- Make sure you have the essentials necessary for creating a curly updo. These include bobby pins, cloth hair bands, medium-tooth comb, a quality hair gel, spray, and curling iron or heated roller set of your choice. Optional tools include plastic or fabric rollers, setting lotion, headbands and a hair dryer.
- You can manually curl your hair with an iron, doing about a square inch of hair for every curl. You can also roll your hair using hot rollers warmed either by steam or electric heat. You can also roll hair using plain plastic or fabric rollers and wear them overnight.
- Once your hair is curled, you have several options for styling. You can part your hair down the middle or to the side and sweep half of your curls into a secured pony-tail, which can be twisted into a small bun or left loose. You can also twist all of your hair into a knot at the nape or the crown (secured with bobby pins) with your curls lying to one or both sides. A more sophisticated curly updo style is to do a half french braid, leaving the rest of your curls flowing freely.
- To achieve the best styles, use only high-quality hair products. These will help your curls hold longer and will moisturize them better. Because heat styling can damage your hair, rub a moisturizing serum through your hair before applying hot rollers, hair dryers and/or curling irons. Finally, be sure to trim your ends regularly (every 4 to 6 weeks), as dry, dead ends resist curling.
- If you were born with naturally curly hair yet wish to alter the size and/or texture of your curls, first straighten your hair, then curl it using the method of your choice. You can also dampen your locks with water, apply a setting lotion, wrap 1-inch pieces around regular rollers (the size of the roller will depend on how curly you want your hair to be) and sit underneath a hair dryer until your hair is no longer damp. From there you can proceed to the updo styles listed above.
- Section two curly tendrils from either side of your forehead (near the temples) and pull them towards the back, twisting them until they can be folded under and secured with bobby pins. You can also wear a scarf or headband, then pull all of your curls into a high, loose ponytail.
