Bye, Ponies and Buns—Try One of These 26 Long Curly Styles Instead
Raise your hand if you’ve hit a serious hairstyle rut. You’re not alone. Between working from home and hosting Zoom happy hours, we all need more style options than your basic pony, bun, and braid. And if you have long hair and curly texture—which so often requires extra TLC—you might need an extra boost of creativity to inspire your new hairstyles. But who says incorporating a few new hairstyles has to be hard? Once you’ve mastered the basics of caring for curly hair (especially that tricky shampoo step!), we’re here to help you branch out. Here, we’re rounded up 26 easy and absolutely stunning new looks to show off your gorgeous curls.
1. Messy Bun (Ciara)
Let’s say you woke up late and need to look presentable for a virtual meeting, stat. Spritz strands thoroughly with PLAYA New Day Mist, which resets curls, smooths frizz, and nixes creases. Finger comb, then tie hair into a top knot and pull out a few face-framing pieces. Straighten them if desired (like Ciara).
2. Pinned Back (Gabrielle Union)
Literally anyone can pull this versatile look off. Style your hair as usual and slip in a few blingy bobby pins or hair clips on the opposite side of your hair part. For added drama, try a deeper side part than you’re used to.
3. Loose Braid (Shay Mitchell)
Not only is wet-look hair insanely chic, but you can recreate it with a deeply moisturizing product to give your curls a moisture boost, too. First, slather dry hair in a nourishing mask, like ST. TROPICA Beach Goddess Hot Oil Hair Mask. Then use your fingers to rake your hair back from your hairline to your crown—the messier the better—and loosely plait the bottom half of your strands.
4. Retro Roll (Tessa Thompson)
We promise this vintage style is easier than it looks. While hair is damp, massage in a dollop of a smoothing cream like R+CO High Dive Moisture + Shine Creme, focusing on the hair in front of your crown. Split that hair into three sections. Starting with the section above one ear, brush hair forward with a detangling brush, like this FOXYBAE Rose Gold one. Beginning at the tips, gently roll it up and pin into place above your hairline. Repeat with the center section and the section above your other ear, connecting the three rolls as you go. Spray liberally with hairspray to set.
5. Super Long (Chrissy Teigen)
Sometimes the key to experimenting with more hairstyles is getting, well, more hair. Opt for extra long extensions next time you hit the salon—we’re talking waist or booty-length, like Chrissy Teigen’s.
6. Slicked Back (Tracee Ellis Ross)
Sure, we all love a half-up, half-down style. Next time you try one, slick back the part that’s “up” with hairspray, gel, or pomade. It’ll create a pretty contrast against the “down” hair’s volume, and keep all the attention on your face.
7. Side Swept (Rosario Dawson)
Instead of pushing all your hair behind your back or draping it in front of both shoulders, throw it all to one side for instant, almost-effortless glamour. Just slide a few bobby pins in at the nape of your neck to encourage the hair to stay there.
8. Loose Waves (Padma Lakshmi)
Take beachy texture for a test drive. While hair is damp, generously spritz in a leave-in conditioner like IT HAIR CARE 12-in-One Leave In Treatment to help hydrate, detangle, and protect from heat damage. Straighten hair, then go in with a 1 to 1.25-inch curling wand, alternating the direction you’re curling every other section. Let cool and finger-comb to create piece-y texture.
9. Pineapple (Zazie Beetz)
A pineapple updo is so cute and easy to pull off, it’s no wonder it’s a curly girl’s best friend. Simply gather all your hair on top of your head and very loosely secure it with an elastic, like GOOMEE Diamond Clear Hair Ties. Pull hair forward, letting your curls hang in front of your face.
10. Side Ponytail (Tori Kelly)
A sweet side style can look polished, too. Gather your hair to one side and secure with an elastic. Grab a strand from the tail, wrap it around the elastic, and pin into place. Optional: Leave a few pieces out around your face for a chiller vibe.
11. Finger Waves (Yara Shahidi)
Hello, starlet! On wash day, while hair is still wet, apply an ample amount of mousse, especially to the pieces framing your face, and comb the hair there so it lays close to your head. Pull a strand next to your part forward, hold it in place with a finger or two, and use a rattail comb to create the inward part of the S-shaped wave. Pull the next segment of the strand forward, and repeat until you reach your ear. Add more mousse or gel as needed, and pin the strand behind your ear.
