18 Updos for Curly-Haired Girls

Now, can someone mix me up a refreshing cocktail? ;)

Totally Twisted

1. Start off by separating your hair on one side, a little behind your ear.

2. Use a clip to hold the front section in place and out of your way.

3. Do the same thing on the other side.

4. Now, working with the back section, split it into two sections (it is okay if it is not perfectly even) and twist each section.

5. Join the two twists together and secure in place with an elastic.

6. Remove the clip from one of the sections in the front.

7. Twist the front section until you get to the ends.

8. Cross the twisted front section over the back ponytail and then secure the end of the twisted hair with a bobby pin into the previously twisted section.

9. Repeat the same steps for the other side.

10. Back comb the hair that is in the original ponytail to create a messy, fuller look.

11. Pull out some random pieces in the front to keep the look more playful and undone.

We love this take on the low pony.

Effortlessly Tousled

1. Pick up a small section of hair from the front and twist it in the direction away from your face.

2. Using a fine toothed comb, backcomb gently to create a messy curl that will stay in place.

3. Do this all throughout your hair on both sides of your head remembering to twist away from your face.

4. Gently pull your hair back in a low pony trying not to pull out the shape you just back combed in.

5. Twist the hair around until it is in a secure place to pin.

6. Using bobby pins that match your hair color, pin the twisted hair into place. Don't worry about a few stray hairs — they add to the tousled look.

7. Repeat the same steps on the other side of your head. Done!

Va va voom!

Ultimate Texture

1. Pick up a small section of hair from one side of your head leaving out some of your bangs or front section of your hair.

2. Braid that section and use a bobby pin to hold in place. You can set this braid aside for now.

3. Backcomb the back section of your hair to create volume.

4. Place another small braid on the same side.

5. Repeat the same thing on the other side of your head.

6. Pin the braid towards the back of your head in the lower back section of your head.

7. Pick up another small section of hair and this time twist it back and then pin it as well.

8. Pull all the hair from that side into a low pony in the back of your head, twist it up and secure it with a few bobby pins.

9. Now, pull the original braid you placed in the front section back and pin it in place.

10. Repeat these steps on the opposite side of you head.

11. For all those stray hairs that fell out and the section of hair you left out in the front, use a ½-inch curling iron to place tiny random curls for a contrasting texture.

12. Use your fingers to pull some of the curls a little looser for an even more textured look.

That's it!

1. A Braid Crown (via Brit + Co)

2. Pony Perfection

3. Voluminous Twist Updo

4. Khaleesi-Approved Side Braid

5. Twists and Vines (via Angelo Pantazis/Unsplash)

6. Half-Up Twist

7. Classic Wrapped Pony

8. Pearl Pony (via With Love Caila)

9. Messy Center Part

10. Feather Headband

11. Braided Pony

12. Nourished Natural Curls (via Brit + Co)

13. Loose Top Knot

14. Sleek Swoop

15. Pancaked Pull-Through Braids

16. Wispy Face-Framing Curls (via 小谢/Unsplash)

17. Shimmering Chignon

18. Statement Accessory (via With Love Caila)

19. Daisy Side Braid

20. Touch of Feathers (via Brit + Co)

21. Boho Crown Braids

22. Edgy Bubble Braid (via Kimson Doan/Unsplash)

23. Sleek Side Pony

24. Sophisticated Low Pony (via VellaSyah/Unsplash)

25. Piecey Braid

26. Floral Hair Accessory

27. Vintage Headpiece

28. Twisted Rainbow Updo

29. Bubbled Half-Up Look (via Lindsay McGrath/Unsplash)

30. Shiny Low Bun

31. Piecey Updo

32. Rapunzel-Esque Mane

33. Half-Up Half-Down Braid (via Maria Nila)

34. Flirty Fishtail Waves

35. Lace Details

36. Flower Clip

37. Beachy Curls

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!