How To Do Puff Hairstyles: Stepwise DIY Tutorial With Pictures

A versatile hairstyle that can suit any occasion— from a day out to a red carpet event.

Reviewed by Jessica Shults, Licensed Hairstylist
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech
Edited by Shatabdi Bhattacharya, BSc
Fact-checked by Anu Pallavi, BA  • 

The trendsetter, French Queen Marie Antoinette in 1775, flaunted a hairstyle a la Pouf for her husband’s coronation. Since then, this hairstyle has sparked an undying craze in the 21st century, so much so that puff hairstyles are always trending!

Let’s learn a bit more about this fashionable hairdo, shall we! Well-known as the puff or the toque, this high coiffure became a symbol of extreme extravagance during the 18th century. So, who created such a heavenly masterpiece? That credit goes to Leonard Autie, the royal hairstylist, a particular favorite of the queen, at the time. The pouf-fascination came back tenfold during the Victorian era as well. Nowadays, the pouf is used to add height and volume to hairstyles or a more outlandish feel during fashion shows or bring about a vintage look in red carpet events.

It should come as no surprise that the high coiffure was a trend. Its height gives the illusion of a longer and leaner face. It is a versatile hairstyle that can be paired very well with literally any other hairdo, be it a braid, updo, ponytail, or loose locks. It can also be custom-styled to suit any attire, whether your regular look, a newly pressed pant-suit, or a heavenly gown. And it steers up your confidence, so you start strutting everywhere you go! No matter the style, event, season, or day, the toque is sure to amp your look with elegance and royalty. Here’s a secret – it is also a great way to style overgrown bangs! Licensed hair expert Jessica Shults adds, “Puff hairstyles are a great style for natural texture as the curls do all the work to make your hair look amazing! It’s a fun, trendy, easy style that won’t damage your hair.” Not to mention that the puff can be used to enhance your facial features, face shape and overall beauty, so you look and feel thoroughly beautiful! No wonder so many celebrities, men and women, are sporting this hairstyle! Keep reading to check the trending pouf hairstyles you can try for yourself! Scroll down, or swipe up, now to know more.

protip_icon Before You Get Started
  • Puff hairstyles require a lot of practice. So, do not be impatient.
  • From skinny denim to flamboyant evening gowns, puff hairstyles go perfectly with any outfit.
  • These chic hairstyles have the ability to balance out the roundness of your face. It gives the illusion of a slimmer, longer face.


You Will Need:
  1. A Comb
  2. Bobby Pins / A Tiny Clutch
  3. Hair Spray (Only if you are combining the pouf with an elaborate hairstyle)
protip_icon Quick Tip
If you have slightly curly hair with side bangs, puff hairstyles are a perfect choice for you.

How To Make Puff Hairstyle Step By Step

It is simple and easy, and you will need all of five minutes to get this right. Take a look:

1. Comb your hair, and make sure it is detangled. You can also do a blowout for extra volume.

2. Take a small section of the hair at the front, and pull it back.

The width that you choose depends on the shape of your face. If you have an oval face, you can take a larger section, and you will have a broader pouf. If you have a round face, make sure you pull a smaller section of your hair. You could also section your pouf using the width of your eyebrows.

3. Roll the section, as shown in the image.

Around 2-3 times is ideal, but rolling it more than 3 times could make it tighter than necessary. The rolling helps keep the pouf intact, and also gives a better shape.

4. Using the roll as a grip, push the hair in the front such that it puffs up.

The height of the pouf is up to you. The higher you want the pouf, the more you push. Just make sure your hair doesn’t get messy in the process.

5. Use a tiny clutch or bobby pin to keep the pouf intact.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Puff hairstyles are great to have between wash days because they look good even when the hair is a little frizzy and dirty.

If you are combining the puff with another hairstyle like waves or a bouffant, teasing it with some spray helps, otherwise it isn’t advisable.

Prerna Chhabra, a YouTuber, shared her experience and personal opinions on how she prefers to do her puff hairstyle. She states, “I like to do this hairstyle when my hair is in a messy condition, they are not washed, just put them in a bun and you are sorted.” She then proceeds to explain with a tutorial and ends the video by saying, “We will set the hair with a hairspray, this is optional, I use it because my hair doesn’t stay in place till I use a hairspray (i).”

The puff hairstyle is just as easy as it looks. Practicing it a couple of times will make you an ace in no time! And what’s more? You can experiment with it to achieve other simple, yet fetching hairstyles.