12. Low Bun (Jennifer Lawrence)
Not only is this look crazy easy, it’s also a fun way to fake a shorter length. Middle-part your hair and grab a two-inch section on either side. Rake the rest of your hair into a bun at the nape of your neck, using just your fingers to keep the texture messy and casual.
13. Jumbo Curls (Jamie Chung)
After washing hair, saturate your curls with a leave-in hydrating mist like SOAPBOX Coconut Milk Hair Mist to offset heat damage. Straighten hair, then curl with either hot rollers or a 1.5-inch or larger curling iron. Let the style cool, then loosen curls with your fingers or a comb.
14. Fauxhawk (Tina Kunakey)
This style achieves all the edginess of a mohawk without, you know, shaving half your head. Separate hair into two sections by pulling all the hair in front of your ears into a mega-high pony. Pull some pieces forward in front of your face, some to the sides, and some to the back, pinning where necessary to keep the look secure.
15. Old Hollywood (Jessica Alba)
You’ll need a little heat to pull off this retro look, so make sure you have an ultra-moisturizing hair mask in your shower. (OUTRÉ BY USE ME Instant Repair Hair Mask + CBD protects, soothes, and nourishes.) Straighten hair, then use a 1.25 to 1.5-inch curling iron to curl strands away from your face, focusing on the hair below your ears. Let the curls cool, then brush through gently.
16. Beachy (Awkwafina)
Beach-babe texture is eternally sexy, no matter what season it is. If you have loose curls or waves, simply spritz a salt spray into damp hair and scrunch to encourage a piece-y, bedhead vibe. If your texture’s on the tighter side, you’ll want to straighten hair first.
17. Cornrows (Alicia Keys)
First, saturate hair with a leave-in hair mask, like BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Don’t Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask, to minimize breakage created from this tight style. Section strands vertically into six individual sections. Braid close to the scalp from your hairline to the nape of your neck.
18. Disco Waves (Blake Lively)
The 70s are back in a big way, especially when it comes to hair. Create tight curls with a 0.5-inch or 0.75-inch iron, starting as close to the scalp as possible. Let the curls cool and gently brush through, then use a texturizing or salt spray and scrunch.
19. Ear Tuck (Jourdan Dunn)
Sometimes the most dramatic style change is the most obvious one. Tuck hair behind one ear, pinning if necessary to keep it in place. For added oomph, part your hair and tuck on the side opposite of the one you usually do.
20. Sleek Top Knot (Nathalie Emmanuel)
Here’s another excuse to sneak in a little moisture. Saturate hair with a mask like FOXYBAE Replenishing Hair Mask (which is loaded with nourishing shea butter and panthenol), comb it upwards, and secure into a high bun. Feel free to let a few tendrils hang out.
21. Shag (Zendaya)
Who says bangs are just for straight hair? Next time you get a cut, ask your stylist to snip a few eyebrow-grazing strands. Use a texturizing mist all over to create an edgy, shaggy feel, pulling your curly bangs forward to lay just above the eyes.
22. Full Ponytail (Gina Rodriguez)
Give your basic pony a boost. First, spritz a volumizing mist all over. Rough-dry hair (AKA use your fingers instead of a round brush while blow-drying), then work dry shampoo or a matte texture spray into strands. Pull hair back into a pony at the back of your head, then add even more texture spray, roughing up the texture with your hands.
23. Bangs (Megalyn Echikunwoke)
We love a curly bang! Rather than flaunt your entire fringe (like in look 21), just leave out a few strategic strands above each eye and pin the rest back. Gather the length of your hair into a simple pony or bun.
24. Undone Waves (Margot Robbie)
These cool-girl waves actually require a bit of heat, especially if you have curly hair. Straighten hair if necessary, then use a flat-iron to make the loosest waves possible. Scrunch in a texture or salt spray after the style cools down.
25. High Ponytail (Rihanna)
Let’s face it: We’re pretty much always trying to channel Rihanna, and this style is no different. Pull all your hair into a tight, high ponytail. Split the pony in half and pull both pieces to tighten and encourage them to fall into a wide curtain shape, rather than a thin tail.
26. Middle Part (Shakira)
We know, we know. You’re scarred from middle-parting your hair in elementary school—but we promise you’ll be all about the grown-up version. Embrace your natural texture and avoid a perfectly straight part for instant effortless glam.
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