Choosing a hairstyle to wear to school seems easy, but what really happens is the morning becomes a mad dash to look presentable. You don’t have time to dry your hair after washing it, and styling it seems less and less likely. I see girls who get their hair done at my mom’s salon look amazing, but when Monday morning rolls around, they seem to do the exact opposite and go for a basic ponytail.
I’ve learned through experience that the best hairstyles for school photos aren’t the most professional looking, and the ones that look best in school photos, are the ones that are practical and comfortable for an entire day at school. They don’t feel like they’re being pulled out, and don’t need hours of styling in the morning. I have a client who is a sophomore in high school. Previously, she would come into the salon and tell me that her curls are out of control and unmanageable. I could not disagree more. I spent an hour making a list of different styles that she could do, and that could be done in under 5 minutes so they would be quick enough for a school morning. Since then, she has set the bar high for all of her friends when it comes to school hairstyles. She sends me pictures of different hairstyles that she has done, and some of them are at a skill level that would be expected from a professional stylist, and are better than a lot of the salon hairstyles I have seen. You just have to have the right hairstyles that work with your hair type and your daily routine.
#1: Side Braid with a Ribbon That Actually Earns Its Place
I appreciate the simplicity of this braid. It has a natural look with the darker roots and the faded ribbon. I like that the ribbon detail is elevated and that it doesn’t take a lot of work to pull it off. It’s better to have some pieces come loose by lunchtime. You may want to use a clear elastic to secure the braid before wrapping the ribbon, it may get a little messy if the ribbon is the only thing that holds it together after second period.
#2. Long Straight Hair with a Headband That Does the Work for You
If you have long, straight hair that you want to keep simple, you can let all your hair down and style it with a cute headband. A headband is a hair accessory that can help with your overall look and it doesn’t require any extra effort in styling your hair! It’s great to be able to change up your hair and not have to use a straightener all of the time. For most people with long straight hair, the hair is usually straight, and they can simply brush it and let it dry. You can save the touch ups for when you really need them. The headband also solves the problem of getting hair out of your face, which is always the biggest challenge in the morning.
#3: Textured Lob with Just Enough Highlight to Notice
Typically, if I need to recommend a style to a client, I would most likely suggest this one. That’s because I understand this cut works for almost everyone and it doesn’t look bad even as it starts to grow out. In this case, the layering is perfect – it gives fullness and movement to the hair without making the ends look thinner. Regarding the highlights, the placement is perfect. They look blended and natural while the ends are light enough to reflect the sun and catch light. If you’re considering going shorter, I want to confirm this is a good starting point. It grows out evenly which is something I can’t say for most cuts.
#4: Long Glossy Waves with a Gold Accessory
What stands out to you? The hair is what really stands out! The thick and shiny hair looks like it took hours to style. In reality, it probably just took you 30 minutes to an hour to style with a big barrel curling wand, and that’s a lot of effort! The gold hair accessory is also a great choice because it adds some more class without taking attention away from your hair. This is definitely more of a school event look than a Tuesday morning look, but it’s worth the effort for the event if you have the time. Those waves won’t look the same tomorrow so don’t get too comfortable!
#5: Half-Up Dutch Braid Flowing into Loose Waves
I love this style because the Dutch braid on top gives it structure and the rest is soft and flowy. This is the kind of style that looks difficult but really only takes one skill – the Dutch braid. Everything else is just leaving your hair down. If you haven’t done a Dutch braid before, just practice it three times this weekend and I promise you will get it. Just try not to pull the front too tight. You want it to be relaxed and not sporty.
#6: Textured Ponytail with Waves That Actually Stay
This hairstyle is amazing for showcasing many hairstyles. This style’s contrast is in the top section. Without the sleekness, the waves could look unintentional. Soft waves add volume to the hairstyle and look great. If you have fine hair, that is the perfect case. A quick spray with a flexible hold hairspray will keep the hair crunchy or flat.
#7: Messy Bun with a Scrunchie That Commits to the Bit
While some people may think messy buns are considered lazy hairstyles, this is not always the case. For instance, in this hairstyle, the scrunchie is not just for show. The scrunchie is actually providing shape and structure to the bun. Not to mention, a quality scrunchie will hold all the hair in place without leaving any dents like a regular hair elastic would. The volume at the top of the head is a great addition. It really prevents the hairstyle from looking like you just gave up. For those with finer hair, creating a slight tease in the crown area before gathering the hair will make a significant difference.
