22 Short Curly Updo Hairstyles, from Buns to Bantu Knots

Short curly hair can go up, you just have to cheat a little. There isn't enough length for a real chignon or a big twisted updo, so the trick is faking one: tucking and pinning your ends, twisting sections back, or piling curls into a small bun scaled to what you've got. Your texture actually helps here. Curls hide the bobby pins doing the work, and they add the volume a short updo needs to look full instead of flat. Most of these are quick, and the ones for events take a little more patience. Here are updos that work on short curly hair.

Faux Bun

The faux bun is the cornerstone of short curly updos, since it fakes a bun you don't have the length for. Gather your curls at the crown or nape, twist them, then fold the ends under and pin them into a small bun shape. Don't aim for neat, the tucked curls create the fullness. Leave a few pieces out around the face. This works on a chin-length curly bob and looks like a real bun from every angle.

Messy Curly Bun

A messy curly bun piles your curls high on the crown with tendrils left loose around the face. Tease your roots first for height, gather everything up into a loose bun, and pin, letting curls escape. The undone finish is the point, and it hides how short your hair really is. A soft scrunchie or a few pins hold it. This suits a curly bob or lob and takes a couple of minutes for a look that feels done.

Low Curly Bun

A low curly bun sits at the nape for a calmer, more grown-up updo. Gather your curls low, twist them into a small bun, and pin, tucking the ends under. The low placement is more forgiving on short hair, since you're not fighting to reach the crown. Leave a couple of curls out at the front to soften it. This is a pretty, understated option for work or a dinner, and it keeps your hair off your neck.

Curly Half-Up Bun

A half-up bun is the easiest updo when your hair is too short for a full one. Gather just the top section of your curls into a small bun on the crown and leave the rest down. It gives the updo feeling while letting your length hang loose, which short hair handles easily. Let the bun be curly and a little messy. This works on almost any short curly length and takes about a minute, making it a reliable everyday pick.

Twisted-Back Updo

This one fakes a formal twisted updo without the length. Pull your curled sections toward the center back of your head, then loop and pin the ends in the nape area, hiding them as you go. The pinned curls look like an intricate twisted updo, even on short hair. Use plenty of bobby pins, since short hair slips. Finish with hairspray for hold. This is a lovely option for a wedding or an event when you want something that looks truly done.

Pinned Curl Updo

For a special occasion, a pinned curl updo swirls sections of your curls up and secures them with an abundance of pins. Curl your hair first if it needs definition, then take small sections, twist or loop each one, and pin it against your head in a pleasing shape. It takes patience but looks intricate and formal. Hairspray is essential so it lasts the night. This is the dressed-up updo to save for a wedding, a gala, or a big evening out.

Double Buns

Double buns split your curls into two small buns on either side of your head for a playful updo. Part down the middle, gather each side up, and coil it into a mini bun, pinning and leaving ends out for character. They work great on short and medium curls, and you can play with the size and placement. This is a fun, youthful look for a casual day or a festival, and it keeps all your hair up and off your face.

Curly Faux-Hawk Updo

A curly faux-hawk pins the sides in and lets the center of your curls stand tall, no shaving needed. Twist or pin the hair at each side toward the back, then fluff the middle up for height and shape. On shorter ringlets it looks edgy and bold. Gold bobby pins along the sleek sides add a nice detail. This is an updo with real attitude, and the pinned-back sides keep it looking sharp and deliberate rather than rushed.

Vintage Pin-Curl Updo

Inspired by 1940s styling, this twisted and pinned updo is a pretty alternative to a bun for hair that lacks length. Twist small sections of your curls and pin them into soft, sculpted shapes close to the head, working around until everything is up. It looks both simple and a little messy, but very captivating. The vintage feel suits a retro event or a wedding. Set it with hairspray so the pinned curls hold their shape all evening.

Curly Pompadour Updo

A curly pompadour rolls the front section up and back for height and drama. Tease the hair at your forehead, roll it back into a soft pompadour, and pin it, then gather or pin the rest up behind it. It flatters shorter curls by adding lift right where you want it. This is a bold, retro-leaning updo with real presence. Smooth your edges for contrast against the volume. It's a striking choice for anyone who likes a statement style.

