Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Hairstyles For Medium-Length Hair

Forget complicated braids, fishtails, and 25-step chignons. These hairstyles are the ones you actually have time for.

Bad hair day? Not for long. We asked hair professionals Jeff Chastain, Paola Mathé, Ezmeralda Meco, and Sarah Potempa to teach us some fresh hairstyles for shoulder-length hair. And they delivered. Keep scrolling to learn how to style your hair in fun new ways.

1. Effortlessly Chic Low Pony

Advice From A Twenty Something / Via advicefromatwentysomething.com

This hairdo is perfect for wavy hair. Pull your hair back into a low ponytail with an elastic, leaving a few loose strands in front. Then use your own hair to cover the elastic to add some elegance to your typical ponytail. Here are the instructions.

2. Knotted Pigtail Braids

Advice From A Twenty Something / Via advicefromatwentysomething.com

Looking for something cutesy but different? We've got you covered. These knotted pigtail braids are fun and achievable in minutes. Here is the step-by-step tutorial.

3. Flower Braid

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

- Sea salt spray (optional)

Step 1: Grab a 1-inch section of hair from each side of your head just above your ears and twist them back to the center of your head. Secure with a mini hair elastic.

Step 2: Using hair underneath the elastic, braid a 2-inch section of hair and secure with another elastic.

Step 3: Wrap the braid around the base until it forms a flower shape, then use bobby pins to secure in place.

Step 4 (optional): Use sea salt spray on the rest of your hair to give it a beachy texture.

4. A Crown for Curls

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Hair clips

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Using a tail comb, create a front section of hair all the way around your head from ear to ear. Clip back the rest of your hair to keep it out of the way for now.

Step 2: Beginning at one side of your head, French-braid the front section of hair along the hairline.

Step 3: Continue the French braid, adding more hair to each strand as you go.

Step 4: Once the braid is at your ear, continue with a traditional three-strand braid to the end of the hair.

Step 5: Secure the braid with a mini hair elastic at the bottom.

Step 6: Make the braid a bit thicker by gently tugging apart each strand so the weave isn't too tight.

Step 7: Lift the braid up and over your head, flush against the French-braided section, until the end of the braid reaches the opposite ear. 

Step 8: Pin back any extra hair in the front that wasn't woven into the French braid. This piece can be used to cover up the end of the braid if your hair isn't long enough to reach the opposite side of your head.

Step 9: Unclip the rest of your hair and tousle it forward.

Step 10: If you need to secure any parts of the braid, use a bobby pin to do so.

5. Braided Bun

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with an elastic.

Step 2: Braid the ponytail into a three-strand braid.

Step 3: Secure the end of the braid with a mini hair elastic.

Step 4: Wrap the braid around the base of the ponytail until it forms a bun. Pin the braided bun in place with as many bobby pins as you need.

6. Twist ’n’ Pin

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Reworkable hold paste

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Use a pea-sized amount of reworkable hold paste in your fingertips to slick down any major cowlicks.

Step 2: Start with a 2-inch section of hair, twisting the section around itself into a tight coil.

Step 3: Once the coil is tight enough that the twist naturally forms a small bun, continue wrapping the bun up and toward your head. Pin the bun in place. 

Step 4: Continue steps 2 and 3 until all of your hair is pinned up.

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7. Half-Up Hair Wrap

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Hairspray

- Teasing brush

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Prep your roots by spraying hairspray for volume and hold.

Step 2: Use a teasing brush to tease hair from the front of your hairline to the crown of your head. Tease 1-inch sections at a time, brushing from the mid-shaft to the root to create more volume.

Step 3: Create a half-up ponytail with the top half of hair, securing with an elastic.

Step 4: Grab a 1-inch section of hair directly underneath the elastic of the half-up ponytail.

Step 5: Wrap the loose 1-inch section of hair around the half ponytail to conceal the elastic.

Step 6: Pin the ends of the wrapped hair underneath the elastic.

