11 Simple Tutorials for Long Hair

Having a love/hate relationship with your long locks? We feel you. Growing out your hair can feel like a badge of honor. Especially if it takes awhile to get you there. But it can be easy to fall into a styling rut of messy updos and ponytails. And the daily annoyances and hassles that come with the territory of long hair can be a real bummer. But you love your long hair and we don’t blame you. That’s why we’re breaking down the best hair hacks, styling tips and DIY hair tutorials to make caring for and styling your strands a breeze. There’s a long hair look for all hair types so read ahead for all your long hairstyle inspiration!

When it comes to long hair, this hair length needs to be as healthy as possible in order to look its best (this is also the case with medium hair). As your hair grows longer, it becomes more prone to damage. This is because the ends of your hair are older than the rest of it. They grow weak over time, and either break off or split apart, leading to frizz and eventually slowing down your hair's growth. And as if dealing with split ends and breakage, wasn’t enough of a challenge, the following struggles of having long hair are also really real:

• Long hair can take forever to dry.
• Detangling long hair can be a full arm workout.
• Long hair tangles easily.
• You probably need a never ending supply of bobby pins and hair ties at all times.
• Long hair gets stuck to your lip gloss. 
• Or caught under the strap of your handbag. 
• Or around your sunglasses.
• Or your headphones.
• You usually need more product to tame long hair than your friends do for their short hair.

1. Know your hair type. Having an understanding of your hair type can prevent you from wreaking havoc on your strands.
2. Get a good haircut. For longer lengths, ask your hairstylist for face-framing layers. This is super flattering for your face and it gives you some piecey tendrils around your hairline. Or see our previous post Haircuts for Thick Hair for more ideas.
3. Choose the right hair products. Healthy hair begins with a shampoo and conditioner formulated for your hair type.
4. Use the correct tools and accessories. Your tools and accessories should work with your texture and hair type, not against it. Choose a lightweight hair dryer that won’t elicit damage, and the right hair brushes for your type.
5. Embrace your natural texture. More and more women are starting to embrace their natural hair texture. After years of using heat styling, it can take time to understand what your hair really needs to look its best. Embracing your natural texture will give your strands a much needed break, and you might be surprised at what your hair can do on it’s own!
6. Deep condition with a mask weekly. Use a deeply hydrating hair mask once, even twice a week. Deep conditioning your long hair helps prevent damage and nourishes each strand.
7. Use a heat protectant. Heat protectants add a barrier between your styling tool and your hair, sealing in moisture and fending off frizz. They also smooth the cuticle, making your hair look smooth and feel soft. So if you must use heat, protect those strands.
8. Don’t over-wash your hair. Shampooing your hair strips it of moisture and roughs up the cuticle, adding to frizz and unmanageability. Try shampooing as little as possible. Wash your hair three times a week at most, and use dry shampoo on your off days.

Below are 11 easy tutorials you’ll want to rock every day. Whatever your hair, take inspiration from the trendy long hairstyles below.

• Sweep all your hair to one side.
• Use bobby pins at the back of your hair to hold it in place. 
• Apply hairspray.
• Place your hand underneath the hair and brush it very gently.
• Twist your hair up, and insert pins to hold the hair in place. 
• Smooth it out.

• Comb your hair.
• Create 3 sections, then pull the left section over the center section.
• Pull the right section over the center section.
• Add hair to the left section.
• Add hair to the right section and continue down to the nape.
• Finish with a classic braid and secure your ends.

• Part your hair down the middle or off to the side.
• Create three "stitches" on each side.
• French braid one side of your hair, adding loose hair to the left and right strands as you normally would.
• After French braiding one side, braid the remaining side.
• Tie off your pigtails with clear elastics.

• Section your hair from the ear forward on both sides, leaving small face-framing sections for the braids.
• Pull the rest of the hair into a low pony at the nape of your neck; pinch and pull to tease the top of the hair.
• Add another elastic a couple of inches down from the first one, tease the hair on the bottom out of the elastic, tuck it in and roll up to give more fullness in the bun. 
• Bobby pin the bun on the sides.

• Part your hair down the middle, holding one section in each hand. 
• Grab a tiny subsection of hair from the outside of the ponytail in your right hand, cross it over top, and join it together with the section in your left hand. 
• Cross a small sliver of hair from the left section and add it to the right side. 
• Continue grabbing tiny sections of hair, crossing them over and joining them to the other half until you've reached the bottom of your strands. 
• Use a small hair tie to secure the ends.

• Start with center-parted hair and place a section of hair over each shoulder.
• Grab three small pieces at your hairline.
• The piece on the right goes under the middle, 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.
• Keep adding more hair from the root each time you weave a new section, and tie it off at the end with a clear hair tie.

• Flip your head upside down and pull your hair into a loose ponytail. Don’t use a comb, some bumps are ok.
• Twist the hair, and spin it around the base of the ponytail, continuing to wrap below the bun. Leave the tail out at the end.
• Secure it with a hair elastic and bobby pins.

• 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.

• 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.

• Run gel through your wet strands with your fingers.
• Leave your ends loose, or wrap them into a low bun at the nape of your neck.

• 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 texture spray at the roots before sectioning the hair for more volume and texture.

The secret to long, healthy hair is a good hair care routine that includes natural, sustainable, quality products. At Davines, we’re inspired by simplicity, harmony, and good taste.

We encourage people to take care of themselves, the environment, and the things they love (this includes your long hair). We believe in sustainable beauty to improve our lives and the world around us. Stock up on all of your favorite Davines products and your long, strong, beautiful locks will thank you, whether you’re dealing with summer hairstyles, winter or fall! And to find a Davines stylist near you see our salon locator.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor