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Want to learn how to do a beehive hairstyle at home? The basic technique is simpler than the finished style suggests creating height at the crown, building internal support with controlled backcombing or hair padding, smoothing the visible outer layer and securing everything with pins.
The beehive became an iconic hairstyle in the 1960s, but you don't have to recreate a perfectly rigid vintage version. Today's beehive can be high and polished, softly undone, half-up or adapted to suit your hair length and preferred finish. Here's how to create one step by step.
A beehive hairstyle is a high-volume updo where the hair is built upwards around the crown to create a rounded, elevated silhouette. The style became particularly associated with 1960s fashion and has appeared in many variations since. A classic beehive is usually:
high at the crown;
smooth on the outside;
structured underneath;
pinned securely at the back.
A modern beehive can be softer and less symmetrical, with loose face-framing pieces, a lower crown or even a half-up finish.
Before starting your beehive hairstyle tutorial, gather:
sectioning clips;
a fine-tooth or teasing comb;
a soft smoothing brush;
bobby pins or hairpins;
hairspray;
a mirror.
Optional extras include:
styling mousse;
texturising product;
dry shampoo for additional grip where appropriate;
hair padding or a small hair donut;
decorative clips, headbands or ribbons.
You do not need a curling wand to create the basic beehive. A curling tool is only an optional extra if you specifically want curled ends, a shaped fringe or curled face-framing pieces.
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair
Start with dry, detangled hair. Very silky hair can sometimes be more difficult to backcomb and pin because there isn't much grip. Rather than waiting until your hair becomes greasy, use an appropriate styling product if you need extra texture.
A lightweight mousse can add body before styling. For example, Sofn'Free For Natural Hair Flaxseed & Rosewater Foam Wrap Mousse is designed to provide lightweight styling support and can be useful when you want additional body without relying entirely on heavy hairspray.
Use only as much product as your hair needs. If your hair already holds backcombing and pins easily, you may not need a preparation product at all.
Step 2: Section the Crown and Front
Separate the hair you'll use to create the beehive. A practical starting point is to take a crown section from around the top/front of the head towards the upper back of the crown. Clip the front-most layer out of the way.
This smoother section will eventually cover the teased structure underneath. Keeping it separate is important: if you aggressively backcomb every strand, you'll have nothing smooth left to create the polished outer surface.
Step 3: Backcomb the Crown
Now create the internal volume.
Take a small subsection from the crown.
Hold it upwards and slightly forwards.
Place your teasing comb a short distance from the roots.
Push the comb down towards the root in short, controlled strokes.
Repeat until the base has enough structure to support the height you want.
Move to the next subsection.
Build the shape gradually. You don't need to turn the entire crown into one tightly tangled mass. Concentrate the backcombing on the inside of the style, particularly around the root area where support is needed.
Step 4: Smooth the Outer Layer
Once you've built enough volume, release the smooth top section you saved earlier. Lay it gently over the teased hair. Use a soft brush or the surface of your comb to smooth the visible layer without pressing so firmly that you flatten the structure underneath.
Think: Smooth the surface, not the volume.
This is one of the most important steps in creating a polished beehive. If you see gaps, gently redistribute the outer layer rather than brushing repeatedly through the teased interior.
Step 5: Shape the Beehive
Use your hands to guide the crown into the rounded silhouette you want. For a classic beehive, build more height vertically. For a modern version, keep the crown slightly lower and softer. Look at the style from:
the front;
both sides;
the back.
If one side looks significantly flatter, adjust the internal structure before adding more hairspray.
Step 6: Secure the Sides and Back
Smooth the side sections towards the back of your head. Secure them with bobby pins or hairpins, crossing pins where additional support is needed. The hair should feel secure, not painfully tight. Depending on your length, the remaining hair can be:
tucked underneath;
shaped into a low bun;
arranged into a French-roll-style finish;
left partly down for a half-up beehive.
Hide the pins underneath the outer hair wherever possible.
Step 7: Set the Style
Once you're happy with the shape, use hairspray in light, controlled layers. Focus on:
the crown;
the smooth outer surface;
flyaways;
areas around the pins that need extra support.
Avoid soaking the entire hairstyle simply because beehives are traditionally associated with strong hairspray. The pins and internal structure should be doing most of the work.
Step 8: Finish the Front
Now decide how polished or modern you want the finished hairstyle to look. You could:
smooth everything back for a classic finish;
leave a soft fringe;
release a couple of face-framing sections;
add a headband;
add a ribbon;
finish with decorative clips.
This final step is where the same basic structure can move from a classic 60s beehive hairstyle to something softer and more contemporary.
Don't like teasing your hair? You can still create a beehive-style silhouette using hair padding.
Step 1: Section the crown as you would for a traditional beehive.
Step 2: Position a suitable hair pad, filler or small donut around the crown where you want the height.
Step 3: Secure the padding so it doesn't move.
Step 4: Lay your hair over the padding until it is completely covered.
Step 5: Smooth the outer layer and pin the hair underneath or behind the padding.
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Step 6: Set lightly with hairspray if needed. This method can be particularly useful if:
you dislike detangling teased hair;
your hair doesn't hold much backcombing;
you want substantial height without creating all of it from your own hair;
you're creating a quick costume or occasion style.
You may still need a little texture or light teasing depending on your hair and the shape you want, but heavy backcombing isn't compulsory.
