Quick & Easy Curly Updos for Formal Events

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By Susonnah Gonzalez · Updated November 17, 2011

If you plan on attending a formal affair, you’re probably planning a big, fancy hairstyle will cost you time and money. Why pay big bucks on a hairstyle that you can get at home? You’ve already got one thing going for you: beautiful naturally curly hair. Now all you need is an idea for a quick and easy curly updos that you can rock at that formal affair.

Curly Half Updo

For this hairstyle, all you’ll need is a comb, hair spray, a hair clip and hair serum. It’s fantastically easy and elegant enough for your next formal event. Style your hair when it is already dry to make it easier to tease your hair.

Divide your hair into two parts, top and bottom. They do not have to be equal, and I actually prefer more hair on the bottom than on the top.
Use your comb to comb through the top portion of your hair. Comb it without combing through to your scalp. You want to smooth it out before you tease it.
Using the comb, tease the top portion of your hair by combing it backwards. Once you have a nice bump, secure the top of your hair with a hair clip.
Mist your bump with hairspray for a good hold that will last through your event.
Type 2 (Wavy”>: For this style to look elegant, try to stay away from gels that will make your hair crunchy. Instead, use a light, foamy product that will dry quickly to mold your waves. Apply this product to the bottom of your hair and you’re good to go!
Type 3 (Curly”> Use a humidity-fighting product combined with a strong hold styler that will secure your curls for the night, and be sure to seal your bottom curls with a frizz-fighting serum.
Type 4 (Kinky”> Teasing can be damaging for kinky hair, so if you’re hesitant about teasing, simply tap your hair with the comb, as opposed to backward combing. Secure it with hairspray, and then seal your bottom curls with a good serum or your favorite hair butter.

Two Braid Quick-Do

Jessica Alba

This formal curly updo will only take about eight to ten minutes to complete, assuming of course that you have everything you need on hand. All you need are bobby pins and your favorite hair product and you’re good to go. If you’d like to add an extra elegant feature, insert flowers, feathers, or any favorite hair accessory into the side of your hair. You’ll have everyone thinking you went to a salon!

Part your hair in two. Divide each side of your hair into one inch sections. You will have more or less sections depending on how thick your hair is.
Take one section and twist your hair by simply twirling it with your fingers.
Using the comb, tease the top portion of your hair by combing it backwards. Once you have a nice bump, secure the top of your hair with a hair clip.
Grab three twists at a time and make braids out of each section. Grab your bobby pin and pin your braids down towards the bottom of your neck. Repeat for the other section.
Type 2 (Wavy”>: Your hair might be harder to keep in twisted braids, so apply a good amount of mousse and hair spray to each twist before pinning your braids together.
Type 3 (Curly”>: Your hair is likely to spring out of the braid, so do this style when your hair is wet, making sure to coat your braids in product.
Type 4 (Kinky”>: Use a good moisturizer cream before braiding your hair so that your hair can remain frizz free during your formal affair.

Easy Elegant Mane

Anne Hathaway

This curly updo resembles a lion’s mane, but it’s not rugged by any means. All you will need is a head band (decorate yours with gems or flowers if you wish”>, bobby pins, a comb and your hair product. This style will take only 5 minutes to do, but it’s chic and stylish. The front part of your hair should be slick, and the back full of amazing texture.

Place the headband on your head and note where the front ends and the back part of your hair begins. Take off the head band and pull the front part of your hair over your face. They should look like long bangs.
You can style your hair when it’s wet, but if it’s dry, simply rewet the front part of your hair. Comb it through to make sure it is nice and slick.
Coat the front of your hair with gel, making sure to comb through so it is smooth.
Slick the front part back so that your forehead is exposed, and use the headband to secure it back.
Type 2 (Wavy”>: Now that the front part of your hair is slick, the back of it should be wavy. Enhance your waves by applying product, scrunching your hair, and then drying it with a quick blast of heat. Ruffle your hair with your fingers and you’re set!
Type 3 (Curly”>: Apply curly cream to the back part of your hair (the part behind the hair band”> and diffuse on low heat. Make sure you twist your hair with the diffuser to create excellent volume.
Type 4 (Kinky”>: Try using bobby pins as well as a hair band to secure your curls. Use a comb and lightly pull your curls to get an awesome poof in the back. This will create a great combination of textures.