Looking for level 2 styling 70’s revival updo hairstyles that bring the best of retro hair into a modern look?
Think generous volume, bouncy curls, feathered layers, lifted roots and soft pieces framing the face.
The 1970s offered plenty of inspiration for creating eye-catching updos, from glamorous pinned curls to high ponytails and textured natural styles. Whether you’re working on a Level 2 styling project or simply looking for a fun vintage-inspired hairstyle, these 70s revival updos offer plenty of ideas to try.
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What Are 70’s Revival Updo Hairstyles?
70s revival updo hairstyles take recognizable elements from 1970s hair and turn them into hairstyles that can be worn up rather than simply leaving the hair long and loose.
The decade had several distinct hair directions.
Long centre-parted hair, layered shags, feathered hair, flicked ends, voluminous styles and Afro hairstyles were all associated with different parts of the 1970s.
For an updo, the most useful features to borrow are:
- Volume at the crown
- Face-framing layers
- Feathered or flipped pieces
- Centre or soft side parts
- Loose texture rather than rigid structure
- Large curls or waves
- Natural-looking fullness
- Decorative headbands or scarves
The result does not have to look like a historical costume.
The current 70s revival tends to retain the decade’s movement and volume while making the overall hairstyle easier to wear today.
Level 2 Styling 70’s Revival Updo Hairstyles #1. Feathered High 70’s Women up Do (70s Updo Hairstyles)
A feathered updo is one of the easiest ways to bring the Farrah Fawcett influence into an upstyle.
The classic Farrah look was built around long layers swept away from the face, creating movement around the cheeks and sides of the head.
For an updo, the front sections can be curled or blown outward before being pinned toward the back. Instead of pulling every strand tightly into a bun, leave some feathered pieces around the temples and cheekbones.
This gives the updo its 70s character.
Level 2 Styling 70’s Revival Updo Hairstyles #2. Voluminous half-up hairstyle

A half-up style can work particularly well if you want the look of an updo without putting all of the hair completely up.
Create volume at the crown, then sweep the upper section toward the back and secure it with pins.
The remaining hair can be curled into large waves.
A centre part gives the style a distinctly 70s feel, while a little height at the crown makes it more dramatic.
Level 2 Styling 70’s Revival Updo Hairstyles #3. 70s-Inspired Messy Bun
The modern messy bun can also be given a 70s treatment.
Rather than making the bun extremely neat, create volume before gathering the hair. Leave several pieces around the face and curl them away from the cheeks.
The important difference is the shape.
A 70s-inspired messy bun tends to have fullness and movement rather than looking deliberately sleek.
Level 2 Styling- 70’s Revival up Do Hairstyles #4. Feathered Low Bun
For a more polished updo, try a low bun with feathered front sections.
The hair can be parted in the centre, smoothed toward the nape and secured into a bun.
The sections around the face should then be given a soft outward bend.
This combines the clean structure of a traditional updo with the movement associated with 1970s feathered hair.