12 Fun and Pretty Hairstyles To Try When You Have So Much Free Time
With all this time quarantined inside, people have begun trying to cut their own hair and experiment with new styles. Though I am not one to change much when it comes to my hair, I admire those that do. As I watch so many people around me trying out different looks, I thought I’d compile a list of some of the best styles to try. Now, without further ado, here are 12 Fun and Pretty Hairstyles To Try When You Have So Much Free Time!
1. Braids
Women have worn braids for thousands of years all over the world. The style is one of the most versatile, running from incredibly intricate patterns to simple plaits. Braids are also perfect for almost every occasion. Whether you’re in the office, at school, in the gym, or even a wedding, there’s a braided hairstyle that’s ideal for you. Even better, depending on your hair type, braids can protect your strands from damage and help you grow your mane longer.
Here are a bunch of different braids to try:
Box Braids – Classic box braids are one of the most iconic styles for Afro-textured hair. All your hair will be sectioned into squares and worked into individual plaits to get this look. You can use your hair or have extensions braided in, which will give you head-turning long, full locks. They are considered a protective style and can be any length or thickness; however, if you have naturally thin or fine hair, opt for smaller box braids, so there’s less tension on your scalp. While box braids take a long time to put in, once finished they last for weeks and are very low-maintenance.
French Braids – A timeless and feminine style, the French braid is a classic for a reason. You can wear this versatile braid for a casual brunch, the gym, or the office. Keep it super smooth for a more professional look, or pull a few face-framing pieces out for a soft and romantic vibe. You can also team it with a fishtail braid or half-up, half-down style, and French braids are also a popular hairstyle for wedding guests. Whatever the occasion, a French braid is a perfect choice.
Fishtail Braids – A festival classic, the fishtail braid brings a touch of boho to any look. It’s one of the simplest braids to create because it doesn’t involve a complicated pattern. However, you will need to separate your hair into small sections – about half an inch – and keep the tension throughout the braid to avoid it falling apart. You can begin the fishtail at any point on your head, using a French or Dutch braiding technique, which means it will work on short hair as well as long. A double fishtail is also a great way to wear this look.
Dutch Braids – Dutch braids are an underhand braid style, meaning your hair will stand out from your head rather than lying flat. It’s a classic three-strand technique, which means if you’re familiar with creating a standard plait, the Dutch braid follows the same pattern. Because both plaits require you to add sections of hair gradually, the Dutch braid is sometimes called the ‘reverse French braid’. It’s a great way to take a standard plait hairstyle to the next level or create double braids and crown braids for a formal occasion.
The Goddess Braid – Goddess braids are a thicker version of cornrows, and equally versatile. The underhand braiding style is used to create this style, with the braids then formed into a ponytail, updo or left loose. Whatever you choose, your goddess braids will stand out from the crowd. Make sure your hair gets the attention it deserves by decorating the braids with accessories; beads, rings, and wires have been trending recently.
2. Ponytails
Ponytail hairstyles are among the simplest and easiest styles to make while still being extremely versatile.
The basic ponytail involves only pulling the hair into any central area and tying this into a tail. Before creating the ponytail make sure that your hair is tangle-free to just prevent styling problems later on. Then use the good quality brush such as a boar’s head brush to brush the hair in the desired direction, and after that direct it with your fingers. Hold the base of the tail of your ponytail along with one hand while attaching the elastic band with the other. You also have to make sure that the hair tie you are using is elastic enough to just prevent the hair from being ripped or even pulled and take your time in making the pony ensuring that the base is smooth. The Ponytail Styles provides an utterly smooth and polished look.
Girls, who have long hair can try the different kinds of ponytails that help you to look absolutely stunning and gorgeous everywhere. This low maintenance hairstyles offer a great volume and help you to stand out striking amongst the crowd. Below are some different types of ponytails deserving to be on this list of pretty hairstyles.
