Long hair past the shoulders, tied back with one elastic on a rushed work morning, usually starts sliding by mid-afternoon. These simple hairstyles for long hair mostly take three to ten minutes with bobby pins, a claw clip, clear elastics or a 1.25-inch iron, and several hold up through the gym or on second-day hair.
1. The Low Twisted Bun
When a client needs a work style in five minutes, the low twisted bun is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair I show first. Twist the length at the nape, coil it flat against the head and hold it with four U-pins. Long internal layers in the cut stop the bun from looking bulky. Medium to thick hair of any texture carries it well. Pull two face-framing pieces loose and set it with a light hold spray.
2. The Sleek Low Bun
Long straight or relaxed hair takes a sleek low bun well. Brush everything back with a smoothing gel, tie a low ponytail with a strong elastic, then wrap it and pin. I keep heavy layering out of the cut for clients who wear this every day, because a blunt perimeter gives the bun more fullness. Oval and heart faces suit it. A toothbrush with a little gel flattens the hairline. Allow about seven minutes.
3. The Messy Top Knot
Of all the easy hairstyles for long hair, the messy top knot is the quickest. Flip your head over, gather the hair at the crown, twist it, wrap it around the base and tie it off with an elastic. Widen the knot with your fingers. Long layers give it more volume. Medium to thick hair suits it, and it works on second-day hair with some dry shampoo. Let the nape pieces fall loose.
4. French Twist With a Claw Clip
One large claw clip is all it takes to hold a French twist in long hair. Gather at the nape, twist upward along the back of the head, fold the ends under and snap the clip shut over the twist. Thick and very long hair holds it best. For hot weather it is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair I recommend most. Pick a clip that measures at least four inches across.
5. Claw Clip Half-Up
A claw clip half-up pulls the front sections away from the face while the length stays down. Section from the temples back to the crown, give it one twist and close a medium claw clip over it. A 1.25-inch iron on the ends gives it a finished look. Every density works, and face-framing layers fall nicely around the clip. On day two or three, a little dry shampoo at the roots is all it needs.
6. Top Knot Half-Up
A top knot half-up takes only the top section into a small knot at the crown, with the rest of the long hair left down. Round faces get height from it, and it keeps hair out of your eyes. Section back from the temples, twist into a knot and tie it with an elastic. Medium to thick hair suits it. The length can stay straight or be waved. Three minutes is all it takes.
7. Twisted Crown Half-Up
For a twisted crown half-up, twist a section from each temple toward the back and pin the two together at the crown. No elastic is needed, and long hair stays off the face. Fine to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Small bobby pins in a matching color disappear into the hair. Among the simple hairstyles for long hair, this one looks right with loose curls or with straight lengths.
8. High Sleek Ponytail
On long hair, a high sleek ponytail depends on the base. Blow-dry straight, brush up to the crown with a smoothing cream and fasten with a spiral elastic. Take a small section, wrap it around the base and pin it. Straight and relaxed hair at medium to thick density suits it. Run a flat iron through the length for shine. A trim every 8 weeks keeps the ends full.
9. Wrapped-Base Low Ponytail
For a polished work look, the wrapped-base low ponytail is one of the easy hairstyles for long hair I rely on. Brush the hair back, tie it at the nape and wind a small section around the elastic. Pin it on the underside. A light gel smooths flyaways. Straight or wavy hair of any density suits it. Oval faces look good with a center part; round faces do better with a side part.
10. The Bubble Ponytail
For a bubble ponytail, add small clear elastics every two to three inches down the tail and pull each section out into a bubble. Long hair gives you five or six bubbles. Medium to thick hair suits it. Begin with a high or low ponytail and loosen each segment with your fingers. It lasts through a workout and works on second-day hair.
11. The Scarf Ponytail
A scarf ponytail knots a thin silk scarf over the elastic of a low or mid ponytail and lets the tails hang. The elastic disappears and you get a hit of color. Any hair type and density can wear it. A 1.25-inch iron through the ponytail adds movement. It is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair that goes from work to weekends. A scarf around 30 inches long is the right size.
12. The Braided Ponytail
A braided ponytail begins as a mid or high ponytail and ends in a three-strand braid down the length. Tie the braid off with a clear elastic and tug the edges out for width. Medium to thick hair suits it. It lasts all day and stops long hair from tangling at the ends. Wind a small section around the base to cover the first elastic.
