40 Elegant Natural Hair Updos For Black Women - Coils and Glory (2024)

Looking for the most elegant, yet easy updos to try on your 4c hair for a special event such as a wedding, birthday or anniversary?

In this post, I have compiled a list of 40 beautiful updos to try out.

These hairstyles can be done on short hair, you only need to add a kinky hair extension such as Marley hair to be able to replicate the hairstyle.

To get the polished and smooth look in this post, you will need to fully comb out your hair and do a blowout with heat using a blow dryer.

If you don’t want to add heat to your hair, you can stretch your hair with African threading or using the banding method, then comb your hair out after taking out the hair bands or thread.

Please note that your updo may turn out looking different from your inspired hairstyle if you have a different hair length, texture and hair color.

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These pictures are all sourced from Pinterest. To be credited for your personal picture, please contact me with the exact picture and I’ll be sure to credit you. This post also contains affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase with my link, at no additional cost to you.

1. Faux Hawk Updo on Short 4c Hair

This style is done best with Marley hair extensions and gel to slick it back. Eco Styler is a great gel with a stronghold. Rubber bands and a rat tail comb are also needed for this hairstyle.

This hairstyle is best done on dry hair with just gel or a small amount of cream.

Product used: Marley hair extensions, lots of bobby pins, and a hair gel such as the eco styler gel.

2. Two-Strand Twist High Updo on Stretched 4c Hair

This style is best done on blown-out hair to get this smooth effect. Bobby pins will help keep everything in place while you are twisting.

A rat-tail comb will keep the parts nice and straight, and also tease the hair for more volume in front.

Product used: Lots of bobby pins, and a soft hold hair gel such as the eco styler gel.

3. Rolled Chunky Updo on Blown Out 4c Hair

This style is best for dense, thick hair as it will give it more volume and oomph.

Bobby pins and rubber bands are important for creating this hairstyle.

4. Copper Toned Flat Twists with Roll-n-Tuck Ends

For this hairstyle, oil sheen, bobby pins, and a rattail comb will be your best friend.

This is a very intricate hairstyle so make sure to have a lot of patience.

I would also suggest an edge control gel for keeping flyaways down but it is not mandatory. This style can still be beautiful without it.

5. Classic Updo on Medium Length 4a/b Hair

To keep this hair tucked, you will need lots of Bobby pins to keep it in place.

It would also be a great idea to have some gel to smooth down the sides.

Using a lot is not necessary, as you just need a small amount to make it look smooth.

6. Game of Fros Updo with Side Cornrows

For this beautiful hairstyle, to keep the cornrows from frizzing up, you will need some soft hold gel.

It would also be a great idea to have two mirrors while styling so that you can see the back of your head, and make sure that the style is even.

For the middle section, you will need bobby pins to keep the twist together.

This hairstyle is best for denser hair to get the thick look but will work with any natural hair.

7. Loosely Twisted Top Knot Updo

This simple hairstyle by Fatou is one of my favorite hairstyles that I love to do when I put my hair up in a bun.

All you need to do is to pull your stretched natural hair into a bun, loosely twist small sections of your hair, and tuck them in the middle with bobby pins.

To get a smooth bun look, wrap your hair with a silk or satin scarf for a few minutes and take it down afterward.

8. Interwoven Back With a Pompadour

An intricate hairstyle like this will take a lot of time and patience to complete.

A few pins will keep the hairstyle from unraveling and stay beautiful throughout the day.

You may need the help of a hairstylist due to the intricacy of the back hairstyle.

9. Smooth Roll-n-Tuck Frohawk with Couple Flat Twists on the Sides

To achieve the cornrows, some gel and bobby pins will be your best friend.

This is a beautiful hairstyle you can do yourself at home to try when looking for something new. For some sheen, spray the finished hairstyle with a spray sheen.

10. Intertwined Twists Updo on Short Natural Hair

If you have a shorter hair length that’s at least six inches long, you can achieve this hairstyle either by yourself or with the help of a hairstylist.