Best Puff Hairstyles

A puff at the crown looks great when the rest of the hair is left loose. But you can combine it with your basic hairstyles for elegant hairdos.

1. Puffy High Ponytail

Side view of a woman with a puffy high ponytail hairstyle
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Image: Shutterstock

Once you are done with the puff, simply gather the rest of the hair in a high ponytail. It looks great on all hair textures and a low ponytail would look just as classy.

2. Puffy Bun

Puffy Bun
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Image: Shutterstock

A puffy bun often features in numerous popular wedding hairstyles as it adds volume to the hair and soft angles for an overall regal look.

Infographic: 5 Easy Steps To Nail The Puff Hairstyle

The puff hairstyle was popularized by Marie Antoinette several centuries ago and has never gone out of style. It is an easy and versatile hairdo that can be sported for any event and occasion. If you want to learn how to recreate this iconic hairstyle easily at home, scroll down and check out the infographic below.

5 easy steps to nail the puff hairstyle (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Choosing the perfect glam hairstyle for your wedding day is difficult. After choosing your clothes and jewelry, deciding on a hairstyle that complements your whole look can be difficult. Knowing how to make puff hairstyles make life easier in this situation. It’s easy to do, takes little time, and is one of the most adaptable hairstyles that go with anything modern or retro. So what are you waiting for now that you know how to create a puff hairstyle at home? Let your imagination go wild with the various hairstyles available. You may give it a shot. It appears to be difficult, yet it is not at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are puffs a protective style?

Afro puffs are one of the easiest and simplest styles to achieve on natural hair that is long enough. Although the puffs technically leave your hair out, this look is still considered protective.

How do you put 4c hair in a puff?

To make an Afro puff on 4c hair, follow the steps given below:
• Moisturize and braid your hair.
• Remove the braids after a few hours. By now, the hair ought to be stretched.
• From the tip to the root, brush out each section of hair.
• To create the puff, comb your hair up to the desired height.
• Put a band on your hair and tie it up.
• Use gel to smoothen your edges.
• If you like, add a hair wrap as an accessory.

Can anyone wear a puff hairstyle, regardless of hair type or length?

The puff hairstyle is easier only curly and wavy hair, but some hairstyling products might be required for styling fine or thin hair. The puff hairstyle can be done on varying hair lengths, but it is typically easier to achieve on medium and long hair lengths.

How do I maintain a puff hairstyle throughout the day?

Ise a hair spray or mousse, secure your puff with bobby pins, and avoid touching your hair to make it last throughout the day.

Can I customize the size and shape of my puff hairstyle?

Yes, the size and shape of the puff can be customized using more pins to pinch and tweak the puff further.

Can I create a puff hairstyle with short hair?

Puff hairstyle can be done easily on shoulder length to long hair. If you have very short hair, extensions or hair pieces can be used to create it.

Can I wear a puff hairstyle if I have a round face shape?

Yes, you can wear a puff hairstyle on a round face, given it is a small puff that balances out the roundness of the face. Wearing a larger puff can make the face look bigger in an unflattering way.

Can I sleep with a puff hairstyle and maintain it the next day?

To make your puff last till the next day, sleep with a silk pillowcase, use hair spray and mousse while styling, refrain from touching your puff, and use a water-based spray to freshen up your puff from time to time.

Are there any tips for preventing frizz in a puff hairstyle?

Using appropriate hair styling products before and after styling is the key to preventing frizzing in a puff hairstyle. Wash and condition your hair prior to the hairstyle, use a detangling serum, and comb with a fine comb. Use hair mousse before making a puff and finish it all off with a hair spray to keep it in place.

How can I incorporate a puff hairstyle into other hairstyles, like updos or braids?

You can incorporate a puff in all updos and half-dos by simply creating the puff first and securing it with bobby pins. After securing the puff, you can make buns, ponytails, or braids with the rest of the hair.

Key Takeaways

  • The toque, which is popularly known as the puff hairstyle, became significant during the 18th century as a symbol of glamor.
  • The height of the hairstyle helps create the illusion of a longer and slimmer face.
  • There are numerous puff hairstyles one can choose from–from a puffy high ponytail to a chic puffy bun.
puff hairstyles

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team


Learn how to create the perfect puff hairstyle in minutes! Get inspired by this quick and easy everyday hairstyle that will make you look fabulous! Check out this video!

Personal Experience: Source

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