13 Chic Curly Hair Updos to Keep Curls Off Your Face

By Carol's Daughter — Updated May 2026

Quick Answer: Curly hair updos solve the everyday problem of curls falling in your face during workouts, work, and warm weather. The 13 most versatile updos for curly and natural hair include the curly top knot, scarf bun, high puff, halo braid, braided bun, pineapple bun, sleek bun, bantu knots, curly faux hawk, and French side braid. Most work across curl types (2A–4C), take under 30 minutes, and last all day with the right styling products. The keys: smooth foundation, secure pinning, and curl-friendly hold products that won't flake or crunch.

We love a curl-out-loose moment, but sometimes you need your hair off your face. Workouts, hot summer days, work meetings, hot kitchens — curls in your face can mean discomfort, sweat, and even breakouts where hair touches skin.

Updos solve all of that without sacrificing style.

Here are 13 curly hair updos that work across curl types — easy enough to do at home, polished enough for special occasions, and durable enough to hold through real life.

How to Make a Curly Updo Last

Three things separate a curly updo that lasts all day from one that falls apart by lunch:

1. Start With Second- or Third-Day Hair

Counterintuitive, but true. Freshly-washed hair is harder to style into a durable updo — too soft, too slick. Second- or third-day hair has more texture and grip, which means pins stay put and the style holds longer.

2. Use Color-Matched Bobby Pins

Most updos require a lot of pins. Bobby pins that match your hair color disappear into the style; mismatched pins look distracting and unfinished.

3. Invest in the Right Products

A good moisturizing leave-in, a styling cream or gel for hold, and an edge balm for the perimeter. These three products do 90% of the work.

For more on edge care specifically, see our complete guide to laying edges for beginners.

Find Your Personalized Routine

Different curl types hold updos differently. The Curl Quiz helps you understand your hair.

Take the Curl Quiz → A 5-step quiz that identifies your hair type, main concerns, and the products built for your texture.

1. Curly Top Knot

The everyday MVP.

How to do it:

Gather all your hair into a high ponytail
Divide the ponytail in half
Wrap the top half around the base to form a bun, pin in place
Repeat with the bottom half, pinning into the existing bun

For maximum hold:

Apply the Goddess Strength Divine Strength Leave-In Cream with Castor Oil before gathering — moisturizes, defines, and helps the bun hold its shape.

2. Three-Threaded Updo

A statement updo for special occasions.

How to do it:

Tie all your hair into a high ponytail with a scrunchie
Use quadruple-strung thread to tie the ponytail into a bun
Tie a second piece of thread around your head like a headband
Tie two more pieces around the bun to hold it in place

It looks more complicated than it is — six steps, about 15 minutes once you've practiced.

3. The Scarf Bun

A summer favorite that adds instant polish.

How to do it:

Spritz the Hair Milk Refresher Spray through your hair to tame frizz
Brush back into a ponytail
Tie a fashion scarf around the base, letting the ends hang
Divide the ponytail in two
Twist both sections together to form a bun
Secure with pins

The scarf adds color, polish, and helps anchor the bun. Works for office days, Zoom calls, and outdoor events.

4. Folded Ponytail Updo

The wedding-and-formal-event updo.

How to do it:

Apply the Goddess Strength Divine Strength Leave-In Cream for definition
Loosely comb back your curls
Gather into a low ponytail
Pull the ponytail halfway through the elastic to create a fold
Pull out a few wispy curls near your face for a soft, romantic finish

Class and romance in one style. Great for weddings, dinners, and date nights.

5. High Puff

The natural-hair signature — curls on full display, lifted up and out.

How to do it:

Slick the perimeter of your hair back with a styling cream or gel
Gather all hair to the crown using a satin scrunchie or stocking band
Instead of twisting the ends in, let the puff stand naturally
Smooth the edges with edge balm

For the puff itself:

Apply the Goddess Strength 7-Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil for shine. Use the Hair Milk Refresher Spray to revive the puff in the morning.

For overall hair strength:

The full Goddess Strength collection supports the kind of strong, healthy hair that holds a puff beautifully day after day.

6. All-Over Crown Bun (Halo Braid)

Also called the cinnamon bun. Romantic, dramatic, and surprisingly durable.

How to do it:

Start at one ear and Dutch braid around your head
If your hair has multiple lengths or textures, create two parallel braids
End at the opposite ear
Secure the ends with bobby pins
Tuck loose ends under the braid

For special occasions:

Accessorize with gold beads, flowers, or hair jewelry.

For more braid inspiration, see our 25 stunning braided hairstyles for natural hair guide.

7. Traditional Braided Bun

The low-commitment everyday updo.