Both styles use the same basic principle — volume at the crown — but the finish can be very different.
Classic 60s Beehive |
Modern Beehive |
Higher crown |
Softer or lower height |
More structured |
More relaxed |
Smooth silhouette |
Can have loose texture |
Stronger vintage shape |
Can be slightly undone |
Hair usually fully arranged up |
Often works half-up |
Minimal loose pieces |
Face-framing pieces can work well |
If you're trying a beehive for the first time, a softer modern version can be easier because it doesn't require the silhouette to look perfectly symmetrical.
You don't need exactly one hair length to create a beehive, but your technique may need to change.
Beehive Hairstyle for Short Hair
If your hair is shorter, focus the volume around the crown rather than trying to build an extremely tall updo. Try:
a smaller beehive;
a half-up beehive;
hair padding for additional height;
pinning shorter side sections individually.
The hair needs enough length to cover and secure whatever internal structure you're using.
Beehive Hairstyle for Medium Hair
Medium-length hair can work particularly well for the classic style because there is usually enough length to cover the crown structure and pin the back without creating excessive bulk. You can try:
classic full beehive;
half-up beehive;
beehive with low bun;
softer modern version.
Beehive Hairstyle for Long or Thick Hair
With longer or very thick hair, don't feel that every strand has to become part of the crown volume. Build the beehive from the upper section, then arrange the remaining lengths separately. For example:
Create the crown.
Secure the sides.
Put the remaining hair into a low bun or roll.
Blend the two sections visually.
This keeps the crown from becoming unnecessarily bulky.
Backcombing Every Strand. Leave a smooth outer layer. The internal hair creates structure; the outer hair creates the finish.
Brushing Out the Volume While Smoothing. Use very light strokes on the surface. If you push the brush through the teased section, you'll flatten the structure you just created.
Trying to Create All the Height in One Section. Build several smaller crown sections gradually. This gives you more control over the final shape.
Using Too Much Hairspray Too Early. Hairspray cannot replace good sectioning and pinning. Build the shape first, then spray.
Pulling the Sides Too Tightly. A beehive needs support, not uncomfortable tension. If your scalp or hairline hurts, loosen the section and repin it.
Using Too Many Styling Products. Mousse, texturising products and hairspray can all be useful, but you don't necessarily need all of them. Too much product can leave the hair stiff, sticky or difficult to restyle.
Making the Crown Completely Flat While Pinning. Keep checking the silhouette as you work. Once the sides and back are secured, gently reshape the crown with your fingers if needed.
Taking the Style Down Too Roughly. A heavily teased section shouldn't be attacked with a brush immediately after removing the pins. Take your time.
Removing the hairstyle carefully is just as important as building it.
- Remove All Accessories. Take out headbands, decorative clips and other accessories first.
- Find and Remove Every Pin. Work methodically around the back and sides. Don't start brushing until you're confident all pins are out.
- Release the Outer Shape. Gently separate the hair you've wrapped or tucked into the style.
- Loosen the Backcombed Sections. Work through the teased hair gradually rather than pulling from root to end. Begin towards the ends and progressively work upwards.
- Add Detangling Support if Needed. If the hair is difficult to separate, use an appropriate detangling or conditioning product rather than forcing a comb through a knot.
- Wash and Condition When Appropriate. Once the style has been fully detangled, follow your normal cleansing and conditioning routine as needed to remove styling-product residue.
Learning how to do a beehive hairstyle comes down to three things: creating internal support, preserving a smooth outer layer and pinning the shape securely.
For a classic 60s beehive, build more height and keep the finish smooth and structured. For a modern beehive, use a softer crown, looser texture or face-framing pieces. And if traditional teasing isn't for you, use hair padding to create the silhouette with less backcombing.
Whichever version you choose, don't rely on painful tension or excessive hairspray to hold everything together. Good sectioning, controlled volume and strategic pinning will do much more for the finished shape.
If your hair needs extra grip or hold, explore Cosmetize's Hair Styling collection for mousses, styling sprays and finishing products.
For lightweight styling preparation, you can also consider Sofn'Free For Natural Hair Flaxseed & Rosewater Foam Wrap Mousse. Styling products are optional support for the technique — they don't replace proper sectioning, shaping and pinning.
Can you do a beehive on freshly washed hair?
Yes. However, very silky freshly washed hair may have less grip, which can make backcombing and pinning more difficult. If necessary, use a suitable mousse or texturising product rather than waiting for your hair to become greasy.
Can you make a beehive without teasing your hair?
Yes. Hair padding, a suitable filler or a small hair donut can create height underneath the crown. Cover the padding with a smooth layer of hair and pin everything securely.
Can you do a beehive hairstyle on short hair?
It depends on your length, but shorter hair can often create a smaller crown or half-up beehive. Hair padding can also help create height when there isn't enough length to build a large traditional beehive.
How do you keep a beehive hairstyle from falling?
Build support through controlled backcombing or padding, secure the shape with strategically placed pins and use hairspray as finishing support. Don't expect hairspray alone to hold a poorly secured beehive.
How do you remove a beehive without tangling your hair?
Remove every pin first, gently release the shape and detangle the backcombed sections gradually from the ends upwards. Use detangling support if necessary rather than pulling a brush through the teased hair.
