How To Style Long Hair

Whether you've been growing your long hair for years or have extensions, long hair is easily the most versatile of all lengths. Long locks give you the ability to play with looks in a way that you aren’t able to with short hair. And while the hairstyles for long hair are as endless as your strands, it can be easy to fall into a never-ending rut of topknots and ponytails. Get ready to step up your hair game because we’ve got all the inspiration you need to make the most of your long hair. We've rounded up some of our favorite long hairstyles to try the next time you feel a style slump coming on. Read ahead for 14 easy hairstyles for long hair, no matter what your face shape or hair type is. Whatever your hair texture or type is – straight hair, curly hair, or wavy hair – take inspiration from the long hairstyles below.

• Start by using a flat iron on your hair from roots to ends to eliminate frizz.
• Apply a light gel to the hairline and use a smoothing brush to tame flyaways and smooth into a high pony. 
• Continue smoothing any bumps and add more gel as needed.
• Once your hair is secured in your hand, use an elastic to secure the pony tightly in place.
• Run through your hair one last time to make sure you didn’t miss any flyaways.
• Take a small section of your ponytail and wrap it around the base of the pony to hide the elastic.
• Secure it with a bobby pin that is the same color as your hair.

A dutch braid is basically the opposite of a French braid. The strands of the braid are weaved under each other, rather than over.

• Start by parting your hair down the middle and brush out any tangles. Make sure your part is as straight as possible. Use the bridge of your nose as a guide and follow upwards with a tail comb. You should feel the part in the middle of the nape of your neck once you reach the bottom. Place a section of hair over each shoulder.
• Starting on one side, grab three small pieces of hair at your hairline. The piece on the right goes under the middle piece, and then the piece on the left goes under that.
• Repeat the pattern of crossing the right section under the middle strand, and then the left section under the middle strand. Add more hair from the root each time you weave a new section.
• Once you reach the nape of your neck, switch to a regular three-strand braid.
• Tie it off at the end with a clear hair tie. 
• Repeat the process on the other side.

• Start by sectioning off the top half of your hair and hold it securely at your crown with one hand. 
• Twist the hair loosely into a bun and wrap an elastic around the bun to hold it in place. 
• Then, use bobby pins to shape and neaten the bun in the front and back. 
• Finish the look with a light misting of hairspray.
• If you have thin hair, use a sea salt texturizing spray at the roots before sectioning the hair for more volume and texture.

This hairstyle is a little more playful, but it’s perfect for keeping your long hair off your neck and out of your face. Plus, why just rock one bun when you can rock two?!

• Split your hair into two sections and pull them into high pigtails, secured with elastic ties.
• Lightly tease each pigtail, before wrapping them into buns and securing with bobby pins. 
• Make each bun a little wider by pulling sections out slightly.
• Secure your buns with hair pins to keep them in place.

• First, pull your hair into the highest ponytail possible.
• Use a styling gel and fine-tooth comb to slick it back and secure it with an elastic.
• Separate the tail into three strands and begin tightly braiding down to the very ends.
• Secure your braid with another elastic

Using a flat iron is one of the easiest ways to create curls. This hair look takes a little effort, but the long lasting results are totally worth it.

• Work a curl cream into your damp hair before blow drying.
• Once your hair is dry, start about one inch away from the root and hold the flat iron vertically and slightly tilted away from your face and press down.
• Twist the flat iron a half turn away from your face.
• Use tension and hold the ends of your hair as you glide the flat iron halfway down the length of your hair.
• Twist the flat iron another half turn away from your face, and glide the rest of the way through using light tension.
• Repeat this process twice per strand for extra bounce, or use larger sections for a looser look.

If you’ve got long hair and you’re wondering how to get beachy waves, look no further! All you need for this easy overnight hairstyle is a fabric belt (like one from a bathrobe) and four hair ties.

• Section your hair in half down the middle
• In each section, twist your hair around the belt piece by piece, securing at the end with a hair tie. 
• Then twist the entire section into a bun.
• Repeat on the other side. Go to sleep and rest easy!
• Wake up, unwind, and finish with hairspray.
  

• Start with shampoo and conditioner for clean, soft hair.
• Towel-dry your hair until it's barely damp.
• Apply a straightening balm by coating your ends, working your way up the hair shaft.
• Divide the top and bottom of your hair into two separate sections. If you have thick hair, divide it into four sections. 
• Pull the top of your hair into a bun and secure the hair with a clip.
• Use a paddle brush and a nozzle on your blow dryer to help direct the heat. Start drying the bottom section of your hair. Pull your hair taut with the brush as you run the blow dryer, along with the brush, down the length of your hair. Always point the dryer's nozzle downward.
• Repeat the process on the top part of your hair.

A messy bun is the gold standard for quick and easy long hairstyles.

• Gather your hair away from your face and neck and hold it up at the top of your head.
• Twist your strands until they're taut. Then wrap the long twist around the base of your ponytail to form your high bun. 
• To keep your messy bun in place, tie an elastic around the bun and use bobby pins around the sides for stray hairs.
  
  

Another tried and true fave, a low bun is an easy hairstyle for long hair and perfect for any occasion.

• Pull your hair into a low, loose ponytail and secure it with an elastic band.
• Grab a small section of the ponytail hair.
• Twist the section of hair, loop it at the base of the ponytail and pin it in place. 
• Repeat for the rest of the ponytail hair.

• Starting at the top of your hair, section off two pieces and twist them together towards your head. 
• Add more hair to each section as you twist to make it bigger and take it to the back of your head.
• Keep going until you have twisted about half of your hair. Twist the rest of the way down, and secure with an elastic.
• Repeat on the other side with the rest of your hair. Secure the second twist with an elastic. 
• Pin both twists up haphazardly, the messier the better here.

• Gather two sections from your hairline, right next to the part.
• Twist both sections towards your face, like starting a rope. Cross one section over the other towards the back of your head
• Gather some hair from your hairline and add it to the bottom section.
• Twist the front section towards your face and cross it over the back one. 
• Repeat the process until you reach the back of your head.
• When you reach the nape of your neck, stop.
• Finish off with a rope braid.

This wash and go hairstyle is as easy as it sounds. Run a gel through your wet strands with your fingers and go!

• Section off the crown section of your hair.
• Brush your hair towards the direction you want to braid.
• Start French braiding at the base.
• As you start to approach your opposite ear, direct the braid behind your ear.
• Finish by braiding straight down until you reach your ends. 
• Secure the end of the braid with a clear elastic.

These easy hairstyles will make styling your long hair a breeze, no matter what your hair type. Just remember the trick to getting any long hairstyle right is a good hair care routine, including regular visits to your stylist- see our salon locator here!

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

Photos by @goldandglowco