Some hairstyles never really go out of style. They get reinterpreted, modernized, occasionally mocked for a few years, and then they come back. The twelve below are the ones that keep returning, and the ones worth knowing how to wear when you want to actually look like you tried.
A quick note before the list: a couple of these styles work better at certain ages than others. If you’re here looking for hairstyles for girls who are still in elementary school, simpler braids and ponytails are going to serve you better than the more involved looks below. For everyone else, here’s the list.
1. The Ponytail
The most versatile hairstyle ever invented, full stop. You can dress it up, dress it down, sweat in it, sleep in it, and wear it to a wedding if you do it right.
The three main versions:
- High ponytail. Polished, lifted, photographs well.
- Low ponytail. Easier on your scalp, easier to wear for a full day.
- Side ponytail. Comes in and out of fashion in cycles. Currently in.
For a sleek version, brush wet hair back with a smoothing cream before drying. For a fuller version, tease the crown lightly before pulling it back. The high ponytail will give you a tension headache by hour six, so save that one for shorter days.
2. The Braid
Braids are older than most things we still wear. Every culture has its own version, and the French braid, Dutch braid, and fishtail are the three most common in mainstream styling.
The French braid sits flat against the scalp and looks neat. The Dutch braid is the same technique done in reverse, which makes it sit raised above the scalp and look chunkier — this is the one Instagram calls a “boxer braid.” The fishtail is the slowest of the three to do and the prettiest when it’s loose.
Braids hold better on second-day hair than freshly washed hair, because clean hair is too slippery to grip. If you’re braiding the day you wash, dry shampoo at the roots helps. Pull the finished braid apart slightly with your fingers to make it look fuller — that’s the trick that makes Pinterest braids look the way they do.
3. The Bob
The bob has been around for a hundred years and shows no sign of going anywhere.
A few variations worth knowing:
- Blunt bob. Sharp, geometric, no layers. Works best on thick, straight hair.
- A-line bob. Longer in front, shorter in back. Flatters most face shapes.
- Lob. The long bob, sitting around the collarbone. The most forgiving version.
The thing nobody mentions about a bob: it requires more styling than long hair, not less. The cut has to hold its shape every day, which means heat tools, product, and maintenance trims every six to eight weeks. If you’re cutting your hair short to spend less time on it, the bob isn’t the move.
4. The Pixie Cut
The boldest cut on this list. A pixie changes your whole look and your whole face, and for most people it takes a few weeks to get used to seeing yourself in the mirror.
Because the cut is so committal, it’s worth seeing how you’d look with it before you sit in the chair. A face-editing app like FaceTune lets you preview the cut on your own photos, which is a smarter starting point than relying on a Pinterest board of women with completely different face shapes than yours.
The three main styles:
- Classic pixie: Short layers, slightly longer on top.
- Undercut pixie Shaved or closely cropped sides, longer top section.
- Textured pixie: Piecey, tousled, more casual.
The part nobody tells you about a pixie is the grow-out phase between months three and six. The shape is gone, the length is awkward, and you’ll spend a lot of that time using pomade and bobby pins to fake your way through. Either commit to maintenance trims every four weeks or be ready to live in headbands for a while.
5. The Half-Up, Half-Down
The half-up, half-down hairstyle is a versatile and feminine option that combines the best of both worlds – the sophistication of an updo with the carefree charm of loose, flowing locks. This iconic hairstyle for girls involves pulling the top section of hair back while leaving the rest to cascade down the back.
Variations:
- Top Knot Half-up: Instead of a traditional half-ponytail, gather the top section of hair into a trendy top knot or bun for a chic and modern twist.
- Braided Half-up: Incorporate braids into your half-up style, such as a French braid or fishtail braid, for added texture and visual interest.
- Half-up With Accessories: Elevate your half-up look with cute hair accessories like bows, clips, or floral pins for a romantic and whimsical touch.
Styling Tips:
- Backcomb the top section of hair before securing it to create more volume and lift at the crown.
- For a softer and more natural look, leave a few face-framing tendrils loose around the hairline.
- Curl or wave the loose sections of hair for added texture and movement.
6. The Top Knot
The top knot is a trendy and effortless hairstyle that has taken the fashion world by storm in recent years. This iconic look involves gathering all the hair at the crown of the head and twisting it into a high, messy bun.
Variations:
- Sleek Top Knot: For a more polished and sophisticated take on the trend, slick your hair back into a smooth, high bun with the help of a brush and some hair gel or pomade.
- Braided Top Knot: Add some interest to your top knot by braiding the hair before twisting it into a bun, creating a unique and textured effect.
- Half-up Top Knot: Leave half of your hair down and style the top section into a messy bun for a playful and casual look.
Styling Tips:
- Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add grip and hold to your hair before styling it into a top knot.
- Don’t worry about achieving a perfectly smooth or symmetrical bun – the charm of the top knot lies in its effortless, undone appearance.
- Secure your top knot with bobby pins or a hair tie, and finish with a light mist of hairspray to keep it in place all day.
7. The Beachy Waves
Beachy waves are a timeless and iconic hairstyle for girls that exude a carefree, bohemian vibe. This look is characterized by loose, tousled waves that appear effortless and sun-kissed, as if you’ve just spent a day at the beach.
Variations:
- Heatless Waves: Achieve beachy waves without heat styling by braiding damp hair before bed and unraveling the braids in the morning for natural, crimped texture.
- Flat iron Waves: Use a flat iron to create loose, S-shaped waves by twisting the hair as you glide the iron down the length of each section.
- Scrunched Waves: Apply a sea salt spray or texturizing cream to damp hair and scrunch it with your hands as it air-dries for a more piecey, undone effect.
Styling Tips:
- Start with slightly damp hair for better hold and definition when creating beachy waves.