How to do it:

Section the top of your hair into 3–4 small braids
Gather the braids and twist them into a bun at the crown or nape
Pin in place
Add beads for occasions

For polished edges:

Lay your hairline with the Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm — smooth, no flake, holds all day.

Easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion.

8. Braided Messy Bun

A more textured, lived-in version of the braided bun.

How to do it:

Comb or brush out to remove tangles
Make a diagonal part, leaving hair in two sections
Pin up the larger section temporarily
Braid the smaller section, adding hair as you go so the braid follows your diagonal part
Bring the braid to the center, secure with an elastic
Release the larger section and repeat

Pro tip: Spray hairspray onto your elastic bands and bobby pins before using them. They grip better and hold longer.

9. Pineapple Bun (As an Actual Style)

The same pineapple you sleep in — except styled deliberately as a daytime look.

How to do it:

Tilt your head forward
Wrap a large silk or satin scarf around your hairline
Tie a knot at the center of your forehead
Let your curls spill over the top in a deliberate, pineapple shape
Fluff the roots with a rat-tail comb after settling

For shine and frizz control:

A few drops of the Goddess Strength 7-Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil along the curls reduces frizz and adds polish.

This style preserves your curl pattern overnight and looks intentional during the day.

10. Sleek Bun

Simple, but powerful with the right execution.

How to do it:

Apply a generous amount of styling cream or gel
Keep a spray bottle of water nearby — re-mist as needed to keep hair damp
Brush hair back tightly into a low or high bun
Smooth the bun shape with the Coco Crème Curl Shaping Cream Gel with Coconut Oil
Lay your edges with the Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm

For more on the sleek bun as protective styling, see our complete guide to protective hairstyles.

11. Bantu Knots

20-minute updo that doubles as a pre-takedown style for spirals.

How to do it:

Section your hair into 6–12 sections (more sections = smaller knots)
Brush each section
Twist or two-strand twist each section from root to tip
Wrap the twisted hair into a knot at the base
Secure with elastic or bobby pin

For moisture and definition:

Apply the Hair Milk Original Leave-In Moisturizer to each section before twisting. It hydrates and helps each knot define cleanly. Refresh with a light spritz daily to retain moisture.

12. Curly Faux Hawk

The edgy summer updo.

How to do it:

Slick back the sides of your hair with the Coco Crème Curl Shaping Cream Gel with Coconut Oil
Pin the sides flat
Let the center curls stay loose and full
Optional: lift the center with a pick for more volume

That's the whole style. Quick, dramatic, perfect for evenings out or summer events.

13. French Side Braid

Often worn with longer hair, but the side-braid version works beautifully as a curly updo.

How to do it:

Sweep your hair to one side and gather into a side ponytail
French-braid down the ponytail, keeping it deliberately textured (not too neat)
Pin the front section to the side for a sweep-bang effect
Cross-criss your bobby pins (like an X) for maximum grip

Pro tip: This style works on shorter curly hair too — the French braid grips even short sections together. For more short-hair styling, see our 16 short hair braid styles guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Curly Hair Updos

What's the easiest curly hair updo for beginners?

The curly top knot. It requires no special tools and the technique is forgiving — a slightly imperfect top knot still looks intentional.

How do I keep my edges smooth in an updo?

Apply the Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm to your hairline once before styling, then leave them alone. Repeatedly fussing causes more frizz than it solves. For more, see our complete guide to laying edges for beginners.

Can I wear curly updos to the gym?

Yes — the high puff, top knot, sleek bun, and bantu knots all work well for workouts. Tie a satin or moisture-wicking scarf around your edges to absorb sweat without disturbing your curls.

How do I make an updo work on short curly hair?

Shorter curly hair can still pull off the French side braid, bantu knots, the curly faux hawk, and most claw-clip styles. The pineapple, halo braid, and traditional bun typically need at least shoulder-length hair.

What's the best updo for thin or fine curly hair?

The high puff (worn with a base of teased hair for volume), the scarf bun, and the braided messy bun all work well for finer hair — they create visual fullness even when density is limited. For broader thin hair guidance, see our fine curly hair care guide.

How do I get a sleek finish on a curly updo without using heat?

Three things: a generous amount of styling cream or gel applied to damp hair, a boar-bristle brush for smoothing, and a silk scarf tied around the perimeter for 20 minutes after styling to set the smoothness.

Do curly updos count as protective styles?

Updos that fully tuck your ends (like buns, halo braids, and pineapple variations) count as protective styles. Updos that leave ends exposed (like the high puff or French side braid) are more low-manipulation than fully protective. For genuine protective styling, see our complete guide to protective hairstyles for natural hair.

How long can I wear a curly updo?

Most updos last 1–3 days depending on the style and your nighttime maintenance. Wrap with a satin or silk bonnet every night to extend wear. For longer-wear protective styles, see our guide to box braids or knotless braids.