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Trendy long hair looks for when you’re just running out the door
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If you have lengthy locks and want to try out some fun new hairstyles (without having to wake up an hour earlier than usual), you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together the ultimate list of quick, easy, and simple styles for long hair so that you can create a fab look at any time or place. Plus, we’ve interviewed professional hair stylist Danielle Chiz and master cosmetologist Shun Pittman for their expert styling tips.

Quick & Simple Hairstyles for Long Hair

  1. Flip Over: Part your hair deeply on the opposite side for a dramatic look.
  2. Half-Up Pigtails: Pull your front pieces into high pigtails on each temple.
  3. Messy Bun: Create a messy ponytail and twist the pony into a bun.
  4. Hippie Braids: Braid 2-3 mini plaits on either side of your face.
  5. Stacked Bobby Pins: Fasten your front pieces with 3-5 pins on each side.
1

Behind-the-Ear Tuck

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  1. Finish your look in just a few seconds with a polished ear tuck. Prep your strands for this chic look with a frizz-fighting leave-in serum . Then, simply brush the front sections of your hair against your scalp and tuck the ends behind your ears. If needed, you can secure the tucked strands with bobby pins or, if they’re long enough, connect them behind your head (and under your hair) with a tiny elastic.
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  1. A blowout is classic, but classic for a reason. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, then towel dry your hair to remove excess moisture. Once your hair is damp (but not soaking wet), gently comb it through with a wide-tooth comb and apply a heat-protectant . Rough dry your hair on medium heat until your hair is 60-70% dry. Then, begin to blow-dry your hair in sections with a round brush and a blowdryer fitted with a concentrator nozzle . [1]
    • Roll each 1 inch (25 mm) section around your round brush and apply medium heat to it. Keep the brush in until the section has dried and cooled down, then unwind it and move onto another section.
    • Once your hair is completely blown dry, add a dime-sized amount of finishing cream onto your strands to prevent frizz and seal in moisture.
    • You can also use “a blowout brush,” adds Chiz. “Different brands have different versions of it, where you can actually dry and smooth your hair at the same time. And it just gives a very simple blowout look without being too done. Also, if you do it that way, it tends to last a little bit longer.” [2]
  1. Wash and condition your strands with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner duo . After you get out of the shower, towel-dry your hair to absorb excess moisture, then distribute a pump’s worth of volumizing mousse into your strands. Scrunch your hair between your palms as you distribute the mousse, giving your mane a loose and wavy texture. Let your hair air-dry fully. [3]
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4

Flip Over

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  1. Master this dramatic look that only takes a handful of minutes to style. Simply flip over your part to create a deep side part on the opposite side of your normal part. This style significantly switches up your look with little (to no) effort. If you have the extra time, the flip-over works particularly well when accompanied by loose waves—consider curling your hair with a large-barrel curling wand or blow-drying it with a round brush .
  1. Give yourself a fake fringe using only your hair! While you can definitely get fake bangs to clip into your hair, you can also fake some fringe using just your hair—especially if your hair texture is super curly or coily. Make a reverse ponytail by gathering your hair toward the crown of your head, then let the tail of the pony fall forward over your forehead rather than backward. [5]
    • If desired, add a scarf or headband to make your “bangs” look more realistic.
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6

Half-Up Twisted Heart

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  1. This half-up style puts a romantic twist on the classic look. Part your hair in the middle, then grab one 1 inch (25 mm) section of hair from each side of the part. Bring the sections together at the back of your head and secure them with a clear elastic. Then, gather two more 1 inch (25 mm) sections of hair from right below where you grabbed the first ones.
    • Starting on the right side of your head, take the new section and pull it around to the back of your head. Weave this section under and through the hair that you secured previously to create a loop. Repeat this step on the left side of your head.
    • You should now have three strands of hair hanging from the sections you created. Secure these three sections about 2 inches (51 mm) below the first elastic to create a heart shape.
    • To adjust the size of the heart, gently pull at the edges of either bottom section to loosen the loops to your desired shape.
7

‘90s Half-Up Pigtails

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  1. Create a hairstyle as fly as the nineties themselves. Start off this nostalgic look by brushing the front pieces of your hair up to either side of your head and fastening them into matching high ponytails. Let your remaining hair hang loose in your natural texture or add some tight curls with a small-barrelled curling wand .
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8