The Spiral Ponytail – Try pulling your entire glossy and beautiful hair in from all sides, Go twice left to right and right to left, and then take the ends in and tie in a pony. After that secure with pins to get this awesome jazzed up yet a classy and formal braided look called Spiral Ponytail. Well, each and every girl wants to look cute and beautiful and that is why trying this hairstyle can help you to look ravishing. This look is absolutely easy and simple to manage.
Dutch Laced Braid Ponytail – Some of the ponytail styles are best suited for the gym, but this one is quite outstanding and special enough for the date night. To style, start with the low ponytail, leaving two strands out for ties. A few inches down from the soft and mellow ends, tie the hair off and gently pull at the tied section to make the bubble. Repeat a few times. The side braid is the prime highlighted portion of this Dutch Lace Braid Ponytail.
Double Braided Ponytail – Do you have long hair? Are you opting for the perfect hairstyle to flatter your look and personality? Then, trying the Double Braided Ponytail can help you a lot in flaunting your look. This braided ponytail actually can be wrapped and then secured around the head in the form of a headband. Do not be anxious about the messy feel. It will just add to the glamour. This hairstyle also gives volume to your hair and makes you look amazing.
Messy Ponytail – For the days between just shampooing the tousled tail is cute, particularly along with waves or curls. Before pulling the entire hair up, mess up this along with dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and finally add a matte texture. Instead, of using any kind of elastic, try to pin your hair up in some sections for a relaxed finish. Amongst all other ponytail hairstyles, the messy ponytails provide you a bold and beautiful look as well. Eventually, the hairstyle helps you to look stunning and cute.
3. Pigtails
Is there anything more fun than pretty pigtails? I think not! Be inspired by these amazing and beautiful hairstyles. Whether you are styling hair that is short, medium, long, straight or curly, you’ll be sure to find something to try out that will stand out. Most of the following pretty hairstyles with pigtails involve braids with ribbons and lovely bow ties, cute twists, or unusual partings. Some hairstyles look intricate, but there are also simpler ones, suitable for beginner level.
French Braid Pigtails – This pretty look was found over on Instagram, and it is an easy one! If you know how to French braid, then you know how to do this. Create braid pigtails, but stop at your neck and leave the rest of your hair in two loose ponytails.
Curly Tails – This style is fast and easy. It takes just minutes to create this look. Throw your hair into a couple of pigtails, and then curl each tail into some loose curls. If you have naturally wavy hair, this is the easiest pigtails hairstyle ever! It looks great for just about any occasion and can be worn by the young or more mature. This style is truly versatile.
Iggy Azalea Braids – These eye-catching pigtails were inspired by singer Iggy Azalea’s famous look. They are actually reverse French braids, but they look extra awesome because the model’s hair is so long. Try extensions if yours isn’t!
No Part Pigtails – This pretty style is a twist on the classic, with a different type of part and some bright red dye to add some color. The key to this one is to hide the part by pulling hair from one side across to the other.
Oversized Pigtail Braids – These larger-than-life braids will be showstoppers, should you dare try them! These are actually reverse French braids as well, but the key here is to loosen each braid section afterward with your fingers.
4. Buns
If talking about the bun hairstyle, it was always trendy. You can carry this style everywhere, including college events, evening outings, or work. Messy buns are the best to carry this season if you are in a hurry for any event.
There is another style that is Chignon bun that takes more time than usual, and it is suitable for Cocktail parties. Some Bun hairstyles also suit in medium-sized hair. Here are some buns to use as pretty hairstyles.
Half Way Curled Chignon Bun – People having medium length hair must go for this Halfway curled Chignon Bun hairstyle. Tie your hair in a low pony fashion. And now gently twist your hair and pin it up with a hair clip in an upward trend. Leave the rest of the hair out of the bun to give it a wavy and curly look. This bun hairstyle is quite easy to do. This latest bun hairstyle is a fusion of chignon and messy bun hairstyles.
