Have you ever struggled with styling your hair and thought that your hair was too short or too long, too thin or too thick or too straight or too curly?
Have you spent several hours trying to pull off a hairstyle which only looks effortless but ended up leaving your hair just the way it is?
Girls, the struggle is real. But don’t worry because here are some hairstyles for shoulder length hair which are practical, easy and super cute!
1. Beachy Waves
This simple hairstyle will make you look effortlessly stylish, wherever you go! Loose, messy curls finished off with texture spray can spice up any outfit.
To get beachy waves, start by splitting your hair into two sections: the top half and the bottom half. Pin up the top half of your hair. With a curling iron (you can also use a straightener for this, the details how to curl using a straightener will be mentioned below), take a one-inch wide section of your hair and wrap it around the wand. Hold it under the clamp for a few seconds and release the section. You can alternate the directions for curling each section of your hair. This will enhance the wave effect. Continue this throughout the bottom part of your hair. Do not comb them out just yet.
Now release the top half of your hair. Start with the sections towards the back of your hair and curl them the same way you curled the bottom half of your hair. Once you reach the sections towards the front of your face, curl them away from your hair. This will prevent the sections from covering your face.
Once you’ve curled your hair entirely, run your fingers through them loosely. This will incorporate the curls together and make them look more natural. Next, use a good quality texture spray and spray it evenly throughout the lengths of your hair. Scrunch up your hair from the bottom to further complete the look.
How to Curl Your Hair Using a Straightener:
Divide your hair into three sections from top to bottom. This will make it easier for you to curl your hair. From your bottom section, take a few strands of your hair and clamp the straightener around the top of the strands. Twist the straightener around the clamped hair so that it has completely curled that part of the hair.
Pull the straightener towards the bottom of the strands of hair while keeping it twisted. Hold the straightener in place for a few seconds when you reach the bottom of the strand. Release your clamped hair and repeat the process on the other strands of hair. You can do this in alternate directions.
After completing your bottom section, curl the middle and top sections in the same way. Curl the front bits of your hair from the top section away from your face so that they don’t cover your face.
Again, spray some texture spray to add volume to your waves and comb your hair with your fingers to combine the curls.
2. Half-Up Space Buns
This chic hair up-do will draw everyone’s attention to you and will speak as your style statement! What’s great about this hairstyle is that it suits all types and textures of hair. Whether you have curly, unruly hair, sleek straight hair or naturally wavy hair, this hairstyle is bound to look great!
To create this look, you need to start by parting your hair down the middle. Take the top section of your hair from above your ear on one side of your head. Smoothen it out so that there are no bums on top. Twist it around itself by holding one hand on your head and using your other hand to twist the hair. Once your hair has been twisted, secure the bun with either a bobby pin or hair tie, whichever you prefer. You can also use both of them for extra protection.
Repeat the procedure on the other side of your hair. You can pull out a few strands from the top to shape your face. You can also curl these stray strands if you wish.
This is a simple and quick hairstyle which you can pull off even when you’re on the run.
3. Half Top Knot
This is a quick and easy hairstyle which will keep your hair away from your face and make you look stylish at the same time! It is an uncomplicated style to pull off.
All you need to do is gather the top section of your hair from the crown, pull them back and hold them in a bunch. Twist this into a bun and secure it using bobby pins or a hair tie. Tug at the sections from the top so that the bun looks more voluminous and messy for a laid back look.
Pull out small sections from the top on each side in order to give a slimmer appearance to your face and you’re done!
You can also curl your hair loosely and create beach waves to add more dimension to the hairstyle.
4. Half Up-do
Half up-do is effective as well as flattering hairstyle. You can run all your errands without getting distracted by your hair falling in your face.
Take your bangs or two large sections from each side of your hair. You can start the section from above your ears or from the ending of your brows according to your preference. Stretch the two sections backward while making sure that there are no bumps or empty spaces in the sections.
Pin the two sections in the center of the back of your head using a clutch or bobby pins. You can spice the hairstyle up using fancy pins to add more details to your hair.
5. Ponytail
The most simple, effortless and popular hairstyles of all times, the ponytail has always proved to be a girl’s go-to hairstyle. It’s great for when you’re on the run or when you have a formal presentation. It works when you have bad hair days or when you feel like your hair is on fleek. You can either create a messy ponytail or an Ariana Grande style tight slicked-back one.
There are several ways to tie your hair into a ponytail. The simplest way is to gather all your hair in a bunch by tilting your head backward and tying it up with a hair tie.
