If your long hair is stuck in a ponytail rut, these tutorials will change that
Long hair is gorgeous, iconic, and powerful. Long hair styling? A daily TEST of patience. If you’ve ever stared at your reflection, hairbrush in one hand, sheer defeat in the other, wondering how it’s possible to have so much hair but zero styling ideas, welcome to the club. We’ve all been there.
The struggle is real—ponytails become a personality trait, messy buns never turn out intentionally messy, and anything remotely intricate seems like it requires an extra set of hands and a degree in architecture. But here’s the truth, long hair doesn’t *have* to be high-maintenance. You just need the right lineup of go-to styles that are quick, easy, and actually cute (because let’s be honest, some “quick hairstyles” should really have stayed in 2012).
Lucky for you, we did the work—so you don’t have to. If you want waves without heat, an updo that doesn’t fall apart by noon, or a braid that looks way harder than it actually is, we’ve got you. These tutorials will help you unlock your long-hair potential without spending hours in front of the mirror.
No salon trips, no five-hour YouTube deep dives—just easy, effortless styles you’ll actually use.
Why does styling long hair feel like a full-time job?
Here’s the deal: long hair is stunning, but let’s not pretend it doesn’t come with its struggles. It’s thick, it takes forever to dry, and somehow, despite all the effort, it still ends up in the same three styles on rotation.
If you’ve ever thought:
– Why does it take longer to wash my hair than to do my makeup?
– Why does every “easy” tutorial require me to be a trained hairstylist?
– Why does my hair refuse to hold a curl no matter how much hairspray I use?
Then congrats, you’re officially part of the Long Hair Club™. And while we love being part of this elite group, sometimes the sheer volume of hair (literally) is overwhelming.
But here’s the thing—it doesn’t have to be this hard. The key is finding styles that work with your hair, not against it. Think: easy updos that stay put, waves that don’t need a curling iron, and braids that don’t take 45 minutes to master.
That’s exactly what we’re bringing you today—game-changing hair tutorials that make long hair work for you, not the other way around. So, grab your hair ties, dust off that neglected claw clip, and let’s get into the styles that will actually make your life easier.
The must-know styling tricks for long hair
Long hair is like a high-maintenance bestie—gorgeous, dramatic, and always demanding attention. But with the right tricks? She’s easy to manage, effortless, and thrives with minimal effort.
Before we get into the actual hair tutorials for long hair, let’s talk hacks—because once you master these, every style gets 10x easier.
1. Start with the right foundation
If your hair is silky-smooth, limp, or refuses to hold a style—it’s time to prep it properly. Styling long hair without product is like trying to build a house without a foundation. It won’t last.
– Use a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray before styling. It gives your hair grip so curls, braids, and updos actually stay put.
– If your hair is too clean (yep, that’s a thing), dry shampoo adds the perfect amount of texture for styling.
– For heat styling, always use a lightweight heat protectant—one that won’t weigh your hair down.
2. Master the “lazy girl” styling tricks
Not every day is a full-glam day, and being real with you? Most of us are running on caffeine and pure vibes. When you need something cute but quick, these low-maintenance, high-impact styles are lifesavers:
– The claw clip tuck – Twist your hair up, secure with a claw clip, pull out some face-framing pieces, and you’re effortlessly chic.
– The “fake blowout” pony – Put your hair in a high ponytail, curl just the ends, and suddenly, you’re giving luxury salon vibes.
– The overnight waves trick – Braid damp hair before bed, and wake up with heatless, effortless waves.
3. Know your updo shortcuts
Updos on long hair don’t have to be an Olympic-level event. Keep these in your back pocket for instant style with zero stress:
– The one-minute messy bun – Twist, wrap, pin. The key? Loosen it after securing it to make it look intentionally undone.
– The “flip & tuck” low bun – Put your hair in a loose low ponytail, flip it through itself, then tuck the rest in. It looks way fancier than it actually is.
– The “cheat code” braid – Can’t do a full braid? Just braid the top section and secure the rest in a ponytail. Looks intricate, takes seconds.
Ready to style? Let’s get into the tutorials.
Now that you’re prepped with the best tricks in the game, it’s time for actual styles you can recreate in minutes. No hairdresser required.
5 Long hair tutorials that will change your styling routine
Now that we’ve unlocked the cheat codes for styling long hair, it’s time to put them into action. These five go-to styles are easy, quick, and actually wearable—no salon appointment or five-hour YouTube binge required.