Braided Side Bun – Here is a hairstyle that mixes both a braid and a bun. It is easy to make this style with simple steps by making a normal braid at one side and tie it with the band. Now roll it as shown in the picture and secure it with a clip near the nape area. After making it, you will find the best bun hairstyle that is a mixture of simplicity and elegance.
The Casual Back Bun – Need some images of bun hairstyles to style your hair properly. The bun done on the back is probably one of the best things about this look. If you are thinking of looking simple but still get all the attention, then this will help you with that. This bun hairstyle comes with awesome patterns done on the sides, where the hair tresses are take and accumulated together to the back. The hairstyle is something that will be fine for all women with long hair. If you are looking for something alluring this season, then this is one of the best latest hairstyles for you that will offer you with that celebrity shine.
The Heavy Braided Bun Updo Hairstyle – This is a good-looking bun updo hairstyle for most women who are in love with their hair. The pattern that this hairstyle sports is quite alluring and will be suitable for most women with long and voluminous hair. The buns hairstyle will go hand in hand with a wedding dress.
5. Styles From The ’90s
Ah, the ’90s. An era defined by MTV, Lisa Frank notebooks, and more boy bands than we care to count. (For the record, we think 98 Degrees was super underrated.) Some of our absolute favorite pop culture moments were born out of this decade, and when we think back on it, we can’t help but relish in the wonderfully wild ’90s hairstyles. From messy buns to a broad selection of bangs and, of course, butterfly clips galore, there was something special about the hair trends from this time. The It girls of the era, such as Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, and Gwen Stefani were serving up enough inspiration to carry us right into the following decade.
If you’re as nostalgic as we are, then you’ll love this roundup of some pretty hairstyles from the 90s.
Wispy Bangs with Half-Updo – There’s nothing anyone can tell us to turn us off from the half-updo. Seriously, what’s not to love? Whether worn college-coed-style, pinned back with a barrette or edged up with a proper bun on the crown, it’s versatility in its purest form.
Stringy Texture – For all intents and purposes, nothing is better or sexier than bedhead. On long hair, this translated back then to half-rumpled, half-stringy texture, in all its second-day/morning-after glory. It’s a look that’s so chic in its complete effortlessness, it reminded us of French girls (because everything sexy reminds us of French girls). Especially when rendered in its favorite iteration, with a middle part, this look makes us proud to be normcore.
The ’90s Lob – In the ’90s, lob haircuts all did one thing in common: the mini-flip. Some bobs flipped more than others, but they all had a semblance of a super flirty flip out, probably thanks to the bluntness of most cuts. To try out the ’90s flip on your modern lob, all you need to do is use your blowdryer and a roller brush to curl up the last inch or so of hair.
The Middle Part – On the opposite side of the hair spectrum is the long ’90s hairstyles that were personified by its straight middle part. A controlled hairstyle, you’ll need a good wide-tooth comb to help you define your part. For the effortless wavy look, apply some of the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray onto your hair. Then, use a small round brush, focusing on the ends as you create a mini-wave via your blowdryer.
6. Styles From the ’80s
The 1980s can be categorized as a decade of excess. The new generation of young people placed a heavy emphasis on individuality, materialism, and consumerism, all of which were reflected in the popular fashions and hairstyles of the time.
As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down. And when it comes to fashion and beauty, what goes out of style, must come back. While there was once a time when you laughed at old pictures of your mom, we bet you kind of wish she had saved some pieces for you to put a vintage twist on your modern ensembles. And while some fads are better left in the ’80s, others have become mainstream once more.
Below are a few pretty hairstyles from the ’80s.
The Perm – Even Cher temporarily ditched her famous pin-straight mane for chemically treated curls. The trend was without a doubt one of the most popular fads back in the ’80s, and it’s finding new life in the 21st century. Instead of the tightly coiled strands, you remember from music videos, people are headed into the salon for beach wave perms and more relaxed iterations of those bouncy coils.