8. The Undone Bun

The Beauty Department / Via thebeautydepartment.com

Looking for an easy updo? This hairstyle can be dressed up or down and only takes a few steps to complete. The key for this do is clear elastics, so if you have those, you are well on your way to a good hair day. Here are the instructions.

9. Piled-Up Pony

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Gather your hair into a high ponytail, leaving out your bangs or the front pieces of hair. Secure the ponytail with an elastic.

Step 2: Use bobby pins to pin any stray curls or flyaways down toward the ponytail.

Step 3: Tousle your bangs or the front pieces of hair to frame your face.

Step 4: Tousle your ponytail to place your hair exactly the way you want!

10. The Knotted Pony

thebeautydepartment.com / Via buzzfeed.com

What you'll need:

- Light holding styling mousse

- Small clear elastic

- Large bobby pin

- Comb

Step 1: Apply a light holding mousse to damp or dry hair, from the roots to ends of your hair.

Step 2: Divide your hair into two sections over your shoulder. Pull the back piece forward and down.

Steps 3 and 4: Tie your hair into a simple knot.

Step 5:  Tie the two ends together with an elastic before sliding the elastic upward under the knot to hide it. 

Step 6: Feel free to add a bobby pin to keep the knot in place.

Step 7: Tease the ponytail to add texture. Voilà!

11. The Braided Half-Up

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Hair clip

- Bobby pins

Step 1: At the front of your face, use your fingers to create a 2-inch section of hair on the right. Braid the section.

Step 2: Secure the right braid with a mini hair elastic.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 on the left side of your head.

Step 4: For the look of a thicker braid, gently tug apart each braid using your fingertips.

Step 5: Section off the top of your hair and put it in a hair clip to keep it out of the way for now.

Step 6: Bring both braids around to the back of your head and secure them together with a mini hair elastic in the center of your head.

Step 7: Take down the top section of hair and secure it into a half-up ponytail with a mini hair elastic at about the same spot as the elastic holding the braids together.

Step 8: Secure a bobby pin into the top elastic and thread it through the bottom elastic on the braids, then push it through to secure both elastics flat on the head.

12. Side Sweep

BuzzFeed Video / Via youtube.com

What you'll need:

- Bobby pins

- Styling cream

- Accessory

Step 1: Push your hair over to one side. Take the “smooth side” and divide it into three sections. Take each section and twist it. Secure each twist down to your scalp using bobby pins.

Step 2: Take a cream and use it to smooth out the twists, then add a few dabs to the loose curls for extra elongation.

Step 3: Define the shape you’ve created by adding a few long decorative pins.

13. Shorty on the Side

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Mini hair elastics

Step 1: Use your tail comb to create a deep side part in your hair.

Step 2: Grab a 2-inch section of hair on the same side as the part and begin braiding your hair about 1 inch above your ear. This should be a traditional three-strand braid. Continue braiding until about 1 inch from the ends of your hair.

Step 3: Secure the braid with a mini hair elastic.

Step 4: For a thicker braid, gently tug apart each part of the braid with your fingertips.

14. Quick Twist for Shorter Hair

thebeautydepartment.com

What you'll need: 

- Bobby pins

Prep: You’ll want the hair to have some texture before you pin it up, so curls are ideal for this two-step do.

Step 1: Take the entire left side and start twisting near your ear. (The tighter, the better.) Once you reach the middle of the back of your head, stop twisting and add a large bobby pin for support.

Step 2: Now do the same thing on the right, gathering all of your remaining untwisted hair, and twist up. Place it over the first twist and add a large bobby pin. Tuck in any hairs that may have escaped into the twist and add more bobby pins for security.

15. Bangin' Braid

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Hair clips

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Using a tail comb, part the front section of your hair into a triangle with clean, straight parts. Hold the rest of your hair away from your face by clipping it back with hair clips.

Step 2: Begin braiding the bangs section with three passes of a French braid before continuing with a traditional three-strand braid. 