Half-Up Bun

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  1. Who said you have to choose between a cute bun and loose waves? Achieve both looks by parting your hair from ear to ear around the back of your head. You should now have top and bottom sections of hair, with the top section having slightly less hair than the bottom one. Gather the top section into a ponytail at the top of your head, then twist the ponytail into a neat or messy bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins to keep it in place.
  1. There’s nothing simpler (or more perfectly imperfect) than a messy bun. Spritz some volumizing dry shampoo onto your hair, then tease your hair at the roots with a fine tooth comb . Gather all of your hair in your hands and pull the strands into a messy ponytail. Loosely twist the pony into a bun at the base and secure it with a few bobby pins. [6]
    • Don’t worry too much about any stray strands poking out—the key word here is messy !
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  1. Top knots are similar to a messy bun, but with a bit more oomph to them! Spritz some texturizing spray over your locks to give them some grit. Brush to distribute the texturizing spray evenly throughout your hair, then pull your back into a high ponytail. Secure the pony with an elastic, making sure to pull all of your loose hairs into the ponytail. Take the length of the pony and wind it around the elastic, then secure this section with some bobby pins.
    • Finish off with a spritz or two of hairspray to lock everything into place.
11

Sleek Bun

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  1. Keep your long hair squared away with this chic, understated look. Brush through and detangle your hair, then apply a small amount of maximum hold hair gel to your roots. Comb your hair backward from roots to ends, working the gel through your hair as you brush. Add more product as needed until you have no flyaways. Then, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it into a tight, low bun . Loop a hair elastic around the bun to secure it tightly, then use bobby pins or hairspray to smooth down any stray hairs. [7]
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  1. The low bun is as simple as it is chic, making it a great look for long hair. Brush any tangles out of your hair, misting some leave-in conditioner over your strands for extra moisture and detangling power. Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the back of your head, then twist the pony into a bun at the nape of your neck. Secure the bun with a hair elastic and bobby pins (as needed) to keep it in place. Lightly mist your hair with extra strong hold hairspray .
13

Infinity Bun

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  1. Amplify your look to infinity (and beyond) with this stylish and twisty bun. Brush through your hair to smooth out any tangles, then spritz a texturizing spray throughout your strands. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and tie it into a loose ponytail. Then, tightly twist the length of the ponytail counter-clockwise in an upward motion until you reach the mid-point of its length.
    • Circle the twisted section of hair around the base of the ponytail in a counter-clockwise motion until you reach the top. Secure your hair with some bobby pins. The current shape of the bun should be curved, moving from left to right.
    • Continue twisting your locks about 2-3 more times and pin the end to your head to create a diagonal line from right to left. You should begin to see the vertical figure-eight shape take form.
    • Next, twist your hair upward and circle it downward to create a curve. Secure the shape with a few pins, but let your loose locks fall downward. Tuck the loose strands underneath the diagonal section of your hair and secure them with more bobby pins.
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14

Nautilus Bun

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  1. Twist your locks into this purposefully undone and shell-inspired bun. Brush all of your hair into a ponytail at the back of your head, then fold your hair over a hair stick . Pull your hair upward until you can feel the locks tighten around the stick. Twist the hair stick repeatedly with your hand and continue to fold the hair around, then push the stick into the bun and adjust until it feels secure.
  1. Tie your hair into a tight ponytail at your desired height—low, middle, or high—and comb through to make sure there are no bumps on your scalp. Slide a doughnut form onto your ponytail and bring it down to your elastic. Pull your ponytail up and let it fall evenly around the doughnut so that the form is not visible. Then, wrap the ends of your ponytail around the doughnut, twisting all of your hair in the same direction. [8]
    • If you find it hard to cover the form completely, try using a smaller doughnut accessory that will cover your hair more easily.
    • As your hair is in place over the form, completely covering it, carefully place another elastic over the bun, and let it sit around the base. This is meant to hold your hair neatly over the bun accessory.
    • Divide the ends of your hair that are still sticking out into two parts. Twirl each part around the base of your bun, going in opposite directions. The goal is to create an even hair ring around the bun.
    • Pin down the ends of your hair with bobby pins by pushing them into the doughnut form. Spritz with hairspray for extra hold, if desired.
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  1. Hop on the futuristic space buns trend with this playful look. Brush or comb any knots out of your hair, then use a rat-tail comb to create a straight middle part that divides your hair into two equal sections. Gather one section into a ponytail at the crown of your head and secure it with an elastic. Make an identical ponytail at the same height on the other side of your head. [9]
    • Take one ponytail and wrap the length of the pony around the base, then secure it with bobby pins or hair ties. The tighter you wrap your hair, the more height your bun will have. Repeat this step on the other side of your head.
    • Once you’ve styled and adjusted your space buns to your liking, mist them with extra strong hold hairspray to secure the look.
17