1) The model-off-duty claw clip updo
Why we love it: The claw clip revival from 2024 is here to stay, and we’re SO here for it. This style is peak effortless—it looks chic but takes seconds. Think of it as the love child of a messy bun and a sleek updo, perfect for days when you need to look polished but don’t feel like trying. Oh, and it oozes Parisienne chic, and who doesn’t want that?
How to do it:
1. Gather your hair into a low ponytail and twist it upwards.
2. Secure it with a big claw clip at the back of your head.
3. Pull out some face-framing strands for a messy but intentional look.
4. Lightly tug at the base for volume. Done.
Time: 30 seconds
TYME tip: Works even better with dry shampoo for that lived-in, “I totally didn’t just wake up 5 minutes ago” texture.
2) The fake a blowout ponytail
Why we love it: A good blowout is elite, but who are we kidding?—NOONE has the time (or arm strength) to do a full round-brush situation every morning? This trick gives you that bouncy, salon-fresh look with a fraction of the effort. It’s polished, timeless, and a must-know for anyone with long hair.
How to do it:
1. Put your hair in a high ponytail.
2. Use a curling iron or rollers to curl just the ends of your ponytail.
3. Brush through for soft, bouncy waves.
4. Wrap a small piece of hair around the hair tie for a polished finish.
Time: 5 minutes
TYME tip: Add a volumizing powder at the roots for that bouncy, bombshell effect.
3) The effortless sleep-in waves
Why we love it: Who needs a curling iron when you can wake up with picture-perfect waves? Our main character IT-girl Sabrina Carpenter has been serving dreamy, pin-up waves all over our feeds, and this hack makes it way too easy to copy her vibe. It’s zero heat, zero effort, and all results. We’re in love!
How to do it:
1. On damp hair, apply a lightweight mousse or texturizing spray.
2. Braid your hair into two or four loose braids before bed.
3. Sleep (beauty rest = hair styling, who knew?).
4. In the morning, undo the braids, shake out your hair, and boom—effortless waves.
Time: 2 minutes before bed
TYME tip: A silk pillowcase keeps frizz at bay and helps waves hold longer.
4) The polished but effortless low bun
Why we love it: There’s something about a slicked-back low bun that just screams MONEY—maybe that’s why Sofia Richie-Grainge is our clean-girl muse for this one. This is the look for when you want to look expensive, put-together, and like you definitely have your life together (even if you just rolled out of bed).
How to do it:
1. Part your hair down the middle and put it into a low ponytail.
2. Twist the ponytail, wrap it into a bun, and secure it with bobby pins or a hair tie.
3. Pull out a few face-framing pieces to keep it relaxed.
4. Set with hairspray if needed.
Time: 2 minutes
TYME tip: Add a bit of hair oil to slick it down for an extra polished, clean-girl aesthetic.
5) The cheat code braid-pony hybrid
Why we love it: This is the best of both worlds. You get the structured, textured look of a braid without the commitment of doing a full one. It’s the easiest way to add some interest to your ponytail and works for everything from the gym to a night out.
How to do it:
1. Take the top section of your hair and do a quick French braid down the crown.
2. Once you get halfway down, secure the rest in a high ponytail.
3. Tug at the braid slightly for volume.
4. Wrap a small piece of hair around the ponytail holder for an effortless finish.
Time: 3-5 minutes
TYME tip: Works best on hair with some grip—use a texturizing spray before braiding.
Long hair, no stress—we promise
Long hair is your identity, but it comes with PLENTY of drama. It really can be a full-time job. The tangles? The sheer amount of product? The way your strands somehow get stuck in literally everything (buttons, zippers, lip gloss, your own purse strap…)?
BUT it’s pretty clear that long hair doesn’t *have* to be high maintenance. The secret is knowing how to style it in ways that look put together but take no time at all. No one wants to spend 45 minutes fighting with a curling iron before brunch at 9am, and with these go-to tutorials, you don’t have to (hallelujah!).
Between the low-bun chicness of Sofia Richie-Grainge and the Sabrina Carpenter-level waves, we’ve mustered up styles to make long hair fun again. They let you show up as THAT girl—whether it’s serving slicked-back or OTT, it really does not matter.
Now next time you catch yourself reaching for the same tired ponytail (again), switch it up. Grab a claw clip, twist that bun, braid some texture into your look, and remind yourself why you fell in love with your long locks in the first place. Because if you’ve got the length, you might as well make the most of it.
