15 Easy Hairstyles for Long Hair You Can Do in 5 Minutes

Some mornings there is no time for a full hair routine, and that is fine. These 15 easy hairstyles for long hair take five minutes or less, using only elastics, bobby pins, and a comb, with no heat tools. For more ways to wear your length, browse our long hairstyle ideas roundup.

15 Easy Everyday Hairstyles for Long Hair

15 Easy Everyday Hairstyles for Long Hair

Pick two or three that match your hair type and typical week. Each entry lists its own time and difficulty.

1. Messy bun

A relaxed, undone bun sitting anywhere from mid-crown to the nape, with a few loose face-framing pieces left out on purpose for a lived-in look. It works well on almost any hair type and easily hides second-day roots.

1. Gather hair into a high or mid ponytail.
2. Twist the ponytail loosely, without smoothing it.
3. Wrap the twist around the base.
4. Secure with bobby pins, tucking the tail underneath.
5. Pull a few strands loose at the front.

Time: 2 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: All textures, especially second-day hair | Lasts: All day

2. Half-up half-down

The top section of hair is pulled away from the face while the rest stays down, and the finish can look casual or polished depending on how smooth you keep it. It keeps hair off your face during the day without committing to a full updo.

1. Section hair from temple to temple, leaving the top third separate.
2. Gather the top section and pull it straight back.
3. Secure with a small elastic or bobby pins.
4. Gently pull the crown for extra volume.
5. Leave the rest of your hair down and comb through.

Time: 3 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Fine to medium hair | Lasts: All day

3. Low ponytail

A ponytail set at the nape and smoothed close to the head for a clean, no-fuss finish that works just as well for the office as it does for running errands. It takes only a couple of minutes and holds its shape through a full day.

1. Brush hair back and gather it at the nape.
2. Secure with a snag-free elastic, wrapping twice.
3. Smooth the crown with your palms or a comb.
4. Wrap a small section around the elastic to hide it.

Time: 2 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Straight and wavy hair | Lasts: All day

4. Bubble ponytail

A ponytail sectioned into two or three rounded "bubbles" using small elastics spaced a few inches apart, which adds shape and volume without any braiding. It looks more elaborate than it actually is and works especially well on thick or long hair.

1. Gather hair into a ponytail at your preferred height.
2. Secure the base, then add a second elastic three inches down.
3. Pull the hair between the elastics outward to form a bubble.
4. Repeat with additional elastics down the length.
5. Adjust each bubble evenly with your fingers.

Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Thick or long hair | Lasts: Half a day

5. Side braid

A single braid swept over one shoulder, worn loose or pulled tight depending on your mood and the occasion. Pulling the sections apart after braiding gives it a fuller, more textured look, and it pairs well with wavy or curly hair.

1. Gather all hair to one side over your shoulder.
2. Divide into three even sections.
3. Braid down to the ends, keeping tension loose.
4. Secure with a small elastic.
5. Pull apart the braid sections for volume.

Time: 4 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Wavy and curly hair | Lasts: Full day

6. Twisted crown

Two twisted sections wrapped around the head like a crown, meeting at the back where they are pinned in place. Loosening the twists slightly with your fingers gives the style a softer, fuller look, and it works especially well on medium to thick hair.

1. Section hair into two halves down the middle.
2. Twist each section away from your face toward the back.
3. Cross the twists at the back and pin together.
4. Tuck loose ends under the twists and secure.
5. Loosen the twists with your fingers for fullness.

Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Medium to thick hair | Lasts: Full day

7. French braid

A classic braid starting at the crown that picks up new sections of hair as it goes, giving it a woven, structured look from root to end. It holds well through a full day and suits straight to wavy hair best. Full steps: our french braid how-to.

1. Section a triangle at the crown, divide into three strands.
2. Cross right over middle, then left over middle.
3. Add loose hair into each outer strand before crossing again.
4. Continue down, picking up hair with each crossover.
5. Finish with a regular braid at the nape.

Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Straight to wavy hair | Lasts: Full day

8. Claw clip updo

The fastest style on this list: a loose, twisted or folded gather of hair caught up in a claw clip in under a minute. There’s no braiding or pinning involved, which makes it ideal for busy mornings or when your hands are full.

1. Gather all hair loosely at the back or slightly to one side.
2. Twist the gathered hair once or fold it in half.
3. Clamp a claw clip around the base, folding ends up and in.
4. Adjust the angle so it sits securely.

Time: 1 minute | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Thick or slippery hair | Lasts: All day

9. Low bun (chignon)

A smooth, rounded bun at the nape, twisted rather than braided, and tidy enough to wear to the office without a second thought, even on the busiest mornings. The finish stays neat through meetings and errands alike. See more work hairstyles.