Quick Bun for Long 4C Hair

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  1. Turn coily hair into a quick yet fashionable updo in no time! Gather your hair into a high ponytail, then twist the ponytail tightly around itself until it forms a bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins once you’ve created your desired shape. Then, pull gently at the base of the bun to add volume and an undone look to the style. If desired, add some hair gel or hairspray for extra hold. [10]
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  1. Turn your hair into the definition of chic with an elegant French twist. Use your non-dominant hand to sweep your hair off that side of your head so that it sits just slightly off-center. Use your dominant hand to place a bobby pin at the bottom center of your scalp and slide it vertically upward into your hair. Then, insert a row of 3-4 bobby pins vertically into your hair, crisscrossing them to secure the looks before pushing the last one downwards. [11]
    • Gather your loose hair into one hand and twist it tightly as you pull the hair up. Hold your hair at the top of your head, then insert U-shaped bobby pins horizontally into the base of the twist so that they intersect with the vertical pins and hold the style in place. Add as many pins as you need until the hair feels secure.
    • Let the ends of your French twist fall freely, then spray your hair lightly with hairspray to hold the style in place.
19

Retro Updo

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  1. Capture Old Hollywood glam with this retro-inspired look. Refresh your hair with a few spritzes of dry shampoo. Then, loosely gather the top half of your hair and swirl it onto your crown before securing it with an elastic. Then, gather the rest of your hair up and swirl it around the first bun before securing it with another elastic. Use bobby pins to shape the look into your ideal shape.
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20

Hippie Braids

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  1. Channel the free love era with a hairstyle that everyone will love. Give your ‘do a boho vibe by adding tiny braids around your face. Grab a small section of hair that frames your face and braid it into a traditional three-strand plait. Let the braid hang without an elastic for a cool and relaxed look, then repeat to create 2-3 braids on either side of your face.
  1. Try this inverted braid for a simple style that only *looks* complex. Shampoo your hair thoroughly and brush through any tangles in your strands. Starting at your hairline, gather the hair between your two eyebrow arches and apply 1-2 pumps of a frizz-fighting leave-in serum . Split the section into three equal strands, then bring the right strand under the middle strand. [12]
    • Next, bring the left strand under the new middle strand. Repeat these steps while gradually adding more hair to the left and right strands as you move down the braid.
    • Once you have no hair left to add to the braid, style the remaining length into a traditional three-strand plait. Secure with an elastic and spritz the entire braid with a strong-hold hairspray .
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22

