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No outfit is school-ready without a great hairstyle…but with all the different options out there, how are you supposed to decide on the perfect look? There’s no need to worry—whether your hair is short, long, natural, straight, or textured, we’ve got you covered with plenty of easy and cute looks that you can do in a cinch. In a matter of minutes, you’ll be ready to take on the school day with plenty of style!

  1. Start by pulling your hair back with both hands. Then, grab a hair tie and slip the ponytail through the elastic. Twist the elastic into a figure-8 shape and pull the hair through again. Then, keep twisting the elastic and pulling your hair through until the elastic is tight. [1]
    • Feel free to tie your hair with a scrunchie , a ribbon, or a bow in your school colors as a fun alternative to a traditional hair tie.
    • If you don't want your hair tie to be visible, take a strand of hair and wrap it around the base of your ponytail several times, covering the elastic. Tuck the end of this strand into your hair tie, just beneath your hair. Then, secure it in place using a bobby pin.
    • You can wear your ponytail high on the top of your head , low at the base of your neck, or medium-high at the very back of your head. You can even wear it on the side of your head, if you’d like.
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3

Flicked Ponytail

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  1. Take a few moments to straighten your hair with a flat iron and tie your hair back in a traditional ponytail. Then, take your flat iron and run it through random, 1 in (2.5 cm) sections of hair at the bottom of your ponytail. Lift and flip each hair section 180 degrees with your flat iron—this creates cool, stylish “flicks” that really enhance your ponytail. [3]
    • You can do as many or as few flicks as you like. It’s totally up to you!
    • If you don’t feel like putting your hair up, feel free to keep your hair down before adding flicks.
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  1. Start by separating your hair into 3 even sections. Take the section of hair to the left and cross it over between the other 2 sections. Then, take the section on the right and cross that over to the center of the other 2 sections. Once you’ve finished your braid, tie it off with a hair tie. [4]
    • Continue braiding until you have 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of hair left.
    • You can make 1 braid at the back of your head or 2 braids to either side of your head. If you are making 2 braids, start them behind your ear.
  1. Start with a high ponytail on top of your head. Then, take your ponytail and twist it into a coil. Wap this hair coil around the elastic as many times as you can. While holding the hair in place with one hand, secure the newly-created bun with some bobby pins .
    • Stick your bobby pins along the front, back, left, and right sides of the bun to hold everything in place.
    • As a finishing touch, spritz the bun with a small amount of hairspray and smooth down any flyaway strands with a little bit more product.
    • Add a bit of detail to the bun by braiding a strand of hair and wrapping it around the bun. Then, secure the braid in place with a bobby pin.
10

Wash-and-Go

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  1. Hop in the shower and wash your hair with your go-to shampoo and conditioner. Before heading out of the shower, apply your favorite styling products to your hair, whether that’s a curl cream , mousse, or gel. Then, let your hair air-dry as you get ready for school—that’s all there is to it! [7]
    • This style looks gorgeous on long, medium, or short cuts.
    • If you don’t want to let your hair air-dry all the way, dry it off with a diffuser or hooded dryer .
  1. Beginning at your hairline, start braiding the hair to the right of your hair part. Incorporate extra sections of hair into the braid as you go, tucking them beneath the braid. Once your braid is level with your ear, braid normally without adding in any extra hair. Then, repeat the same process along the left section of your hair. [10]
    • Feel free to make as many cornrow braids as you’d like—just don’t tie your hair too tightly!
    • Prevent frizz by slipping a silk cover over your pillow before bed. [11]
    • Care for your cornrows each day to keep them in great condition.
    • Braids can last for several weeks, but take them out as soon as your hair starts to feel really itchy or weighed down. [12]
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16

Small and Stylish Hair Accessories

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  1. Play around with a variety of accessories and see what fits your personal aesthetic. You could experiment with patterned scrunchies , pearl barrettes , coiled hair ties , floral hair pins , and/or any other accessory that strikes your fancy.
    • You can use floral hairpins, patterned scrunchies, and pearl barrettes as a fun, stylish accent to your hair.
    • Coiled hair ties are a lot more gentle on your hair than regular hair elastics and might be a more comfy option if you tie your hair up on the regular. [14]


Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I want my hair to be a little more wavy without using heat products. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Use non-heat curlers and sleep in them, then mess it up a lot and it should go into loose waves that will last throughout the day.
  • Question
    What if a bully tries to mess up my hair?
    Community Answer
    Make a tight ponytail by using multiple elastic bands so that if they try to pull it out the extra bands hold it in place. Also, I recommend that you tell a trusted adult about the bully.
  • Question
    What if I have thick, shoulder-length hair?
    Community Answer
    I have the same kind of hair, and some things that work for me is doing two pigtail buns on top of each side of my head, or even low pigtail buns. You can try half-up half-down styles, or even just one or two French braids. The next time you're in a salon, ask the stylist what would look best on you. You can ask your parents and friends, too.
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      Tips

      • Carry a small bag around with a comb, hair spray, mirror, and clips in case disaster strikes.
      • Keep your classes in mind. If you have gym class that day, you may want to stick with some simple braids or a ponytail, and leave the fancier styles for another day.
      • If you want a slicked-back look, grab a comb and some hairspray. At the tip of your hairline, bring the comb down your head followed by the hairspray. Repeat this process until you feel that it is enough.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Switch up your hairstyle daily if desired, but don't worry about styling every day. Sometimes simply wearing your hair down with a headband or bow can look cute with minimal effort.
      • Search "heatless curls" on YouTube for tips on getting stylish waves without exposing your hair to damaging heat tools. These no-heat methods are gentler long term.
      • When heat styling, always use a heat protectant spray first to prevent damage. Set irons and curlers to the proper temperature for your hair type to avoid burns.
      • Braid your hair before bed to reduce tangles and make morning styling quicker. The braid keeps things neat so you can jump right into your desired school 'do.
      • If a hairstyle looks too severe, softly frame your face by gently pulling out a few fronts pieces of hair. This creates a softer, more casual vibe.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To do your hair for school, make a trendy ponytail by covering your typical hair tie with a scrunchy, ribbon, or bow. Alternatively, create a flipped ponytail by parting your hair just above the hair tie to your ponytail, passing the ponytail through the hole, and securing it with a bow or hair clip. If you have shorter hair, work some gel into your hair from the roots, giving it a spiky look. To learn how to style your hair based on length and type, keep reading!

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 426,486 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Apr 19, 2017

        "I learned that I can use scrunchies or bows to make my ponytail cuter if I don't have time for anything ..." more
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