18 Updo Curly Hairstyles to Transform Your Look Instantly

18 Updo Curly Hairstyles to Transform Your Look Instantly

Curly hair and updos just belong together. There’s something about the way natural texture holds a twist, a bun, or a braid that gives updos so much more personality than they’d have on straight strands. If you’ve ever felt like your curls fight against updos instead of working with them, I promise the right technique makes all the difference.

Whether you’re heading to a wedding, a night out, or just want your curls off your neck on a hot day, these eighteen styles cover every hair length, texture, and skill level. Grab your bobby pins and let’s get into it.

Fun & Bouncy Curls with Purple Tones

This one’s for anyone who wants their updo to double as a color statement. Deep purple tones woven through natural curls catch light in the most unexpected way, especially when the curls are left loose and bouncy at the crown instead of pinned flat. It works beautifully on medium to thick curly hair and looks amazing on cool or neutral skin tones.

Ask your colorist for a semi-permanent violet gloss over your natural curl color so it fades gracefully instead of growing out awkwardly. A curl-defining cream plus a diffuser keeps the bounce intact before you pin the top section up loosely.

Vintage Curls

Think old Hollywood glamour but with your natural curl pattern doing the heavy lifting instead of a curling iron. This style pins curls into soft, structured waves close to the head with a deep side part and a bit of shine.

It suits fine to medium curly hair especially well since the pin-curl setting technique adds body without adding bulk. Finish with a light-hold pomade for that glossy, polished vintage look, and set with pins overnight if your curls need extra convincing to hold the shape.

Stunning Blonde Balayage Curls

Balayage was practically made for curly hair. The hand-painted highlights land differently on every curl, so when you pull hair up into an updo, you get these gorgeous sun-kissed pieces peeking through instead of flat, one-note color.

This works on any curl type, though it shows up most dramatically on looser waves and spirals. Ask for a warm, honey-toned blonde balayage if you have warm undertones, or a cooler ash blonde if you lean cool. A loose bun with a few face-framing curls left down really lets the color shine.

Thick and Voluminous Golden Blonde Curls

If your hair is naturally thick and you’ve always wanted to show it off rather than fight it, this is your style. Golden blonde curls piled into a big, voluminous updo make a statement without needing much extra product or effort.

This suits thick, coarse, or curly hair types best since finer hair might struggle to hold that much volume without help. A volumizing mousse applied to soaking wet curls, then air-dried or diffused, gives you the lift you need before pinning everything up loosely at the crown.

Full Crown Braid Twist

A braid that wraps around the crown like a halo looks incredibly intricate but is honestly pretty forgiving to create on curly hair, since the texture hides small imperfections in the braid. It’s a lovely pick for curly hair of any length, though it looks especially pretty on medium to long curls.

This style works for pretty much any face shape and is a great option when you want something polished for daytime that transitions easily into evening. Leave-in conditioner and a light gel on the braid sections keep flyaways controlled without stiffening the curls.

Super Long Blonde Curled Ends

For anyone blessed with long curly hair, this style is about celebrating length instead of hiding it. The top and mid-lengths get swept up into a loose knot while the ends cascade down in full, bouncy curls, ideally in a warm blonde shade that catches light.

It’s a gorgeous choice for special occasions and looks stunning against an oval or heart-shaped face. Curl your ends around a large barrel wand if they need extra definition, then twist the rest up and secure loosely so the curls have room to move.

Afro with Bantu Knot Crown

This is such a striking combination of texture and structure. Small bantu knots arranged along the crown create a beautiful contrast against a full, natural afro underneath, giving you sculptural detail up top while the rest of your hair stays soft and expansive.

It’s a gorgeous protective style for coily and kinky curl types, and the knots can even be left in overnight to create defined curls once unraveled the next day. A curl butter or heavy cream helps define both the knots and the afro without weighing down the texture.

Swirly Blonde Hair

Picture soft spirals swept up into a swirled, sculptural updo, almost like the curls themselves are the decoration. This style leans into loose, undone curls rather than tight ringlets, giving it a relaxed, romantic feel that photographs beautifully.

Medium to long curly hair with a warm blonde base works wonderfully here. A texturizing spray on damp curls before diffusing adds the piecey definition that makes the swirl pattern really pop once it’s pinned.

Low Sock Bun

Low buns and curly hair aren’t always the easiest combo since curls tend to resist being smoothed down, but the sock bun method actually uses that resistance to your advantage. Wrapping curls around a foam donut at the nape creates a full, rounded bun without needing tons of product.

