15 Updo Locs Hairstyles For Women to Show Your Stylist ASAP

15 Updo Locs Hairstyles For Women to Show Your Stylist ASAP

If you’ve got locs and you’re tired of wearing them down every single day, updos are about to become your new best friend. There’s something about pulling your locs up and back that just feels polished, put-together, and honestly a little bit fancy, even on a random Tuesday. Whether your locs are freeform, sisterlocks, faux locs, or the classic traditional style, there’s an updo on this list that’ll work with your length, thickness, and lifestyle.

Updo locs hairstyles are having a real moment right now, and it’s not hard to see why. They protect your ends, keep hair off your neck in the heat, and they photograph beautifully for everything from weddings to job interviews. Print this list out, screenshot it, whatever you need to do, and bring it straight to your next salon appointment.

The Classic Loc Bun

This one is exactly what it sounds like, and that’s the whole appeal. You gather all your locs at the crown or nape and twist them into a neat, rounded bun.

It works on pretty much any face shape, though a slightly lower bun tends to soften angular features while a high bun elongates a round face. Thin or thick locs both look great this way, and it’s genuinely one of the lowest maintenance styles on this list.

For styling, a bit of edge control smooths any flyaways along the hairline before you secure everything with a stretchy loc-friendly band. Some women love adding a wrap of fabric or yarn around the base for extra flair.

Loc Updo with Curly Ends

This style takes your gathered locs and lets the tips fall loose and curly around the bun or twist you’ve created. It’s soft, a little romantic, and adds movement that a plain bun sometimes lacks.

It’s especially pretty on medium to long locs, since you need enough length for the curls to actually show once they’re released from the updo. Curly ends also read as more special-occasion, so this is a great pick for date nights or celebrations.

To get the curl, your stylist can use flexi rods or perm rods on the ends the night before, then style the base into your updo of choice the next day. A light curl cream helps define the texture without weighing it down.

High Puff Loc Updo

If you love volume, this is your style. All your locs get pulled up into a high, full puff at the crown, almost like a loc version of a curly high pony.

Round and heart-shaped faces tend to love this one because the height balances out the width of the jaw or cheeks. It also works beautifully for thick locs that naturally have a lot of body to show off.

A little setting spray at the roots before you gather everything up helps the puff hold its shape through the day. This look is also great for the gym since it keeps hair fully off your neck.

Loc Updo with Side-Swept Bang

Not every updo needs to pull every single strand back. Leaving out a few front locs to sweep across the forehead softens the whole look and adds a face-framing element.

This is a favorite for square or rectangular face shapes since the swept piece breaks up straight lines along the forehead. It also works on any length, since you only need a couple of locs left loose.

Your stylist can taper the ends of those front pieces slightly so they lay flatter against your skin instead of poking out. A dab of shine serum on that swept section keeps it looking glossy rather than dry.

Twisted Updo with Accent Beads

Adding beads or cuffs to a handful of locs before twisting them into an updo instantly makes the whole style feel more intentional and decorative. It’s a nod to traditional loc styling that never really goes out of fashion.

This works especially well on locs of any age, from new to mature, since the beads draw attention no matter the length or thickness. It’s a great option for anyone who wants their hairstyle to double as a statement piece.

Metal or wooden cuffs tend to hold better than plastic beads, which can slip if your locs are on the thinner side. Just keep in mind that a heavier updo like this may need a few extra bobby pins for security.

Halo Braid Loc Updo

This one takes a section of your locs and braids them around the crown of your head like a halo, with the rest either tucked under or left in a low bun beneath it.

It’s a gorgeous option for medium length locs and looks especially elegant on oval and heart-shaped faces. Because it has that braided detail up top, it feels a little more special than a basic updo without requiring a ton of extra time.

Ask your stylist for a slightly loose braid rather than a tight one, since a relaxed halo tends to look more effortless and less severe. This style also holds up really well overnight, so it’s a smart pick before a busy morning.

Low Twisted Chignon

A chignon is basically a low, elegant knot at the nape, and translating that into locs gives you a sleek, sophisticated updo that feels appropriate for literally any setting.

Longer locs work best here since you need enough length to wrap and tuck neatly. This is one of the more formal options on the list, so it’s perfect for weddings, work events, or anything where you want to look effortlessly put-together.

