Getting out of bed each day to blow-dry and style your hair shouldn’t feel like a daunting task, but sometimes it certainly does. You might find yourself gazing into the mirror, pondering what new hairstyle you can attempt that you haven’t already tried multiple times. However, achieving a cute hairstyle doesn’t need to be fussy or overly complex to make a statement.
To illustrate this, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite easy and adorable hairstyles that anyone can master—from bohemian braids to retro high ponytails and more. Whether you have short locks or long tresses, we’re confident you’ll find inspiration for your next look below.
Twisted Chignon
There is perhaps no hairstyle more elegant than the classic chignon. While it may look tricky to pull off, it’s actually deceptively simple as long as you have the right tools at your disposal.
Boho Braided Bun
If a halo braid and a chignon had a baby, it would be a braided bun. While on their own, the components of this style lean more sleek than laid-back; together, they give off a distinctly bohemian vibe—especially when worn loose with face-framing tendrils.
Braided Space Buns
Give your space buns an unexpected twist by weaving two French braids from the nape of your neck toward the crown, securing the braids just beneath where you’ll place each bun.
Half-Up Bun
A half-up bun is an easy hairstyle that nearly anyone can do, regardless of hair type or texture. Start by parting your hair horizontally above your ears, then secure the top portion into a bun at the crown of your head. Keep the bun tight for a sleeker look, or pull out the ends for a messier, lived-in vibe, as seen here.
French Bubble Braids
One of our favorite cute hairstyles for long hair is the French bubble braid. To achieve this unique look, weave a French braid on either side of your head, securing the braids at the nape of your neck. Then, create bubble braids down the rest of each pigtail for a fun and unexpected take on the classic plaited look.
Pink Hair Bow
Bows have been everywhere this year: on headbands, tied around ponytails, and even woven throughout wavy tresses. Take the trend for a spin by tying your mane into a loose, half-up bun, then wrapping a thin section of hair around the center of the bun to create a bow-like shape.
Scrunchie High Ponytail
There’s no shortage of cute ponytail hairstyles, but an ultra-high pony paired with side-swept bangs and a glamorous, embellished scrunchie might just take the cake.
Sleek Wrapped Pony
If you’re looking for a cute, easy hairstyle suitable for a special event, try your hand at a wrapped ponytail. It’s one of those styles that looks a lot more complicated than it really is—and works beautifully on both medium-length and long hair.
High Pigtails
Embrace your playful side with high pigtails. While this cute hairstyle can work on most hair lengths, we find it works best with longer strands: short hair may stick out rather than falling down into pigtails.
Loop Braided Pigtails
Pigtails can be high fashion, and this cute braided hairstyle is proof. Start by sectioning your hair down the center and securing each section with an elastic at the nape of your neck. Next, braid your pigtails, then flip up the bottom and tuck the ends into the elastic band. You should be left with looped braids on either side of your head—a chic look that can easily transition from day to night.
XXL Extensions With Bows
Extensions are set to be one of next year’s biggest hair trends (and we couldn’t be more excited). If you’re planning to participate, try accessorizing your longer locks with one of this year’s most beloved hair trends: bows. Use them to tie your hair into a half-up style, or simply add a few to your strands for extra visual interest.
Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are the ultimate protective hairstyle for natural hair. Start with clean, wet hair, then work Mizani Styling Foam Wrap throughout your strands. Twist the sections into shape, then wrap them into knots while your hair is still wet for a cute hairstyle that’ll last you until the next wash day.
Knotted Half Pony
Give your classic half pony an unexpected twist by forgoing the hair elastic and simply tying your strands into a knot to secure the style. Prepping your hair with a texturizing paste, like Matrix Over Achiever 3-in-1, can help provide grip so your knotted style stays put.
Pearl Accents Ponytail
While diamonds are often considered a girl’s best friend, we think pearls are equally special. Add a regal touch to your classic high ponytail by weaving faux pearl beads throughout your strands, then secure your hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head.
