We’ve got love for all the curly girls out there! Check out these amazing curly hair updos. Whether it’s your natural curl or you added it with a curling iron, we promise not to tell!
#1: Loose Curly Updo with Face-Framing Tendrils
Notice how the volume sits almost entirely at the crown and slightly forward. That placement is deliberate and it works because her hair has enough density to hold that lift without backcombing into oblivion. This is a pin-and-tuck updo, not a twist or a braid, meaning sections are loosely looped and secured with pins at varied angles to create that textured pile. Medium to thick curly hair, somewhere around 2B to 3A, is ideal here. If your curls are tighter or your density is low, this specific shape will not hold. It will flatten within an hour. The face-framing pieces left out around the ears and nape are doing real work, softening the whole look and keeping it from reading too structured for a casual setting. Oval and round face shapes benefit most from this crown height. One thing worth knowing: those wispy tendrils look effortless in the photo, but getting them to curl consistently while the rest stays pinned takes more time than the updo itself.
#2 Piled High Curls with Caramel Ribbons
Notice how the volume sits forward, not straight up. That’s intentional, and it’s what keeps this from looking like a basic bun on top. The curls are pinned loosely at the crown with the weight shifted toward the forehead, which works beautifully on oval and heart-shaped faces because it balances a narrower chin. Medium to thick 3A or 3B curls with at least shoulder length when stretched. The honey-caramel highlights were hand-painted on individual curl clumps so the dimension reads naturally against the dark brown base. If your hair is fine or low density, this will not hold. It will flatten within an hour and look sparse where the pins show through.
#3 Swept-Up Silver Curls with Loose Temple Pieces
The thing that caught me here is how the curls at the temples are left deliberately longer and looser than the rest of the updo, which keeps the whole look from reading as too structured. This is natural gray, not toned or glossed, and you can see the salt and pepper variation working as its own dimension. Medium density, type 3A curls, roughly shoulder length when pulled down. The gathering is informal, pinned without a hard center part, and the volume sits forward and slightly off-center. It flatters oval and heart shapes particularly well because those temple pieces narrow the forehead without hiding it. If your curl pattern is tighter than 3B, this loose piling technique won’t hold the same way and you’ll fight it all day. Round faces will find the volume up top helpful, but those wispy bits near the ears can widen the mid-face if they’re not placed with intention.
#4 Undone Dark Curly Bun with Natural Warm Highlights
Notice how the weight of this bun sits at the crown, not the nape. That placement is doing all the work here, lifting the whole face and keeping the neck open. This is medium-density type 3A hair, shoulder length or slightly longer when down, gathered loosely with pins rather than an elastic, which is why individual curl clumps read so clearly instead of getting mashed flat. The warm chestnut pieces catching light through the dark brown base look like sun exposure, not foils, and that honesty is what makes the color work. If you have fine curls or low density, this will not look like this on you. It will look sparse and deflated at the crown because there simply isn’t enough curl mass to hold that lifted shape without backcombing, and backcombing curly hair is a fight you will lose. Oval and heart face shapes wear this well. Round faces lose definition when loose pieces cluster at the temples the way hers do.
#5 High Gathered Curly Puff with Golden Thread Highlights
Those thin golden highlights woven through the coils are doing real work here, catching light in a way that makes dense 3C/4A curls look dimensional without any bleach damage at the root. This is a high puff gathered loosely at the crown, not pinned tight, which is why the curls fan out with that fullness on top. You need medium to high density for this to read correctly. Thin curls will just flatten. The single tendril left at the temple is deliberate and it softens the whole silhouette around a rounder or wider face shape. What most people won’t catch is that the edges are smoothed cleanly without being slicked to death, just enough control to keep it polished while the top stays wild. This style will not last through humidity without a proper gel cast underneath, and if your curls lose definition quickly, you’ll be reshaping it within hours.
#6 Tousled Honey-Lit Curly Pile with Wispy Fallout
Notice how the loose pieces at the temples and nape aren’t random. They’re deliberately pulled from where the curl pattern is tightest, which keeps them from going limp and stringy within an hour. That’s the quiet skill here. This works on medium-density wavy to curly hair, roughly shoulder length or longer, with balayaged honey and caramel pieces over a dark brunette base. Oval and heart faces wear this well because those fallen tendrils narrow rather than widen. If your face is round, those same pieces will fight you. The updo itself is gathered loosely at the crown without a visible elastic, likely pinned in sections to create that textured pile. It will not hold on fine, silky hair. Full stop.
