Faux High-Maintenance: 3 Effortlessly Easy Hairstyles That Stun
3 min. read
Looking for styles that impress but only take minutes? Try these three high-impact, low-effort looks guaranteed to turn heads. Think of them as your go-to cheat codes for whatever vibe you’re channeling, whether it’s elegant, edgy, or effortlessly cool.
The “Clean Girl” Slick-Back Bun
A glossy finish will make it look like you spent ages in front of the mirror, but with the right product, this classic style comes together quickly, relying on ultra-smooth strands that exude elegance.
Vibe: Perfect for job interviews, a Friday night out, or when your hair just won’t cooperate.
What You Need: Brush, hair tie, bobby pins, hair serum or oil, mousse, fine-tooth comb (optional), gel, or pomade.
Steps to Achieve the Perfect Slick-Back Bun
- 1. Create a Center Part: Create a sharp center part from your forehead to the crown.
2. Create a Wet-Hair Illusion: Apply a small amount of serum or oil mixed with mousse to nourish hair and give it that wet, reflective look (the secret to sleek styles).
3. Gather Hair: Brush hair flat against your head and gather it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Secure with an elastic.
4. Wrap the Bun: Twist the ponytail into a tight coil, wrap it around the base, and secure with bobby pins.
5. Finish: Tame any stray hairs with a small amount of strong-hold gel or pomade.
Pro Tip:
- According to Hannah Nishimoto, educator at Shu Uemura Art of Hair, to get an extra flat and slicked-back look, it’s best to use boar bristles and brush your hair back in small sections to ensure you're getting your hair as close to your scalp as possible.
Our Favorite Products for a Slick-Back Bun:
- • Kérastase’s Elixir Oil nourishes dry ends, tames fly-aways, and leaves your hair with tons of shine.
• Redken’s Stay High Mousse dampens hair and gives it that wet appearance for ideal sleek looks.
• Shu Uemura Art of Hair’s Ishi Sculpt enhances the sleek wet look and eliminates frizz, while providing a long-lasting hold.
Playful Bubble Braids for Any Hair Texture
All that texture and volume is something you’d expect to see on the runway, but with just a handful of elastics and some gentle tugging, this style can be done at home and works well on all hair types.
Vibe: Headed to an art gallery, a swanky event or doing an impromptu photo shoot? This look’s got you.
Good hair day by @mr_alexandrycosta
What You Need: Several small hair elastics.
Steps for a Bubble Braid Ponytail:
- 1. Prep Hair: Use a serum or hair oil to tame frizz and add shine.
2. Create a Regular Ponytail: Brush hair into a ponytail and secure with an elastic. High, low, or pigtail ponytails all work here.
3. Section Off Ponytail: Add elastics every 2–3 inches down the ponytail.
4. Create Bubbles: Gently tug each section between elastics to create a “bubble” effect.
5. Finish: Mist lightly with a hairspray to hold the look.
Our Go-To Products for a Bubble Braid:
- • Kérastase’s Elixir Oil preps hair by smoothing fly-aways and adding shine.
• Redken’s Brushable Hairspray sets your look with an all-day flexible hold that also resists humidity for 24 hours.
The Wrapped Bouffant Ponytail for Instant Volume
Don’t let the dramatic crown and sleek, polished wrap fool you. This look is really just a teased ponytail with one strand of hair artfully wound around the base to conceal the elastic. Effortlessly chic, endlessly wearable.
Vibe: Ideal for date nights, brunch, and your girlfriend’s bachelorette.
Good hair day by @jessiestylist
What You Need: Several hair elastics, bobby pins, a fine-tooth comb, mousse, and hairspray.
Steps to Get Bold Bouffant Hair
- 1. Prep Hair: Work mousse into damp roots and blow dry for volume.
2. Add Volume: Tease the crown of your head with a fine-tooth comb for lift.
3. Create a Ponytail: Gather hair into a mid-to-high ponytail, leaving a small section free.
4. Wrap the Base: Wrap the loose piece around the base to hide the elastic and pin underneath.
5. Finish: Set with hairspray.
Our Must-Have Products for a Wrapped Bouffant Ponytail:
- • Redken’s Stay High Mousse volumizes hair and provides a long-lasting hold.
• Redken’s Brushable Hairspray is made with flexible hold technology, perfect for bouncy, tousled strands.
And there you have it—glamorous, high-maintenance looks made easy. Tried one of these looks? Tag us @hairdotcom or use #hairdotcom and we might feature you.
Next Up: The 70 Best Low Maintenance Haircuts and Hairstyles for Every Hair Type
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