Teased Bouffant Updo

A teased crown takes a short curly updo up a level. Backcomb the hair at your crown for serious height, smooth the top layer over the tease, then gather everything up and pin it into a bun or roll behind the bouffant. The added volume makes short hair look like there's much more of it. This is a formal-leaning updo for a fancy occasion. Mist the teased section with hairspray so the height holds through the night.

Curly French Roll

A French roll turns short curls into a sleek vertical updo. Gather your hair to one side, then roll it inward against the back of your head into a vertical tube and pin it in place, tucking the ends inside. On short curly hair, the roll may be small, but it still looks sleek and grown-up. Leave a few curls out at the crown or front for softness. This is a dressed-up option for work events or a formal evening.

Braided Crown into Curls

A braided crown wraps a braid around your head while your curls stay pinned up behind it. Braid a section along your hairline and around the crown, pinning it into a halo, then gather the rest of your curls up into a small bun or tuck. It mixes a neat braided detail with your texture for a pretty, romantic updo. Tug the braid wider for fullness. This suits a chin-length curly bob and looks lovely for a wedding or a date.

French Braid into a Mini Bun

A French braid that feeds into a small curly bun is ideal for shorter hair. Start a French braid at the crown, braid it back to the nape, then gather the tail and coil it into a tiny bun, letting the curls puff out. The braid does the work of controlling the length while the bun finishes it. Pull the braid a little looser for volume. This is a neat, tidy updo that holds well through a long day or event.

Updo with Curly Faux Bangs

This updo places your bun high on the crown and leaves a few defined curls out in front as faux bangs. Gather most of your curls up into a bun, but pull two or three sections loose at the front to fall softly over your forehead. It shows off your curl definition while keeping the bulk of your hair up. The front curls frame your face nicely. This is a cute, flattering option that works from day to evening.

Accessory Updo

When your hair is too short to do much, let an accessory do the work. Pull your curls into a simple faux bun or twist, then wrap a colorful scarf or add a decorative clip. A scarf not only looks special, it bulks out a short updo for more volume and hides any pieces that won't stay put. Choose a fabric that picks up a color in your outfit. This is the quick fix that makes a short curly updo feel finished.

Clipped Updo

A claw clip turns short curls into an updo in seconds. Gather your curls, twist them up against your head, and clip them in place, letting the ends flop out for a relaxed finish. It's the laziest updo there is, and the messy curly texture makes it look deliberate rather than rushed. A larger clip holds more hair and stays put longer on short lengths. Pull a few curls loose around the face. This is the everyday, no-effort short curly updo.

High Puff

The high puff gathers natural coils up and away from the face into a full, round shape, which counts as an updo all on its own for short natural hair. Brush or pick your curls up, secure them high with a stretchy band, and shape the puff into an even round. Keep the band loose at your edges to protect them. Smooth your edges with a little gel. This is a quick, pretty way to get short coily hair up for class or an event.

Twist-Out Pinned Updo

Take a twist-out and pin it up for a defined, voluminous updo on short natural hair. Once your twist-out is set and full, gather the curls up, roll and tuck sections toward the back, and pin them into a soft shape. The defined coils give the updo texture and body that short hair usually lacks. Leave a few curls out at the front. This is a beautiful natural-hair updo for a wedding, a shower, or any occasion that calls for something special.

Flat Twist Updo

Flat twists give short natural hair a sleek, controlled updo with pattern built in. Twist two-strand sections flat against the scalp, working them back toward the crown, then gather the ends into a small puff or tuck them up and pin. The flat twists keep the sides sleek while the gathered curls add volume up top. Add a few beads or leave the ends curly. This is a striking, long-lasting updo that keeps short coils neat for days.

Bantu Knots Updo

Bantu knots double as a bold updo, with sections of hair twisted and coiled into little knots across the head. They keep short natural hair completely up and off your neck while making a geometric, eye-catching statement. Part your hair into sections, twist each tightly, and wrap it into a knot secured against the scalp. This is a striking style with real cultural roots, and it works for a wedding, a shower, or a gala. Smooth your edges for a clean finish.

Side-Swept Faux Chignon

A side-swept faux chignon gathers your curls low and to one side for a soft, romantic updo. Sweep your hair over one shoulder, then loop and pin the curled ends into a loose chignon shape behind one ear, hiding the ends. It looks elegant even though it's mostly pins and tucks. Leave a few curls loose at the front. This is a flattering, dressed-up option for a wedding guest or a special evening, and the side placement suits short hair well.