#7 Soft Copper Low Bun with Loose Curl Framing
This won’t hold on straight hair. Not even close. The whole structure relies on medium-density curls gripping each other in that low gathered bun, and the copper color here is a single-process warm strawberry that reads completely different depending on your skin’s undertone. Notice how the curls at the temple aren’t uniform, some are tighter ringlets while others are barely waves, and that mix is what keeps it from looking like a costume piece. Oval and heart-shaped faces get the most from those loose pieces softening the jawline. If your curls are coarse or 3C and tighter, the proportions shift and the bun sits denser than what you see here. It’s a beautiful, low-effort looking style that actually takes real intention to pin correctly.
#8 Textured Dark Chocolate Updo with Intentional Looseness
Notice how the curls at the crown are pinned in individual loops rather than twisted into one mass. That’s what keeps it dimensional instead of looking like a sock bun. You need medium to thick density and at least shoulder-length hair with natural wave or curl pattern to pull this off. Fine hair will flatten within an hour. The single wisp left at the ear is doing real work here, softening the jawline and keeping the whole thing from reading too formal, which makes it strong for oval and heart-shaped faces. If your face is round, that high placement with minimal framing can leave you exposed in a way you might not love. The color is a rich, unprocessed dark brown with just enough warmth to catch light in the curled sections. No balayage, no dimension tricks. Just clean, healthy hair.
#9 Gathered Curly Half-Collapse with Sun-Kissed Balayage
What catches me here is how the curls at the crown aren’t pinned tight at all, they’re loosely gathered so the whole shape leans back and slightly to one side, almost like it’s mid-fall. That takes nerve. This needs medium to thick, naturally curly hair with real density, because the volume at the top is doing all the structural work and fine curls will flatten within the hour. The balayage is hand-painted onto individual curl strands so the golden tones only catch light on the outer coils, leaving the interior dark. It’s gorgeous on warm and olive skin tones. If your face is rounder, this much width at the sides won’t do you any favors. Straight up, this style will not survive humidity or a long event without losing its shape entirely.
#10 Low Pinned Curls with Warm Brunette Dimension
Notice how the curls at the nape aren’t tucked tight. They’re pin-gathered loosely enough that individual ringlets still read as curls, not a blob of texture. That’s deliberate. This works on medium-density hair, roughly shoulder length or a touch longer, with natural wave or curl pattern you can coax into defined spirals with a small barrel iron. The color is a warm espresso base with caramel pieces painted through the mid-lengths, and those lighter strands are doing real work here because they catch light inside the curls and keep the updo from looking flat. Oval and heart face shapes will love the way the loose front pieces soften the temples without covering anything up. If your face is round, those same tendrils can make everything feel wider. This updo will not hold in humidity without serious pinning and product, and if your hair is fine, the gathered section at the back will look sparse. It photographs better than it lasts.
#11 Messy Crown Bun with Auburn-Touched Curls
Notice how the auburn pieces sit only at the top of the bun, not throughout. That’s a balayage painted exclusively on the curls that land on top when gathered, so the color shows when it’s up and practically disappears when it’s down. Smart placement. This needs medium to long 3A or 3B curls with real density, because the bun relies on volume holding its own shape without much pinning. Thin curls will collapse into a sad knot within the hour. The face-framing pieces at the temples and nape are doing serious work here, softening what would otherwise pull the features tight, and they look intentionally cut shorter rather than just yanked loose. Oval and heart face shapes wear this well. Round faces lose definition when the crown sits this high with this much width. If your curls run finer, skip this one entirely.
#12 Defined Spiral Puff with Copper Accent Curls
Those copper-toned strands woven through the crown aren’t highlights in the traditional sense. They’re individually wrapped or rod-set pieces colored separately to catch light only at the curl’s peak, which is why they read as warm flashes rather than a full balayage. This needs dense, type 3B or tighter hair to hold that structured puff shape without collapsing by midday. The single tendril left at the temple is doing real work here, softening a strong jawline and drawing attention toward the eyes instead of straight across the forehead. If your curl pattern is looser or your density is on the thinner side, this will not look like this on you. It will flatten and spread. That is not a styling problem you can fix with more pins. Oval and heart face shapes wear this well because the height adds length without widening. Worth noting that the edges are laid clean but not overly sculpted, which keeps the whole thing from tipping into costume territory.
