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20 Gorgeous and Easy Hairstyles That Were Made for Your Long Hair

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Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Staff/Getty Images

Long hair, do care! When you’ve got longer hair, the styling options are seemingly endless. From easy updos and low chignons, to bold accessories and long, intricate braids, there are endless ways to get creative with your hairstyles (besides that go-to messy bun).

We get it. It’s beyond easy to get stuck in a style loop. And while we may be certified pros at the last minute bouncy ponytail, getting creative with the latest long hairstyle trends isn’t always easy, especially if you’re not privy to a personal Hollywood hairstylist on speed dial. The best way to get inspired? Score some trendy ideas from these ridiculously gorgeous—and doable—celeb hairstyles for long hair so good, you’ll be rocking them on repeat.

1. Low Peek-A-Boo Bun

Close-up of a smiling Scarlett Johansson rocking a low bun hairstyle with a flippy tail and blue silky dress at the red carpet
Photo by Jon Kopaloff / Stringer/Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson’s sleek, shiny twist featuring a flirty, flippy tail is so fun for any event. Recreate this look for an elegant edge with effortless, girl-next-door vibes. First, apply a smoothing serum to straight hair to smooth away frizz and flyaways. Brush your hair back using a bristle brush and gather it in a thin hair tie about two inches above the nape of your neck. With one hand holding your pony, use the other to twist your hair all the way to the tail, looping it around your elastic and stopping to leave a few inches of your ponytail loose at the ends. Secure your bun with bobby pins (we like options from KITSCH that won’t slip) and you're good to go.

2. Golden Cuffs

Close-up of Kerry Washington rocking a vintage-themed dress and long twists hairstyle embellished with golden hair cuffs
Photo by Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer/Getty Images

Three words for Kerry Washington’s embellished twists: Straight. Up. Goddess. These gorgeous gilded hair accessories take any look (ponytail, braids, waves, and more) from meh to mesmerizing. With this look, the more texture the better (it gives your hair jewels something to hang on to) so we recommend popping them into braids, twists, or a textured pony. Grab a golden hair cuff (you can find similar options at any beauty supply site) and add them to your ‘do. Play with different accessory styles like rings, jewels, stones, and pearls for a one-of-a-kind style.

3. Pieced Out Bangs

Selena Gomez rocking a black leather jacket with a floral blouse inside
Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Staff/Getty Images

It’s no secret that bangs are having a major moment: Baby bangs, blunt bangs, and especially fun, piece-y ones as seen on our forever style crush, Selena Gomez. The best way to flaunt them without a full-blown commitment? Fake ‘em with faux clip-ins! To give your faux bangs a piece-y, multi-dimensional look, give them a quick snip. Hold your scissors vertically, leaving longer, face-framing pieces around the sides and shorter pieces above where they would hit your eyes. Don’t be shy! The more imperfect, the better!

4. Doubled Up Knots

Margot Robbie facing back showing off her double knots hairstyle
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff/Getty Images

Why rock one messy bun when you can get funky with two à la Margot Robbie? The secret to keeping this look more grown-up than schoolgirl is ditching the old-school center part. First, spritz your hair with a texturizing spray (like ORIBE Dry Texturizing Spray) to give it some volume and grip. Brush your strands back, from the middle of your scalp to the ends to hide your part. Tie two loose, low pigtails at the nape of your neck with a clear elastic and pull a one-inch section of hair free from the bottom of each pigtail (you’ll use these to hide your hair tie). Working with one side at a time, twist each pigtail into a loose bun. Wrap your loose hair strand around each bun, covering your hair elastic. Secure with bobby pins and gently tug at your crown to create a done-but-undone look.

5. Bubble Pony

Close-up side profile of Priyanka Chopra Jonas rocking a bubble ponytail hairstyle and red floral dress
Photo by Jeff Spicer / Stringer/Getty Images

Bored with your basic ponytail? Enter: Priyanka Chopra’s bubble pony. It’s head-turning (see her hubby Nick Jonas), beyond cute, and emits major Disney princess vibes. Gently pull your hair back into a high ponytail, leaving some loose face-framing pieces in the front. Add in your hair elastics, spacing them apart in one to two-inch segments, depending on the length of your hair. After you secure one, tug at your hair to loosen it up, creating a rounded- bubble effect. Work your way down, creating smaller bubbles (evenly spaced out) until you reach the end.

6. Pin Straight

Jourdan Dunn rocking a sleek, straight blowout with piece-y bangs
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain / Staff/Getty Images

If you’ve got super tight curls or naturally textured hair, a sleek, straight blowout can look and feel totally badass. Exhibit A: Jourdan Dunn. Here’s how to make your look last and last. Don’t wait until you feel the grease to reach for your dry shampoo. Spritz some on to roots immediately after your blowout to help get ahead of slick, too. Don’t forget to wrap your hair in a loose bun and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve your style.

