Photo by Frazer Harrison / Staff/Getty Images
With the seemingly endless variety of curly-hair tutorials out there, it’s easy to assume straight hair is a thing of the past. The great news is that it A) never went away, B) is having a huge moment right now, and C) is crazy versatile. Thanks to the revival of all things ‘90s, straight hair is trending all over again. “I think sleek, straight hair is timeless,” says Bradley Leake, celebrity hairstylist and Color Wow ambassador. Plus, he notes, it’s perfect for our social-media-centric world. “Straight hairstyles create smooth clean lines in photographs, and—with the right hair products—look glossy and expensive,” says the stylist.
Whether your natural hair texture is straight or you put your flat iron to work, there are more easy hairstyles for straight hair than you may realize. Keep scrolling for the best hairstyle ideas inspired by celebs, plus tips to recreate their looks.
About the Expert:
Bradley Leake is a Color Wow ambassador and celebrity stylist/colorist.
1. Classic Bob
Photo by Cindy Ord / Stringer/Getty Images
Embrace the middle part with a smooth, sleek bob or lob (a.k.a. long bob) a la Jourdan Dunn. To get her smooth, glossy look, Leake recommends the COLOR WOW Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment “to humidity-proof the hair,” paired with the COLOR WOW Dream co*cktail “to hydrate and leave the hair super shiny.”
2. Dressed-Up Pixie
Photo by Tim P. Whitby / Stringer/Getty Images
If you aren’t convinced of the versatility of short hair, we refer you to Cara Delevingne’s pixie. The feathery haircut showcased her blonde hair color, and we love how she regularly added fun accessories like headbands.
3. Piece-y Bangs
Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Staff/Getty Images
There are several ways to cut bangs, but a choppy look is flattering and low-maintenance. “I love a good bang,” says Leake of Kacey Musgraves’ fringed hairstyle. “This works well with her oval-shaped face, and the soft edges blend well with her overall length,” explains the stylist.
4. Polished Ponytail
Photo by Chris Jackson / Staff/Getty Images
Meghan Markle’s long hairstyles are always royally good, and this long, low pony was one for the hair history books. While it has a polished, sleek look, it’s not overly rigid. “The softer ends are elegant and fitting for her aesthetic,” explains Leake.
5. Pinned Back
Photo by Neilson Barnard / Staff/Getty Images
Any hairstyle feels instantly evening-ready by adding hair accessories, from simple bobby pins to something more ornate. Take a cue from Gigi Hadid and incorporate them onto a simple middle part, or try pinning into a topknot or updo.
6. Teeny Ponytail
Photo by Paul Butterfield / Staff/Getty Images
Short-to-medium-length hair is easy to wear down, but it looks adorable pulled back into classic low pony too, as seen here on Lana Condor. “A clean, sleek ponytail is always in style,” says Leake, who adds, “I love this look for day two or three hair with a bold lip.”
7. All Clipped Up
Photo by Tristan Fewings / Stringer/Getty Images
A pony isn’t the only way to keep straight strands up and out of your face. Try a claw clip (such as this cute PINK PEWTER Marbled Claw Hair Clip) for an easy, flippy style like Kendall Jenner’s that—bonus—can be done in two seconds flat.
8. Messy Pony
Photo by Frazer Harrison / Staff/Getty Images
A high ponytail can be glam for evening, and front pieces frame the face while adding a little something extra. When copying Sandra Bullock’s red carpet hairstyle, “Make sure to use a strong but flexible hold hairspray to lock in this ponytail and keep the bang pieces in place,” says Leake.
9. Pushed-Back Volume
Photo by Jason Kempin / Staff/Getty Images
Don’t be afraid of a little volume and texture in the front, inspired by Kelsea Ballerini. To DIY her pushed-back look, “Try using a volumizing spray such as COLOR WOW Raise The Root with a little mousse to add texture to skinny strands,” advises Leake.
10. Low Side Pony
Photo by Joe Maher / Stringer/Getty Images
A simple hairstyle update for long straight hair? Copy Lily Collins and anchor it slightly to the side so it drapes over one shoulder. Leaving your hair in a middle part keeps the look a little unexpected.
11. Angular Bob
Photo by Jason Merritt/TERM / Staff/Getty Images
With her deep side part and subtly angled ends, Rosamund Pike’s style complements her square face shape and puts a modern twist on one of our favorite short hairstyles.
12. Two-Strand Twist
Photo by Frazer Harrison / Staff/Getty Images
This take on the braided ponytail on Zoe Saldana is like your favorite early-2000s hair trend, reinvented. To DIY the look, pull back your hair into a sleek mid-level ponytail—skip the Bump-It this time–and be sure to use a smoothing serum such as IGK HAIR CRYBABY Anti-Frizz Smoothing Serum for a glossy finish. Then, instead of braiding the tail, split it into two section, twist both clockwise into snakes, then wrap them around each other in a counterclockwise direction. Hold it together with a clear elastic.
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