1. Gather hair into a low ponytail at the nape.
2. Twist the ponytail into a rope.
3. Wrap the rope around the base into a bun.
4. Secure with bobby pins around the perimeter.
5. Smooth flyaways with a fine-tooth comb.

Time: 3 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Long straight or wavy hair | Lasts: All day

10. French twist

An upward twist that gathers hair vertically along the back of the head, pinned flat along the seam rather than looped into a rounded bun. It reads as more formal than most everyday styles here and works best on straight, freshly brushed hair.

1. Gather all hair to one side at the back.
2. Twist the length upward into a vertical roll.
3. Pin the twist along the seam, bottom to top.
4. Tuck loose ends into the top.
5. Add extra pins if your hair is fine.

Time: 4 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Straight hair, office settings | Lasts: All day

11. Double Dutch braids

Two braids sitting on top of the hair rather than underneath, which gives the look more dimension and structure than a standard three-strand braid. They stay secure through movement and sweat, making this a reliable choice for gym days and workouts. See more braided looks.

1. Part hair down the middle into two sections.
2. Divide one section into three strands at the crown.
3. Cross outer strands under the middle, picking up hair as you go.
4. Continue to the nape and secure with a regular braid.
5. Repeat on the other side.

Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Thick or curly hair, gym and workouts | Lasts: Full day

12. Sleek high ponytail

A high, smooth ponytail with no bumps or flyaways, closer to a red-carpet finish than an everyday grab-and-go style. Brushing thoroughly before gathering the hair and wrapping a section around the base gives it that polished, professional look.

1. Brush hair thoroughly to remove tangles.
2. Gather hair high on the crown and secure tightly.
3. Smooth the base with your palms or a comb.
4. Wrap a small section around the elastic to conceal it.
5. Touch up flyaways throughout the day.

Time: 3 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Straight hair | Lasts: All day

13. Twisted side braid

A softer alternative to a traditional braid, built from two twisted sections wound around each other rather than three-strand crossovers. The result looks like a rope and gives a gentler, more relaxed texture that suits wavy hair particularly well.

1. Gather hair to one side over your shoulder.
2. Divide into two sections instead of three.
3. Twist each section around the other, moving down.
4. Secure the ends with a small elastic.
5. Pull the twists apart for texture.

Time: 4 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Wavy hair, square jaws | Lasts: Full day

14. Space buns (pigtail buns)

Two buns positioned symmetrically on either side of the head, playful and a little retro, similar to pigtails but rounded into buns instead of left as ponytails. Loosening each bun slightly softens the look for a more casual, everyday feel.

1. Part hair down the middle into two sections.
2. Gather each section into its own high ponytail.
3. Twist and wrap each ponytail around its base to form a bun.
4. Secure each bun with bobby pins.
5. Loosen slightly for a softer look.

Time: 4 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner | Best for: Medium to thick hair | Lasts: Half a day

15. Braided headband

A thin braid that starts near one temple and wraps across the head like a headband, adding lift at the root and keeping hair out of your face without pulling all of it back. It works especially well on fine hair and in humid weather.

1. Section a strip of hair about an inch wide from one temple.
2. Braid that section across your head toward the opposite side.
3. Pin the end securely behind or above your ear.
4. Leave the rest of your hair down.
5. Tuck any loose baby hairs along the braid.

Time: 4 minutes | Difficulty: Intermediate | Best for: Fine hair, humid weather | Lasts: Full day

How to Make These Hairstyles Last Longer

How to Make These Hairstyles Last Longer

Second-day hair holds these styles better than freshly washed hair, since natural oil gives elastics and pins something to grip. Criss-cross bobby pins in an X shape for extra hold, and use a fabric-covered elastic instead of a thin rubber band. Keep a small comb in your bag for midday touch-ups, and re-twist and re-pin a loosening bun rather than redoing the whole style.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the easiest and fastest hairstyle for long hair? The claw clip updo, about a minute with no braiding or pinning skill needed. The low ponytail and messy bun follow at two minutes each.

Can I do these hairstyles without heat tools? Yes. Every style here uses only elastics, bobby pins, a comb, and optionally a claw clip. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that skipping daily heat styling protects hair health long term.

How do I keep a hairstyle from falling out during the day? Criss-cross your bobby pins instead of placing them parallel, choose a snag-free elastic, and style on second-day hair.

Save this guide to Pinterest for your next rushed morning, and pick the style above that matches today's schedule.