#8: High Ponytail with Waves and Real Height
With a high ponytail, you have to hit the right angle so that it doesn’t look like you just came from gym class. This one definitely does the trick. The waves give weight and movement to the ponytail. It’s very flattering to have some height at the crown, particularly if your face is rounder. One trick that no one tells you is to flip your head upside down when you go to pull the ponytail. It’s going to sit a lot higher than if you do it standing right side up. If you have hair that tends to fall out of elastics, you can take a small section of hair, wrap it around the base to cover the band and secure the hair with a bobby pin.
#9: High Bun with Face-Framing Pieces That Know When to Stop
Face framing hair pieces can be tricky; if there are too many, it looks like you are hiding behind a wall of hair, if there are only a few, they could look too wispy and make you look like you broke a hair strand. For these types of buns, some hair has been pulled out on purpose, usually a few on either side and they should be long enough to have some wave to them without getting in the way. The bun itself has a lot of volume which tells me the hair was probably backcombed a little bit before being twisted. Overall, this is a five minute hairstyle once you know what you’re doing and it really does look formal enough for anything from a normal school day to a presentation.
#10: High Ponytail with Soft Curls That Move
The first thing I notice is the curls are soft instead of defined which gives the ponytail more movement than if it had tight ringlets. The color depth is also nice as it darkens at the base and lightens through the lengths creating an effect in the curls that catches the light. This style is best on second-day hair. If you curled your hair the night before and slept with it loosely pinned, you would wake up with this exact amount of relaxed bounce without having to add heat again before school.
#11: Half-Up Bun with a Braid Woven In
This is cool because the focus isn’t all on the braid. With a basic half-up bun, the braid is just a nice detail. I would recommend this to all my friends with shorter layers that they are growing out because the braid holds all those little pieces that would have fallen out of the bun. Plus, having the rest of the hair down and natural keeps the look balanced. It’s the kind of style where people notice something different, but they can’t pinpoint exactly what it is, which is a good thing.
#12: Twisted Low Bun with a Few Strands Left Out on Purpose
A low bun can be classy or look sloppy if not done right, and in this case, the twist is what saves the style. Otherwise, it looks kind of basic, and the framing strands make it look a little messy. I’d personally recommend this look when you want to look a little more put together, but don’t plan on washing your hair; this hairstyle is just for you. All you have to do is smooth it out, make a twist, pin it, and then pull out a few strands in the front and you’re set. The best part is that you won’t even have to make any changes to this hairstyle when heading out for after school plans; this is what really makes it a good style!
#13 Textured Ponytail with Braided Sections Running Through
During class, classmates can notice and appreciate the style accents since they aren’t distracting. Additionally, the wavy hair in the ponytail shows the volume that flat strands lack. If I were to do this for another styling session, I would make sure your hair is at least a little damp to keep the braid sections tight for a longer period. Then I would pull everything back into the ponytail after the other style session ends. This is a style that can be planned in advance, and also still looks good if steps are left out.
#14 Curly Side Part Updo with Tendrils That Earn Their Keep
Curls serve a purpose in this style, and they seem like they might have been done by a stylist. They aren’t rigid, and the volume makes this successful. With tendrils that frame the face in a playful manner make this look even better. This look will be easy if you have naturally curly hair. Just collect a loose bun and let curls fall. If your hair is straight, you’ll need a wand and about 15 minutes, which for a style this nice isn’t a bad time investment.
#15 High Ponytail with Beads That Actually Make Sense
While there can be a risk of looking like a costume, the well spaced beads ponytail accentuates the style’s sleekness. The ponytail is also neat and high, and has just the right level of tension to be polished. However, be careful about pulling too tight at the hairline, especially if this is a style you will be wearing often. I’ve seen too many edges suffer due to ponytails that disregard the hairline. If this is a look you really like, just make sure to wear some looser styles during the week and your hair will appreciate that!
#16 Boho Bubble Braid with Soft Movement
While it may seem like bubble braids are complicated hairstyles, in actuality, they are simple styles that require you to criss cross rubber bands at certain intervals. In fact, the simplicity of this style is one of the reasons I would recommend it, you don’t have to worry about doing any complicated braiding. Simply divide the hair into sections, and pull on the rubber band so that it creates a bubble. I also appreciate the soft waves incorporated into the style as they create a more relaxed vibe, rather than a slicked back look. This hairstyle is also a great choice for hair that is at that in between grow out stage, where it’s long enough to style but not quite to the length where you can do a full braid.