Your stylist will typically twist two sections together before wrapping them into the knot shape, which helps the chignon hold its form without a ton of pins. A silk scarf at night keeps this style fresh for several days.

Loc Updo with Shaved or Braided Sides

Combining an updo with a shaved or tightly braided side design gives the whole style an edgier, more modern feel. The top locs get pulled into a bun or twist while the sides show off a bold design or sleek cornrow pattern.

This look tends to suit thick locs best, since the contrast between the shaved or braided side and the fuller updo on top really pops. It’s a favorite among women who want their hair to feel a little more daring and expressive.

Because the sides need regular touch-ups to stay sharp, this is a higher maintenance option, but the payoff is a style that genuinely looks like nothing else on this list.

Pineapple Loc Updo

Borrowed from the natural hair community, the pineapple updo gathers locs loosely at the very top of the head, letting the ends fan out like, well, a pineapple.

This is a fantastic everyday style for shorter to medium locs and works on any face shape since the volume sits so high up. It’s also incredibly quick to do, which makes it a go-to for busy mornings or workouts.

A loose, wide hair tie is key here since anything too tight can create tension at the hairline. This style is more casual than some others on the list, but it’s endlessly practical.

Loc Updo with Curved Part

A curved or S-shaped part along the front adds a subtle but noticeable design element before your locs even get pulled up into their bun or twist.

This detail works especially well for anyone with thinning edges, since a curved part can visually fill in sparse areas better than a straight line. It also just adds a bit of personality to an otherwise simple updo.

Your stylist can create the curve using the tip of a rat tail comb, and a little edge control afterward keeps the line crisp for days.

Bantu Knot-Inspired Loc Updo

Instead of one large bun, this style sections your locs into several smaller knots across the head, similar to traditional Bantu knots but done with your loc length.

This is a beautiful option for medium to long locs and gives a really textured, dimensional look compared to a single bun. It also tends to hold up exceptionally well through humidity or workouts since the weight is distributed across multiple knots rather than one.

Each section gets wrapped and tucked individually, so this style does take a bit longer to install, but it can last comfortably for several days once it’s done.

Loc Updo with Wrapped Ponytail Base

Here, your locs get pulled into a ponytail, and then a single loc or a piece of fabric wraps around the base to hide the elastic completely. It’s a small detail that makes the whole style look noticeably more finished.

This works on any length and thickness and is one of the easier updos to recreate at home once you’ve seen your stylist do it once. It’s a great transitional style between more elaborate updos when you want something quick but still neat.

For extra polish, choose a wrap color that either matches your locs exactly or contrasts in a fun, intentional way.

Loose Loc Updo with Face-Framing Curls

This one keeps the bulk of your locs pulled back into a loose, slightly undone bun while a few curled pieces frame the face on both sides.

It’s particularly flattering for longer faces since the framing pieces add width visually at the cheekbones. This is also one of the more romantic-feeling styles on the list, making it a lovely choice for engagement photos or anniversary dinners.

Loose styles like this tend to photograph better than tightly pulled ones, so if you’ve got a photoshoot coming up, this is worth mentioning to your stylist.

Loc Updo with Woven Basket Pattern

This more intricate style weaves sections of locs together in a basket-like pattern before securing them into an updo, creating a woven texture across the crown or back of the head.

Because of the detail involved, this works best on locs with a bit of length and flexibility to them. It’s a showstopper for special occasions and tends to draw compliments basically every time.

This is a longer salon appointment, so plan accordingly, but the style itself can last well over a week with proper care, which makes the extra chair time worth it.

Loc Updo with Colored Accent Wraps

Adding colored thread, yarn, or extensions to select locs before styling them into an updo lets you play with color without any actual dye or bleach involved.

This is such a fun option for anyone who wants to experiment with a bold shade but isn’t ready to commit to it permanently. It works on any length and can be as subtle or as vibrant as you like, from a couple of accent pieces to a full rainbow effect.

Because the color comes from wraps rather than dye, it’s also one of the gentlest options here for hair health, and it can simply be removed whenever you’re ready for a change.

Locs are honestly some of the most versatile hair to work with when it comes to updos, since the texture holds shapes so well and the styles tend to last. Bring a few of these to your next appointment, chat with your stylist about which ones fit your length and lifestyle best, and don’t be afraid to mix elements from a couple of different looks. That’s usually how the best custom styles come together anyway.