Here’s another everyday curly hairstyle tutorial to help you save time in the mornings.
This is part of my current series for curly hair to share real (and messy) curls in easy to style updos. I’m frustrated by the number of hairstyles for curly hair that show straight hair that has been curled with a curling wand.
Real curls have different shapes and are a bit frizzy. That’s what real curls do. I use products to reduce frizz and help style my hair. Unless you coat your hair in gel, you will still have some frizz and that’s totally normal.
Ok, rant over, let’s get into today’s curly hairstyle tutorial.
Inspired by the classic topsy-tail (remember those old hook tools?!) this curly hairstyle is a series of easy twists. It can be worn two ways, as a ponytail or tucked into a bun.
The ponytail version is a fun way to add detail to a low ponytail. My curls were pretty messy today so I like the tucked bun version. You can decide as you go and see which looks better in your hair.
Easy everyday curly hairstyle tutorial – The curly twist
What you need:
- 3 small hair elastics (clear is best, or choose a colour to match your hair)
- Bobby pins (for the tucked bun version)
Step-by-step:
- First you want to create 3 ponytail down the back of your head. Take the first section from around your temples. The second ponytail is directly below the first, level with your ears. The third is underneath in a line, gathering the rest of your hair at the nape of your neck.
- Let the topsy-tailing begin! You want to flip each ponytail up and over itself. Start by separating your hair to make a hole above the hair elastic on your first ponytail. Flip in up and over into the hole and tighten the elastic up.
- Repeat this topsy tail on the second ponytail. Before tightening the elastic on the second ponytail, tuck the first ponytail inside the hole on the second ponytail.
- Topsy tail the third ponytail, and tuck the top ponytails inside as well. Then tighten the elastic at the bottom. Here’s your finished ponytail twist hairstyle!
- For the tucked bun – roll your ponytail up and pin in at the nape of your neck. I like to leave a few pieces of hair loose around my face to soften the look.
Which is your favourite look – the ponytail or the bun?
Please pin and share this tutorial if you liked it and I’d love you to join me on Instagram to share your everyday hair with the hashtags #HReverydayhair and #HReverydaycurls
Hi Christina! I know this post is a little old but I just want to say I love this! For my whole life I’ve had curly hair but felt self-conscious of it that I can only put it in a ponytail or a top bun, it always made me feel out of place in professional settings and more dressy updo settings. I love all your tutorials, and I tried this one and absolutely loved it. Although, I wanted to ask how do you undo this properly? I was pulling apart knots and hair twisted around the hair tie for a good half hour :/ Surely there must be a method to the madness that I don’t know! Would love to know, thanks 🙂
I wore this hair style to a meeting last night and got tons of compliments. It was easy even I could do it hut it looks like you spent a lot of time on it. Very pretty. Love it I know In will do this again and again. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Susan! That’s fantastic to hear 🙂 xx
Hello! Greetings from Saudi Arabia, Your blog is inspiring for all the curly hair girls!
I love all the hair styles tutorials in hair romance, thank You for sharing lovely and curly hairstyles for real curly hair.
thanks so much Duha! xx
Greetings from Germany 🙂 So happy to add hairstyles that work for my hair and a big THANK YOU for sharing real curly hairstyles, not the usual fake cutesy-tidy-frizz-free curling iron styles from those with straight hair!
Thank you so much! I’ve got a big curly hair series coming up soon too! Christina xx
I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate the hairstyle tutorials you post. I’ve got curly, frizzy, long hair that is really irritating to work with, and I’d given up on doing anything other than a ponytail until I found this post. It’s super easy to do, I love the way it looks, and it keeps my hair from reaching lion-mane status on humid days. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us!
oh thank you so much Anna! That means so much to me! Christina xx
I wore this hairstyle to work today to try it out before a black tie wedding this weekend. I got so many compliments from my coworkers! Definitely a winner — thanks for saving me $100+ that I would have spent on an up-do!
yay! That is so awesome Rachel 🙂 Your comment just made my day! Christina x
Finally someone who understands the frustration of these so called “curly” hairstyles.
Thank you for putting out really hairstyles for curly girls. I’ll definitely adding this to my go to normal styles.
Thanks, can’t wait to see more!
Brittany
Thanks so much Brittany! You can find more of my curly hair posts here and I’ll be posting more soon too 🙂 xx
I was tired of my child looking like a lion after swimming. Can’t blow dry and flat iron everyday.
I am so happy that your site has so many quick looks that we can use during the swim team season.
Thank you so much.
I will be using them for myself as well. Nice alternatives to just wearing a bun.