13. The Side Ponytail
A low side ponytail brings long hair over one shoulder and lets long layers show. Gather below one ear and tie with an elastic. Wrap a section around the base. Loosely curl the length with a 1.25-inch iron. The asymmetry breaks up width, so round and square faces suit it. Medium to thick hair works best, and it takes around five minutes.
14. The Single French Braid
One French braid down the back keeps long hair secure from morning to night. Start at the crown, braid overhand down the back while adding hair from each side, then finish as a three-strand braid. Long layers tend to poke out, so put a light gel on the sections. Medium to thick hair suits it. Pancake the edges for a fuller look. Count on about seven minutes.
15. Double Dutch Braids
For the gym, double Dutch braids are one of the simple hairstyles for long hair I suggest most. Part down the center and braid underhand from the hairline to the ends, picking up hair as you go. Tie off with small elastics. Medium to thick hair suits it. A light gel keeps flyaways down. Sleep in the braids and you wake up with heatless waves.
16. The Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid divides the hair into two sections and crosses small pieces from the outside of each one. On long hair it falls to the chest. Medium to thick hair of any texture suits it. Braid it over one shoulder, tie it off and loosen the edges. It takes around ten minutes and lasts all day. Of the easy hairstyles for long hair, it is the one that looks harder than it is.
17. The Side Braid
A loose side braid brings long hair over one shoulder. Sweep the hair to one side, braid it loosely and tug the edges out. Let a few face-framing pieces hang. Medium to thick hair suits it. Second-day waves give the braid better grip. Tie it off with a small clear elastic. Oval and heart faces wear it well. For busy mornings it is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair I suggest, and it takes about three minutes.
18. The Waterfall Braid
A waterfall braid travels horizontally from one temple toward the back of the head, dropping a strand at every crossing. The length stays down. Straight and wavy hair of medium density suits it. After braiding, curl the length with a 1-inch iron. Pin the end behind the opposite ear. It takes some practice, but a light hairspray keeps it in place.
19. The Crown Braid
A crown braid circles the head like a headband. Braid two side sections, cross them over the top of the head and pin each end beneath the other. Thick, very long hair suits it. It is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair that lasts through a long day. Pancake the braids to add width. Choose U-pins that match your hair color.
20. Dutch Braid to Ponytail
A Dutch braid to ponytail braids underhand from the hairline up to the crown, then gathers everything into a high ponytail. Medium to thick hair suits it, and the top sections stay tight for workouts. Put a light gel on the braided section. Curling the ponytail softens the finish. Leave a few baby hairs out at the temples. It takes around eight minutes and lasts all day.
21. The Pull-Through Braid
A pull-through braid gives the look of a large braid using nothing but small elastics. Make a ponytail, split it, pull sections through each other and tie off every few inches. Pancake each section wide. Because it adds width, fine to medium hair suits it. It is one of the easy hairstyles for long hair that asks for no braiding skill. Clear elastics work best.
22. Half-Up With Braids
For half-up with braids, take a small section from each temple, braid it and join the two braids at the back. The face stays clear and the length stays down. Fine to thick hair and any face shape suit it. Loosely curl the ends. It is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair I use on clients growing out bangs. Allow about five minutes.
23. Heatless Waves From Braids
Heatless waves from braids come from braiding damp hair before bed and undoing the braids in the morning. Two braids make a looser wave; four make it tighter. Straight to wavy hair of fine to medium density suits it. Work in a light mousse before braiding. Separate with your fingers rather than a brush. A drop of oil on the ends finishes it. It spares the hair heat damage between trims.
24. Beachy Waves
Among the easy hairstyles for long hair, beachy waves get requested most. Wrap two-inch sections around a 1-inch flat iron, leave the final inch straight and finish with a texture spray. Point-cut long layers help the waves separate. Fine to thick straight or wavy hair suits it. With dry shampoo, the waves last two to three days.
25. Middle-Part Sleek Blowout
A middle-part sleek blowout keeps long hair straight and smooth. Blow-dry with a paddle brush, then take a flat iron through small sections. A shine serum finishes it. Oval and heart faces and straight or relaxed hair suit it. A blunt perimeter makes the cut look denser. It is one of the simple hairstyles for long hair that holds for three days. Trim every 8 weeks.
Long hair tied back with one elastic on a rushed morning usually still looks done if I leave a couple of pieces out at the temples. IMO, that is the whole trick. For how the cuts tie to face shape, the oval face haircuts guide covers it.
