10 Easy and Cute Hairstyles That Take Zero Effort (and Time)

10 Easy, Quick, and Cute Hairstyles

1. Easy Spiked Bun Hairstyle

This slicked-back look is great for those days when a wash just isn’t happening. It’s polished, fun, and more intentional than your average messy bun. “Start by pulling your hair into a ponytail wherever you want the bun to sit, then twist it up and pin it down while leaving the ends out to create the architectural fan shape,” advises Korab. You can adjust where you want the spikes to sit with some strategic bobby pin placements. Finish it off with a spritz of hairspray, like the FOXYBAE HAIR Strong Hold Hairspray, to hold everything in place and keep your spikes spike-ing. 

2. Easy Half Up, Half Down Hair

For a look that’s equally simple as it is stunning, try a half up, half down ‘do. This style is really the best of both worlds, pulling your hair out of your face while still letting you show off some length. To get the look, separate the top half of your hair from the bottom half, and secure the top half with an elastic. You can leave it there, or add a statement accessory—like this bow here—to level up the look. Leaving some curled strands out to frame your face can also help this style feel extra romantic. 

3. Beginner Space Buns

If you’re feeling nostalgic for the noughties, try this quick space bun hairstyle tutorial. All you’ll need is a comb, two hair ties, a handful of bobby pins, and a touch of hairspray. (We love the R+CO BACKBEND Workable Hold + Non-Aerosol Hairspray, since it keeps texture in shape without any stickiness or greasy look.) The trick here is keeping things symmetrical, so make sure to split your hair down the middle toward the back of your head too. Once you’ve got your buns in, you can even add some accessories like butterfly clips or rhinestones to embrace the fun of the look. 

4. Perky Ponytail for Beginners

A ponytail is about as easy as it gets—but you can dress up the look with a few touches. Start by grabbing a styling serum like the OLAPLEX Nº.6 Bond Smoother®, which will keep flyaways at bay and protect your hair from breakage. Apply a generous amount to your strands, then gather your hair at the top of your head and secure it into a pony with a small hair tie. To elevate your look, Korab suggests wrapping a small section of hair around your elastic and keeping it in place with a bobby pin or two. “Use a curling iron to add volume and bounce to the end of your ponytail,” she adds. 

5. Beginner Braided Front Pieces

Looking to extend the life of your blowout? Keep those front pieces in check by braiding them up. Start by priming your locks with a styling cream that will prevent flyaways, like the KMS HAIRPLAY Molding Paste. From there, take the face-framing pieces of your hair and braid them, repeating on the other side. Here, you can secure each braid with an elastic, or keep the edges loose for a more boho feel. If you plan on doing the latter, Korab suggests “[spraying] the edges of your braids with hairspray to keep them in place.”

6. Claw Clip Updo

A claw clip is one of the easiest ways to get a cute (and quick) updo. To get the look, pull your hair back into a low ponytail, then start twisting small pieces of hair and folding them into your desired claw clip. This will leave tiny tendrils sticking out of your clip, giving your look a romantic twist. “This looks best on second day hair,” says Korab. For added volume, she suggests securing the claw clip higher on your head. 

7. Easy Low Ponytail

If you’ve styled your hair the day before (or the day before that), you can still show off your ‘do while keeping any greasy hair in check. Simply slick down the front part of your hair with a trusty ultra-hold cream, like the FATBOY Styling Cream, and secure your pony with an elastic at the nape of your neck. 

8. Loose Braid for Beginners

A quick braid can look just as beautiful as its more complex cousins (like French and Dutch braids.) Simply separate your hair into three relatively equal sections, then cross each side over the middle section, alternatively. If your arms get tired, bring the braid to the front of your body to finish, taking care not to pull from the scalp so that your braid doesn't look lopsided. “I love adding dimension to braids with a texturing spray,” says Korab. Try this award-winning VERB Volume Dry Texture Spray to give your look an airy finish.

9. Pigtail Hairstyle for Beginners

Going for a more playful look? Try out these classic pigtails, which are super easy to create. Start by dividing your hair into two equal sections, then each side of hair into two high ponytails. From there, just braid each pony and secure with an elastic, and you’re good to go! 

10. French Braid for Beginner

French braids look complicated, but we promise they’re easy to master. Start by taking a small section of hair from the top of your head, and divide it into three equal strands. Cross the right strand over the middle strand, then cross the left strand over the new middle strand to complete one full braid pattern. Keep the braid going by gathering a small section of loose hair from the right side of your head and adding it to the right strand. Repeat the process until you’ve got your first braid, then repeat it all over on the other side of your head. If you’re new to braiding, Korab suggests starting out with damp hair to make sure your look is smooth and sleek.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to save time or effort—or both—these simple hairstyles will keep you looking cute. Our hair tutorials and extra tips are here for when you need a guiding hand, but you’ll also need a guiding comb, styling cream, and hairspray, which is why we’ve also curated all the best hairstyle helpers on the IPSY Shop. That way, easy hairstyles are all the more easier to DIY at home, and you can focus on feeling your best.