Curly hair has so much lovely shape on its own, so I like updos that gather it up without hiding all that texture.

A few curls left loose can make a simple everyday style feel relaxed and very much like you.

Of course, curly hair has its own ideas about pins and flyaways, so I’m drawn to styles that look charming without needing a whole production.

These updos offer a mix of polished and easygoing options, with little details that let your curls do their thing.

Curly High Bun With Loose Tendrils

A high, loosely gathered bun lets the curls keep their natural shape, while a few tendrils fall around the face and shoulders. The lifted silhouette is a simple everyday updo, especially when you want your curls off your neck without smoothing them flat.

I’d keep the bun relaxed rather than pulling it tight, so the curls stay visible and the pinned shape feels casual. A couple of loose pieces are enough to give the updo a softer outline.

Curly Low Bun With Loose Tendrils

A low, loosely gathered bun keeps the curls collected at the nape while leaving a few spiral pieces free around the face. The softly pinned shape works with the hair’s natural texture rather than smoothing it into a sleek updo.

I’d keep the bun relaxed so the curls stay visible and the style feels comfortable for everyday wear. If your curls tend to spring up, a few face-framing pieces can be left longer to show their shape.

Curly Half-Up Bun With Loose Ringlets

A small bun at the crown keeps some curls up while the rest fall loose around the shoulders. The long, defined ringlets and curled pieces around the face give this half-up style a relaxed shape.

I’d keep the bun a little loose so it blends with the natural texture instead of looking too polished. It’s a useful everyday option when you want curls off the top of your face but still want to wear your length down.

High Curly Puff Updo With Tendrils

The curls are gathered high into a full puff, with a few ringlets left loose along the hairline. Keeping the sides pulled back lets the natural texture and height take center stage.

I’d keep the curls soft and defined rather than smoothing every strand into place. Those little tendrils give the updo a relaxed feel that suits everyday wear.

Curly Chignon With Face-Framing Pieces

A loosely pinned chignon sits at the back of the head, with curled tendrils left down around the face. The softly gathered shape keeps the hair up while letting its natural texture stay part of the style.

For curly hair, I’d keep the bun relaxed rather than smoothing every piece into place. A few curls can fall free, which makes this an easy option when you want an updo that doesn’t feel too formal.

Curly Double Bun Updo With Face-Framing Curls

Two compact buns give this curly updo a distinctive shape, while loose ringlets at the front keep the style relaxed. The pinned-up sides leave the natural curl texture visible rather than smoothing it into a formal finish.

I’d keep the front pieces loose and let them fall where they naturally curl. That small detail makes this an easy everyday option when you want your curls up but still want some softness around your face.

Curly Low Bun With A Braided Wrap

A loose, low bun gathers the curls at the nape, while a braid crosses the back and tucks into the updo. The highlighted strands make the braided detail stand out against the deeper brown curls.

I’d keep a few curled pieces loose around the face and neckline to soften the pinned shape. It’s a nice everyday option when you want curls gathered up but still want some of their texture to show.

Curly Pineapple Updo With a Headband

A high, rounded puff gathers the tight curls up and away from the face, while a few loose coils fall around the sides. A wide black headband holds the hairline neatly and gives the updo a simple, defined shape.

The highlighted curls add contrast throughout the puff, so the texture stays easy to see. I’d keep the headband snug but comfortable, especially if you want a quick everyday updo that leaves your curls on display.

Curly Low Updo With Side-Swept Bangs

A loosely pinned low updo keeps the hair gathered at the back while leaving wispy pieces around the face. The side-swept fringe and lighter strands through the dark brown hair give the style a relaxed, textured shape.

I’d keep the curls soft rather than pulling them tight, so the updo still has that airy, gathered look. It’s a lovely everyday option for curly hair when you want it off your neck but don’t want every strand pinned away.

Curly Half-Up Top Knot With Long Loose Curls

Long, loose curls keep their length in this half-up style, while the top section is gathered into a small knot at the crown. The center part and face-framing pieces leave the front relaxed, so the updo feels casual rather than tightly pulled back.

I’d keep the knot a little loose to suit the natural texture and let the curls fall freely around the shoulders. It’s a handy everyday option when you want some hair secured without putting all of it up.

Curly Low Bun With a Side Part

A defined side part leads into a low bun, with the curls gathered neatly at the nape and a few small coils left loose near the temples. The close, swept-back shape keeps the bun as the focus while letting the natural curl texture show.

For everyday wear, I’d keep the bun loosely gathered rather than pulling the curls too tight. It’s a simple updo option when you want your hair secured but still want a few curls around your face.