Bouncy Retro Pony
The key to the bouncy retro ponytail is volume (and lots of it). Give your strands all the oomph they need with a volumizing mousse, like Redken Root Lifter Volumizing Spray, which adds fullness without weighing the hair down.
Flipped Pony
Infuse your go-to high ponytail with a dose of retro flair by flipping out the ends. After securing your pony, wrap the bottom two to three inches around a wide-barrel brush. Spritz it with Matrix Builder Wax Spray, then carefully remove the brush for a voluminous, ’60s-inspired look.
Half-Up Ribbon Scrunchie
Swap out your usual hair elastic and secure your effortless half ponytail with a ribbon for a chic, French-inspired twist on your everyday hairstyle.
Sculptural Bubble Braid
Contrary to its name, creating a bubble braid doesn’t involve any braiding. This chic look simply requires knowing how to make a ponytail—and a handful of hair elastics placed at regular intervals down the length of the tail.
Wrap-around halo braid
There’s something undeniably chic about a wrap-around halo braid—we especially love how it can be dressed up or down.
Side-Parted Locs
We can’t praise classic locs enough. This protective hairstyle for natural hair is super low-maintenance, looks stunning, and can be styled in numerous ways.
Space Buns
Space buns are among our favorite cute hairstyles for short hair. Because they’re positioned on either side of the crown of your head, you don’t need much length to achieve the look. Simply part your hair down the middle and twist each section into a bun about two inches above your ears.
Claw Clip Updo
Claw clips make creating updos easy—and they’re a great way to give your everyday look a bit more flair. We love the chic tortoiseshell option pictured above, especially when paired with a messier, lived-in updo.
Retro 60’s Flipped Ends
Add a retro flip to the list of cute short hairstyles you want to try ASAP. It’s this easy: After prepping your mane with a heat protectant (we love L’Oréal Professionnel 10 in 1 Perfecting Multipurpose Oil), use your flat iron to add a bend to the bottom two inches of your hair so the ends flip out away from your face.
Waterfall Braid
While the waterfall braid looks tricky to pull off, it’s actually quite simple—as long as you can do a French braid, you can perfect this cute braided hairstyle.
Butterfly Clips
These aren’t the butterfly clips you sported on school picture day in 1999. Today’s iterations are big, bold, and full of sparkle—and pair beautifully with equally bold hairstyles, like the vibrant rainbow mane pictured above.
Voluminous Afro
Show off your natural texture with a classic voluminous afro. Styling it is super simple: Just prep your hair with a frizz-fighting leave-in treatment like Mizani 25 Miracle Cream, then use an afro pick to fluff your curls to your liking.
Twisted Low Pony
A twisted low ponytail is elegant, glam, and chic—yet easily achievable, even for hair styling newbies. Start by creating a standard low ponytail, leaving a two-inch section of hair out on either side. After securing the pony, cross the two loose sections over the hair elastic. Tuck the ends underneath the ponytail, then secure any loose hairs with bobby pins to complete your sleek style.
Heart-Shaped Bun
Embrace your inner romantic by styling a sleek, heart-shaped bun. Wear it as-is for a sleeker look, or lean into the quirky vibe by accessorizing with playful accessories like heart-shaped clips or rhinestone hair pins.
Bombshell Bun
The bombshell bun is a must-try updo for those with long hair. Inspired by Old Hollywood starlets, this glam bun features a slicked-back front and an intricate-looking knot at the crown of your head.
Embellished Messy Bun
Level up your low-effort messy bun by adding attention-grabbing embellished pins or clips throughout your mane.
Pineapple Ponytail
The pineapple ponytail is one of our favorite cute natural hairstyles (and one of the easiest to achieve). Simply gather your mane into a ponytail at the top of your head and secure with your hair tie of choice for a high-impact look that shows off your natural texture.