Step 3: Continue down the bangs until you reach the temple area, then secure with a mini hair elastic.

Step 4: Use a bobby pin to pin the braid back into the hairline. Pull the clips off of the loose hair and tousle hair to cover the elastic and pin in the front.

16. Loose Braid

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Teasing brush

- Mini hair elastic

- Hair clip

- Texturizing finishing spray

Step 1: Create a section of hair that spans the width of your eyebrows and the depth from your hairline to the crown of your head.

Step 2: Using your teasing brush, hold up the section of hair and tease by gently brushing down on the left side, then brushing down on the right side, then alternating side to side until you have volume.

Step 3: Braid the section, loosely holding each piece so the braid isn't too tight. You can use the hair clip to hold the rest of your hair back and out of the way.

Step 4: Secure the braid with a mini hair elastic at the bottom.

Step 5: Apply texturizing finishing spray to all of the hair not in the braid. Use your hands to scrunch the hair for even more texture.

Step 6: Fix any stray hairs and you're done!

17. Barely There Wave

The Beauty Department / Via thebeautydepartment.com

Get this beach wave lite, if you will, in only five steps. All you need is a diffuser, some wave spray and a towel. In minutes, you can achieve this effortless look. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

18. A Dressed-Up Pony

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

- Sea salt spray

Step 1: Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, leaving about 1 inch of hair underneath out of the ponytail. Secure with an elastic.

Step 2: Create a three-strand braid with the 1-inch section of hair underneath the ponytail and secure the end of the braid with a mini hair elastic.

Step 3: Gently tug apart the braid with your fingertips to get a thicker look.

Step 4: Wrap the braid around the base of the ponytail so that the elastic is completely covered.

Step 5: Pin the braid in place.

Step 6: Use sea salt spray on your ponytail for extra texture.

19. Half French Twist

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Gather the top quarter section of your hair into a small ponytail and secure with a mini hair elastic.

Step 2: Grab a 2-inch section from either side of your head and pull backward.

Step 3: Loosely secure both pieces together with an elastic to create a second small ponytail.

Step 4: Twist the ends of the second small ponytail until the twist becomes hard.

Step 5: Keep twisting until the hair above the elastic is also a hard, taut twist. Use a bobby pin to secure the twist flat on your head, then continue pinning to keep the entire length of the twist in place.

20. Frohawk

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Hair clips

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Use hair clips to create four sections of hair down the center of your head.

Step 2: Replace each hair clip with a hair elastic for a permanent hold.

Step 3: Smooth down any stray pieces of hair with bobby pins.

Step 4: Use your fingertips to rough up each section of hair until it looks like one continuous mohawk.

21. Shanice never really got into head wraps because she thought her hair was way too big to rock them. Of course we were excited to prove her wrong with this retro style.

Taylor Miller / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

She’s now a head wrap believer, y'all!

22. The Mini Bun

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Using your tail comb, create a part on the left and right sides to make one large section at the top of your head. If you want to get extra ~fancy~, you can make zigzag parts instead by pushing the tail comb backward from left to right (in the shape of a zigzag) instead of just going straight back.

Step 2: Secure the section with a mini hair elastic close to the root.

Step 3: Hold up the section and tightly twist it around itself.

Step 4: Roll the section down into a bun and secure it to your head with a bobby pin.

23. The New Topsy Tail

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Gather a section of hair on the top of your head, about the width of the space between the arches of your eyebrows. Loosely secure the section at the back of your head with a mini hair elastic. This will be your first ponytail.

Step 2: About 2 inches lower than the first ponytail, gather a 2-inch section of hair from both sides of your head together at the back. Secure them together with an elastic so that this second ponytail sits on top of the first.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 to create a third ponytail.

Step 4: Repeat step 2 to create a fourth ponytail.