Curly Low Bun With A Side Braid

A braid swept across the crown leads into a loose, low bun, giving this updo a little more detail than a simple twist. The curled tendrils around the face keep the gathered shape relaxed.

I’d keep the braid slightly loose so it sits comfortably with the natural texture rather than looking too tight. It’s a nice everyday option when you want curls gathered at the nape but still want a few pieces left out.

Curly Updo With Rolled Ringlets

The curls are gathered into a rounded updo at the back, with sections rolled into defined loops rather than tucked into a smooth bun. A deep side part and a few loose tendrils keep the shape from feeling too formal.

I’d keep the curls’ natural texture visible instead of trying to make every piece match. For everyday wear, a few pins can secure the gathered sections while leaving the ringlets on top and around the face loose.

Curly Messy Bun With a Scrunchie

The loose bun sits low at the back, with softly pinned curls and long pieces left free around the face. A few lighter strands show through the brunette hair, picking up the twists and loose texture.

I’d keep the bun relaxed rather than smoothing every strand down, especially with naturally curly hair. A fabric scrunchie adds a simple finishing detail and helps make this an easy option for everyday wear.

Curly Low Ponytail With a Puffed Crown

Gathered at the nape, the curls form a low ponytail with a rounded, full shape. The loose, natural texture keeps the updo relaxed, while the hair swept back from the forehead makes the crown look softly lifted.

I’d keep the tie snug enough to hold the curls but not so tight that it flattens their shape. It’s a simple everyday option when you want your curls gathered back and still visible.

Curly High Bun With A Braided Wrap

A high, loosely gathered bun keeps the curls up while a braid circles its base for a little extra detail. Several fine tendrils are left out around the face, and warm brown highlights show through the dark curls.

I like that the braid feels like part of the updo rather than an added accessory. It’s a nice everyday option when you want your curls gathered up but still want a few loose pieces around your face.

Curly Half-Up Twist With Loose Ringlets

A twisted half-up section keeps the crown softly gathered while the rest of the shoulder-length curls stay loose. The small decorative clip secures the twist, and a few curls fall around the face for an easy everyday updo.

I’d keep the top section loose rather than pulling it tight, so the curls retain their natural shape. It’s a nice option when you want some hair off your face without pinning up all your length.

Curly Low Bun With Cornrow Braids

Neat cornrows sweep back from a side part and gather into a textured low bun. The braid pattern gives the updo a defined shape, while the bun keeps the curls tucked away from the neck.

I’d keep the bun loosely gathered so its natural texture stays visible rather than making it too compact. This is a useful everyday option when you want a curly updo with the braids as part of the style.

Curly Low Ponytail With a Wrapped Base

A low ponytail keeps the curls gathered at the nape, while a small section of hair wraps around the tie for a neater finish. Loose blonde curls fall down the back, and a few face-framing pieces stay out around the front.

I’d keep the wrap slightly relaxed so it suits the natural texture rather than looking too polished. This is a nice everyday option when you want curls contained but still visible.

Curly Low Bun With a Patterned Scarf

The curls are gathered into a low bun at the nape, with a few loose ringlets left around the face. A patterned scarf tied around the bun adds color and helps distinguish this updo from a simple tucked-back style.

I’d keep the bun relaxed rather than pulling the curls too tightly, so those tendrils stay part of the shape. It’s a nice everyday option when you want your curls up but still want some texture visible.

Curly Updo With Loose Face-Framing Tendrils

A gathered-up curly bun keeps the hair lifted while several defined ringlets fall around the temples and cheeks. The loose pieces give this pinned-up shape a relaxed outline, and the dark curls keep plenty of texture throughout.

For everyday wear, I’d leave a few natural tendrils out rather than trying to make them perfectly even. That small detail helps the updo feel personal while keeping the rest of the curls off the neck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I keep a curly updo from getting frizzy during the day? A: Start with curls that are moisturized but not soaking wet, and use a little styling cream before you pin them up. Try not to keep adjusting the style, since handling your curls can make them puff up.

Q: Can I do these updos on short curly hair? A: Yes. A puff, half-up style, or small pinned-back sections can work well on shorter hair. Use bobby pins that match your hair color to secure pieces without needing extra length.

Q: How can I make an updo feel secure without pulling too tightly? A: Place pins where your hair naturally gathers, and use a soft scrunchie or a loose-fitting hair tie. If your scalp feels sore, loosen the style rather than trying to pin it more firmly.

Q: Should I stretch my curls before putting my hair up? A: Not necessarily. Many updos look great with your natural curl shape, but stretching your hair gently with a blow dryer on low heat can make a smoother bun or ponytail easier to shape.