#17 High Ponytail with Defined Natural Curls
If you’ve been wrestling with how to get your naturally curly hair styled straight for school, this is the perfect style for you. The clean finish and polished look thanks to the sleek base giving you a sleek finish and pulling everything up is perfect, and best of all your curls get to shine. The contrast between the texture in the curly ponytail and that smooth polished top is stunning and makes this look. To control any frizz with the minimalist approach, just a curling defining cream should be more than enough before pulling the hair up.
#18 Double Braids with Pastel Ties and a Heart Part
It may take you a few tries to successfully create the heart shape so don’t feel discouraged if it doesn’t work right away. It definitely pays off because that design detail adds so much. The braids are easy and the pastel hair ties are a quick way to add some color to your hair without having to dye it. I would suggest trying this hairstyle on a Sunday afternoon rather than a Monday morning. It’s going to require a little more time because the part needs to be really straight, and it’s going to take some time to detangle those braids.
#19 Twisted Floral Bun with a Polished Surface
The stunning twist pattern on the bun will have people asking, “how did you do that?” The sleekness of the bun is important as flyaways will take away from the sculptural quality of the twists. To get that clean look, I recommend a smoothing serum prior to styling and starting with hair that is slightly damp. This style does require thicker hair to hold the shape well, so if your hair is fine, this may not be your best match, but there are 20 other styles here that will suit you.
#20 Half-Up Ponytail with Layers That Do Something
I love using this example to show what low-effort high-reward hairstyles look like. The layers are cut to a good enough standard that they create some dimension on their own, so the half-up pony just organizes the layers rather than hiding them. It’s flat-iron straight here which looks nice, but I would argue that it would be just as good with your natural texture, maybe even better depending on your hair. The half-up keeps everything out of your face for class while also giving you the feeling like you actually have your hair down, which is more important that a lot of people would admit.
#21 Double Dutch Braids with Curly Ends
Individual braids are very prepped to withstand the rigors of an active day, so you don’t have to worry about them needing to be re-done between classes. Aesthetically pleasing detail about the braids are the coily end textures. Instead of elastic bands used to finish the braid and hide the end, this style shows off the natural hair pattern. Achieving a neat center part can take some time, but the result is a clean and personalized look that will elevate your style to something special!
#22 Braided Ponytail, Sleek and Unbothered
With this high level of accuracy, a braided ponytail stands tall with confidence. The entirety of this look centers around the sleek base, and any imperfections at the base will be visible. If you notice you’re brushing your hair creates frizz or texture, make sure you brush it while it’s wet and apply a light layer of gel (not too much). Let the gel set before braiding. You need to make sure your hair is in good condition, treat any dry ends or your hair will fan out at the ends and all of the neatness you’ve worked so hard to create will be ruined.
#23 Braided Low Bun with Texture and Small Ear Details
I appreciate that this bun isn’t trying to act simple, as it is clearly more complex than that. The braids leading into the bun create a certain type of texture that a regular twisted bun wouldn’t get, and the overall effect is elegant in a youthful and not overly formal way. The earrings are a nice touch and go well with the hairstyle without being too much. For a different take on braiding into a bun, try starting with two braids on each side and pull them to the back and pin them into a low circle bun. It’s a good idea for there to be some asymmetry, as a bit of imperfection helps here.
#24 Half-Up Waves with Clips Placed Like You Meant It
There are many clip styles out right now but instead of pulling an outfit together, they look like they were thrown on top. Instead of adding random clips to an outfit, these clips are clustered in the half-up section to give the hairstyle purpose and visual weight. The waves throughout the lengths are soft and not overly done. Like the result you would get from braiding hair while it is damp and then shaking it out in the morning. And for this style, I would recommend that look over using heat. Overall, this style is youthful, and easy and doesn’t require any real skill, just good taste in clip selection.
#25 Double Braids Into Loose Waves at the Ends
Starting the braids from the top of the head and allowing them to fall into soft waves at the bottom is a good option because it adds the neatness of a braid where you want it, near your face and around the scalp, and at the ends the braids give you the softness of waves, which is the most important visually. This style is ideal for longer hair that has some weight to it because the waves need enough length to be done properly. These braids are perfect for a school day, they will last from the morning until after school activities, which is more than I can say about most styles.
#26 Mid-Length Straight Hair with a Headband Doing All the Styling
Some might say this is a little crazy, but “not putting in the effort” of styling your hair can sometimes be the best option. If you have straight hair that falls to your shoulders, all you need is a headband. With a headband, your hair is away from your face, organized, and you have a level of intentionally added that makes the difference between, “I didn’t do my hair” and “I decided not to do my hair” and yes, there is a difference. It’s great for those days when you know you only have three minutes to get ready and you want to be able to look in the mirror and be satisfied.
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