By Wendy Sy, Allure
I don't know about y'all, but when it comes to my hair, my motto is almost always, "ain't nobody got time for that." Seriously though — with work, school, or just day-to-day duties (plus the time we allot for social media scrolling) who has hours to spend on their hair? Not me, that's for sure. But sometimes, you just want your hair to look nice and styled. And fortunately, getting a fly hairstyle together doesn't have to be hard or time-consuming for that matter. In fact, there are several easy-peasy hairstyles anyone can master, depending on their hair type. To prove it, we tapped the pros to get the real tea on their favorite easy hairstyles. Whether your hair is stick-straight, or you're rocking a head full of flourishing kinks, there are options that are as easy to execute as they are gorgeous. Get excited: Your at-home styling sessions just got way easier.
For straight and fine-haired folks, hairstylist Tippi Shorter recommends amping up the texture and creating super quick, "lived-in" beach waves, like the style Jessica Biel is sporting here. "Create beach waves in five minutes by separating your hair into four sections [and] twirling one section in your fingers until it is twisted close to the scalp," she says. "Using a medium-heat flatiron, press the iron on the twirled-up hair, hitting each section for five seconds each. [Then] unwind and use a light hair spray to hold the waves."
If anyone knows that there are a million ways to rock a bun, it's the Duchess of Sussex herself, Meghan Markle. For a look like hers, part your hair down the middle and gather it into a very loose bun. Pull out two small sections from each side of your face, wind them loosely around a curling iron for a few seconds (directing the curl away from your face), and release.
Shorter says that half-updos are a great way to play with curls and turn up the volume. "Using a light pomade on hands, smooth curls from ear to ear loosely to the crown area," she explains. "[Then] take a small section of hair from the back and wrap it around the gathered hair many times and secure with a bobby pin," she says, adding that you can also use a light oil to smooth through the hair and further enhance your curls. Add some extra swag to your look by laying down your baby hairs at the temples.
If you've blown out your kinks and curls and want to switch up the style a bit, you can try a front twist like Teyonah Parris is rocking here. For this, Shorter suggests creating a deep side part and incorporating a braid or twist for a fun and simple accent. "[You can] create a cornrow braid and secure the end, [then] tuck the end under the hair that's left out and use fingers to gently backcomb the hair that's out for maximum volume and fun," she explains. If you're not up for a full-blown cornrow, Teyonah's simple flat twist is a good substitute.
There’s a reason why the half-up, half-down hairstyle has been around for ages: it’s as straightforward as it gets. To get Lucy Hale’s look, part your hair down the middle, leave a small section out from each side of your face, and bring the rest together with a small clip. Want to take it up a notch? Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, hairstylist and owner of Takisha Studio in Brooklyn, New York, notes to use a 1-inch curling iron to add subtle waves (try the Sylkstyler one from Hai Beauty Concepts) to your hair before putting it up.
Janelle Monáe is known to do things differently when it comes to music, so it comes to no surprise that she applies the same mentality to her hair. Recently, she was seen rocking an ultra-long braid with a criss-cross white elastic tied around it by Brooklyn-based hairstylist Nikki Nelms. To top it off, she added a hashtag-like metal hair accessory at the end of the braid to match Monáe's earring. Get the look by pulling your hair back into a low pony and securing with an elastic. Grab some braiding hair and start plaiting, combining it with your natural hair all the way to the ends. Secure the bottom, then start wrapping the braid with string or a long elastic. Make a hashtag out of four bobby pins and attach it to the very bottom of the braid. And of course, don't forget to slick your baby hairs.
Lacy Redway created this super sleek topknot for Jasmine Sanders at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. The key here is to keep it tight and smooth: Once your hair is up in a knot, spray a bristle brush with hair spray and run it over the crown of your head to slick down any baby hairs. The classic gel and a toothbrush works, too. Or, in a spray bottle, you can mix a bit of gel with water and mist it over your hair — a trick we picked up from The Radio City Rockettes. Secure the topknot with bobby pins so it stays in place.
The opposite of a sleek topknot is the no-fail messy bun. Imperfection the goal of this look, which gives super straight hair some life. To get that beachy texture, hairstylist Jonathan Colombini suggests using a texture spray like this one, which provides a 24-hour flexible hold. “Tip your head over to one side and spray from underneath, hitting the ends first,” he says. “With the warmth of your hands, scrunch your hair until it's dry. This will create texture. Mist on the crown and massage into the root with your fingertips to create volume. Less is more.” Following, gather your hair the same way you would for the tousled pony, but instead, twist the ends into a bun and you’re good to go.