You can also divide your hair two sections from your ear and form a top and bottom section. Tie the bottom section tightly towards the top of that section. Use a comb and tease your top section to create volume. Gather your back-combed hair and tie it towards the bottom of this section, close to the bottom section. Pull the hair from the hair tie in opposite directions to tighten the ponytail. Comb both the sections together and make sure that the top section covers the bottom section and the ponies look unified. This style makes your hair look longer.
Another way to make a ponytail is to comb through your hair thoroughly and pull your hair backward. Smooth down any bumps and stretch your hair towards the top of your crown. Tie your hair on top of your crown but leave a small section of hair from one side of your hair. Use this section to wrap around your hair tie until it is completely wrapped around. Tuck the end of the section under the hair tie and use bobby pins to secure it in place. This ponytail is chic and fashionable and has been popularly worn by Serena Van Der Woodsen from Gossip Girl.
6. Braid Hairband
This is a beautiful way to style your hair but requires a lot of patience.
Part your hair the way you usually do. Take a one-inch section of hair from one side of your head. Start braiding it while pulling it away from your face. You can either create a normal braid, a French braid or a fishtail braid according to your convenience and preference. Make sure that you don’t use all your hair from the side into making the braid. Once you’ve made the braid, tie the end with a small hair tie. Pull the braid over your head to the other side and pin down the end using bobby pins.
Do the same on the other side of your head and secure the end of the braid with a bobby pin. Tuck the ends of the braids under the other braid to hide it.
7. Half Up French Braids
Half-Up French Braids are a cute and stylish way of tying your hair into a top knot. This hairstyle requires some prior practice in creating French braids.
Part your hair down the middle of your head. Take a small section between the top of the parting and your temple on one side of your hair. Start braiding it into a French braid working your way towards the back of your head but leave some part of the hair untouched. When you can’t take more sections for the French braid, pin the braid down on top of your head using bobby pins.
Repeat the steps for the other side of your head. Take the remainder of the hair from the braids and tie them into a ponytail. You can use bobby pins to hold the braids in place.
Curl the rest of your hair into loose waves to finish off the look.
8. Braided Top Knot
This is a popular hairstyle that is often seen by celebrities while they are out and about on the streets. It is a simple look that makes you look very put together and chic.
To create this look, take a section from the crown of your head and braid into a normal, French or fishtail braid. Continue the braid till the top of your head and twist the rest of your hair into a bun. Secure the bun using a hair tie and pin down the braid with bobby pins.
You can leave the rest of your hair the way they are for a naturally messy look or you can curl it into waves as per your preference.
9. Sleek Straight
The most classic and stylish way to style your hair is to straighten them. It makes you seem as you are always down for business and makes you look confident and composed. You can never go wrong with sleek straight hair!
To get this look, divide your hair into horizontal sections and start by untangling the bottom section. Clamp a small section in a straightener and run it down the length of your hair. Make sure that you pull downwards without tilting your head. This will ensure that your hair is uniformly straight in the same direction.
Repeat this in all the sections and voila! Your straight hair look is complete.
You can always turn all the Half-Up Dos into Full-Up Dos by gathering all your hair and tying them up. And most of these hairstyles can be customized according to your own preference, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Bonus Ways of Styling Your Hair
Other than creating these hairstyles, you can also make use of hair accessories to add glamour to your hair. You can use the following accessories that are readily available everywhere:
1. Hair Bands
A great way to keep your hair out of your face while looking stylish is to use a headband. You can use thin or thick metal ones, cloth headbands or elastic headbands. They are widely available in a variety of styles and colors.
2. Hair Ties and Scrunchies
Since a lot of the hairstyles mentioned above need hair ties, you can find cute colorful hair ties and scrunchies which will add more dimension to your look.
They are available in an array of colors, textures, sizes, and types and you can always use multiple to spice up your hairstyle.
3. Bandanas
Bandanas are the new chic headbands that are used by several bloggers and celebrities. They are effective in keeping your hair away from your face while adding pops of colors and patterns. Since they are mostly made out of silk or satin, they also help in taming frizzy hair and smoothen them.
You can style the bandana in multiple ways and even use it as a hair tie!
4. Hair Clips
Hair Clips have found their way back into fashion. They act as a statement piece in any look and can be found in many styles, shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. They can turn any look into an edgy one and complete your outfit.
5. Hats, Berets, Beanies
If you’re having a bad hair day or are just too lazy to style your hair, the most simple way to look presentable is to top it with a hat or beret or beanies. These statement pieces can tie your entire outfit together if you choose and match your hat correctly.
Here’s hoping that these suggestions and tips help you out! Don’t forget to experiment with various hairstyles and create your own version of each look. Happy styling!