The Whale Spout – Named for the “water spout” effect created by this super-high ponytail, the whale spout is definitely back in 2020. Style half-up or all-up, positioning your ponytail as high as you can get it so it splits into the desired whale spout shape. Wrap a section of your hair around your hair tie for an elevated, modern touch.
The Side Pony – As seen in every 80’s workout video ever, the side ponytail is one of the most defining hairstyles of the decade. In 2019, it was revamped by JoJo Siwa and gained an unrelated modern twist with bangs that lay in the opposite direction (instead of pulling all of the hair diagonally into one focal point).
7. Styles From the ’70s
Women’s 1970s hairstyles varied from long, soft, and feminine to short, edgy and androgynous. New styles were being created throughout the decade. There was a lot of experimentation and hair was sometimes a direct expression of the times. Here we take a look at what and who influenced 1970s hairstyles, as well as the most popular styles worn by women throughout the decade.
Hairdressers created a few styles during the decade that were copied by many and some can still be seen today, albeit with modern twists. The shag, as seen on Jane Fonda in Klute, is credited to hairdresser Paul McGregor. British hairdresser Trevor Sorbie created the wedge in 1974 – a short, layered, and angular style.
Below are some pretty hairstyles from the ’70s.
Small Braids – Another look that lends its Bohemian aesthetic is the use of small braids. Despite the size, this fits well in red carpet looks. The way this blends with the rest of the hair makes subtle wonders for mid-length to long hair.
Feathered – Another iconic hairstyle that you can look into is the Feathered Hairstyle. Made famous by Farrah Fawcett during her time in the show Charlie’s Angels, the hairstyle sports the flyaway style that is perfect for mid-length to long hair. By brushing the hair back and outward at the sides, you get the iconic feathered look. In fact, this style is so iconic that it makes its reappearance in movies today but often with a contemporary twist. It provides symmetry and frames the face well with thick waves.
Straight and Sleek – If you have long, straight hair- like mine- this style is for you. It’s the perfect option due to its convenience and appeal. The idea of the straight, sleek style is in its Bohemian charm. It’s all about the natural, effortless look that this provides. This works well for those looking for a minimalist and classy hairdo. It never goes out of style. Combine long straight hair with a center part and you have a style that frames your face in a lovely manner. You can even set strands of your hair to the back of your ear for a bashful look.
These are pretty hairstyles that you will never go wrong with.
8. Styles From The ’60s
The 1960s saw the onset of a counterculture revolution, with accepted social norms in every realm from music to film to fashion being challenged and re-written. Slowly, the bouffants, pompadours and poodle cuts that reigned over the previous decade were replaced by more exaggerated, edgier hairstyles. Pretty hairstyles became a symbolic representation of social change as women opted for shorter cuts and men grew out their hair to lengths previously considered unacceptable. Variety encompassed the decade, with a whole host of styles moving swiftly in and out of fashion over the years.
Below are some pretty hairstyles from the ’60s.
The Flipped Bob – In 1961, America elected its youngest president to date, John F. Kennedy, and with him, his young and impeccably stylish wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. Jackie Kennedy became a household name during the early part of the decade, becoming for many Americans the epitome of grace and class. Her signature hairstyle, a short, bob-like cut that flipped out at the ends, was copied by millions of women. Even superstars like Diana Ross and the Supremes and Elizabeth Montgomery sported versions of the look made popular by the First Lady.
The Mop Top – The 1960s saw the formation of perhaps the biggest band of all time, The Beatles. The Liverpool-based group climbed to unprecedented popularity in the United States, leading to what eventually became known as “Beatlemania.” Through their hairstyles evolved drastically over the years, The Beatles were initially recognizable for their “mop-top” look – a messy, longer cut that shifted away from the slicked back. The style became a symbol of rebellion and was quickly adopted by Beatle lovers around the world.