- Don’t overdo it with the styling products – a little goes a long way in achieving that effortless, tousled texture.
- Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep your waves in place without compromising their natural movement and flow.
8. The Side Swept Bangs
Less of a hairstyle, more of an addition to whatever else you’re doing. Side-swept bangs frame the face, soften the forehead, and grow out gracefully into longer face-framing layers, which makes them the lowest-commitment fringe option.
The trick is letting your stylist cut them dry rather than wet. Bangs cut wet look one inch shorter when they dry, and a botched fringe is the longest two months of your life.
Variations:
- Wispy Side Bangs: Thin, feathery bangs that blend seamlessly into the rest of your hair for a subtle and romantic look.
- Bold Side Bangs: Thicker, more pronounced bangs that make a statement and draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones.
- Side Bangs With Layers: Incorporate side bangs into a layered haircut for added dimension and movement.
Styling Tips:
- Use a round brush and blow dryer to style your side bangs, directing the hair across your forehead as you dry for a smooth and polished finish.
- If your bangs start to separate or lose their shape throughout the day, use a small dab of pomade or wax to redefine and hold them in place.
- Consider the natural texture and density of your hair when deciding on the thickness and length of your side bangs, as this will affect how they lay and blend with the rest of your hair.
9. The Sleek and Straight
The look that defined the early 2000s and quietly came back around 2022. Pin-straight hair has a sharpness that curls don’t, and it photographs especially well.
The cost is real heat damage if you do it daily. Use a heat protectant every single time, work in small sections so the iron only passes once, and give your hair recovery days where you leave the iron alone. A glossing serum applied after straightening adds the mirror-shine that’s actually doing most of the work in the photos you’re looking at.
Variations:
- Pin-Straight: For a dramatic and edgy look, use a flat iron to create a perfectly straight, almost geometric effect with your hair.
- Sleek and Shiny: Apply a shine serum or oil to your hair before straightening to achieve a glossy, reflective finish that catches the light.
- Sleek Ponytail or Bun: Pull your straightened hair back into a tight, high ponytail or bun for a chic and modern update on the classic sleek look.
Styling Tips:
- Always use a heat protectant spray before applying any heat styling tools to your hair to minimize damage and breakage.
- Work in small sections when straightening your hair to ensure that each strand is evenly heated and smoothed.
- Finish with a light mist of hairspray to keep your sleek style in place and prevent flyaways or frizz from ruining the polished effect.
10. The Messy Bun
Day-old hair, texturizing spray if needed, twist, secure, pull a few pieces loose around the face. The trick is in the loose pieces — they’re what separates a messy bun from just a regular bun done badly.
A high messy bun reads younger and more energetic. A low one reads more polished. Pick based on the rest of the outfit.
Variations:
- Low Messy Bun: Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it into a relaxed, undone bun for a more casual and laid-back look.
- Topknot Messy Bun: Pile your hair into a high, voluminous bun at the top of your head for a trendy and dramatic effect.
- Braided Messy Bun: Incorporate a braid or two into your messy bun for added texture and visual interest.
Styling Tips:
- Start with day-old hair or use a texturizing spray to add grip and hold to your strands before styling.
- Don’t worry about achieving a perfectly smooth or symmetrical bun – the beauty of the messy bun lies in its carefree, undone appearance.
- Secure your bun with bobby pins or a hair tie, and gently tug at the edges to create a more voluminous and tousled effect.
11. The Retro Curls
The most committed look on this list. Retro curls take an hour, real product knowledge, and a willingness to be slightly overdressed for whatever room you walk into.
Victory rolls, pin curls, and finger waves are the three main families. Victory rolls are the 1940s look with two large rolls framing the face. Pin curls are set overnight and brushed out for soft waves. Finger waves are the sculpted, hugged-to-the-head look from old Hollywood photographs.
Variations:
- Victory Rolls: Create two large, rolled curls on either side of a center part for a classic and patriotic 1940s look.
- Pin Curls: Set your hair in small, pinned curls overnight and brush them out in the morning for a soft and romantic wave pattern.
- Finger Waves: Use a comb and styling gel to create sleek, sculpted waves that hug the contours of your head for a dramatic and elegant effect.
Styling Tips:
- Use a setting lotion or mousse to help define and hold your curls in place.
- Allow your curls to cool completely before brushing or styling them to ensure maximum hold and longevity.
- Accessorize with vintage-inspired hair clips, pins, or headbands to complete the retro look.
12. The French Twist
The hardest style on the list to do yourself. The French twist looks simple — hair gathered, twisted up, pinned — but getting it to stay smooth and hold all night without slipping takes practice.
Start with day-old hair, mist with hairspray for grip, twist the hair upward to one side, fold the ends under, and secure with a vertical row of bobby pins running up the seam. The pins go in invisible if you push them parallel to the twist rather than perpendicular.
Worth it for weddings, formal events, and any time you want to look genuinely elegant rather than dressed-up casual. Not worth it for a Tuesday. Some hairstyles are for specific occasions, and this is one of them.
Variations:
- Classic French Twist: Gather your hair to one side and twist it upwards, tucking the ends in and securing with pins for a smooth and seamless effect.
- Messy French Twist: Leave some tendrils loose around the face and create a more relaxed, undone texture in the twist for a softer and more romantic look.
- French Twist With Accessory: Add a decorative comb, pin, or flower to the base of your French twist for a glamorous and eye-catching accent.
Styling Tips:
- Start with smooth, tangle-free hair to make twisting and pinning easier.
- Use a light-hold hairspray to keep flyaways and frizz at bay without weighing down the hair.
- Practice makes perfect – don’t get discouraged if your first attempts at a French twist aren’t flawless, as this elegant style can take some time to master.