A Classic Holiday Updo for Curly Hair (Tutorial)

Let’s keep the season bright with a classic holiday updo that’s quick and easy to style on your own.

Whether you’re enjoying time at home or traveling to visit family, this hairstyle is an easy go-to without any fuss. Best of all, no special tools are needed, only a few styling accessories that you’ll likely already have on hand. Here’s to celebrating the holidays in effortless style!

Holiday Updo Tutorial

Let’s transform everyday curls into an elegant holiday updo hairstyle in less than 5 minutes with all the styling tips to perfect the look. I know, it sounds too good to be true, but it really is a simple one to do. With a bit of practice, you’ll master this look and add your own flair to it too.

TIP! This tutorial is designed for shoulder length hair or longer.

Accessories Needed

For this Hairstyle, you’ll need 2 small ponytail hairbands, a handful of bobby pins, and an optional hair accessory to elevate the look. I recommend a decorative barrette or bobby pins to suit the occasion.

Here, I’m using the beautifully beaded Winter Flower barrette gifted by France Luxe [not sponsored].

Styling Steps

1. Section Hair
Loosely sectioning the hair in two equal parts. No part lines will be showing, therefore no styling tools are needed for this step.

2. Side Twists
Begin twisting one side away from the face beginning at the crown of the head.
TIP! Twist up and high away from the ears for an elegant and elevated look.

3. Angle Twists to Meet at the Bottom
Bring the twist down to the center of your head and at the nape of your neck. Hold here with a sectioning clip until you complete the second side twist.

Holiday Curly Updo Tutorial Images @thecurlstory — @thecurlstory

4. Low Pony
Gather both twists together into one low ponytail with a thin ponytail holder or elastic.

5. Roll-up Bun
Roll the ends of your hair up and pin it into place with bobby pins, pinning the underside of the roll to the head with horizontally placed pins.

TIP! For shorter hair, leave the ends of the hair down in the low pony, or roll them under and pin into place with bobby pins. To conceal the ponytail holder / elastic, wrap it with a bit of hair from the ponytail and tuck the remaining ends under the elastic.

6. Hair Accessories
Adorn the look with a barrette or decorative bobby pins just above the low ponytail.