28 Chic Hairstyle Ideas for Women: Trendy Cuts, Colors & Styling

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with over a decade of professional experience helping clients find looks that flatter their face shapes, lifestyles, and hair textures. In this post I’ve curated 28 versatile hairstyle ideas for women, from low-maintenance bobs and layered cuts to long waves, textured pixies, and salon-inspired color techniques. These styles suit a wide range of hair types — fine, thick, curly, and straight — and can be adapted for busy professionals, weekend trendsetters, and anyone wanting a fresh update. I’ll share practical styling tips you can try at home: the right heat tools and temperature settings, product pairings for hold and shine, quick blowout shortcuts, and simple at-home styling routines that extend your salon results. Whether you’re aiming for subtle change or a bold transformation, these ideas are designed to inspire your next appointment and make daily styling easier and more beautiful.

Textured Platinum Side Braid with Crown Braid — Boho Waves

This look is a textured, long-length platinum side braid with a soft crown braid and loose beachy waves — ideal for clients wanting a relaxed, bohemian finish. Best suited for medium to thick hair lengths from shoulder blade to waist; fine hair benefits from texturizing products or clip-in extensions for fullness. Start by prepping clean, towel-dried hair with a lightweight mousse and heat protectant, then rough-dry while scrunching or use a 1–1.25 curling wand to create loose waves. Section a small front panel and French-braid a shallow crown braid toward one side, securing with an elastic. Gather remaining hair and incorporate into a loose three-strand or fishtail side braid, gently pancake each weave for width and soft texture. Tools: sectioning clips, tail comb, elastic bands, bobby pins, curling wand or flat iron. Products: salt or texturizing spray, lightweight oil on ends, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: medium — requires confident braiding and pancake technique; time 25–40 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re-tighten braid nightly or sleep with a silk scarf, and use weekly deep-conditioning and purple shampoo to protect bleached platinum tones.

Textured Half-Up with Curtain Bangs and Loose Beachy Waves

This relaxed half-up style with curtain bangs and soft, beachy waves suits medium-to-long hair and works for fine, medium or thick textures. Wavy and straight bases are easiest — fine hair benefits from light texturizing and root lift while very thick hair may need more layering to reduce bulk. Technique: apply heat protectant, then add a volumizing mousse at roots. Create loose S-shaped waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand or a flat iron, alternating rotation and leaving ends slightly undone. Backcomb the crown a touch for lift, gather the top half into a low messy knot or twist and secure with a clear elastic and a few bobby pins; pull out face-framing pieces and loosen for softness. Tools needed: curling wand or iron, wide-tooth comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, elastics and pins. Products required: heat protectant, root-lift or mousse, salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray and a smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — roughly 20–30 minutes. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo or texturizer, reheat a few waves as needed, sleep on silk, and trim bangs every 6–8 weeks for shape.

Voluminous French Twist Updo for Fine to Medium-Length Hair

This polished voluminous French twist is best for shoulder-length to long hair and suits straight to gently wavy textures; fine hair benefits most from built-in lift while thick hair can achieve the look after thinning or smoothing. Start by prepping with a volumizing mousse at damp roots and blow-dry with a round brush or set with large rollers to create body. Section the crown, lightly backcomb the root area for lift, then smooth the top layer with a tail comb. Gather mid-lengths, roll vertically toward the nape to form the twist, and secure with long hairpins/U-pins and discreet bobby pins. Pull a couple of face-framing strands loose for softness. Tools: blow-dryer with nozzle, round brush or Velcro rollers, teasing comb, sectioning clips, curling iron (optional), bobby and U-pins. Products: root-lift spray or mousse, texturizing powder or dry shampoo for grip, lightweight smoothing serum for flyaways, and a medium-to-strong hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 25–45 minutes in a salon setting. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh volume with dry shampoo and light backcombing, re-pin any loosened sections, and avoid heavy products that flatten the crown.

