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My patience when it comes to hairstyling is minimal. I don’t want to use a blow dryer, curling iron, or straightening iron. Instead, I prefer to be out the door in five minutes flat. The good news: I have a pretty extensive repertoire of quick, easy hairstyles that keep my hair out of my face and flyaways in check. For context, my hair is long, curly, a bit unruly, so finding simple hairstyles—ranging from everyday options I can wear to the office to dressier styling choices I can get away with for a fancy dinner or cocktail party—has been a years-long journey of trial and error.
But I’ve managed to find seven failsafe styles that take a millisecond and make me feel confident. Hair accessories are key—I have a large collection of scrunchies, clips, French pins. But the right styling tools, like leave-in conditioners and edge control products, also play an essential role.
Here, find my go-to looks, along with styling advice from professional hairstylist Bailey Englert. I promise, your mornings are about to get a whole lot easier.
The Claw Chignon
Easy, simple, and chic, this style takes only seconds to create. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
This has been my most longstanding go-to style: It’s quick and simple, and because it employs a claw clip instead of a scrunchie, it doesn’t tug uncomfortably at my scalp. Englert recommends creating a crisp part to start, taming flyaways, and sealing ends with a finishing cream or hair serum. Then, she says, “collect the hair at the nape of the neck and twist while bringing the middle of the ponytail length up towards the crown. This creates a twist at the nape that looks like half of a bow.” Finally, she recommends securing the style with a claw clip, ribbon, bow, or barrette.
The Hair Edit Gilded Wing Clip
Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream
The Scrunchie-Less Low Bun
I discovered the knotless low bun relatively recently, but it’s quickly become one of my favorite styles. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
Too often, I’ve found myself without a scrunchie or clip when I’m dying to tie my hair back. That’s why I was elated to discover this easy, accessory-free style. For best results, ensure maximum hair flexibility by applying a hydrating leave-in conditioner. Then, when you’re ready for styling, twist your hair into a shell shape (just like you would with the previous style), continuing to twist and wrap the hair around itself until you’ve reached the end.
Then, tuck that end into the tight coil you’ve created. This style is quick, comfortable, and surprisingly durable—I’ve gone all day without it budging. And if you have a styling cream on hand, you can smooth away any baby hairs poking out of the top of your head. Englert says a cream also “helps give the hair control and hold while adding texture,” so you can guarantee the longevity of your bun. (This works best on thicker hair types—thinner hair types might need a bobby pin to secure everything.)
Brilliant Glossing Styling Crème
Multi Cultural Curls
The Tall Topknot
The tall topknot is a great casual look for when you need to tie your hair up as quickly as possible. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
Nine times out of ten, I’m wearing this sky-high topknot. It’s the perfect way to keep my hair out of the way, since it keeps my hair from touching my skin, including my neck, shoulders, and back. It’s also ideal for frizzy or curly hair because it hides issues like flyaways, flattened curls, and an uneven curl pattern. Englert says that if you’re struggling with frizz, be sure to apply copious amounts of leave-in conditioner throughout your hair, taking care to do so evenly.
First, I gather my hair at the top of my head and wrap a thin scrunchie around the hair as though I’m creating a ponytail. Instead of pulling the hair all the way through the scrunchie, however, I pull it only halfway through, securing it in a pile on top of my head. To keep the hairstyle in place, I wrap the scrunchie around the knot a second time. For best results, opt for a silk scrunchie, which is easier to remove and prevents breakage and hair indentations.
Mirage Mist Leave-In Conditioner
Small Slipsilk Scrunchies
Half-Up in a Claw Clip
I love choosing a statement clip when wearing this easy hairstyle. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
This hairstyle may take mere seconds to create, but it never fails to look sophisticated. It’s also an excellent alternative to a scrunchie because it doesn’t pull on the scalp. Separate the top half of your hair from the bottom half, pull it back, and secure the top half to the back of your head with a large-to-medium-sized clip. Go with simple black or gold for a timeless look that matches with every outfit, or opt for a patterned accessory for a funky twist.
Big Effing Clip
Box Hair Claw Clip in Seashell
The Twisted Ponytail
My mom taught me how to create the twisted ponytail when I was younger, and its been one of my mainstays ever since. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
My mom taught me this hairstyle when I was in elementary school; trust me, it looks more elaborate than it really is. To start, tie your hair in a low ponytail at the base of your neck, smoothing down any flyaways at the top of your head (if you can, use some medium-hold gel for this). Gently pull the scrunchie down about an inch and create a hole in your hair just above where the tie sits. Finally, flip the ponytail into the hole you created, inserting the hair from the outside and pushing it in through towards your neck. The result is an intricate, twisted style that elevates the classic tomboy look of the low ponytail.
Pequi Medium-Hold Styling Hair Gel
The Silk Scrunchie No. 001 Set – Black
The Loose Braid
The classic braid is easy to create on-the-go and never falls out of style. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
A braid is a classic, simple look that never goes out of style. I’m a huge fan of the French braid and braided pigtails, but when I’m short on time, I create a simple plait down my back that starts at the nape of my neck. If you need a braiding refresher: Separate your hair into three relatively equal sections, then cross each side over the middle section, alternatively. If your arms get tired, bring the braid to the front of your body to finish, taking care not to pull from the scalp so that your braid doesn’t look lopsided.
Pro tip: If your hair is going through a dry spell, apply your favorite hair oil before braiding your hair. While you’re going about your day, you’ll also be enjoying a deeply hydrating treatment without looking greasy.
Honey Infused Hair Oil
Heliums Thin Hair Elastics
Half-Up, Half-Down
Voluminous and near-effortless, the half-up, half-down hairdo is my signature style. Wear it with a thin black hair tie or with a fun, colorful scrunchie. | Credit: Gabrielle Ulubay
Anyone who knows me can attest that this style is my signature. It hides grease if you’ve gone a day or two without washing your hair, and it looks flattering on all hair types and curl patterns. Split the bottom half of your hair from the top half, taking care to create as straight a part as possible. Then, as with the aforementioned half-up style, secure the top section—only this time, use a scrunchie instead of a clip. In my experience, the higher the half pony sits, the more put-together the style looks.
A rat-tail comb would be ideal to separate the top and bottom sections of your hair, so you may want to keep this hair tool in your go-bag. Englert agrees that “distinct parting and clean edges, whether pulling hair back or keeping it down,” are key to making a quick hairstyle look chic. He explains, “The sharper lines of a part and clean hairlines elevate any style when we’re in a rush.” However, your fingertip will do fine when you’re in a rush.
The Sectioner Tail Comb
Lattice Denim Scrunchie
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