Locs have so much personality on their own, and pinned or wrapped into an updo, they can feel completely different without losing that character.

I especially like how a few thoughtful twists or wrapped details can make a style feel polished while still letting your locs be the focus.

The lovely thing about locs updos is the range, from softly gathered shapes to more sculptural looks, with plenty of room to suit your mood and occasion.

I’ve rounded up 22 ideas that show just how creative pinned and wrapped styles can be.

High Loc Bun With Wrapped Locs

Thick locs are gathered into a tall bun, with several honey-brown locs woven through the darker hair for contrast. The pinned shape gives the updo height, while a few curled tendrils are left loose at the nape.

I’d keep the edges neat and let those loose curls soften the outline. This is a lovely way to wear long locs up while still showing off their color and texture.

Side-Swept Locs in a Low Bun

The locs are swept diagonally across the crown and gathered into a compact bun at the nape. That low placement keeps the shape neat, while the visible part gives the updo a clear styling direction.

I like that the bun keeps the length secured without hiding the texture of the locs. For a similar finish, pin the gathered locs close to the head and let the side sweep follow your natural part.

Side-Swept Locs in a Wrapped Updo

Long black locs are swept across the crown, with the ends gathered into a rounded wrap at the back. A few locs fall beside the face, keeping the updo from feeling too tightly pulled away.

I’d keep the side part visible when adapting this idea, since it helps define the direction of the style. The wrapped shape also gives long locs a neat way to sit up while still showing their texture.

Wrapped Locs Updo

Thick, dark locs are swept up and wrapped around the crown into a rounded updo, leaving the nape clear. The overlapping coils create a full shape while keeping the length gathered neatly away from the shoulders.

I like the way the wrapped sections let the locs themselves provide the detail, without needing extra accessories. A few locs can be left loose near the side if you prefer a less tucked-in finish.

High Loc Bun With Face-Framing Locs

The locs are gathered into a high bun, with several longer pieces left loose around the face and neck. Their warm brown tips stand out against the darker locs and add a little color to the updo.

I like that the loose locs keep this pinned style from feeling too tightly arranged. You could leave a few pieces out in front and tuck the rest securely into the bun.

Double Loc Buns With Cornrowed Sides

Long locs are gathered into two rounded buns, with neat cornrows sweeping back along the sides and top. The combination keeps the shape close to the head while making the buns the main feature.

I like the contrast between the tidy braided sections and the warm brown locs wrapped into each bun. It’s a useful way to wear long locs up while keeping their texture visible.

Braided Locs Gathered Into a High Bun

The locs are braided close to the scalp along the sides, then swept upward into a large bun made from wrapped locs. That contrast between the neat rows and the rounded bun gives the updo its shape.

I’d keep the bun loosely wrapped so the locs’ texture stays visible. It’s a useful way to gather long locs securely while keeping the braided sides as part of the style.

Locs Gathered Into a Side Bun With Loose Pieces

Long locs are swept back into a rounded bun at the side, with a few locs left loose to fall around the face and shoulder. Honey-brown highlights stand out against the darker locs and give the gathered shape more definition.

I like the relaxed feel of leaving a few pieces down rather than pinning every loc in place. It’s a useful way to try an updo while keeping some of the length visible.

Half-Up Locs With a Loose Low Gather

Long brown locs are swept back from the crown and gathered loosely at the back, while the rest fall freely down the back. The lifted section keeps the style away from the face without hiding the length or texture of the locs.

I’d keep the gathering relaxed rather than pulling the locs into a tight updo, since their natural fullness is part of the appeal. A few locs left loose around the sides can make this an easy option when you want a little shape without pinning everything up.

Low Loc Bun With a Long Face-Framing Loc

A low, rounded bun gathers the locs at the back while one long loc hangs loose beside the face. The rich auburn-brown color and chunky texture keep the pinned shape from looking too neat or uniform.

I’d keep the bun softly gathered so a few shorter ends can peek out around its edges. That relaxed finish suits the style, while the long front loc gives you a simple way to change the shape when you wear it up.

Side-Parted Locs in a Low Wrapped Bun

The locs are swept back from a side part and gathered into a rounded bun at the nape. A few locs wrap around the base, giving the updo a neat shape while keeping the natural texture visible.

I like the way the low placement lets the rows of locs remain the focus instead of hiding them in a high bun. It’s a useful option when you want your locs secured and off your shoulders without losing their full, rope-like silhouette.

High Loc Updo With Rose-Shaped Twists

Thick locs are gathered into a high updo, with several sections coiled into flat, rose-like shapes across the crown. A mix of dark locs and warm brown accents makes those sculpted coils stand out.