Step 5: Grab the first ponytail and remove the end from underneath the other three ponytails. Create a small space in the hair above the elastic, then push the ponytail up and through the space, creating a topsy tail. Do this on all four ponytails.

Step 6: Grab a ½-inch section from the bottom of the first ponytail. Wrap the section around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic. Pin the hair in place so the ponytail sits flat on your head.

24. The Fun Bun

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Gather all of your hair into a ponytail at the front of your head as close to your hairline as possible. Secure the ponytail with an elastic.

Step 2: Use a second elastic on the ponytail about 2 inches up from the ends. This will help keep your hair in place for the next step.

Step 3: Roll the second elastic back toward the first elastic to create a large bun. Use bobby pins to secure the bun in place.

Step 4: If you have any other curls or flyaways, tuck them into the bun with bobby pins.

25. Triple-Threat Braid

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Hair clips

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Part your hair to one side. Using your tail comb, create a section perpendicular to the part all the way down to the hairline behind your ear. Clip back the rest of your hair to keep it out of the way for now.

Step 2: At the top of the section you just created, take a smaller 1-inch section and begin a three-strand braid all the way down the hair.

Step 3: Using your tail comb, tease the end of the braid to secure it without an elastic. Vigorously comb from the ends of your hair up to the end of the braid until there's enough tension that the braid won't unravel.

Step 4: Make another 1-inch section of hair next to the first braid, and braid all the way down to the end. Tease the end of the braid with the tail comb.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 with a third, final section of hair.

Step 6: Pull all three small braids together and back behind your ear, and pin in place.

Step 7: Add a second bobby pin to create an X shape, which will help keep the braids extra secure.

Step 8: Unclip the rest of your hair and drape it over the ends of the braids to hide your bobby pins and make the hairstyle look seamless.

26. 10-Minute Fancy Updo

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Hair clips

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

- Hairspray

Step 1: Separate your hair into four sections: face-framing pieces in the front, one section on each side from your ear to your temple, and the rest of your hair in the back.

Step 2: Separate the largest section of hair in the back into two more sections: top and bottom. Clip the top section up to keep it out of the way for now. Secure the bottom section into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck with a mini hair elastic, then put another elastic about 2 inches from the bottom of the ponytail.

Step 3: Roll the ponytail up into a bun and secure with a bobby pin at the nape of your neck.

Step 4: Take the clip out of the top section of hair and smooth it back and down. Loosely secure it into a half-up ponytail with a mini elastic.

Step 5: Twist the tail of the ponytail into its base, and pin the twist down above the bun. 

Step 6: Braid the section of hair on the left and secure the braid with an elastic at the end. For a thicker look, gently tug the braid apart from top to bottom.

Step 7: Wrap the braid around the back of the head and secure with a bobby pin just above the bun.

Step 8: Repeat step 6 on the right side.

Step 9: Repeat step 7 on the right side.

Step 10: Use hairspray to secure the style in the back, and fix any face-framing pieces in the front to fall however you'd like.

27. Chic Chignon

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

- Hairspray (optional)

Step 1: Use your tail comb to create a front section of hair about a ½-inch back from your hairline, wrapping around the whole head from ear to ear. Leave the hair down for now.

Step 2: Secure the back section of hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck with a mini hair elastic.

Step 3: Use another hair elastic on the ponytail about 1 inch up from the ends. This will help keep all of the hair in one clean section for the next step.

Step 4: Roll the bottom of the ponytail up to the top elastic to create a bun, then secure the bun to your head with bobby pins.

Step 5: Leaving out a 1-inch piece on either side of your head, pin the front section back and down into the bun.

Step 6: Wrap each front piece across the back of the head and pin on the opposite side, pushing the bobby pins into the bun.

Step 7 (optional): Finish with hairspray to hold the style in place.

28. French Hawk

Lauren Zaser / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Bobby pins

- Mini hair elastics

- Texturizing finishing spray

Step 1: With your tail comb, separate out a 2-inch-wide section of hair at the top of your head in the center. It should start at your hairline and end at the crown of your head.