#13 Curly Bangs Updo with Dark Espresso Spirals
Those curly bangs are doing all the work here, and they need to be cut dry by someone who understands shrinkage on 3B curls or you will hate the result. The rest is gathered loosely at the back, not perfectly pinned, which is what makes it look real. Notice how the tendrils at the temples are different lengths than the bangs themselves, creating layers of curl that frame without crowding. This suits oval and heart-shaped faces well. Round faces will lose definition. You need medium to thick density for the updo to read as full rather than sparse, and the hair is at least shoulder length when stretched. The single-tone dark brown keeps it low-maintenance on color, no balayage to refresh every ten weeks. If your curls run looser than a 3A, this won’t hold the same shape without product and pins you’ll feel all day.
#14 Warm Chestnut Curly Pile with Dark Root Contrast
The dark roots doing the heavy lifting here is something most people will scroll past. That deep near-black base makes the warm chestnut mids read richer than they actually are, which means this color only works if you have naturally dark hair and your stylist balayages the warmth through the midshaft, leaving the first two inches alone. Without that contrast, the whole thing flattens. This needs medium to thick density and at least shoulder-length hair to get that volume in the pile without padding or filler. The tiny wisp pieces left out at the temples and nape are doing real work for wider or rounder face shapes, narrowing things without looking fussy. If your hair is fine and straight, this updo will not hold. It requires natural curl or texture, probably 2C and up, because the shape depends on curls gripping each other at the crown. One thing worth noting: the placement is slightly forward, sitting more over the forehead than centered, which keeps the whole look from going bridal.
#15 Dark Curly Cloud Bun with Deliberate Nape Spillover
The curls escaping at the nape are doing more work than the bun itself, and that’s the whole point. This is pin-curled hair gathered loosely at the crown with pieces intentionally left out at the temples and back to keep it from reading bridal. You need medium to long hair with real density to get that volume on top without padding or extensions. Fine hair will flatten within the hour. What I notice here is how the face-framing pieces are different lengths, one barely grazing the jaw, another reaching the collarbone, which tells me those were cut with intention, not just randomly pulled free. Oval and heart face shapes wear this well because the height at the crown balances a narrower chin. Round faces will want the bun placed slightly further back rather than directly on top. The single-tone dark brunette keeps it grounded, no color tricks needed.
#16 Caramel-Painted Spiral Pineapple with Curly Fringe
That color placement is doing real work. The caramel highlights were hand-painted onto individual curl clumps, which means they catch light in a way foils never replicate on 3B/3C texture. Notice how the darkest sections sit at the nape and root while the warmth concentrates where the curls spring forward. This needs medium to high density hair to hold that volume at the crown without padding or manipulation. If your curls are looser or thinner, this pineapple gather will flatten within the hour. Oval and heart face shapes wear the curly fringe pieces well here because they soften without hiding bone structure. One thing worth knowing: maintaining defined spirals at the hairline while the rest is gathered up requires a fresh wash day or a very specific refresh routine, and that’s a narrow window for a style that’s supposed to look effortless.
#17: Chic Curly Updo with Defined Curls
This stunning curly updo showcases medium-length hair styled with defined, bouncy curls that create volume and texture. Ideal for round or oval face shapes, it enhances facial features beautifully. The model’s thick hair density adds to the fullness of the style, while the gathered top section provides a playful yet elegant look. For maintenance, use curl-enhancing products to define and hold curls, ensuring they stay vibrant throughout the day. Perfect for both casual outings and formal events!
#18: Tucked Grecian Curls
This Grecian upstyle could be better for a formal event. If you already have curly or wavy hair, you will save time and have a great daily look. Pinning your hair up can be beautiful for those who can’t stand their frizzy curls on that second day. This easy curly updo was prepped with a triple barrel waver on pin-straight hair with my favorite KMS products!
#19: Stunning Updo for Curls
This stunning updo is perfect for women with longer hair and curls. You should style it with voluminous curls. This approach creates a beautiful, bouncy effect that adds drama and movement to the look.
#20: Face-Framing Updo with Curly Bangs
There is a diverse array of curly hair updos. Look at this updo with curly bangs that frame the face. This updo puts half the curls up and the other half down. The fringe and sides in front of the ears are left loose. The back is pinned up in a beautiful style.
#21: Cute Curly Updo with Tendrils
A cute curly updo with tendrils can be executed easily with your natural ringlets. Start by diffusing your curls with a gel or volume booster. Grab a hair tie and gently pull the hair into a ponytail on your head with your hands. It’s better to avoid using a brush or comb so that your natural waves stay defined. Use a few hair pins to dress the hair around the ponytail. When you are finished, use a bit of spray to hold your hair in place.