Textured Tousled Pixie Cut — Short Choppy Layers for Volume & Movement

This textured tousled pixie is ideal for fine to medium hair and works well on naturally straight or wavy textures; thicker hair can be softened into the shape with razor or slide cutting. Styling begins on towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray at the roots. Rough-dry with a blow dryer using your fingers or a small round brush to lift the crown and encourage direction. Define shorter fringe pieces and soft waves with a ¾–1 curling wand on low heat or use a diffuser for natural waves. Finish by separating pieces with a matte paste or light clay for definition and movement, then lock with a flexible hairspray for hold without stiffness. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle (diffuser optional), small round brush or vent brush, ¾–1 curling wand, tail comb, clips. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or salt spray, matte paste or clay, flexible hairspray, dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: easy–moderate — daily styling takes 5–10 minutes. Maintenance: schedule trims every 4–6 weeks to maintain the shape, use a purple or toning shampoo if highlighted, and refresh texture between washes with dry shampoo and a dab of paste.

Long Voluminous Side‑Swept Loose Curls

This glamorous, side‑swept loose curl look works best on medium to thick long hair; fine hair can achieve similar volume with extensions or targeted layering. Start on towel‑dried hair with a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Create a deep side part, rough‑dry lifting the roots with a round brush or blow dryer. Use a 1½–2 inch curling iron or hot rollers to form large, alternating‑direction curls, leaving the ends slightly straighter for a modern, undone finish. Finger‑comb or gently brush through curls to soften them, then set with a flexible‑hold hairspray and a light mist of sea‑salt or texture spray for separation. Tools needed: blow dryer (with nozzle), round brush, 1½–2” curling iron or wand, sectioning clips, paddle or wide‑tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, light hairspray, texturizing spray, occasional shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — expect 30–45 minutes with practice. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose braid, refresh with dry shampoo and a few quick reheats of problem curls, trim every 8–12 weeks and use weekly deep conditioning to maintain healthy shine.

Loose Textured Braided Updo with Face‑Framing Waves

Suitable for medium-to-long hair with natural waves, loose curls or straight hair that can hold texture. This romantic, textured braided updo combines a soft crown braid with loose face‑framing waves and a relaxed side/low braid — ideal for medium-to-thick hair; fine hair benefits from added products and teasing. Styling technique: prep hair with a volumizing mousse on damp hair, blow-dry with a diffuser or round brush for body. Create a slightly off-center French/Dutch crown braid across the top, pull apart (pancake) to widen and soften. Gather remaining hair into a loose side braid or pull-through braid, tug pieces for texture and pull out delicate face-framing strands. Finish by breaking up waves with fingers. Tools needed: 1 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastic bands, bobby pins. Products required: texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum or oil, dry shampoo for second-day hold. Difficulty: moderate — 30–45 minutes depending on length. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or re-braid loosely, refresh with dry shampoo and a few re-curls, and avoid over-brushing to preserve texture.

Boho Half‑Up Braided Crown with Beachy Waves

This romantic boho half‑up style pairs a soft braided crown with loose, beachy waves — ideal for medium to long hair. It works well on straight, wavy or slightly textured hair and takes color highlights beautifully; very fine hair may benefit from light extensions and medium‑to‑thick hair will hold shape best. Start by applying a salt spray or volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow‑dry with a round brush to add body. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25

Textured Half-Up with Voluminous Crown and Loose Tousled Waves

This textured half-up is ideal for medium to long hair, particularly naturally wavy or medium-thick textures; fine hair can wear it with root-lifting products or clip-in pieces for added body. Begin on towel-dried hair: apply a root-lift mousse and a heat protectant, then rough-dry while lifting the crown with a round brush to build base volume. Section the top, lightly backcomb at the roots for added lift, smooth the surface with a comb, and twist or pin the section back, anchoring with hidden bobby pins or a small elastic. Create soft, undone waves through the mid-lengths with a 1” curling wand (alternate directions) or a flat iron for a more natural finish, leaving the ends slightly straighter. Finger-comb and finish with a light texturizing spray or sea-salt mist for separation and movement. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling wand or flat iron, teasing comb, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, root-lift mousse, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic curling and teasing technique. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re-curl a few pieces as needed, and sleep in a loose braid or on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape.