Another way to give straight hair a polished upgrade is to rock a low chignon. Sturdivant-Drew recommends using the pointy end of a classic fine-tooth comb to create a clean middle part like Emily Ratajkowski’s. Comb through with R+Co Wall St. Strong Hold Gel to give your hair a more modern, sculpted look. Secure your hair in a low ponytail and then braid the tail, securing the ends with a small, clear elastic. Finish by twisting the braid into a low bun and securing with U-shaped pins. Ready, set, cue the dramatic effect.
If you have thin, straight hair, this breezy updo gives you a literal lift, boosting the appearance of volume. It’s versatile too, and can be worn to the gym or a party (à la Sabrina Carpenter). Starting off, spritz on Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray to give your hair grip for easier styling. To execute the look, Shorter says, “Flip your head over and gently comb the interior of your hair with your fingers. Loosely grab your hair into a ponytail in the center back, and flip your head back over before securing the ponytail.” Following, pull out some loose, wispy strands to hang around your face for an effortless feel.
Can you say '70s disco? Redway styled Amandla Stenberg's hair in a glam high pony at the 10th Annual Governor Awards. To achieve the look, she first moisturized the actress's hair with Nexxus Promend Leave-In Crème for Split Ends. “It’s extremely moisturizing without leaving hair slippery to the touch,” Redway tells Allure. Next, she gathered the star’s hair into the palm of her hand and brushed it toward the top and center of the head to create a ponytail. “Once the hair was secured, I added hair extensions from Boho Exotic Studio and secured it with hair pins. I used a little R+Co Wall Street Strong Hold Gel on the actual ponytail to twist it all the way to the bottom.”
Ribbons are an easy (and inexpensive) way to dress up hair in a cinch. Have a ribbon from a present lying around? That works perfectly. Just tie up your hair in a half-pony with an elastic and leave a few front strands hanging loose, as Emma Stone's hairstylist, Mara Roszak, does here. This look works great on straight hair as the texture doesn't compete for attention with the bow. Tie the ribbon around the elastic and you’ve just elevated an everyday hairstyle.
Braided pigtails look difficult to achieve, but with practice, they can become second nature. Just part your hair down the middle and create two large cornrows on opposite sides of your head, securing the elastic at ear level. Let the ends of your hair do their thing, like Skai Jackson did here. If you find your hair is a little dry, spritz with a moisturizer like the Taliah Waajid Shea Coco Daily Leave-In Conditioner and use your fingers to gently fluff it through your puffs. If cornrows are out of your skill set, try this style with a flat twist instead. Before you head out the door, add a few spritzes of a light holding spray, says Sturdivant-Drew. We like the Cantu Style Stay Frizz-Free Finisher.
This style takes only a few short steps to achieve. Hairstylist Renato Campora created this look for Amanda Seyfried for the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors, demonstrating that yes, there is more than one way to dress up a half pony. Campora started with a spritz of Honest Beauty's Heat Defense Spray on her damp hair. Then, he pulled out a Dyson dryer to dry her hair section by section. Next up, he straightened her hair using the GHD Platinum Styler, then brushed all of Seyfried’s hair back with Kenra Styling Gel 17. He moved on to separating her hair into two sections with a rat-tail comb. “Kitsch Bungee Elastics allowed me to wrap and secure the ponytail,” Campora noted in an Instagram caption. “Then, I took a small section of hair and wrapped it around until I reached the end of the hair and secured it with bobby pins.” To finish, he set the style with the no-fail L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray.
We're beyond obessed with this look. For the premiere of her film, Mary, Queen of Scots, hairstylist Bryce Scarlett cleverly gave Margot Robbie a low, loose ponytail that almost looks as if it's tucked into the neck clasp of her Chanel dress. The balance between the simplicity of the hair and the grandiose details of the embroidered outfit was perfectly on point. The actress’s straight lob, which was parted down the middle, instantly looked beautifully polished.
Julianne Hough recently chopped her hair into a blunt bob with bangs. With a cut so dramatic, the best choice is to leave it be and accentuate the look with the help of a hero product. The key for a style like this is to keep the ends healthy, as any wonkiness is especially prominent on straight hair. We love the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender, which seals and smooths ends while aligning hair fibers. Use it before and after styling for an ultra-blunt effect.
Here, Kendall Jenner demonstrates an easy way to breathe life into a simple, straight style. The two snap clips she's sporting take just a second to apply. Another plus: the accessories keep errant baby hairs at bay. Try rocking clips in different colors to coordinate with your outfit.