Step 2: Beginning at your hairline, separate your section of hair into three smaller sections to start your French braid.

Step 3: Continue to French-braid the entire section, picking up pieces to add to your braid as you go.

Step 4: Once your braid reaches the end of the section of hair you created, secure the end of the braid with a mini hair elastic.

Step 5: Bobby-pin the hair elastic down to your head. For an extra-secure hold, push the bobby pin through the elastic before pushing into your hair.

Step 6: On your loose hair, spray texturizing finishing spray to add body.

29. Front Bump + Pullback

BuzzFeed Video / Via youtube.com

What you'll need:

- Teasing brush

- Bobby pins

- Headband or bandana

Step 1: Gather a section of hair near the crown of your head. It should be about 3 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Tease the underside of the curls to create a bump. Secure in place with bobby pins.

Step 2: Smooth the sides of your hair, then secure hair in the back with a soft hair tie.

Step 3: Accent the shape with a loose, fabric headband or bandana.

30. Secret Braid

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Hair clip

- Teasing brush

Step 1: Create a section of hair on one side of your head from 2 inches above your ear down to the nape of your neck. Use a hair clip to hold the rest of your hair away from this section.

Step 2: Braid this section of hair.

Step 3: Instead of securing with an elastic at the bottom of the braid, use a teasing brush to create enough grit to hold the braid. Brush from the bottom of the hair section up to where the braid ends until the hair is teased enough that the braid will hold.

Step 4: Gently tug apart each section of the braid with your fingertips. This will make the braid look fuller, but it should not be so harsh that it undoes the braid.

Step 5: Rub the braid between your fingertips from the bottom to the top to give it extra grit.

Step 6: Unclip the rest of your hair and partially cover your new braid with the loose hair so that the braid is a secret!

31. The Double-Layered Pony

thebeautydepartment.com

The two layers make your hair look longer. Check out all the steps here.

32. Beach Braids

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Tail comb

- Sea salt spray

Step 1: Part your hair in the middle. Using your tail comb, section off a front piece of hair in the middle, about 2 inches wide. Keep this section separate from the rest of your hair for now.

Step 2: Use your tail comb again to create a 1-inch-square section of hair on the right side of your part. Begin a three-strand braid in this section.

Step 3: Instead of using mini hair elastics, cinch the end of the braid by using your tail comb to tease up the ends. Firmly comb up from the ends of your hair to the end of your braid until there is enough tension in your hair to hold the braid in place.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 on the left side of your head.

Step 5: Spray sea salt spray in the loose hair and use your fingers to scrunch the product into your hair.

Step 6: Part the front section of hair down the middle, and style the pieces into the rest of your hair.

33. The Fake Bob

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Use a wrap-up to tuck your long hair up into a short style. Watch this tutorial to learn how to style a fake bob — plus two other cute dos.

34. Tucked Up

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Take a 1-inch section of hair from each side of your head and gather them together in the back, loosely securing them with a mini hair elastic. This section will act as an anchor for steps 2–4. Underneath that section, gather the top half of your hair into a half-up ponytail.

Step 2: Beginning on the right side of your head, take a 1-inch section of hair and roll it up, over the top anchor of hair, and tuck it underneath the anchor. Secure it with a bobby pin.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 with another 1-inch section of hair, continuing until all of your hair is secured up.

Step 4: Use bobby pins to tuck away any stray hairs or cowlicks.

35. Triple Bun

Lauren Zaser / Justine Zwiebel / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Mini hair elastics

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Separate your hair into three evenly sized low ponytails at the nape of your neck. Secure the base of the ponytails with mini hair elastics.

Step 2: Use another mini hair elastic about 2 inches up from the ends of your hair on each ponytail. This will help keep the hair together and in place for the next step.

Step 3: Starting with the ponytail in the center, roll the bottom elastic up to the first elastic to create a bun. Pin the bun in place at the base of the ponytail.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 on the left ponytail.