#22: Two-Toned Puff Curl Updo
The puff curl updo emphasizes the richness of the two-toned colors. If you have many natural curls, it’s best to style this look. If needed, you can create curls with a small iron. To make your hair shiny and give it depth, use a quality shine spray while styling.
#23: Curls ‘N Sheen
Glam curls and highlights make this hairstyle one you and all your friends will love! This style is best for women with oval, heart, round, and square faces with thick, naturally wavy, or curly hair. To style, try Bed Head Foxy Curls Mousse, an extreme curl mousse designed to condition and soften hair while maintaining shape. Try Bed Head Foxy Curls Mousse, an extreme curl mousse designed to condition and soften these curly updo hairstyles while maintaining shape!
#24: Curly Low Bun Textured Twist
Go for an option with a formal or not formal style with so much natural texture. Make sure you have a good hairspray that holds down your curly flyaways. I prefer Kenra hairspray. Also, pick elastics and bobby pins that match your hair color. These curly hair up styles keep your hair out of your face with secure twists. Give it a fun, playful style to match your personality.
#25: Enhanced
Enhance your natural curls with a simple yet brilliant updo. Awesome for any occasion, this up do for curly hair is perfect for a date night or a casual walk out on the beach!
#26: Romantic Curly Low Updo
Try a sophisticated romantic low updo because it truly embraces your natural curls. I also love how this style is very versatile. If you wanted it to be more boho, we could let a few tendrils down or make it tighter for something more structured. It has options.
#27: Stunning Curly Braided Bun
This feminine bun updo hairstyle was achieved by creating wispy curls providing immense depth and volume. Then, holding them up in a big low bun.
#28: Curly Low Braided Updo
Braids are the chicest way to do it if you’re looking to tuck up all your curly locks easily. This ‘do for curly hair can be as formal or casual and boho as you want!
#29: Beautiful Curly French Twist
Hair stylist Stephanie created this attractive French twist updo with many textures suitable for girls with medium hair. The texture and volume create the illusion of having lengthy hair while feeling lightweight at the same time.
#30: High Bun Updo
This updo is my ideal look. It’s impressive and effortless. The curls are noticeable, and it is very comfortable to wear. The most important thing when you create curls is to keep their shape for a long time, and wearing your hair up like this helps retain the curls’ texture. This curly up style will complement full and thick hair, but it’s also a great solution for thin hair. The processing of the hair and the volume create the illusion of full hair.
#31: Twisted Buns
This is a voluminous braided chignon with expanded twists on curly hair. My sweet bride wanted a clean and elegant upstyle with pretty details. I used Kenra Airgrip spray for texture. I found that this helped control any frizz from her natural curl. I took small sections on the top part of the head, created loose twists, and expanded them while securing them in a crisscross pattern. I divided the bottom of the style into three braids, sprayed Puff Me onto each one, fanned them out to make them look full, and secured them to create the low chignon look. I finished with Redken 32.
#32: High Ponytail
This look is an effortless, voluminous textured ponytail – the perfect balance between an upstyle and a downstyle that showcases length while keeping hair out of the face. The loveliest thing about this look is that it feels romantic, carefree, and feminine. This style is so flexible and once fairly low-maintenance and long-lasting.
#33: Loose Curly Updo
This look is an undone romantic curly hair updo for women with naturally curly hair. It’s perfect for a naturally curly girl going to a fancy event but wants to avoid straightening her hair out and go through putting it up that way.
#34: Prom Worthy Pinned Curls
This textured updo is a romantic, effortless style. My favorite thing about it is that it’s anything but effortless for the stylist! It’s a challenge! Pinning the curls specifically is crucial in creating a soft waterfall effect. Everyone’s head and hair are completely different, so a technique that works for one person may only work for another. Always come into the salon with dry, unwashed hair for any formal style or updo. Dirty hair is better, so go as many days without washing your hair. Feel free to use dry shampoo during those days. It’ll help the teasing process for us! Don’t worry. Our stylists will do the work of making your hair not look dirty for the big occasion.
#35: Effortless Curly Half Updo
This look is effortless, fun, and versatile. My favorite thing about this hairstyle is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a hairstyle that looks like you might have put a lot of work into it, but it’s super easy! I also love that you can wear it casually or fancy it by adding jewels or tiny flowers. The most important part of this hairstyle is the curls you start with. This hairstyle works best with medium to thick, curly, or wavy hair.
#36: Textured Curly Chignon
I love this look because it is full and effortless. The current upstyles at Ringletts Salon are softer and easier now. This look exemplifies the texture and simplicity that we embrace. This look is great because it can be done on any texture, from straight/fine hair to the most coiled curls, with proper preparation and styling tools. This look was created on a naturally curly girl. When dry, we polished her with a gloss serum, then twisted and molded the perfect shape into a very textured chignon.