Textured Mid-Length Shag with Soft Curtain Bangs

This mid-length textured shag with soft curtain bangs suits fine to medium hair for added volume and works well on thick hair when sliced and texturized. Ask your stylist for short, graduated layers around the crown, feathered ends and a wispy curtain fringe to frame the face. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots, then rough-dry with fingers while lifting at the crown. Use a 1–1.5 round brush or a vent brush to smooth the fringe and flip the ends slightly; a 25–32mm curling wand or flat iron can add outward flicks and separated pieces for movement. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, round brush, vent brush, 25–32mm iron, texturizing shears (for cut), and clips. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt or texturizing spray, light matte paste or cream for piecey definition, and flexible hairspray. Difficulty level: intermediate — approachable at home with practice. Maintenance tips: trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, reshape layers every 8–12 weeks, refresh day-two texture with dry shampoo and texturizing spray, and avoid heavy conditioners at the roots to preserve lift.

Voluminous Textured Half-Up with Loose Romantic Waves

This style suits medium-to-long hair and works well on fine, medium or slightly coarse textures — fine hair benefits from volumizing product, while thick hair will need extra smoothing and pinning control. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry with a round brush to build lift at the crown. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25 inch curling iron or wand, alternating directions for natural movement. Backcomb gently at the crown for lift, then gather the top half into a loose half-up, securing with bobby pins and discreet elastics; twist and pin small sections to create the layered, tousled look and leave a few face-framing pieces out. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray, small amount of shine serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — requires sectioning and secure pinning. Maintenance: refresh with texturizer or dry shampoo, reshape waves with a wand as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely braid to preserve texture.

Textured Half-Up Messy Topknot with Face‑Framing Layers

This relaxed half-up messy topknot works best on fine to medium hair and shoulder‑length to long layers; thick hair can also wear it if sections are thinned and the knot secured with extra pins. Start by applying a heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or root‑lift to damp hair, then blow‑dry with a round brush for lift. Create loose, undone waves with a 1 curling wand or flat iron, alternating directions and leaving ends soft. Lightly tease the crown for volume, gather the top half of hair into a loose ponytail, twist into a messy bun and secure with an elastic plus a few bobby pins so pieces can fall naturally. Pull out wispy face‑framing strands and loosen the bun for texture. Tools: blow dryer, 1 curling wand or straightener, teasing brush, paddle brush, elastics, bobby pins, sectioning clips. Products: heat protectant, mousse or root lift, texturizing or salt spray, dry shampoo for grip, flexible‑hold hairspray and a light shine serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–medium; 10–25 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re‑accent waves with a curling iron, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape without flattening.

Textured Messy Low Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This soft, textured low updo suits medium to long hair and flatters fine, medium and thicker textures when adjusted. For fine hair, add a texturizing spray and light backcombing at the crown to build volume; for thick hair, work in sections and remove bulk with soft layering or discreet pins. Start on dry hair: apply a heat protectant and sea-salt or texturizing spray, loosely curl 1–1.25 inch sections with a wand to create movement, then lightly tease the crown for lift. Gather hair at the nape, twist into a relaxed bun and secure with bobby pins (use X-pin placement for hold). Pull out a few face‑framing sections and loosen the bun for an undone finish. Tools: curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, small elastic, and a paddle/teasing brush. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea‑salt spray, light-hold mousse optional, flexible-hold hairspray and a dab of shine serum. Difficulty: medium — about 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and re-pin any slipping pieces, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and use color-safe products for vibrant tones.

Textured Loose Side Braid Updo with Face‑Framing Layers

Suitable for medium-to-thick hair with natural wave or relaxed curls; fine hair can work with extensions or root-texturizing products. Start on clean, dry hair: apply heat protectant, rough-dry with fingers, and mist a sea-salt or texturizing spray for grip. Create crown volume by backcombing small sections and smoothing the top layer. Use a 1 curling wand to add loose bends through mid-lengths and ends for movement. Gather hair to one side and form a loose three-strand braid, incorporating subtle twists from the crown; secure with a small elastic. Gently tug braid loops to soften the shape and pin any pieces at the nape to form an undone updo. Pull two face-framing pieces forward and softly curl for a polished finish. Tools: 1 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, small elastics. Products: heat protector, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light-hold flexible hairspray, optional smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: medium — requires basic braiding and backcombing skills; allow 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-tug braid loops each morning, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose braid, and avoid heavy oils at roots to keep volume.