This is a low-maintenance option perfect for busy mornings or workouts, and it suits pretty much any curl type or length as long as your hair reaches the nape of your neck. A bit of edge control along the hairline keeps things tidy without disturbing the curl pattern elsewhere.

Braided and Curled Half Up

Combining a braid with loose curls gives you the best of both a done-up and down hairstyle. A single braid or a few thin braids woven through the top section pull back into a half-up style, while the rest of the curls stay loose and full underneath.

This is a great pick for medium to long curly hair and works well for casual outings or laid-back weddings. Braid while hair is damp for a crimped texture once undone, or keep the braids in as a decorative element and simply pull the top section back.

Half Up Half Down Bun Ideas

There’s a reason this style shows up on every hairstyle roundup ever written, it just works. A small bun sits at the crown while the rest of your curls tumble down freely, giving you polish up top and movement everywhere else.

It’s genuinely one of the easiest updos to master on curly hair since you’re really only securing a small section. This suits every curl pattern and length past the shoulders, and you can dress it up with a few pins or a scarf depending on the occasion.

Red Curls

Red hair and curls together are a whole mood. Whether you go copper, auburn, or a deeper cherry red, piling those curls into any kind of updo makes the color look even more dimensional since light hits every twist and turn differently.

This shade tends to suit warm and neutral skin tones especially well, though a blue-based red can flatter cooler undertones too. Color-safe curl products are worth the investment here since red fades faster than most other shades, and a gentle sulfate-free shampoo will help it last.

Chic and Carefree Pin Curls

Pin curls have this effortlessly retro quality that somehow still feels current. Small sections are twisted and pinned close to the scalp, then released into soft, defined curls that frame the face beautifully once they’re arranged into an updo.

This technique works on straighter curl patterns that need a little help holding shape, as well as naturally curly hair that just needs some structure. It’s a low-heat option too, which your curls will thank you for in the long run.

Textured Mohawk Style

For something with a little more edge, a textured mohawk pulls the sides back while leaving a strip of voluminous curls running down the center. It’s bold without being over the top, and curly hair gives it a softer, more textured finish than straight hair ever could.

This suits shorter to medium curly hair particularly well, and it’s a fantastic choice for festivals, concerts, or anytime you want your hair to have a little attitude. A strong-hold gel on the sides keeps things sleek while the center curls stay free and bouncy.

Simple Twist Voluminous Updo

Sometimes the easiest styles are the ones you reach for the most, and this twisted updo is about as low-effort as curly updos get. Two sections are simply twisted and pinned up, letting your natural curl volume do most of the visual work.

It’s ideal for second or third day curls when you want something quick that still looks put together. This works on any curl type and is especially handy for thick or coarse hair that already has plenty of natural body to show off.

Sleek High Ponytail with Curls

A high ponytail with the roots smoothed back and the length left curly gives you that sleek-meets-natural contrast that looks great for both daytime and dressier occasions. The smooth base at the crown makes the curls at the ponytail look even more dramatic and full.

This suits medium to long curly hair and flatters most face shapes by lifting everything up and back. Edge control and a boar bristle brush help achieve that smooth base, while the ponytail itself stays completely untouched to preserve the curl pattern.

Side-Swept Curls

Sweeping all your curls over to one shoulder creates an asymmetrical, romantic look that’s a favorite for weddings and formal events. The curls cascade down one side while the opposite side stays pinned back, giving you dimension and movement without a ton of complexity.

This flatters nearly every face shape since it draws the eye diagonally, and it works particularly well on medium to long curls. A light shine serum smoothed over the curls just before the event adds a bit of polish without disturbing the shape.

Curly French Twist Updo

The French twist is a classic for a reason, and translating it onto curly hair gives it a fresh, textured update. Instead of a smooth, sleek twist, you get a slightly undone version with curls peeking out along the twist and at the crown.

This works wonderfully for formal occasions on medium to long curly hair, and it tends to flatter longer face shapes especially well since it adds width at the sides. A texturizing spray before twisting gives the pins something to grip onto, so it holds through a full night of dancing.

Curly updos really do come in every style imaginable, from barely-there twists you can do in five minutes to elaborate braided crowns worth saving for special occasions. The trick with curly hair is always working with your texture instead of against it, using the right products to define rather than flatten, and giving yourself a little grace if a style doesn’t come out perfectly the first try. Once you find a few of these that click with your curl pattern and lifestyle, you’ll have go-to updos for absolutely any occasion.