7. Braided Updo

Anna Penello facing back showing off her braided updo hairstyle
Photo by Theo Wargo / Staff/Getty Images

Major heart eye emojis for Anna Penello’s style here! Channel your inner mermaid with this glammed-up twist on the always gorgeous braided updo. It looks more complicated than it is. First, separate hair into two sections and create two fluffed-up French braids. We’ve got a super-easy how-to here. Once your braids are finished, swoop your braid on the left downward and your braid on the right upwards, tucking in the tail ends securing each end with bobby pins. Tug at the hair around your braids to tousle up your look, and finish with a high-hold hairspray.

8. All Tied Up

Jessica Alba looking chic in a black tube dress, gold hoop earrings, and black silky headband
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain / Staff/Getty Images

Jessica Alba proves that the easiest way to glam up your look is to put a bow on it. The latest headband styles are sleek, sophisticated, and perfect for any occasion. Create a middle part starting at your forehead and stopping midway to your crown, then slip-on your headband (such as PINK PEWTER’s Faux Leather and Knotted Wide Headband). Brush out your hair with a paddle brush to amp up shine and finish with a smoothing spray to keep flyaways at bay.

9. Half-Up Topknot

Alicia Vikander looking glam in a half-up topknot hairstyle, silver dangling earrings, and yellow dress with silver leaves embellishments
Photo by Kevork Djansezian / Stringer/Getty Images

Alicia Vikander’s look is all business up top and bedhead on the bottom (and we love it!). Paired with long wavy hair, this look is not only easy to replicate, it's versatile and looks beyond adorbs on pretty much everyone and any face shape. To get the look, brush your hair back, and separate it into two sections, top and bottom. Secure the top with an elastic, then wrap your strands around the base of the ponytail, tucking in ends for a polished look and pinning into place. Spritz a texturizing spray on the bottom half of your hair for tousled, carefree ends.

10. Pearly Updo

Janelle Monae rocking an updo hairstyle embellished with pearls and black sequined dress
Photo by Kevin Winter / Staff/Getty Images

Diamonds may be a girl’s BFF, but pearls and an updo (seen here on Janelle Monae) makes a dynamic duo for just about everyone. To cop her look, sweep your hair into an updo or even a messy bun. Then, have fun with your look. Add some pearls all over (these PINK PEWTER Queen Elizabeth Pearl Hair Pins are sure to stay put).

11. Rope Braid

Kate Bosworth rocking a hot pink dress, minimal makeup look, silver dangling earrings, and twisted braids high ponytail hairstyle
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff/Getty Images

Stuck in a ponytail rut? Kate Bosworth’s high-profile pony deserves heavy rotation on your playlist of go-to-looks. Apply a smoothing serum to dry hair and brush your hair back into an ultra-high ponytail, then separate your ponytail into four even sections. Grab the first two sections and twist them around each other in the direction of your ear. Secure with an elastic. Repeat with the remaining two sections. You should now have two separate twisted braids. Next, begin wrapping these remaining two braids around each other until you reach the end. Secure with a hair tie and finish with a smoothing, shine-boosting spray.

12. Wet-Look Curls

Miley Cyrus looking glam in a wet look curly hairstyle and black sequined dress
Photo by Dia Dipasupil / Staff/Getty Images

Those scrunched-up curls of the early 2000s? They’re back, baby—and they’re better than ever (just ask Miley Cyrus). This just-out-of-the-shower throwback is carefree, sexy, and every busy girl’s dream. First start with just-washed, towel-dried hair. Skip the hairbrush. Next, while your hair is damp, flip your head over and apply a curling mousse (such as TWISTED SISTA Foaming Curl Mousse) to your hair from root to tip, grabbing hair in scrunching motions as you apply to form your curls. Once you’re finished, flip your hair back over and tousle hair to one side, creating a loosely defined side part. Accent earring optional—but highly recommended.

13. Bombshell Barbie

Close-up of Elle Macpherson rocking a braided high ponytail hairstyle, black lace dress and silver dangling earrings
Photo by Ian Gavan / Staff/Getty Images

It’s the height of Elle Mcpherson’s pony that’s got us hypnotized. Pair it with flirty, flipped ends and a braid, and you’re golden from coffee dates to late-night drinks. To get the look IRL, brush hair back into a high ponytail (don’t forget to leave out a small section for the braid), securing with at least two hair ties for good grip. Braid the left-out section, and wrap it around the base of your ponytail. Then, with your curling iron, create jumbo waves for a smooth finish.

