Curly Hair Updos: 8 Easy Styles That Actually Work with Natural Curls

If you have curly hair, you know the frustration: every updo tutorial assumes sleek, straight hair. The result? Frizz, flyaways, and a style that looks nothing like the picture. These 8 updos are designed for curly and coily textures. They work with your natural curl pattern instead of against it, require no heat styling, and actually look better with texture and volume.

1. Pineapple updo

The curly-girl staple. Gather all your hair at the very top of your head (think: pineapple) and secure with a silk scrunchie. Let the curls fan out. Works for 2a–4c curl types and takes 30 seconds.

Best for: Casual days, sleeping (preserves curls overnight), festivals.

2. Curly messy bun

Don’t try to make it sleek — that’s where most curly-haired people go wrong with buns. Gather loosely, twist gently, and pin. Let curls poke out in every direction. The messier, the better.

Tip: Use spin pins (corkscrew bobby pins) instead of regular bobby pins. They grip curly hair 10x better.

3. Twisted crown

Take a section from each side of your head, twist away from your face, and pin at the back where they meet. Leave the rest of your curls flowing. Romantic and wedding-appropriate.

4. Curly French twist

Gather hair to one side, twist up vertically, and pin with 4–5 bobby pins. The curly texture makes this look more interesting than a straight-haired French twist. Pull a few curls out at the top.

5. Double twisted buns

Part hair down the middle. Twist each section into a bun on either side. Secure with spin pins. Curls add natural volume that straight-haired people have to fake with teasing.

6. Low curly chignon with tendrils

Pull hair into a low, loose bun at the nape. Intentionally leave 4–6 curly tendrils around the face and neck. This is the most elegant curly updo and works beautifully for weddings and formal events.

7. Half-up curly ponytail

Scoop the top half of your curls into a high ponytail. Let the bottom half cascade down. Use a silk scrunchie to avoid pulling or breaking curls at the tie point.

8. Braided updo

Two loose braids (Dutch or regular) that wrap around the back of the head and pin in place. Curly hair makes the braid look thicker and more textured. Gently pull the braid sections outward for extra volume.

Curly updo essentials

Silk or satin scrunchies: Regular elastics cause breakage and frizz on curly hair. Silk scrunchies reduce friction.

Spin pins: Corkscrew-shaped bobby pins that grip curly textures far better than flat pins.

Gel or mousse first: Apply your usual curl-defining product, scrunch, and let dry before styling the updo. This reduces frizz.

Don’t touch too much: Every time you touch curly hair, you break up the curl pattern and create frizz. Style with purpose and then leave it alone.

Canadian products: AG Hair Curl Fresh Definer (Canadian brand, available at salons), DevaCurl (Sephora), and Cake Beauty Curl Friend (Shoppers Drug Mart) are all excellent.

Key Takeaways

• The pineapple updo and curly messy bun are the quickest everyday styles.
• Use spin pins instead of regular bobby pins — they grip curly hair much better.
• Apply curl-defining product before styling the updo to control frizz.
• Silk scrunchies reduce breakage and frizz compared to regular elastics.

The Bottom Line

Curly hair was built for updos. The volume and texture that make straight-haired people jealous means your buns look fuller, your twists have more dimension, and your braids have more body. Stop fighting your texture and start working with it.

Sources

1. American Academy of Dermatology