If your hair is straight, a little finesse with a curling iron can work wonders. It’s like a mini face-lift that makes a noticeable difference. For a look like Farmiga's, Use a one-inch curling iron and as Colombini notes, “Wrap subsections around the barrel holding ends out and alternate directions to get a more piece-y, defined look. Hold the subsection around the barrel for five seconds and when removing from heat, immediately pull the section down with moderate tension to get more of a wavy than curly texture.”
It’s amazing how switching up your part can make a huge difference in not only in how your hair looks, but its health as well. It’s even more apparent when you have straight hair, since parts are most noticeable on this texture. If you often part it to the side, try moving it to the center (like Priyanka Chopra) and vice versa. "The longer we wear the same part, the more we wear the hair down in that area and cause breakage," explains Annie Rush, a hairstylist at Eva Scrivo Salon in New York City. By making the change, she adds, "You're not allowing the hair to fall in the same position every day, and in turn, the roots are upright.”
Simplicity is key here. If you've got super short hair, consider rocking a slicked-back look in the style of Cara Delevingne. All you need are two things: a wide-tooth comb and a good 'ol hair gel. Try the Bumble and Bumble Bb. Gel — apply it all over hair then run the comb through to set in the look. Ready, set, cue the dramatic effect.
Andre Walker, hairstylist and co-creator of his namesake hair-care line says, “curly hair is instantly changed just by securing a loose pony on top of your head. [It's an easy way to] make your curls dressier.” To execute the look that Camila Cabello nailed (whether they're your natural curls or you had some help from a hot tool), pull all of your hair up while trying not to disturb the curls. Then, secure it as loosely as possible. “Let ringlets fall where they may and give them a little help by adding a hairpin here and there, if needed.”
This half-up topknot is a great option for those with tightly curled, kinky, or coily hair, especially on the days when the front part of your hair isn't falling the way you'd like. To get this style, section off a third of the hair on top and twist it into a tight bun. Walker recommends applying a moisturizing product over the hair to smooth any flyaways. Try the Beautiful Kinks Styling Crème Gelee from his Gold System line — it gives your hair a strong hold without that crunchy autumn leaves kind of feel.
Got a cocktail party or fancy event coming up? Put some flowers in your hair. Quick tip: chill the flowers in your fridge overnight before rocking them so they will be extra fresh. Then, pull your hair back the in the style of the wispy bun and secure your blooms of choice with bobby pins. Lisa Weller, hairstylist and owner of Twirl Salon in San Antonio, says “having the right go-to product is key” when it comes to using hair accessories. Try the Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray for an all-day hold.
The look of brushed-out curls will never not be totally dreamy. But it's important to make sure your hair is healthy so it can look its best. “The goal is to keep them soft and moisturized,” says Colombini. A weekly mask like L’Oréal Paris’s Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm or the EverPure Deep Moisture Hair Sheet Mask is the perfect start to maintaining hair health. (Colombini has a contract with L'Oréal Paris.) “As long as there is balance in the shape, rock this look all you want.” Gently brush out your kinks and coils, pulling them back away from your face and securing with an elastic. Then slide in piles of sparkly bobby pins at the front of your head, like Amandla Stenberg did here. We like the ones that Justine Marjan created in collaboration with Kitsch. You’ll be the star of the next big cocktail party.
Ever notice how Old Hollywood curls and waves are still a thing on the red carpet? Rodney Cutler, hairstylist and owner of Cutler Salons loves this look, suggesting to update the classic style with "a cool, decorative barrette for a more defined look.” First, part your hair to the side and create an S-wave. The easiest way to do this, as we’ve learned from hairstylist Kristin Ess, is to curl your hair as usual with the Hot Tools 1-Inch Spring Iron, then ever so gently, tap over the curls with the GHD Classic 1-inch Styler flatiron. This stretches them out slightly to create that classic S shape. Cutler adds, “Smooth any flyaways with an anti-frizz cream such as the Redken Outshine 01.”
Zoë Kravitz made the braids and bow combo a thing at the 2018 Met Gala. Not only does the oversized accessory hold her hair together, but it also adds a sweet, lighthearted feel to the look. Here, Kravitz's micro braids are pulled back into a low bun with a center part. Her baby hairs are delicately swooped and slicked down, the perfect 'round the way girl touch to this classic look. While Kravitz's look was completed with a bow, if that's not quite your thing Weller notes that there are other accessories with you can zuhzh up the look. “Jeweled bobby pins or even good-quality fabric hair scrunchies are showing up on celebs and runways. Jennifer Behr has an amazing selection.”
