Easy Hairstyles for Halloween in 2021

It’s hard to believe we’re headed into the home stretch of 2021 — while summer brought plenty of sunshine and fun outdoors, luckily there’s so much to be excited for in the fall. But before you head to your local pumpkin patch or apple orchard, let’s cross one thing off of your to-do list: deciding on a Halloween costume!

Before you’re scared off by visions of expensive costume store outfits and spooky long tutorials, never fear — there are actually a lot of costume options where a simple hair tutorial can pave the way to nailing an iconic character. And if you’re the type of person who waits until the night before to choose your costume (no judgement), most of these work as last-minute options as well. You don’t need to spend a ton of money or time perfecting these looks, just follow an easy hair tutorial, add a few matching accessories, and you’re ready to party.

Courtesy of Marisella Flores

We asked stylist Marisella Flores from The Young American Salon to dream up three simple looks for Halloween — first up, we're going back in time. For a royally-cute costume idea (that has a lot of room for interpretation and personalization), you can't go wrong with a medieval queen! Scroll through the slideshow to see how Marisella achieved this glamorous look: 

Courtesy of Marisella Flores

Marisella's next look is out of this world — a shimmering, radiant lunar goddess. If you're looking for a more unexpected costume (that's sure to stand out at any party), this is a great choice.

Courtesy of Marisella Flores

For Marisella's final look, she chose to do her rendition of the classic monster bride. When you combine iconic black-and-white makeup with this show-stopping hairdo, you're guaranteeing yourself a spot on some best-dressed Halloween party lists.

Milada Vigerova via Unsplash

When it comes to costumes that rely 99% on nailing the hairstyle, you can’t beat this classic movie-inspired look. These iconic twisted buns are a surefire way to make sure people know exactly who you’re dressed as, even with a minimal outfit pairing.

1. Use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner to ensure your hair is silky and frizz-free, then blow dry.
2. Part your hair in the middle into two even sections.
3. Pull each side up into two pigtails, an inch or two above your ear.
4. Twist each side of your hair into a rope, securing the end with a clear elastic.
5. Starting at the base of each pigtail, wrap your hair around and around and tuck the ends in under the bun.
6. Secure with bobby pins and a finishing spritz of strong hold hairspray.

Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images

Every superhero needs a villain counterpart! This look features some fun and bold pops of color, but would work best if you have lighter hair.

1. Part your hair down the middle.
2. Curl your hair, and spray a texturizing spray to add piecey movement (it’s ok if it looks a little messy).
3. Pull each side of your hair up into high pigtails, leaving out two strands in the front, and secure with elastics.
4. Spray blue and pink colored hairspray on the ends of each side of the pigtails — if you’re feeling bold, ask your Davines stylist to use Alchemic Creative Conditioners in Pink and Marine Blue, instead.
5. Take a strand from each side of the pigtail, and wrap it around the base to hide the elastic. Secure with bobby pins.
6. Finish with a medium hairspray.

JP Yim via Getty Images

Don't forget to pair this long, flowing braid with a shimmering blue gown (the sparklier, the better). Here’s a great tutorial to achieve this look yourself:

1. Apply a volume-boosting mousse to towel-dried hair, then blow dry.
2. Take the middle section of your hair and tease it back from the root to create more volume up top. Repeat until all of your hair is teased. The bigger the better!
3. Leaving a top “bump” of volumized hair, start to french braid your hair. Remember to also leave out a few wispy pieces in the front as you go.
4. Secure the end with a clear elastic.
5. Go back and gently loosen the braid in different sections to make it look a little more relaxed.
6. Pull out any additional short wispy pieces as needed, and secure with a hairspray.

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Pay homage to an American icon with a Rosie the Riveter Halloween costume — as an added bonus, you’ll really only need a blue button down shirt and red bandana to finish the look!

1. Pull your hair up into a high ponytail, leaving out a middle section in the front.
2. Roll and secure the hair in your ponytail into pin curls.
3. Take the front section of hair and roll it to the side, creating a swirling effect, or directly back in a small bump, and set it with pins as well.
4. Secure with a strong hairspray.
5. Take a red bandana and knot it at the top of your head, securing with bobby pins if needed.

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Beachy, flowing waves might be the first thing you think of when you hear “mermaid hair,” but a cute fishtail braid plus seaside hair accessories is a fun twist on the basic look.

1. Divide your hair into two even sections. Apply a workable hair paste to add additional texture.
2. Starting on the left section, take a thin piece of hair from the outside, pulling it across and into the right section. Then tuck it under.
3. Moving to the right section, take a thin piece of hair from the outside, pull it across and tuck it under the left section.
4. Repeat these alternating steps until you get to the end, then secure your hair with an elastic.
5. Place starfish or seashell hair clips sporadically throughout your hair to nail that mermaid look.

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If you’re feeling whimsical, pay homage to the toys of our childhood and turn your locks into a magical nod to trolls.

1. Start at the root and tease your hair as big as possible. Dry shampoo is optional if your hair isn’t freshly washed.
2. Roll a piece of sturdy paper into a cone, and tape it to hold the shape.
3. Place the cone at the top center of your head, brushing all of your hair up and over to cover it.
4. Tie the ends of the hair over the top of the cone with a hair tie.
5. Spraying your hair with a bright pink colored hairspray is optional but highly encouraged! Then follow with a shimmering mist — since we want this to look bold, the more the better!
6. Start at the root and tease your hair as big as possible.
7. Finish with an extra strong hairspray.

We hope you’re getting excited for Halloween... minus any stress over having to waste time and money on an expensive or complicated costume. Let us know in the comments below if you end up trying any of these out, or if you have other easy DIY Halloween hair tutorials you think are worth sharing!

by Lauren Hannel, staff contributor

Cover photo: Marisella Flores