Thanks so much! Hope this saves you a ton of time xx
I am going out tonight and it’s pouring down so wanted to wear my hair up but did not have any new ideas of what to do. I have very long naturally curly hair and couldn’t find any styles previously that featured natural curls or they were really fiddly to style. Came across your site and its amazing, I now have lots of new styles to try that are easy to do. Now the dilemma is which one to choose for tonight.
Thank you so much.
Oh thanks so much Tracey! Your comment made my day! I try and post a mix of curly and straight styles but know you can try any of the styles in your hair xx
I love leaving my curls down but am so excited to be able to put them up myslef, have them look great and not have to pay for it. Thanks for making it so easy!!
Thanks so much Jenna 🙂 You can find more of my curly hair posts here x
Wow, this looks great and easy! I have no skills with styling myself, but this looks like something I could (and will!) definitely do.
I start my first year of teaching in the fall, and I know my classroom will be crazy warm. This will help me stay cool AND very stylish! Thank you so much for an easy to follow, great style tutorial! 😀
Thanks so much Gabriella! And good luck with the new job too xx
I’m not good with hair, but I did this on my daughter’s hair today. We both loved it! Now she wants to do a twin day where we both wear our hair like this. Thank you for your step-by-step instructions. And for helping us to embrace our curls.
Oh thanks so much Chris! This comment makes my heart sing 🙂
I stumbled across this page just as I was seriously considering chopping my hair off because it’s such a handful and takes over an hour to straighten. (It is identical to yours, curls everywhere!) I’m so glad I found you first! This style is so easy, and so pretty. I added a headband to tame the, uh, ‘volume’, in the front a bit, and it’s perfect!
No more straightener damage for me, I’m embracing my crazy curls thanks to your inspiration! 🙂
oh thanks so much for commenting, Emily! This makes me so happy 🙂 Christina xx
Lady, I can’t get enough of your hairstyles! They are awesome, thank you! I have medium length curly hair and all I ever used to do was put it up in a bun (that was my go-to hairstyle). Now I try to switch it up with the hairstyles you post. They rock!
oh thank you so much Margie! That makes me so happy 🙂 xx
Your curly hair posts are fantastic and have literally improved my life! Thanks to your curly tutorials I now have so many more options on day 2,3 and dare I say day 4 of a wash. Which also means I get to sleep in more :). Thanks so much and keep it coming!!
Yay! Thank you so much Jamie! This makes me SO HAPPY 🙂 xx
I love this! So realistic for curly hair. Is there a brand for clear elastics that you recommend? Mine always end up ripping out a little bit of hair with them…m
Thanks Carry! I buy a bag from the hairdresser supply store or Lady Jayne bands are good too x
Cute! I’m going to try this tomorrow for my third-day hair! ha
Perfect Keryn! Make those messy curls work for you 😉
Thank you so much for featuring real curls! I’m a curly girl who’s growing her hair out and was thrilled to come across your site. Thanks to you, I’ve *finally* figured it how to use bobby pins correctly. I look forward to more posts highlighting gorgeous natural curls.
Thanks so much Ali! You’ll definitely see more curly tutorials coming up soon x
When I first saw the (amazing) pic I thought – yeah right, as if I could ever do that. But when I read the step by step instructions, I think even me – worst hair styler in the world could even try that. I am not sure how my hair (long, layered and curly) will work – lots of outy bits me thinks …
I have layers too Emma, give it a try and let me know how you go! xx
Omg I absolutely ADORE this look. Need to try it out!
Love from Dubai,
Aena
http://www.TouchofA.com
Thanks so much Aena, I’d love to see a pic if you try it x
I love this style and am so happy to see some styles featuring REAL curls! 🙂
It would be great to see a few more shots from the front/face view of your hairstyles. Usually I can get the back and sides of my hairstyle to look nice, but I sometimes struggle with styling the front (to leave pieces out around the face or not, to part or not to part, etc…). To see how you style the front of each ‘do would be so helpful! As always, thanks for the great tutorial and styling idea.
Thanks so much Christina! I did take some photos of the front but I was pulling a weird face haha. I’ll include more pics on future tutorials too 🙂
I’m going to try this tomorrow. Beautiful! Agree with Christina, its helpful to see the front. I can sometimes make the back look good, but can’t figure out how to style around my face.
thanks Pam! I wrote up some extra tips for styling the front of curly hair here – https://www.hairromance.com/2017/04/help-style-front-curly-hair.html – hope this helps xx
So so pretty:)
Laura
http://www.24-7style.com
Thanks Laura 🙂
This is a really good hairstyle I love it soo much xxx
thank you! xx