Romantic Textured Fishtail Braid with Loose Waves (Long Blonde Hair)

This voluminous, textured fishtail braid with loose waves suits long to extra-long hair and works best on medium to thick textures; fine hair can achieve the look with volumizing products or clip-in extensions, while naturally curly hair should be smoothed slightly for controlled definition. Start on damp, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight mousse or root-lifting spray, heat protectant, and blow-dry for body. Use a 1 curling wand to create loose, undone waves, then gently brush out for soft texture. Backcomb the crown lightly for lift, gather hair to one side and create a loose fishtail (or rope) braid, pancaking the strands for fullness; secure with a small elastic and hide the band with a wrapped strand. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby/U-pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or salt spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum. Difficulty: intermediate — allow 30–50 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizing spray, re-pancake braid each day, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and deep-condition weekly to protect bleached or color-treated locks.

Textured Asymmetric Pixie with Long Wavy Fringe — Platinum Blonde

This modern asymmetric pixie with a long, textured fringe suits fine to medium hair best for achieving lift and movement; thick hair also works if heavily texturized. Cut by alternating short, tapered sides with longer layered lengths on top, the look is created using scissors-over-comb, point cutting and optional razor texturizing to remove bulk and create feathered ends. Styling technique: apply a root-lifting mousse to towel-dried hair, blow-dry with a small round brush for volume at the crown, then define the fringe with a 1 curling wand or flat iron to create soft waves and direction. Tools needed: professional scissors, thinning shears, blow dryer with nozzle, 1 curling wand or flat iron, small round brush, clips and a fine tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, sea-salt/texturizing spray, lightweight matte paste or cream for piece definition, flexible-hold hairspray and purple shampoo for platinum upkeep. Difficulty: intermediate — precise cutting requires a stylist; daily styling is 10–15 minutes. Maintenance: salon trims every 4–6 weeks, color touch-ups as needed, weekly purple shampoo, regular deep conditioning and refresh with texture spray between washes.

Loose Textured Side Braid with Face‑Framing Fringe

This relaxed, voluminous side braid suits medium to long hair and works best on naturally wavy or loosely curly textures; fine hair can achieve the look with light extensions or by adding texture with product. Begin by prepping damp hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Blow-dry while lifting at the roots or rough-dry with a diffuser for natural movement. Create soft volume at the crown by backcombing a small top section, then curl random mid-lengths with a 1–1.25 barrel to add grip. Gather hair to one side and create a loose three-strand or pull-through braid, gently pancake each section for width; leave face-framing pieces and fringe unbraided. Tools: tail comb, teasing brush, curling wand, small clear elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea salt spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 20–30 minutes once practiced. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo or spray, re-pancake braid sections to restore fullness, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely re-braid to preserve style.

Textured High Messy Bun with Wispy Face‑Framing Bangs

This relaxed high messy bun with soft, wispy face‑framing bangs suits medium to long hair and works best on fine to medium densities; thicker hair can be thinned and texturized by a stylist for easier shaping. Start on towel‑dried hair with a light volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry using a round brush for lift at the crown, or rough‑dry while lifting sections for a lived‑in texture. Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add grip, then loosely gather hair at the crown, twist into a loose bun and secure with an elastic and a few strategically placed bobby pins, pulling pieces free to soften the silhouette. Use a small curling wand to define face‑framing tendrils if needed and smooth bangs with a flat iron for shape. Tools: hairdryer, round brush, tail comb, elastic, bobby pins, curling wand/flat iron. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray/dry shampoo, light hairspray, finishing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–medium. Maintenance: refresh volume with dry shampoo, re‑pin bun nightly as needed, trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, and deep‑condition weekly to preserve shine.

Textured Crown Braid Updo with Soft Face‑Framing Fringe

Suitable for shoulder‑length to long hair, this textured crown braid updo works well on fine, medium and thick hair; very curly hair benefits from light smoothing and short hair under chin length is not recommended. Start on washed, towel‑dried hair with a volumizing mousse and blow‑dried for hold. Create a deep side part, backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, then French/Dutch braid from the part across the hairline to the opposite side, gently pancaking the braid for width. Gather remaining hair into a low twisted bun and pin the braid over it, securing with strong bobby pins. Pull out a few face‑framing pieces and softly curl them if desired. Tools needed: rat‑tail comb, paddle brush, 2–3 small elastics, medium bobby pins, curling iron. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing spray, light hairspray and smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 25–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap with a silk scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo or mist, and re‑pin any loosened sections before events.

