20 Hairstyles For Long Hair Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Try

Let’s be honest: having long hair is a blessing… and sometimes a curse.

Sure, you can pull off all the braids, waves, and buns you want, but on those mornings when your alarm betrays you, that glorious mane feels more like a 10-pound responsibility.

If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror thinking, “What the heck do I do with all this hair?”—trust me, I’ve been there. That’s exactly why I’ve rounded up 20 hairstyles for long hair ideas that are equal parts stylish and realistic.

Some are fancy enough for weddings, some are casual for coffee runs, and others are those “I just rolled out of bed but still look cute” looks.

Ready to get inspired? Let’s get into it.

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1. Classic Beach Waves

Ah yes, the hairstyle that screams effortless even though we both know it took 20 minutes with a curling wand. Beach waves work for literally every occasion—date night, work, or just vibing around the house.

Pro tip: Curl away from your face, leave the ends straight for that undone look, and spritz on a little sea salt spray for texture.

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2. High Sleek Ponytail

Want instant facelift vibes without Botox? A high, sleek ponytail is your girl. Pull your hair up tight, smooth it down with a little gel, and wrap a strand around the elastic to hide it.

This one looks powerful, polished, and gives you the kind of confidence that says, “Yes, I am the boss.”

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3. Low Messy Bun

Because not every day calls for a red-carpet look. The low messy bun is the ultimate lazy-girl hairstyle, but it somehow always comes off as chic. I usually do this when I’m running errands and don’t want to look like I gave up on life.

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4. The Classic French Braid

It’s timeless for a reason. A French braid keeps your hair neat, works in any weather, and gives you that put-together vibe without much effort. Plus, when you take it out at night, you get those soft, crimped waves as a bonus. Two hairstyles in one—what’s not to love?

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5. Half-Up, Half-Down

If you’re indecisive (guilty), this style is perfect. It gives you the sleekness of an updo with the romance of flowing hair. Dress it up with a bow, or keep it simple with a clip. Either way, you look like you actually tried.

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6. Voluminous Blowout

If you want to feel like a main character in a rom-com, go for a big, bouncy blowout. Yes, it takes some work, but the payoff is worth it. Ever wondered why celebrities look so put-together doing literally nothing? It’s the blowout.

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7. Boho Braids

Think festival vibes—small, random braids tucked into loose waves. It’s effortless, playful, and perfect for summer. IMO, it’s also a great way to hide the fact that you skipped a wash day (again). 🙂

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8. The Top Knot

This one is for those “I cannot deal with my hair today” mornings. Pile it on top of your head, secure it with a scrunchie or clip, and boom—you’re suddenly the stylish girl in the coffee shop with mysterious main character energy.

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9. Fishtail Braid

Yes, it looks complicated, but once you get the hang of it, the fishtail braid becomes your go-to “impress everyone without trying too hard” style. Pull it apart gently for that chunky, boho effect.

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10. The Hollywood Glam Curls

If you’ve got an event coming up, you need these. Big, polished curls that fall like liquid silk—this is the hair equivalent of wearing diamonds. And honestly? Sometimes you deserve to be extra.

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11. The Side Braid

It’s casual, easy, and keeps your hair out of your face. The side braid is basically your best friend on windy days when you’d rather not eat your own hair while walking outside.

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12. Bubble Ponytail

This one’s been everywhere on Instagram and TikTok—and for good reason. It’s cute, playful, and surprisingly easy. Just tie your ponytail with elastics every few inches, then gently tug the sections to puff them out.

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13. Long Straight Shine

Sometimes the simplest option hits the hardest. Straight, glossy hair is timeless and works on literally everyone. Just grab a flat iron, a heat protectant, and maybe a shine spray, and you’re good to go.

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14. The Crown Braid

Want to feel like royalty without, you know, being born into it? The crown braid wraps around your head like a halo. It’s feminine, elegant, and perfect for weddings, garden parties, or when you just feel like channeling your inner fairytale character.

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15. Double Dutch Braids

These are not just for gym days. Double Dutch braids look sporty, stylish, and keep your hair locked in place. I wear these when I know I’ll be out all day and don’t want to fuss with my hair. Plus, they make you look way more athletic than you probably are (at least in my case).

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16. Loose Romantic Updo

This one says, “I didn’t try too hard,” even though you absolutely did. Pull your hair back loosely, let a few tendrils frame your face, and pin it up. Perfect for date night or a wedding guest look.

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17. The ’90s Flip

Yes, the ’90s are back—whether we like it or not. Flip those ends out with a flat iron and suddenly you’re living your best Rachel Green fantasy. Pair it with claw clips or butterfly clips if you really want the throwback vibes.

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18. The Braided Ponytail

Take a regular ponytail and braid it all the way down. It’s sleek, stylish, and keeps everything under control. This is also a great style for working out when you don’t want your hair all over the place.

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19. The Waterfall Braid

If you want people to ask, “How did you do that?”—this is the one. The waterfall braid creates little cascades of hair that flow into your loose waves. It’s a little tricky at first, but the result looks like straight-up Pinterest inspo.

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20. The Lazy Waves

Some days, you don’t want to curl your whole head. I get it. Just take a curling iron and curl a few random pieces for texture. That’s it. It’s the messy, casual wave that says, “Yeah, I woke up like this,” even though you spent 5 minutes making sure you didn’t look like a scarecrow.

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Quick Tips to Make Long Hairstyles Easier

Because let’s be real: long hair takes work. Here are a few things I swear by:

• Dry shampoo is your BFF. It gives volume and lets you fake clean hair for one more day.
• Use the right elastics. Avoid ones that rip your hair. Silk scrunchies save you breakage.
• Section your hair. Whether you’re braiding or curling, smaller sections make styling faster and more polished.
• Don’t skip heat protectant. Seriously. Unless you want your ends to look like straw, spray it before any hot tools.

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it—20 hairstyles for long hair ideas that cover everything from lazy mornings to glamorous nights out. The beauty of having long hair is the freedom to play around with styles, but sometimes you just need a little inspiration to break out of the “messy bun on repeat” rut.

My advice? Try one or two of these this week and see how it feels. Worst case, you spend a few extra minutes experimenting. Best case, you walk out the door feeling like you belong on the cover of a magazine.

And hey, if all else fails, there’s always the classic ponytail. Because honestly, who are we kidding?