To get these deep, defined waves as seen on Megan Fox, it's all about creating a dramatic side part and, if your hair is naturally wavy, defining what you already have. "Create a deep side part, mist hair lightly with a liquid leave-in, or prep-type of product and run fingers through your hair to distribute," she says. Use a large-barrel curling iron to create the giant waves. Then, "using sectioning clips (duckbill clips), clip your hair flat to your scalp every two inches until you’ve reached the end of your hair. [Then] let dry while doing your makeup or getting dressed. Remove the clips for controlled and refined romantic waves."
Yes, you can have the best of both worlds — a hairstyle that's kinda messy, but also super chic. For this look, there’s “no elastic required,” Cutler says. “Just use U-pins to hold the hair up organically in loose sections to create a casual updo.” Dress it down or up, like British actress Florence Pugh did at the Royal Academy of Arts party earlier this year.
When you’re on a time crunch in the morning, there's nothing like a simple headwrap to get out out of the door in a flash. Just ask Alicia Keys. This works great for lots of hair textures, but it's especially helpful if you have a curls, kinks, or coils, as these textures can grip onto the scarf easier, as long as it’s secure. First, gather your hair into a high bun, then fold the long side of a large scarf a quarter of the way up. Starting in the back of your head, lay the scarf flat, wrap it to the front and around the bun, then tie it into a knot. Tuck the ends of the scarf under the bun and off you go. Your hair is protected, everyone thinks you look cool, and no one knows what a mess you may be dealing with underneath that scarf. It's a win-win.
Serena Williams sported this sophisticated style in September at the Versace show in Milan. If you've got kinky-curly hair, blow out your strands first and then use a curling iron or flexi rods to create loose curls. Then, take a small section of hair from each side of the face and clip them together side-by-side just below the crown. As for the rest of your hair, let it flow as is.
To get Nicole Kidman's fishtail braid, it just takes four steps. If your texture is similar to hers, hairstylist Tommy Bucket suggests using Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to start off. Then, separate your strands into two equal sections (instead of three). Next, use your index fingers to pull out a half-inch section of hair from the area near the base of your ear on the right section of your head. Then, cross it over to the left section and repeat with a half-inch piece from the left section, crossing it over to the right. Bucket says, "don't worry if layers start to fall out of the braid. It gives the look a pretty, effortless feel." Finish by adding the half-inch pieces until you reach the ends, and secure with an elastic.
Go for the boho look with a side braid à la Julia Roberts. To have it stay put the whole day, start by adding Jen Atkin's Ouai Texturizing Spray, which is aptly described as “if dry shampoo and hair spray had a baby.” Gather your hair to the side, divide it into three sections, and weave the strands in and out. Tie with an elastic then loosen up the braid by pulling it ever so gently. This style works well on wavy hair as the texture allows for a more secure hold, yet it isn't too curly, letting the braid be fully visible.
If you've got curls that you created with a hair tool or by braiding or twisting, you're gonna want to keep that pattern poppin' for a while. Weller recommends preserving the pattern with the Oribe Flash Form Finishing Spray Wax. The ultra-fine formula creates a weightless yet strong hold that’s moisturizing and adds a sheen. Finish it off by brushing the front of your hair back like Betty Gabriel does here and clipping the front section back.
Jessica Biel: Beach Waves
Meghan Markle: Wispy Low Bun
Jennnifer Lopez: "Bronx Baddie" Half Updo
Teyonah Parris: Front Twist
Lucy Hale: Half-Up, Half-Down
Janelle Monáe: Wrapped Braid
Jasmine Sanders: Sleek Topknot
Kendall Jenner: Messy Bun
Emily Ratajkowski: Modern Chignon
Sabrina Carpenter: Tousled Ponytail
Amandla Stenberg: Disco Ponytail
Emma Stone: Put a Bow on It
Skai Jackson: Braided Pigtails
Amanda Seyfried: Wrapped Half Pony
Margot Robbie: Ultra-Low Mini Pony
Julianne Hough: Keep It Blunt
Kendall Jenner: Snap Clips
Taissa Farmiga: Slight Waves
Priyanka Chopra: Change Up Your Part
Cara Delevingne: Slicked Back
Camila Cabello: Loose High Pony
Yara Shahidi: Half-Up Topknot
Evan Rachel Wood: Flower Bun
Amandla Stenberg: Brushed-out Texture
Alexa Chung: Modern Retro S-Waves
Zoë Kravitz: Bow, Braids, and Baby Hair
Megan Fox: Deep Waves
Florence Pugh: Freeform Updo
Alicia Keys: Scarf It
Serena Williams: Clipped In
Nicole Kidman: Fishtail Braid
Julia Roberts: Side Braid
Betty Gabriel: Brushed Back
