How to secure curly long hair that doesn’t ruin the curls?

[naranjajuice]

i have wavy curly hair which is just below my shoulders. I work in heathcare so need to have my hair off the collar. I wish I knew a way that I could secure my hair but then be able to wear it down after and it not totally destroy the curls.
At the moment I’m pulling it into a loose bun but it’s not working. I’ve tried normal elastics and those wavy plastic things but they just get tangled and are awful.
does anyone have anything they can recommend?
many thanks

Sadly, no. But I have the same problem so I'd be interested if anyone has answers. The only way I can do it is to spritz it with water and scrunch it (but it then takes some time to dry). Revives the curls however.

A big clawed clip? I use little butterfly clips to keep it off my face but my hair is much shorter

@StamppotAndGravy I think the problem is that once you've put your hair up in any kind of way, once you take it down then your curls have mostly been flattened/disappeared.

I use a big claw clip, but you tend to have droopy waves if you've had it up all day and then let it down. The only way to restore some curl (for me) is to wet it again.

Can you go French plaits / Dutch braids. My waves are still there when I undo a plait .

I agree with @Mairzydotes

My hair is wavy and I often braid it. Have been experimenting recently and with a lower, loose French plait and that works well.

Plaits all the way. Looks amazing when you pull it out no matter how chaotic the day.

You can play around with styles. Sometimes I do high pony and then plait the tail. Sometimes low braid and then twist to a low bun and pin or claw. Sometimes I go Princess Leia and two low braid buns.

I wish I could do a cool French but I can’t.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Hair-Tools-Size-Black/dp/B0C6YFCBGD/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?crid=3CJ3DKR3QCPX6&keywords=claw+clip+curly+hair&qid=1707256359&sprefix=claw+clip+curly+hao%2Caps%2C445&sr=8-17

The best £3.50 I've ever spent

Ooooh!

These are brilliant
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Grip-Hair-Pins-Good/dp/B0041TDMZ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=french+hair+pin&qid=1707256563&sr=8-4

loads of you-tube / Facebook videos on how to use them and they hold my curly longish hair fabulously.

Hang upside down and secure curls on top of your head with a silk scrunchie, pony tail on top of your head kind of thing. Don't scrape your hair back from your face as if doing a low pony tail, then scrape it higher up to the top of your head. That just ruins the curls. The end result looks identical, but the hanging upside down bit makes such a difference when you take it out! Loads of volume and the curls are still there. However I know how temperamental curly hair is and what works for me could be a disaster for someone else!

I’ve found pop bands to be the best hair bands for avoiding tangles when taking them out.

Thanks @Purplerainpurplesky one if those on the way. Lots of other great ideas-haven’t done plaits since school but will try and see how they go, also the pineapple scrunchie and the pop bands… not sure what they are but happy to try anything really!