Step 5: Repeat step 3 on the right ponytail.

36. The Crisscross

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Texturizing finishing spray

- Tail comb

- Hair clips

- Bobby pins

Step 1: Use texturizing finishing spray at your roots for a gritty texture that will help hold your hairstyle in place.

Step 2: With your tail comb, section out a 1-inch section of hair at the front of your hairline and clip out of the way.

Step 3: Take a small, ½-inch section of hair from the right side of your head by your temple and pull it around the back of your head. Pin it on the left side of your head with the bobby pin pointing straight down.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 on the left side of your head.

Step 5: Continue steps 3 and 4, alternating from left to right and working your way down the back of your head.

Step 6: As you continue pinning, cover up each previous pin with a new ½-inch section of hair.

Step 7 (optional): Use texturizing finishing spray on your loose hair for added texture.

Step 8: Once you've finished the crisscross in the back, split the front section into two pieces wherever you naturally part your hair and pin each piece back.

37. The Game of Thrones–Inspired Style

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It's three different braids that look like a damn dream when they're put together.

38. Wraparound Braids

Lauren Zaser / Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Bobby pins

- Mini hair elastics

- Reworkable hold paste

Step 1: Split your hair into four sections: top, bottom, left, and right. Pin the bottom section up into a bun at the nape of your neck. Take the top section straight back and down, pinning underneath the bun.

Step 2: Starting with the right section, braid the hair and secure with an elastic at the bottom.

Step 3: Wrap the braid around the back of your head and pin to the opposite side of the bun. 

Step 4: Repeat step 2 on the left side.

Step 5: Repeat step 3 on the left side.

Step 6 (optional): Using a pea-sized amount of reworkable hold paste in your fingertips, smooth down any sections of frizz or flyaways.

39. Fishtail Braid

themerrythought.com

Step 1: Choose the section of hair you want to braid. 

Step 2: Divide the section into two, holding a section in each hand.

Step 3: Bring a small piece from the outside of the top section into the middle, and then across to the bottom section. 

Step 4: (Essentially, you have two sections again.)

Step 5: Next, bring a small piece from the outside of the bottom section into middle, and across into the top section. 

Step 6: You should essentially have two sections again, now with an X in the middle. 

Steps 7 and 8: Continue until the braid is finished. 

40. Love-Heart Fish Braid

Matthew Tucker / Thinkstock / BuzzFeed

What you'll need:

- Curl-enhancing spray

- Hair elastics

- Hair wax (optional)

Step 1: Part your hair in the center and spray your hair with product.

Step 2: Brush to detangle. If you'd like a messy look, or if you'd like to keep your curls visible, you can skip this step. If so, your curls will show through the fishtail braid.

Steps 3, 4, and 5: We're going to do two small fishtail braids on either side of the head.

Step 6: Continue your braid three-quarters of the way down the side until it can reach the back of your head.

Step 7: Secure with elastic, and repeat steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the other side.

Step 8: Join the two fishtail braids in the center with an elastic.

Step 9: Remove the two original elastics. You could stop the braid here, if you like, or continue on. Next, join the ends of the two braids into one fishtail. You can let the braid secure itself (use a little wax at the end if necessary).

Step 10: Loosen the braids near the crown a little.

Step 11: Admire your fantastic creation!

41. Morgan's effortless slay proves that head wraps work for straight strands, too. Tell me your day wasn’t made 100 times better by this fab style (and that adorbs gap)!!!

Taylor Miller / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

42. Pony + Side Bangs

BuzzFeed Video / Via youtube.com

What you'll need:

- Bobby pins

- Hair elastic

Step 1: Divide the hair into two sections. The first section should be about 3 inches back from your hairline.

Step 2: Pull the first section down toward one side, smoothing the section over. Secure with bobby pins.

Step 3: Gather the second back section of your hair into a ponytail and secure with a hair tie.