8 Quick & Easy Hairstyles for Curly Hair
One of the best things about naturally curly hair is its VERSATILITY! Natural body and curl patterns make it easy to rock all sorts of curly hairstyles, including updos, half-up looks, and everything in between. Check out our top eight styles for natural, curly hair. Your hair will be looking #flawless, fabulous, and you'll be out the door in no time flat!
1. FLAT TWIST PONYTAIL
A flat twist ponytail is a customizable hairstyle that's perfect as a first step to achieving bouncy curls (twist-out). This spin on the ponytail style is also the base of a flattering updo or can be worn as its own hairstyle. This quick and easy natural hairstyle comprises two or more twists done on the scalp. Simply follow these easy steps:
- Wash and condition your hair. It is best to flat twist on clean, damp hair.
- Part your hair from the front to the back. The sectioning will depend on your style preference and how you want to position your hair.
- Starting with one section, twist your hair inward from the front to the back.
- Once you complete the first side, use bobby pins to keep the twist in place then, work on the other side.
- Gather all your hair and create a low pony using a hair tie.
This style is an easy one to create. If done securely, the flat twist ponytail can even last a few days!
2. BRAIDED HAIRLINE
A braided hairline hairstyle consists of French braids added along your hairline on one (or both) sides. It frames your face nicely and amplifies the fullness of your curls.
- Comb your hair and let it fall on all sides front, back, left, and right. Brush it out to make it smooth and easy to braid.
- Using a comb, separate your hairline from the rest of the hair. How thick the section at the front should depend on how thick you want your braid to be.
- Grab three strands from the front section and start braiding parallel to your hairline. Add more hair to your side sections with each twist of the braid.
- When you braid it up to the ear, secure it with a bobby pin. Then, repeat the step above on the other side.
- Remove the bobby pins and work your hair into a low ponytail, or a bun, or leave your curls out. It's up to you!
French braiding can take a little practice, but once you have the technique down, it is a simple, timeless, and romantic style!
3. FRENCH OR DUTCH BRAIDS
This style is similar to our natural hairstyle #2; however, it involves braiding all of your hair - instead of just the front sections. Remember that practice makes perfect! If you're wondering what a Dutch braid is, it is an inverted French braid. Dutch braids use the same French braiding technique, but the cool, inverted look is a unique twist.
How to:
- Take a small section of hair on the top of your head from the temples to the back of your head.
- Split the small section into three equal sections.
- Take the left-most section and cross it over into the middle, then the right-most section and cross it over and into the middle.
- Holding the three strands with your left hand, pick a horizontal section of hair from the right side and add it to the middle strand.
- Take the leftmost section and cross it over into the middle. Then, repeat the above step, but on the left side.
- Repeat the two steps above as you move down until there is no hair left.
- Braid the hair like a normal three-strand braid and tie it off at the end.
4. HIGH PONYTAIL
A high ponytail is one of the simplest hairstyles on this list! It doesn't require any detailed steps or procedures and virtually no tools are involved.
- Brush your hair to remove tangles and knots. Make sure to brush it toward the crown. If your hair still looks a bit messier than you'd like, try adding a gel and brushing the front section of your hair smoothly.
- Gather all your hair to the highest point on your head.
- Use a scrunchie to secure it in place.
Viola - you are done! If you missed some stray hairs, use a toothbrush to smooth them out with some extra gel, or you can even pull out a few curls to frame your face!
5. HALF-UP TOP KNOT
The half-up top knot/bun works perfectly for both long and short hair.
- Start by adding some hair oil or product.
- Just like French braids, take a small section of hair on the top of your head from the temples to the back of your head. How much hair you include in the section is a matter of preference.
- Tie the section into a ponytail at the crown of your head.
- Pull out some hair from the ponytail for a little volume and a messy, effortless look.
- You can tie the ponytail into a knot if you have thick hair. If not, twist the ponytail then twist it around itself and secure it using bobby pins.
It might take some tries to get it to look the way you like. But once you do, you will be able to create it perfectly in no time!
6. MESSY BUN
Whatever your hair texture may be, a messy bun is perfect for all occasions. From messy buns with bangs and high messy buns to glamorous messy buns, there are a ton of messy bun options.
The goal of a classic messy bun is to appear effortless, so any errors you make while styling it will look intentional.
- Put your hair into a ponytail using a scrunchie. (Our set of three satin scrunchies is perfect for this look!) It's up to you whether you comb your hair first to remove knots or not, depending on how smooth of a finish you're looking for.
- Twist the ponytail loosely into a bun around the hair tie.
- Use bobby pins to secure the bun.
7. THE PINEAPPLE
The pineapple is a classic and simple look: it only involves piling your hair on top of your head. It's simple, almost effortless look makes it the perfect go-to hairstyle if you aren't sure what style you want to wear for the day!
- Comb your hair to straighten it out and remove knots.
- Gather your hair up into a high ponytail. Try to get it as close to your head as possible.
- Use a hair tie to secure your ponytail.
- Fluff the ponytail with your hands for more volume.
- If you have short hair, brush up the flyaways with a brush.
- Optional: Use a bandana or scarf to style it even more.
- Lay your edges and you are done!
8. SPACE BUNS
Double buns are perfect for long curly hair, but they also work well for shorter hair. One of our favorite things is that you can have fun with the placement and size of the buns!
They do take some time to create; it can be difficult to match the size of the two buns. After some trial and error, however, you'll get the hang of it! We think this space buns style is out of this world!
- Divide your hair into two sections down the middle. You can use all your hair, or just the top sections to create a half-up double bun style.
- Twist one section a few times and create a bun on the last go around.
- Secure the bun with bobby pins and a hair tie.
- Repeat the above two steps for the second section.
If you have finer hair, try starting with two ponytails first and then securing them into the bun shape you like.
HAIRSTYLE IDEAS, TIPS, AND MORE!
There is no right or wrong way to rock your curls. Hopefully, you've got a few new natural hairstyle ideas to add to your style rotation!
These heatless styles are a great option for days when you're just looking to get out the door quickly. On days when you want to dry your hair from a wet state, check out the RevAir Reverse-Air hair dryer. It uses low heat and tension to dry and smooth with half the heat and about a third of the time needed to blow dry. You'll love that the friction-free air saves your hair from breakage and that our system protects your hair's health!
If you're looking for more curly hair how-to's and easy natural hairstyle hacks, let us know your top hair care needs. In the meantime, check out our other blog articles, including our 18 Easy Party Hairstyles and some Creative Hairstyles to Promote Hair Growth!