14. Diamond Girl Pony-Plait 

Close-up of a glam Blake Lively rocking a diamond chain embellished braided ponytail and pink sequined dress at the red carpet
Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Staff/Getty Images

Confession time: We’re frequent members of Blake Lively’s IG stories. So when we recently came across this gorgeous braid that she later unraveled and called her “diamond pony,” we immediately thought “OMG.Want.That.” While Blake's hairstylist used a diamond necklace for the look, we’ve got a simplified, budget-friendly take. Sweep hair back into a ponytail and brush out your hair, getting rid of tangles. Separate hair into three sections. Grab any jeweled chain of your choice and add it to the middle section. Braid your hair incorporating your chain into your plait. Or, skip the braid and let it adorn your ponytail.

15. Stacked Accessories

Hailey Baldwin rocking bold silver accessories and a no-makeup makeup look on the runway
Photo by Noam Galai / Stringer/Getty Images

If you’re looking for some real accessory play, here’s your chance to get crazy creative like Hailey Bieber. Scoop up some super unique barrettes and bobby pins. We’re in love with these babies: PINK PEWTER Spark Rounded Metal Bobby Pin Pack that you can mix and match with any other designs that you like. Part hair down the middle and stack your pins upwards towards your roots. Fun tip: Pop your hair up in a high bun and add some stacks to the back of your scalp for a funky take.

16. Purple Pony

Smiling Alicia Keys rocking a purple braided high ponytail hairstyle
Photo by Eugene Gologursky / Stringer/Getty Images

Alicia Keys is no stranger to adding bright pops of color to her stunning braids. We’re talking rainbow shades, ocean blues, lemonade lights, and more. And we’re obsessing over each and every look. The best part about this style? There’s no right or wrong way when it comes to picking your colors. Pick up different shades of braiding hair at your nearest beauty shop or ask your hairstylist for options. Weave your colors into your braids for an array of awe-inducing looks. We suggest following @bestboxbraids on IG for serious braid inspo.

17. Sleek Waves 

Cheerful Awkwafina rocking a pink suit, black v-nect top, gold necklaces, and wavy hairstyle on the red carpet
Photo by Frazer Harrison / Staff/Getty Images

Smooth, polished waves with a deep side part (seen on Awkwafina here) add a dose of glam to what could be just an average hair day. Apply a smoothing cream to damp hair from mid strands to ends. Working in sections, blow dry hair with a round bristle brush (like the COMPLEX CULTURE Vegan Boar Bristle Round Brush) wrapping and rolling hair upwards towards your roots as you dry to create loose, effortless waves. Create a deep side part (the opposite way your part naturally falls for extra lift). Finish with a light hold hair spray.

18. Megawatt Braids

Zoë Kravitz rocking a loose braided hairstyle and black sequined dress on the red carpet
Photo by Dia Dipasupil / Staff/Getty Images

We’re loving Zoë Kravitz’s long, lush braids with undone ends that make this look (that takes time and skill), emit a vibe that’s effortless and carefree. For a smooth, ultra shiny style add a drop of shine pomade to your braids to polish them up. To keep flyaways and frizz flat, swap your go-to wrap for silk or satin to reduce friction while you sleep.

19. Hippie Headband

Anya Taylor-Joy rocking an inner eye highlights makeup look, black headband, and black dress with big buttons on the runway
Photo by Tim P. Whitby / Stringer/Getty Images

Calling all hippies at heart! We’re loving Anya Taylor-Joy’s updated take on a ‘70s boho look. Working with dry hair, create a sharp center part. Spritz strands with a texturizing spray for tousled movement. Then top off your look with a medium-thick satin hair bandeau or a colorful wrap for a crazy-cool look.

20. Micro Accent Braid

Bella Hadid rocking a micro accent braid hairstyle with ribbons at the end
Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Staff/Getty Images

Bella Hadid’s barely-there braids may just be your best-kept hairstyle secret. Plait one or two of these teeny twists into your tresses to add a little mystery to your daily look. Before styling, gather a very small section of hair (we’re talking no thicker than the width of your thumb) and create a tight braid, securing it with a thin, clear elastic. Repeat wherever you desire. Spritz each braid with a light hold hairspray to seal in your plait.

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About the author
Runa Rhattacharya
Runa Bhattacharya
Runa is an NYC-based writer and Registered Nurse with over 8 years of experience covering beauty and wellness. She’s worked for publications like SELF, Cosmopolitan, and more. She’s passionate about beauty, science, and two careers that she loves!
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Article Last Updated September 1, 2021 12:00 AM