All you need to do is to stretch your hair by doing a blowout or with the banding method. For some sheen, spray the finished hairstyle with a spray sheen.

11. All-Back Bun with Wrapped Two-Strand Twists

This is a hairstyle you can easily do yourself at home.

Just stretch your hair with a blow drier so that you can perfectly replicate this hairstyle and you’re ready for your date!

12. Twisted Rear Updos Perfect For Brides

A bride that plans to wear a wedding veil on her wedding will be best served by this hairstyle because she can just clip her veil at the back of her hair, on top of the twisted hair.

And when it’s time to take down the veil for the reception, she can easily do that without worrying about messing up her hairstyle.

13. Tucked Afro Puff with Threaded Twists At The Front

This hairstyle gives a unique twist on a braided style. A loose braid ending in a bun is a fresh new take on a simple cornrow style.

This hairstyle may look more complicated than it looks, so it’s best to get the help of a hairstylist.

Product used: Lots of bobby pins.

14. Twisted Afro puff Mega Bun

This is a very simple style that won’t take too much of your time. If you’re a little pressed for time, this is a great style to do.

Just part a few sections and secure the jumbo twists with bobby pins. Make sure to slick it back with a hair gel and a brush.

15. Two-Strand Twists With a Pompadour

This is a very simple low-maintenance style that won’t take too much time at all and you can wear it multiple times.

Add a headband or a hair accessory of your choice for some extra personality.

16. Roll and Twist Hairstyle on 4c Hair

This is a perfect hairstyle for medium-length 4c hair. It’s so easy to do that you can do it yourself at home. Be sure to work with fully detangled and partly stretched hair, so that you get lots of volume.

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17. Ginger Half-Up Half-Down

Adding color to your hair can make a hairstyle stand out and look more fun.

As naturals, you don’t need to be afraid of color.

We can color your hair and still have healthy, beautiful natural hair. As long as you can continue to care for your hair with regular deep conditioning.

18. High Twisted Hair Updo

If your hair isn’t this long, you can add in some hair extensions by using a kinky hair extensions such as Marley hair.

19. Overlapping Tucked Hair on 4c Hair

Heat styling will stretch the hair and work a lot better for this style.

It will give it a lot more volume as well, because it will not shrink back so easily.

20. Twisted and Braided Crown Updo

If you want an up-do that will last a few days, you will enjoy getting this hairstyle done because the cornrows allows you to wear the style for several days at a time. This elegant updo is perfect for a night out or an office party.

21. Elegant Twisted Hair Updo on Medium Length 4C Hair

Every elegant hairstyle can be brought to another level with a rhinestone tiara or hair clip.

This hairstyle is gorgeous on its own but there’s nothing wrong with a little bling every once in a while.

22. Looped Elegant Hair Updo

This is a beautiful style fit for a queen. Don’t forget your bobby pins.

23. Mohawk Updo With Side Twists

There is something so beautiful about smoothed-down edges with a textured updo.

Some people shy away from it or laugh at people who do it but they just don’t understand or know how to rock it perfectly like the beauty in this photo.

24. Updo on Thick 4c Hair

If you don’t want to stretch your hair with heat or by any other means, you can still wear an up-do, as long as you’re creative enough to come up with something beautiful, such as this half up-do with afro bangs.

25. Flat Twists With Back Roll and Tuck

This is a beautiful hairstyle that can be worn to any special occasion such as a wedding, birthday party, and even a job interview.

You can do this hairstyle yourself at home or with the help of a hairstylist.

26. Side sweep Updo on 4c Hair

For this style, you will need to stretch your hair so that it looks smooth. And you can style the updo in whatever way you see fit.

27. Rolled Curls Hair Updo

You don’t always have to stretch your hair to achieve gravity-defying styles like this.

Letting your natural texture shine through can still be beautiful. Sometimes all your hair needs is a brush and a good gel to slick down the edges.

28. Two-Strand Twists with Top Bun

Flat twists are such a versatile and simple hairstyle that doesn’t take much time at all.