Textured Messy High Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This relaxed, textured high bun with soft face‑framing tendrils suits medium to thick hair and works beautifully on naturally wavy or loosely curled hair. Fine hair can achieve the same look with added clip‑in pieces or a bit of backcombing for grip. Create volume at the crown by blow‑drying with a round brush or applying a root‑lifting mousse to damp hair. Use a 1

Textured Romantic Curly Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This textured romantic curly updo works best on naturally wavy to curly hair and medium to thick textures; straight hair can be pre-textured with a curling wand. Start on dry, protected hair: apply heat protectant and a light curl‑defining mousse, then create loose curls with a 1

Long Layered Voluminous Waves with Face‑Framing Layers

This salon-friendly style suits medium to thick hair and works well on natural straight-to-wavy textures; fine hair can achieve the same lift with strategic layering and root volumizing. Start with long, blended layers and a soft side-swept fringe cut by a stylist to create movement. Styling technique: blow-dry with a large round brush to build root lift and curve the ends, then create loose S-waves using a 1–1.25 curling iron or wand—wrap alternating sections away from the face and leave ends slightly out for a modern, lived-in finish. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, sectioning clips, 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, and a wide-tooth comb or fingers for finishing. Recommended products: heat protectant, lightweight volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, smoothing cream or light oil for shine, flexible-hold hairspray, and a texturizing spray to enhance separation. Difficulty level: intermediate—requires precision sectioning and heat control. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–12 weeks to keep layers soft, use weekly deep-conditioning for moisture, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and preserve shape.

Textured Shag Bob with Curtain Bangs — Tousled, Layered Short Cut

This textured shag bob with soft curtain bangs suits wavy, loose curly and straight hair that’s been texturized. From salon experience, the cut is created with graduated internal layers and point-cut ends to encourage movement and reduce bulk—razor work can be used sparingly for a softer edge. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, then blow-dry while scrunching with fingers or using a diffuser for natural wave. For defined pieces, wrap random 1

Textured Tousled Half-Up with Loose Waves and Face‑Framing Pieces

This soft, textured half-up is ideal for medium to long lengths and suits straight, wavy or loosely curly hair. It works best on medium to thick density; fine hair can achieve volume with light padding or root-lifting products. Start on towel-dried hair with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then rough-dry while lifting at the roots. Create loose S-shaped waves with a 1–1¼ curling wand or flat iron, alternating direction for natural movement. Section the top third, gently backcomb at the crown for lift, and gather into a loose half-up secured with a small elastic and discreet bobby pins; pull at the crown and leave face-framing tendrils to soften the look. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, texturizing/sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray and a small dab of smoothing serum on ends. Difficulty: moderate—achievable at home with practice (25–40 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, sleep on a silk pillowcase, touch up waves or re-pin as needed, and trim every 8–12 weeks to prevent split ends.

Textured Short Pixie with Tousled Fringe — Silver Gray Piecey Layers

This cropped textured pixie with a tousled fringe and silver-gray tone is ideal for fine to medium hair and works well on natural waves or loose curls; thicker hair benefits from aggressive texturizing to reduce bulk. The salon technique uses a short tapered back and sides with a longer, disconnected top—point cutting and razor texturizing on the crown and fringe create the piecey movement. For styling, towel-dry to damp, apply heat protectant and a salt or texturizing spray, then blow-dry with your fingers or a diffuser to enhance natural texture; use a small round brush only to shape the fringe. Tools needed: sharp cutting shears, texturizing shears or razor, clippers for nape/sides, blow dryer with nozzle/diffuser, small round brush and a fine-tooth comb. Products required: thermal protectant, sea-salt/texturizing spray, matte paste or light wax for separation, lightweight hairspray and purple shampoo to maintain tone. Difficulty: moderate — precision cutting is best left to a stylist, but daily styling is quick with practice. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, toning as needed, weekly deep conditioning, avoid heavy oils at roots and refresh piecey texture with fingertips each day.