Hippie Hair – Toward the latter half of the decade, the counterculture movement gained steam with the introduction of hippies into the mainstream. War protests, Woodstock and The Summer of Love challenged the more straight-laced, older generations, as did the increasingly long hair that began showing up in hippie culture. Men and women alike began growing out their locks into long, natural, unkempt styles that directly challenged the structured, glamorized looks of previous years. Musicians such as Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, and The Grateful Dead helped to popularize the free-flowing style.
9. Styles From The ’50s
It’s clear that hair plays an important role in popular culture. Hair trends help to define each new generation and separate it from the one that came before. The 1950s saw drastic changes in hairstyles as teenagers and young adults strove to break free of the previous, more conservative World War II era. Everything from rebelliousness to full-on glamour was embraced by movie stars and singers and was reflected in new fashion and hair trends seen across the country.
Below are pretty hairstyles of the ’50s.
Curls – Big waves and curls were the trademark back then. The curls much were bigger & rounder compared to today’s smaller curls. Curls were a part of everything from updos, bobs to even the simplest of hairstyles. Big curls, cat eyes & bright red lipstick is signature 50s pretty hairstyle.
Accessories – Women wore really big accessories like big flowers, ribbons, and bandannas in their hair and look really pretty when done right. Women lately use hair accessories just to hold their hair together but back then hair accessories were flaunted as a part of the look in itself. Sure it’s hard to get this style right, but you can a lot of fun with these styles.
The Pixie Cut – While most women sported long elegant hairstyles, a lot of famous women dared to try extremely short hair and they carried it off really beautifully.
10. Experimenting with Curls
Remember when mousse was the only option for curly hair? Or the eighties? We’ve come a long way since then, thankfully, with a bountiful explosion of products for every hair type and texture. But when it comes time to face the aisle of gels, creams, gel-creams, and custards, it’s a lot. There are smoothing creams, but will that create smooth curls or leave them flat? Texturizers, but are those for handling what you have or just aimed at straight hair looking to liven up? The questions are endless. There are answers, though, and hairstylists say they lie in figuring out your curl type.
While it can seem intimidating at first, resources like Naturally Curly have pioneered an easy, widely agreed-upon classification system. The number refers to curl families, while the letter, from A to C, points to how tightly wound your curls are within that. Curl type 1 is pretty much the absence of curl—in other words, straight. Type 2 means waves, while 3s are spiraled curls, and 4s are kinks and coils.
While your curl pattern is usually pretty clear just from looking in the mirror, listening to it makes a big difference, says hairstylist Shai Amiel (“The Curl Doctor” on Instagram). Curl types are a good blueprint for figuring out your routine. So if you have major curls, you can avoid wasting time with too-weak products and go for the heavy-hitting curl creams (SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie has rave reviews from curly girls). Or vice versa—if you’ve got fine waves, you can focus on the stuff that won’t weigh them down (try DevaCurl’s Wavemaker).
Also, because most products aren’t classified by the numerical system, knowing your type helps you home in on buzzwords when you’re wandering the hair-care aisle, says celebrity curly-hair stylist Vernon Francois. “Everyone is constantly faced with what their hair texture is and how to enhance it, and this simplifies it,” he says. “Then you can investigate from there according to your needs.”
A leave-in product (we love this one from DevaCurl) and a curl definer (like Ouidad’s Featherlight Styling Cream) make up the standard routine, but both Amiel and Francois agree there are more factors to finding your best curl. The system thought up by the curly community works pretty well—but as with everything, the better you can know your hair, the easier it will be to pick the best products for your curl pattern, and in turn having a pretty hairstyle.
11. Experimenting in Product
Have you ever wondered what exactly dry shampoo is and how it works? How about what the difference is between pomade and hair oil? The best way to use your shampoo and conditioner to keep your ‘do fresh?