Adding a top bun will add an elegant touch to such a simple style.

29. Fro Hawk on 4b Hair

Type 4 hair can do such amazing things when it comes to hairstyles.

You can create amazing creations like this just from the way your hair grows from your scalp.

30. Elegant High Bun with Accessories

You can never go wrong with a simple, but gorgeous bun! Accessories can really take a simple bun to the next level as well as adding a gorgeous twist to the front. Add a kinky hair extension for more volume and length.

31. Faux Hawk Updo with Cornrow Style

Small cornrows like this will require a steady hand and lots of patience and skill.

If you don’t want to add extra hair to this style, twisting your hair into Bantu knots will still make this style look elegant and graceful.

Top this look off with a beautiful clip or chain.

32. Rolled Updo on Colored Hair

For this style, it looks like it was blown out with a blow dryer to give it a smoother look.

Occasionally blowing your hair out is good for your hair to stretch it and try different styles.

Heat styling doesn’t always have to be damaging if you do it right, so you don’t need to be so afraid of it.

You also don’t need to be afraid of color, especially if you continue to deep condition your hair on a regular basis.

As long as you are treating your hair and taking care of it weekly, you can use heat and color to switch up your styles.

If you’re afraid to chemically lighten it or you don’t want to commit to one color, you can always try a temporary color wax and switch up your color whenever you want.

33. Hair Buns with Metal Cuffs and Beads Updo

This style used extension hair but this style would still be so beautiful with just two space buns. Beads and metal cuffs like this can be found at any beauty supply store but can also be found online.

Make sure to cover your hair with a satin scarf or bonnet so that you can prolong the hairstyle.

34. Mega Bun on 4c Hair

Natural hair is so versatile and beautiful. You can do amazing things to it like this and look magnificent.

This hairstyle reminds me of a tornado, without the devastation.

The only thing “devastating” about this style is how devastatingly beautiful it is.

35. Rolled and Twisted Hair Updo

To get the hairstyle to have this much volume and density, you can add some hair extensions.

Using an edge control will keep the rest of it smooth and shiny. Baby hairs are not needed.

36. Natural Hair Up-do on Short Hair

If you have short hair and think you can’t pull off an elegant updo without adding hair extensions to your hair, then you will have to open your mind and get creative.

This fold and tuck hairstyle can be pulled off with short hair.

If your hair is only a few inches, you can twist or cornrow parts of your hair, so that you won’t have to pull the front part of your hair too much.

37. Mega Frohawk

For density and volume, adding extensions will give you the look in this photo. This is a beautiful hairstyle for your wedding day or any other special occasion. It’s so elegant and simple. If you are going to be wearing this hairstyle for your wedding, you can add a tiara, hair accessory, or bridal veil to elevate this hairstyle.

38. Chunky Twisted Hair Updo

A fancy hairstyle like this takes time, patience, and practice. The two mirror hack will also work well with this hairstyle since most of the hairstyle is at the back of the head.

You also will want to have a many bobby pins at your disposal.

39. High Bun Twisted Hair Updo

For this hairstyle, using a shoelace to create a puff is a great hack that I’ve learned.

Tighten the shoelace to your desired length and tie it tightly so it does not come undone.

After creating the puff, you can create the twists using bobby pins.

Another great benefit of using a shoelace is that the puff won’t wiggle or come loose while you are creating the twists.

Just make sure to tuck it in or use a black one so no one will be able to see it. Then smooth off the edges with a soft hair gel.

40. Elegant Rolled Updo

This style also should be done with two mirrors so you can work on the back of your head a lot easier. Having someone help you with it would be a better idea because you can ensure that your hair will turn out looking beautiful.

The different layers of colors adds another element of beauty to this style. This is especially a fantastic way to show off your hair color when you start getting new growth on your roots.

Which one of these hairstyles is your favorite? Which one(s) will you be trying next? Do you have a question about how to achieve any of these hairstyles if you have a different hair length or type? Please let me know in the comments section.