#37: Soft & Organic Natural Curls
I love working with curly hair! My client attended her sister’s wedding, and we decided to work with her natural curls. I love how soft and organic this looks. If you plan on having a natural curly upstyle, a great way to prep your hair on the day of is to wash or condition your hair. Use a curl cream or light gel to reduce frizz and twist small, inch-by-inch sections to form your curls while wet. Make sure you diffuse your hair or have enough time to dry it naturally before meeting your stylist!
#38: Tousled and Elegant Updo
This tousled and elegant updo is perfect for the carefree, boho bride that allows the curls to do all the work. I adore how this style seems so effortless. For this look, we started freshly washed curls co-washed with Aveda Be Curly CoWash. I styled it with the BeCurly Style Prep and Curl Enhancer, along with a few spritzes of the Aveda Texture Tonic for volume and added texture. I dried her hair for same-day volume using my CurlyCo. Diffuser.
#39: Romantic Chic Updo with Curls
This is a romantic chic updo. I love it because this look looks intricate, but it took a little while to create. What I love most are the little curls in the front and the tousled texture that brings out the romantic feel. It would be best to have a 2C or 3A curl type at about medium length to get this look. Day two hair is great for a little more tousled and natural look, so a little frizz is GOOD! If you’re the type who isn’t too high maintenance but loves to dress your hair up, this is a great ‘do for you!
#40: Effortless & Natural
I love this look and would describe it as effortless and natural. Her hair was made for this style! I’m not a fan of forced updos, so when this fell into place, it was meant to be. My advice to someone who wants this style would be that they should have some natural texture. It could work with naturally straight hair, but achieving this look requires more preparation. Curls are fun and wild, so if you are blessed with this hair texture, go with your hair’s natural desire.
#41: Soft Updo for Tight Curls
This is a great upstyle for a bride, bridesmaid, or any special event. What I love most about this look is the softness. We could create a more polished look without losing its authenticity by taking a small curling iron (about the size of the curl pattern) to the client’s natural curl.
#42: Relaxed and Textured Messy Updo
This is a relaxed, textured updo. My favorite thing about it is that it’s a very versatile style. It can be worn simply by itself, or you can add several accessories. You can try a band as pictured. A hair vine, small pins, or fresh flowers would suit this updo. This look was created by mainly using the client’s natural curls. I used various products, including Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil and Kenra Matte Texture Putty. I mixed the two and used them to define the curls.
#43: Soft & Timeless Updo
This look is a soft, romantic, and timeless updo that embraces her beautiful natural curls. It’s delicate yet elegant and beautiful for a wedding or a graduation. I love the texture in upstyle hair because it adds such softness. I loved working with the hair vine as well. It was my first time using one, and it allowed so much room for creativity.
#44: Romantically Braided Curly Updo
This look is a romantic curly hair updo. My favorite thing about it is how the curls give it a soft yet elegant look. Start by prepping the hair with light oil to eliminate flyaways and give the hair some shine. I used a small amount of the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser Invisible Oil. To finish, I set it with a light hairspray so the curls stay in place but don’t look crunchy or stiff. I used Bumble and Bumble Does It All Hairspray with her because she has fine hair, but you can always use something with a little more hold, depending on the hair type.
#45: Curly Top Knot
This messy yet awesomely done high knot is surely eye candy! You can leave soft curls down your face for a flirty vibe and a framing effect.
#46: Messy Bun
Simple, natural, yet grand! This tousled hairdo is ideal for ladies fearless in embracing their God-given gifts of beauty.
#47: Subtle Side Curls
Softly defined curls are the perfect complement for this flowing style and two-toned blonde color! Try So Touchable Hairspray, a light hairspray that supplies hydration to nourish and repair hair while offering UV and heat protection. These gorgeous curly bun hairstyles may also work on naturally wavy or straight hair and those with an oval, square, diamond, or heart-shaped face.
#48: Braid Bun
Start creating loose braids and work around the nape, perfecting a bun that is fit for a goddess. This low bun updo makes one of the loveliest formal hairstyles for curly hair.
#49: Curly French Twist
A beautiful upstyle on naturally curly hair is all you need to slay the day. Play with your hair’s natural texture and definition for a great result. These easy curly hair updos would also appear more stunning with added accessories.
#50 Sweet ‘N Simple
This style may look difficult, but it’s about simple weaving and pinning!
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