneck hairstyles that reduce bulk at the collar and create balance — think low buns, high or mid ponytails, side-swept braids, and graduated bobs. Protect hair from heat with a thermal spray, use a smoothing serum on flyaways, and add dry shampoo at the roots to prevent hair from clinging to fabric. For softer silhouettes, leave face-framing layers or tendrils; for a polished look, slick back with a light-hold gel and finish with flexible hairspray. If you’re trying a new length or texture, bring a photo (one of the 20 images) to your stylist so we can match shape and movement to your neck and shoulders. With the right cut, product routine, and simple tools, you can make any turtleneck look intentional and stylish.