Double Dutch Braids

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  1. Double up on the Dutch braid with a nostalgic look fit for kids from 0-100. Part your hair straight down the middle with a rat-tail comb , ensuring that both sides are as even as possible. Starting with the right side, grab the front 3 inches (76 mm) of the section of hair and separate these strands into three equal parts. [13]
    • Take the front section and pass it under the middle section. The original front is now the middle, and the original middle is now the front.
    • Keeping each section as taut as possible, take the back section and pass it under the middle section so that they switch places. Use your thumb to grab a small section of loose hair near the front section and add it into the front section. Pass the front section under the middle one again.
    • Grab a small amount of loose hair near the back of your head and add it into the back section. Pass the back section under the middle section again.
    • Continue repeating this process of adding more hair to the front and back sections and passing them under the middle section until the braid reaches behind your ear.
    • Keep going until you reach the bottom of your hair, then secure with a clear elastic band. Repeat the process on the left side of your head.
  1. Give off that “je ne sais quoi” with a classic French braid. Brush through your hair to remove any knots or tangles. Then, gather three small sections of hair at your hairline. Hold the rightmost section in your right hand, the leftmost section in your left hand, and the middle section between the thumb and forefinger of either hand. Cross the right section over the middle section, then cross the left section over the original right section (which is now the middle section). [14]
    • Smooth and pull tight each section as you go to keep your braid taut and bump-free.
    • Add a little more hair into your braid with each crossover to give the plait its iconic woven look.
    • Repeat this process until you reach the ends of your hair. If you have excess length but don’t have any more hair to add, weave a traditional three-strand braid into these final locks.
    • Fasten the end of the braid with an elastic to finish the style.
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  1. Try this mermaid-esque but simple twist on a classic three-strand plait. Comb through your strands to remove any tangles, and spritz your hair with a bit of dry shampoo to make it more workable. Part your hair straight down the middle and split your locks into equal sections on the left and right sides of your head. [15]
    • Take a medium-sized section of hair from the outer edge of one of the two larger sections, then cross that piece of hair over to the inner edge of the opposite section.
    • Then, separate another medium-sized section of hair from the outer edge of the section you haven’t already taken from, then cross it over to the inner edge of the opposite section.
    • Repeat this process, alternating back and forth between the sections until you reach the bottom of your hair.
    • Secure the ends of your fishtail braid with a hair tie.
  1. Star in your very own Bridgerton season with a windswept plait. Create a deep side part on either side of your head and pull all of your hair toward the opposite side. Start off the top of the braid with a traditional French braid , then continue French braiding along the side and hairline of your head as you move toward the ear. Keep adding hair from the opposite side of your head by taking horizontal sections and bringing them to the front where the braid is sitting.
    • Once all loose hair has been placed into the braid, continue braiding the tail in a three-strand plait and secure it with a clear elastic.
    • Spritz over the braid with a finishing spray , then grip the tail of the braid and gently shake it to loosen face-framing and tousled pieces. Pull on the loops of the hair until the whole braid reaches your desired size and look.
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  1. A stunning rope braid looks so sophisticated, but it’s so easy to do! Start by gathering your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck, then secure this pony with an elastic. Separate the tail of the pony into three equal sections. Select the strand closest to your dominant hand, then cross it in between the other two strands to make it the new middle strand. Repeat this step, but start with the strand on the opposite side. Continue alternating sides and crossing each outside strand over the top of the middle one. [16]
    • Eventually, the braid should start to look like a chain of hearts.
    • Once you reach the end of your hair, secure the braid with a hair tie or elastic.
  1. Ponytails are “really good for long hair when you’re in a rush,” says Pittman. “Ponytails keep everything polished, classy, gorgeous, and elegant.” [17] You can start this expert-approved look with either clean or dirty hair—just another add to the pro column for this style! If you’re starting with clean hair, spritz texture spray onto damp hair. If your hair is not freshly washed, evenly disperse some dry shampoo into your locks.
    • Once your hair is fully dry, use a fine-tooth rat tail comb to gently comb (or tease) the hair backward from your hairline to your crown.
    • Then, mist texturizing hair spray throughout the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.
    • Pull your hair back into a ponytail at a low, medium, or high height. Once you’ve found your desired placement, secure it with a hair tie.
    • To perfect the messy look, tug a few strands out from around your hairline and let them fall around your face.
    • Finish off the style by pulling a thin section of hair from your ponytail and wrapping it around the elastic to conceal it. Use a bobby pin to pin the ends in place on the underside of your pony.
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28

High-Fashion Ponytail

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  1. Borrow some runway looks for your next bad hair day. Ponytails are a classic for a reason, but why not elevate the look with some high-fashion tricks? Start by applying a few pumps of smoothing hair oil to your strands and brushing through until it’s evenly distributed. Then, gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with a bungee cord hair tie .
    • Next, pull a small piece of hair out of your ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie to hide the cord. Secure the small piece of hair by pinning it onto the underside of your ponytail with a bobby pin.
    • Take another small piece of hair from the top of your ponytail. Hold two fingers to the base of your ponytail, then wrap the piece around the base and your fingers before threading the piece of hair through the loop created by your fingers.
    • Continue weaving this strand of hair around the ponytail and through the loop until it creates a “cuff” around the base of the ponytail.
29

Knotted Pony

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  1. If you want an easy and casual-but-cool look, it’s this knotted pony. Start by pulling your hair into a pony and securing it at about jaw height. Knot a strand of hair around the base of your ponytail and weave it around until you run out of hair. Secure the strand with an elastic or bobby pin, if necessary. Add another elastic a few inches down from the first one, and tug gently at the intermediate strands to create a bubble look between the elastics.
    • Repeat these steps down the entire length of your hair and secure the very bottom with a final elastic. [18]
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  1. Put some bounce back into your strands with this oh-so-easy bubble pony. Apply a light coat of hairspray over your strands to add some hold and texture. Then, brush your hair back into a ponytail and secure it with a stylish hair tie or scrunchie (ideally one that you have a matching set of). Brush the ponytail downward and tease it a bit at the base.
    • Add more hair ties or scrunchies at every 2–3 inches (51–76 mm) interval until you run out of hair. Pull gently at the sides between each elastic to add a voluminous “bubble” effect.
31