I like the way the rosette shapes turn the updo into a decorative style without needing extra accessories. The gathered silhouette also keeps the locs off the neck, while leaving room to arrange the coils in different patterns.

High Bun With Highlighted Wrapped Locs

The locs are gathered high into a rounded bun, with the wrapped lengths creating a ribbed pattern across its surface. Lighter brown tones woven through the dark locs make that pattern stand out.

I like how the neat braided base leads straight into the bun, keeping the updo compact and tidy. It’s a useful way to show off longer locs while keeping them secured away from the neck.

Locs in a Double Wrapped Bun

The locs are gathered into two rounded buns, one high at the back of the head and one near the nape. Their wrapped shape gives the updo a neat silhouette while letting the loc texture stay visible.

I’d keep the parting clean so each bun stands out clearly. This arrangement is a lovely option when you want an updo with more shape than a single bun.

Low Loc Bun With Caramel Highlights

The locs are swept back into a compact low bun, with the longer sections wrapped neatly around the base. Caramel-toned locs woven through the dark brown hair bring out the texture without changing the clean shape of the updo.

I’d keep the bun smooth and close to the nape to let those highlighted locs stand out. It’s a simple way to wear longer locs up while keeping them gathered and tidy.

High Loc Bun With Gold Hair Pins

The locs are piled into a rounded high bun, with a few slim twists left loose to fall beside the face. Small gold pins tucked through the bun add detail without changing its full, sculptural shape.

I’d keep the front pieces loose when trying a similar updo, since they break up the height of the bun. The locs can be arranged with the pins placed where they show against the darker hair.

Center-Parted Locs in a Low Wrapped Bun

A neat center part leads into slim locs gathered at the nape and wrapped into a compact bun. The smooth, close-set shape keeps the updo tidy while letting the loc texture remain visible.

I’d keep the part clean and let one or two locs hang near the face for a more relaxed finish. This arrangement also gives longer locs a practical way to stay gathered without piling the bun high.

Half-Up Locs With Braided Crown Details

Long dark locs are gathered into a loose bun at the back, while several remain down over one shoulder. Braided sections sweep across the crown, and a few light blonde locs curl around the face.

I like the contrast between the neat braids and the relaxed lengths left loose. It’s a nice option when you want an updo shape without gathering all your locs off your shoulders.

Low Loc Bun With Copper Face-Framing Locs

The locs are swept back into a low, rounded bun, while a few copper-toned locs hang loose around the face. Most of the hair stays pulled neatly away from the sides, so those front pieces stand out.

I like the contrast between the tidy gather and the loose locs, which keep the updo from feeling too uniform. You could leave out a couple of locs in your own bun to create a similar detail.

Gray Locs in a Large Low Bun

Long gray-and-black locs are swept back and coiled into a broad bun at the nape. The pinned-up shape keeps the length gathered while letting the loc texture and silver strands stand out.

I’d keep the gathering relaxed rather than pulling the locs tightly, so the bun retains its rounded shape. This is a lovely way to wear mature locs up while keeping the focus on their natural color variation.

Copper Locs in a Low Wrapped Bun

Copper-brown locs sweep back from the hairline and gather into a low updo, with two rounded sections creating a stacked shape at the nape. The warm highlights pick up the twists and make their texture more visible.

I like the way the wrapped sections keep the length tucked away while giving the updo a distinct shape. This is a lovely option if you want a polished low style that still shows off the texture and color of your locs.

Loose Locs Pinned Into a Low Updo

The locs are swept back and pinned into a loose low updo, with a few curled locs left out around the face. That combination keeps the gathered shape relaxed rather than tightly wrapped.

I like the way the loose tendrils break up the updo and give it a softer outline. Leave out a few shorter locs when pinning yours, or tuck them in for a neater finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I keep a locs updo secure without making it too tight? A: Pin the style in a few places around its base rather than pulling every loc snug. It should feel steady, not put pressure on your scalp.

Q: Can I wear a pinned or wrapped locs updo with shorter locs? A: Yes. Start with a smaller, lower updo and use pins to tuck in shorter ends. A wrap can also help hold the shape without needing every loc to reach the center.

Q: What should I do before bed to keep the updo looking neat? A: If the style is comfortable, cover it with a satin scarf or bonnet and avoid crushing it under your pillow. Take out any pins that poke or pull before you sleep.

Q: Are locs updos a good choice for a formal event? A: Definitely. A clean pinned bun or a carefully wrapped updo can look polished while still feeling like your own style.