Curly hair possesses a natural, breathtaking energy. Embracing its texture allows for incredible height and drama in any styling choice.
Lofty hairstyles celebrate this unique volume. They lift the curls away from the face, creating an elegant silhouette that highlights the natural pattern of the strands.
Whether attending a formal event or seeking a daily refresh, these elevated looks provide endless inspiration. Discover the perfect way to showcase your curls with these 17 lofty up hairstyles for curly hair.
1. The Sky-High Pineapple
The pineapple is the ultimate foundation for lofty curly styles. By gathering all the curls at the very top of the head, you create a dramatic fountain of texture that draws the eye upward.
This style works best when secured with a silk scrunchie to prevent breakage. It allows the natural coil pattern to bloom at the crown, providing maximum height without the need for excessive heat or heavy products.
To finish the look, gently tug at individual curls to create a more spherical shape. This ensures the volume is distributed evenly, giving the style a modern and intentional aesthetic.
2. Curly French Twist with Volume
A traditional French twist gets a massive upgrade when paired with curly textures. Instead of a sleek, flat finish, this version encourages the curls to spill out from the top of the twist.
Begin by sweeping the hair to one side and securing it with pins before rolling it back toward the center. The goal is to keep the tension loose enough to maintain the natural loft of the curls.
Leaving the ends free at the top creates a beautiful, cascading effect. It adds a layer of sophistication while ensuring the hair looks full and vibrant rather than pinned down.
3. The Cascading Faux Hawk
The faux hawk is one of the most daring 17 lofty up hairstyles for curly hair. It relies on pinning the sides of the hair tightly toward the center to create a vertical ridge of curls.
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For a polished finish, apply a light-hold gel to the sides to keep them flat. This contrast between the sleek sides and the lofty center makes the texture of the curls truly stand out.
4. Sculpted Curly Pompadour
The pompadour is all about frontal volume and architectural flair. For curly hair, this involves directing the curls forward and upward from the forehead to create a dramatic, rounded peak.
Use a pick to gently lift the roots at the front, ensuring the loft is consistent. Secure the sides and back firmly, allowing the frontal curls to take center stage as a bold statement.
This style is perfect for those who want to showcase their curls as a form of wearable art. It combines structure with the wild, untamed beauty of natural curls for a high-fashion result.
5. Layered Halo Bun
The halo bun creates a crown of curls that sits high on the head. Unlike a standard bun, this version uses layering techniques to ensure the hair looks thick and multidimensional from every angle.
Start by creating a high ponytail and then sectioning the hair into multiple pieces. Pin each piece loosely around the base, overlapping them to build a tall, rounded structure that resembles a halo.
This technique prevents the bun from looking flat or heavy. The result is a lightweight, airy updo that feels regal and stays secure throughout the day or night.
6. The Romantic Voluminous Chignon
While chignons are often associated with the nape of the neck, a lofty version sits much higher. This style gathers the curls into a soft, airy knot at the back of the crown.
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The key to this look is avoiding a tight grip, which can crush the curls. Instead, use u-shaped pins to “float” the hair into place, maintaining the natural bounce and airiness of the texture.
Allow a few tendrils to escape around the ears to enhance the romantic feel. This adds a soft frame to the face while keeping the bulk of the hair lifted and elegant.
7. Braided Crown with Elevated Curls
This style combines the structure of a braid with the loft of loose curls. A thick braid is wrapped around the base of the head, acting as a pedestal for the curls piled on top.
The braid helps to keep the hair secure and away from the neck, while the top remains free and voluminous. It is a perfect balance of intricate detail and raw, natural texture.
For extra height, gently pancake the braid by pulling at its edges. This makes the base appear wider and the overall silhouette even more impressive and lofty.
8. The Mega-Volume Space Bun Trio
Space buns are fun, but a trio of buns takes the loft to a new level. By placing three buns in a vertical line from the crown to the mid-back, you maximize the visual height.
Each bun should be fluffed out to its maximum potential, creating three distinct clouds of curls. This distribution of weight makes the style comfortable while offering a unique, avant-garde look.
This is a fantastic option for those with very dense hair who find single buns too heavy. Splitting the hair into three sections allows for better control and significantly more loft.
9. Lofty Messy Bun with Face-Framing Tendrils
The lofty messy bun is a staple for a reason. It uses the natural tangles and volume of curls to create a massive, effortless-looking knot right at the top of the head.
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To achieve maximum loft, flip the hair upside down when gathering it into a ponytail. This encourages the roots to stand up, providing a built-in lift before you even begin pinning the bun.
Strategically pull out thin curls around the hairline to add softness. These tendrils mirror the volume of the main bun, creating a cohesive and balanced silhouette.
10. Side-Swept Sky-Rise Curls
Shifting the volume to one side can create a stunning, asymmetrical loft. This involves pinning one side of the hair tightly while allowing the other side to explode with height and texture.
This look mimics the classic Hollywood side-sweep but replaces sleek waves with voluminous curls. It is an excellent choice for showing off a profile while maintaining a high-impact presence.
