Coming up with new ways to style your hair can turn into a chore without you even realizing it. In today’s world, dominated by fashion-forward influencers and the constant need to stand out amongst the crowd, having the time (and energy) to do something with your hair everyday is a symbol of wealth. Most of us relent to either a ponytail or braids, but there are more ways to style long, straight hair than most people are aware of! Here is a list of 9 super easy hairstyles you should definitely start integrating into your daily routine.
1. Criss-cross Bobby Pinned Look
Are you looking for a stylish look that could rival Vogue magazine? Bobby pins in your hair is the way to go. We will first start with a middle part (or side part, depending on preference). Using either your fingers or the sharp-edged handle of a comb, you will separate a small section to clip back with two bobby pins. These should be met in an X shape over the hairlock. After the first section, you may repeat on the same side or the opposite. Remember, this look is dependent on how thick your hair is and how many bobby pins you’d like to be seen on the crown of your head.
2. Double Twists
Pick two small sections and separate them. Then, instead of the traditional braid, these two sections will be twisted into one another and back. After reaching a satisfying look, these twists should be pinned into place. The loops can then be tugged on gently for extra volume. The rest of your hair shall flow freely, but this small addition makes for an intricate look that’s taken less than five minutes to accomplish! This is the ultimate trick for those who love Dutch braids but have gotten tired of investing in them all day long.
3. Top Knot
Nothing more elegant than a ballerina bun. It looks classy, expensive, and truth be told, takes time. Or does it, really? Ballerinas are the symbol of grace, so they must spend a lot of hours on their looks. Yet there is nothing simpler! To achieve this, brush your hair back into a high ponytail. Make sure the front is slicked back without baby hairs sticking out. Then have your hair donut ready— it is not mandatory, but ideal for top results. Pull your hair through the center of the donut and slide the donut down to the base! Evenly distribute your hair over the donut, smoothen it so that the material is fully hidden. Use plenty of bobby pins and hairspray for the best outcome.
4. Sleek Low Bun
If you’re looking for a formal or work-based hairstyle, this is it. It’s elegant and tidy, which is precisely what businesses are looking for. To start, have your elastic, bobby pins and hairspray ready. Brush the full length of your hair to eliminate knots or bumps, then have it combed into a low ponytail. Moving forward, have the ponytail twisted around itself tightly. To secure, use the bobby pins and hairspray. Here’s a little trick: spray the bobby pins rather than your hair, this will ensure they stay in place without risking your hair’s health!
5. Side Braid
For those weighing in the balance on the romantic aesthetic, this one’s for you. To start, comb and gather your hair to one side. For a simpler and quicker result, braid your hair the traditional way, secure it with a tie and pull on a few pieces for added volume. However, here you may try the fishtail technique, which takes about five minutes more. Unlike the normal braid, the fishtail only has your hair separated in two sections. Then, you’ll take a small piece of your hair from one section, maybe half an inch, from the outside of the section you chose. This piece will cross over to the other section. The next step is to take a small piece from the outside of the second section, which you must cross over the first. Repeat this until all your hair is done.
6. Braided Headband
Further into our romantic aesthetic is the braided headband. This is basically a thin braid from one side of your head to the other, which will feed into the cottagecore fantasy. To start, pick a small section of your hair— this must be from behind your ear. After you select it, make sure to braid it tightly and bring it over the top of your head. For better results, you can even start braiding it after you mimicked the headband look. This way you will ensure there are no bumps or loops in your “headband”. To finish, pin it behind the opposite ear.
7. Bubble Ponytail
This is the definition of fun! It’s a playful alternative to the normal ponytail, which includes multiple elastics. So, as usual, brush and tie your hair into a high ponytail. From here on, have the elastics ready before tying this ponytail multiple times. Each elastic should be placed 3-4 inches apart and down the length of your ponytail. Once you’re done with the elastics, gently tug on each section between them. This shall create the wanted “bubble” effect, so long as you’re careful not to disturb the placement of each elastic.
8. Messy Bun
Looking to feel like the protagonist in a Young Adult novel? This is the right choice for you. Messy buns are a global phenomenon, often described and portrayed in media due to the effortless chic look. It is perfect for casual days or brunch out in town. First, pull your hair into either a high or mid-level ponytail. Unlike the buns presented so far, make sure to twist your hair around the ponytail only loosely, wrapping it around the base. Here you shall secure this bun with another hair tie and several bobby pins. Don’t be afraid of loose strands, we are looking to achieve the “almost falling apart” look. To ensure this, tug lightly at the strands until some come off the bobby pins!
9. Half-Up Half-Down
To finish our list, we must talk about the half-up half-down hairstyle. This mixes the freedom of wearing your hair down while still having some neatness by pulling it back. So, use your comb’s handle to section the top and bottom part of your hair, from temple to crown. To achieve success here, look back into the mirror so you can see the straight horizontal line between the top and bottom sections of your hair. Then, to your pleasure, secure the top half with either a hair tie, scrunchie or clip! The bottom part shall be left straight and flowing while you can play around with the top part, either choosing a ponytail, bun, or pin it with several bobby pins.