Textured Boho Side Braid with Braided Crown and Loose Waves

This textured boho side braid pairs a braided crown with a loose, pancaked side braid and soft face‑framing pieces — ideal for weddings, editorial work or everyday wear. Hair type suitability: works best on medium to long lengths; fine hair benefits from light backcombing or clip‑in extension pieces for volume, while thick or layered hair creates extra texture naturally. Styling technique: prep hair with a volumizing mousse and blow dry for lift. Create a deep side part, start a Dutch/French braid along the hairline to form the crown, then transition the braid toward one side and continue into a loose three‑strand (or fishtail) braid. Pancake the braid by gently pulling sections to widen strands and tease the crown for height. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, curling iron (1″–1.25″) for waves, small elastics, bobby pins and a teasing brush. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing or sea‑salt spray, light hold hairspray, smoothing oil for ends, dry shampoo for grip. Difficulty level: intermediate — allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow or wrap with a scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo or texturizer and re‑pin loose pieces; avoid heavy creams that weigh the braid down.

Long Platinum Beach Waves with Side-Swept Fringe

This soft, lived-in style suits long hair with natural wave or straight hair that’s been layered to add movement. It works best on medium-fine to thick textures; bleached or platinum hair will need extra conditioning and bond-repair care. To create the look, blow-dry roots with a round brush to add lift at the crown and smooth the side-swept fringe. Divide hair into sections and use a 1–1.25 inch curling wand or iron to wrap mid-lengths and ends, alternating directions for a relaxed, beachy wave. Leave the ends slightly straighter for a modern, undone finish, then loosen curls with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Tools: hairdryer, round brush, curling wand or iron, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root-lift spray, salt/texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, occasional shine serum and weekly deep-conditioning or bond-repair treatment (e.g., Olaplex). Difficulty: moderate — 20–40 minutes depending on length. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–12 weeks, use sulfate-free purple shampoo sparingly for blond tones, deep-condition weekly, and refresh waves with spritzes of texturizer or low-heat touch-ups between washes.

Long Layered Waves with Full Blunt Bangs — Soft Copper Texture

In salon practice, this long layered wave with a full blunt fringe in warm copper flatters medium to thick hair and suits straight-to-wavy textures. Fine hair can wear the cut with added internal layering and root lift; very curly hair performs best after a smoothing blowout. Styling technique: blow-dry bangs with a small round brush to create weight and clean shape, then use a 1–1.25 curling wand to form alternating-direction, loose waves while leaving the ends slightly straighter for an undone finish. Work in horizontal sections, clip cooled curls, and finish by gently breaking waves with fingers. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, small and large round brushes, 1–1.25 curling wand, sectioning clips, paddle or wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, smoothing cream for the fringe, lightweight texturizing spray, and flexible-hold hairspray; use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo for copper tones. Difficulty level: moderate — basic curling skills and section control required. Maintenance tips: trim bangs every 4–6 weeks, color-refresh every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and revive second-day waves with dry shampoo and a light texturizing mist.

Textured Messy Low Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils

A soft, textured low bun with loose face‑framing tendrils — a versatile updo that works well for everyday wear or events. Best suited to medium‑to‑thick hair and naturally wavy textures; fine hair can achieve the same look with volumizing products or a small padding, while very curly hair can be smoothed slightly or embraced for a more bohemian finish. Start on towel‑dried, detangled hair: apply a heat protectant and volumizing mousse, then blow‑dry with a round brush for lift. Create loose waves using a 1 curling wand, alternate directions for natural texture, and lightly backcomb the crown for height. Gather hair at the nape, twist into a loose knot and secure with bobby pins and an elastic, leaving two to four face‑framing pieces. Loosen sections by hand for softness and spray with a light mist of texturizing spray. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling wand, tail comb, bobby pins and elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing or sea‑salt spray, light‑hold hairspray and a drop of shine serum. Difficulty: easy–intermediate (15–25 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re‑pin stray pieces, sleep on silk, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift.

Choosing the right hairstyle is as much about maintenance and care as the cut itself. My top salon-tested advice: communicate your daily routine with your stylist, bring photos of preferred looks, and choose a cut that works with your hair’s natural movement. Invest in a sulfate-free shampoo, a lightweight leave-in conditioner for detangling, and a heat protectant before any hot tools. For styling, use a round brush for volume, a flat iron for sleek finishes, and a textured spray or pomade to define layers and pieces. Schedule trims every 8–12 weeks to keep shapes precise and ends healthy, and consider bond-preserving color services if you color-treat your hair. If you want help translating one of the 28 looks to your hair type, book a consultation — I’ll help tailor the cut, color, and at-home routine so your new style looks effortless and lasts longer.