Use a strong-hold hairspray on the pinned side to ensure the contrast remains sharp. The “sky-rise” effect comes from the uninhibited curls that tower over the side of the head.
11. The Architecture Puff
The puff is a celebrated style for textured hair, focusing all the volume into a single, spherical shape. To make it “lofty,” the puff is positioned as high as possible on the crown.
Using a hair band to cinch the base allows the curls to expand outward and upward. The result is a bold, clean look that highlights the density and strength of curly strands.
To keep the puff lofty, avoid using heavy creams that might weigh the hair down. A lightweight mousse can help define the curls without sacrificing the airy height of the style.
12. Tucked and Pinned High Roll
This style is inspired by vintage victory rolls but adapted for the wild nature of curls. It involves rolling large sections of curls upward and pinning them into a series of lofty tubes.
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By varying the size of the rolls, you can create a custom shape that suits your face. The height is concentrated at the top, giving the wearer a regal and elongated appearance.
13. The Regal Curly Top Knot
A top knot on curly hair is anything but basic. Because of the natural texture, the knot becomes a thick, textured pillar that adds several inches of height to the wearer.
The secret to a regal top knot is a smooth base leading up to a massive, textured finish. Brushing the hair up into the ponytail creates a clean look that makes the lofty knot pop.
You can wrap a small section of hair around the base of the knot to hide the elastic. This small detail adds a level of sophistication and makes the height look natural.
14. Double-Stacked Curly Buns
If one bun is lofty, two buns stacked vertically are a masterpiece. This style places one bun at the very top of the head and another directly beneath it at the crown.
The stacking effect creates a continuous wall of curls, providing a massive amount of vertical volume. It is an excellent way to handle thick hair that typically resists staying in a single updo.
This look is modern and edgy, perfect for those who want to push the boundaries of traditional styling. The two buns blend together to create a singular, towering silhouette.
15. The Cloud-Like Curly Ponytail
A high ponytail can be transformed into a lofty masterpiece by teasing the base of the curls. This creates a “cloud” effect where the hair seems to float above the head.
Use a wide-tooth comb to gently back-comb the underside of the ponytail. This hidden structure supports the rest of the curls, keeping them lifted and preventing the ponytail from drooping.
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16. Twisted Upsweep with Height
The twisted upsweep involves taking vertical sections of hair from the nape and twisting them upward toward the crown. Each twist is pinned securely, creating a textured “ladder” effect.
Once the twists reach the top, the remaining curls are left loose to create a voluminous pile of texture. This provides height while keeping the back of the head looking intricate and detailed.
This style is particularly effective for those with shorter layers, as the twists help secure shorter strands that might otherwise fall out of a traditional high ponytail.
17. The Goddess Updo with Gold Accessories
To achieve a true goddess look, the hair is gathered into a massive, airy updo that sits prominently at the crown. The focus is on soft volume and ethereal height.
Adding gold accessories, like cuffs or pins, helps to define sections of the lofty curls. The metallic elements catch the light and emphasize the depth of the curly texture.
This final look in the 17 lofty up hairstyles for curly hair is the pinnacle of elegance. It proves that with the right technique, curls can be transformed into a majestic, high-altitude crown.
How do I keep my curls from falling flat in an updo?
To maintain loft, avoid heavy oils or butter-based products before styling, as these can weigh down the hair. Instead, use lightweight mousses or volume sprays at the roots. Additionally, using “U” shaped hairpins rather than tight bobby pins allows the hair to retain its natural airiness and bounce.
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Yes, many of these styles can be adapted for shorter lengths. Techniques like the “twisted upsweep” or using multiple smaller buns (like the space bun trio) are perfect for shorter strands. You can also use small claw clips to “stack” curls toward the top of the head to create the illusion of a fuller, loftier updo.
What is the best way to secure heavy, thick curls?
For heavy hair, the “pineapple” or “double-stacked” methods are most effective because they distribute the weight. Using reinforced hair elastics or “bungee” ties can provide a stronger hold without pulling. Ensure you are pinning your style into a solid base, such as a small braid or a tight ponytail, to prevent sagging.
How can I add more volume to my updo if my hair is fine?
If your curls are fine, “pancaking” your braids or buns—gently pulling them apart to make them wider—can create a much loftier appearance. You can also use a hair pick at the roots to create internal volume before securing the hair. Dry shampoo or texture powder applied to the roots can also provide the “grip” needed for extra height.
Are these styles safe for daily wear?
Lofty updos are generally safe for daily wear as long as they are not pulled too tightly at the hairline. Using silk or satin scrunchies and avoiding excessive tension on the edges will prevent “traction alopecia” and breakage. It is also important to take the hair down carefully at the end of the day to avoid tangling.
Should I style my curls wet or dry for these looks?
For maximum loft and volume, it is usually best to style curly hair when it is dry. Styling wet hair often leads to a flatter, more compressed look as the water weighs the strands down. Working with dry, “day two” curls allows you to take advantage of the natural frizz and expanded volume that creates a truly lofty silhouette.