Braided Ponytail

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  1. Brush any tangles or knots out of your hair, then gather all of your strands into a high ponytail at the crown of your head. Secure the pony with a clear elastic, then divide the strands into three equal sections. Start weaving the three sections into a classic three-strand braid —pass an outside strand across the center strand, then pass the third unused strand across the center one. Repeat switching between sides until the braid is complete.
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32

Athletic Ponytail

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  1. Get a champion-level ponytail by adding a chic athletic headband. Pull your hair back into a sleek low pony and tie it off with a clear or neutral-colored elastic. Then, add a stretchy headband to the top of your head. This look is so simple and cute , but you can also customize it by choosing between more elegant or casual headbands !
33

Half-Up Ponytail

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  1. Get the best of both worlds with a half-up, half-down pony. Part your hair horizontally from ear to ear so that you have top and bottom sections that are roughly equal in size. Take the top section of hair in your hands and gather the strands into a ponytail at the crown of your head. Fasten the pony with a hair tie or clear elastic. Mist hairspray over your locks to secure the style.
    • Leave the bottom section loose, although you can curl or straighten it as desired.
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34

Stacked Bobby Pins

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  1. This pinned-back look couldn’t be simpler and couldn’t look more stylish. Brush your hair back behind your ear so it’s smooth and sleek—apply a frizz-fighting serum or use a hair straightener if needed. Then, add 3-5 bobby pins to the front pieces on each side of your head to pin them back. Arrange the bobby pins artfully—you’re using them as decoration, not just for functionality.
    • Consider using a mix of colors of bobby pins or even matching them to your outfit. Try metallic , pastel , or glittery shades of pins for different looks!
35

Super-Sized Scrunchie

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  1. Go big with accessories for an easy yet impactful hairstyle. Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it loosely with a clear elastic or neutral-colored hair tie. Pull a few face-framing strands out of the elastic and let them settle around your face. For the final (and fashionable) touch, wrap a giant, oversized scrunchie around the elastic.
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36

Oversized Clip

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  1. Get an effortless, model-off-duty look with a supersized barrette. Squeeze a few pumps of hair texturizer or light-hold gel into your palm and rub it through your hair until it’s evenly distributed. The product will help to keep your clip from sliding around and out of place. Then, gather your hair toward the nape of your neck and secure it with an oversized horizontal clip .
    • Keep in mind that you’re only clipping the loose strands of your hair, almost as if the barrette were a hair elastic. There’s no need to secure the clip to your scalp as you normally might.
37

Claw Clip Twist

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  1. Jump on the claw clip bandwagon with this effortless twist. Create a loose bun around the nape of your neck and twist up the excess hair. Use your claw clip to secure the twist…and that’s all, folks! The fun part of this style is being able to switch up the claw clip style you use—try a neutral shade , jewel tone , animal print , or whatever suits your style!
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38

Bow Look

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  1. Give your simple hairstyle a girly touch with a bow moment. The coquette aesthetic isn’t just for clothing—the bow trend started in hair, after all! To quickly create a cute bow look, gather your hair back into a low pony and secure it with a clear elastic. Then, tie a cute bow (or two) (or three) around the elastic.
39

Bandana Wrap

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  1. Add some flair to your hair with a stylish bandana wrap. Pull your hair up into a mid-height or low ponytail. Then, simply wrap or tie a bandana or silk scarf around the base of your ponytail and let the excess fabric hang loose. Choose a bandana that fits the look you’re going for or compliments your outfit. You can try a classic Western bandana , a cutesy floral silk scarf , or even a trendy print like houndstooth .
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  1. Turn your hairstyle into your best accessory with a cute hair scarf. Brush back all of your hair and tie it into a low bun at the nape of your neck. Alternatively, braid the length of your hair, then swirl it flat against the back of your head before securing it with bobby pins. Then, drape a stylish head scarf over the top of your head and tie it into a knot at the nape of your neck. [19]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What hairstyle is best for long hair?
    Shun Pittman
    Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
    Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".
    Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
    Expert Answer
    A low ponytail is beautiful, classy look you can try when you're in a rush. Ponytails keep everything polished, gorgeous, and elegant.
  • Question
    What quick hairstyle should I do for dancing?
    Community Answer
    Two donut buns might look nice for dancing, but if you need something cute and easy you could go for a ponytail or bunches.
  • Question
    How should I do my hair for a wedding ceremony?
    Community Answer
    High ponytails are good for a casual look. If you are the bride, you could do a side bun or a braid crown for an elegant look.
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