Think you can't put a bob in an updo? Michael Douglas's clever styling trick does it with just 3 pins

Several A-listers have recently swapped their longer lengths for bob hairstyles. Take Eva Longoria’s shaggy bob, Halle Berry’s French bob and Helen Mirren’s soft crop, for proof. But while shorter styles can look incredibly impactful, they can be limiting when it comes to updos.

It’s something our Editor-in-Chief, Hannah Fernando, encounters with her own short bob, particularly on holidays: “When you’re away it still feels hot,” she says. “Is there anything you can do to get it off your neck, tie it up and still look good?”

The answer, according to celebrity hairstylist Michael Douglas, who has worked with the likes of Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer, is yes – although shorter lengths do present a challenge. “The shorter the hair, the harder it is to get up,” he explains.

Fortunately, you don’t need enough length for a ponytail hairstyle to get your hair up and away from your neck. With a little texturising spray, two Kirby grips and a hair pin, Michael quickly transformed Hannah’s bob into a chic, secure style. Here, he shows us exactly how to recreate it.

Tip #1: Add texture and grip first

This step is especially important for anyone with naturally straight, soft strands, as some added grit will help the hair stay in place. “Because your hair is straight, it wants to slip away, so we need something in the hair to kind of grip it together,” Michael explains.

To give Hannah’s hair that all-important hold, Michael spritzes a texturising spray through the back, lifting sections as he goes to ensure the product is evenly distributed. “I would get a product – either this or something like this – in the hair at the back,” he says. The aim isn’t to create lots of volume or make the hair feel stiff, but simply to give those silky lengths enough grip to hold together once you start pinning.

Tip #2: Twist the hair in on itself

Once you’ve added some grip, gather as much of the hair as you can towards the nape of the neck. Rather than trying to secure the shorter lengths into a conventional ponytail, Michael simply twists them together. “Once you twist the hair, it starts to fold in on itself,” he explains, creating a loose pleat at the back of the head.

Next, it’s time to secure the twist. “The trick with Kirby grips is to take one and slide it downwards into the pleat or the roll,” says Michael. Any shorter ends that are still poking out can simply be tucked into the fold before using a hair pin to hold them in place. Despite using just two Kirby grips and one hair pin, Hannah notes that the finished updo for short hair feels “really secure”.

Tip #3: Leave a few pieces loose

Don’t worry if a few shorter pieces escape around the ears – in fact, Michael prefers it that way. “I like bits hanging down and hair loose around the ear as well,” he says. Leaving a few strands free gives the updo a softer, more relaxed finish, rather than making it look too slick and polished.

If you do prefer a neater hair up style, simply use a Kirby grip to slide any loose pieces back into place. Michael also suggests adding a decorative grip – he finishes Hannah’s style with a pearl-adorned one – which can double up as an easy way to secure any stray strands. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to hold everything in place while retaining the height through the top.