Your hair products are the first and most important step to achieving a desired look or pretty hairstyle. Without the correct hair care products, you can kiss that beachy boho look or sleek chignon goodbye!
Below are some products to let you get that desired pretty hairstyle.
Hair Wax/Pomade – Hair wax, or pomade, is amazing for providing texture, smooth flyaways, and giving the hair extra hold for intricate pretty hairstyles. That stuff Mimi always uses when creating detailed braids? It’s hair wax! You can also mix a drop of hair oil with hair wax and work through your hair after styling to give extra gloss and hold.
Mousse – Do you love VOLUME in your hair? If you answered yes, this one’s for you! Hair mousse is amazing for providing extra lift and pizzazz to your hair. Work the mousse through towel-dried hair with your fingers before blow-drying, and watch your hair come to life! Hair mousse is available in different levels of hold, from volumizing mousse to styling mousse to give your hair the perfect finish. If you have curly hair, mousse can help you get more defined curls
Hairspray – “What gives a girl power and punch?” Hairspray! The uses are endless for this versatile product. It provides hold, sets style, tames flyaways, achieves volume, adds texture, and more. If you usually shy away from using hairspray because you feel that it roughens up or tangles your hair, you’re either using too much or holding it too close to your hair! Hold the spray above your head (about 8-10 inches) and let the product fall to your hair, rather than spraying it directly on. To smooth flyaways, spray some product on your hands, and then lightly smooth down any problematic hairs.
Curl Enhance Cream – Who doesn’t love a good curl? These creams can be used on either straight hair to provide texture or on curly hair to enhance natural curls and tame frizz. For best results, divide the towel-dried hair into a few sections, then twist the product into the hair or use a scrunching motion.
12. Experimenting with Color
Looking for a drastic hair color change? Before you hit up the color-bar at your favorite salon, be sure to have a thorough consultation with your colorist and consider the following:
Skin Tone and Eye Color – I’m a strong believer that your hair should always complement and enhance your natural features. With that being said, it’s important to understand which colors will bring out your favorite features, while simultaneously camouflaging your least favorite ones. For example, those who have green eyes with golden flecks are generally great candidates for vibrant red hair color.
Prime examples of fierce redheads would be Emma Stone for medium to fair warm skin tones, and Sharon Osbourne for cooler, fairer skin tones. If you’re worried about fine lines, wrinkles and under-eye circles, avoid very dark, ashy colors as those tend to draw attention to shadows and lines in one’s face. Instead, opt for a lighter chocolate brown, or richen up dark locks with warm caramel face-framing highlights.
Makeup and Wardrobe – If you’re going for a major hair color overhaul, chances are you’re going to need to stock up on some new makeup colors as well. A general rule of thumb is: The lighter the hair color, the lighter the makeup; the darker the hair color, the darker and more dramatic the makeup – in particular, the lip color. Many other factors go into finding the perfect makeup/hair/personality combo so often times people will refer my salon guests to an on-staff makeup artist following their hair transformation.
Just as you wouldn’t want your makeup to clash with your newly colored coif, you also want to keep your wardrobe in mind. If you’ve recently added jewel-toned violet accent pieces, avoid wearing a violet top which can make your accent pieces look dull or “off” in some way.
How Healthy Your Hair Is – Healthy, pretty hair is every colorist’s “dream canvas”. But of course, most of us are well aware that virgin-haired clients are hard to come by these days and that most people have some sort of chemical baggage in their strands whether it’s just a few face-framing highlights, an all-over color, chemical waving, or everything in the book. What is already present in your hair can greatly affect the results of your next color job.
Be honest with your colorist. It’s important for us to know the chemical history of your hair and decipher how many layers of color we need to go through and what type of old color (even if it was a year and a half ago) is hidden underneath your current color. A good colorist will be able to let you know if your strands are healthy enough to get you to your desired pretty hairstyle, as well as offer alternative pretty hairstyles if your hair’s current state won’t allow it.
