16 Easy Hairstyles For Long Hair With Step-by-Step Tutorials

Styling long hair can be easier said than done. With so much to work with, it can seem as though long hairstyles can take forever and a day to create. There are plenty of options for easy hairstyles with long hair; you just have to scope them out. That’s where we come in: We’ve compiled 16 easy step-by-step hairstyles for long hair below, so you can have a good hair day every day. You’ll be rocking a trendy hairstyle for long hair in no time at all.

#1. MESSY BUN

As far as easy hairstyles for long hair go, it doesn’t get much simpler than a messy bun. After all, the style is meant to be imperfect, so you don’t have to stress about getting every hair exactly into place. If you aren’t quite sure how to twist your strands into this classic hairstyle, here’s How to Create a Messy Bun.

#2. HALF-UP TWISTED HEART

If you’re looking to create easy hairstyles with long hair that are a bit more intricate but still easy to recreate, this half-up twisted heart look—which involves twisting two strands of hair to create a heart-shaped design—fits the bill. 

Step #1. Section your hair. First, gather a one-inch section of hair from the front of both sides of your head. Then, bring them around your head so that they meet in the middle at the back of your head. Secure with a clear elastic to create a mini ponytail.

Step #2. Section more hair. Next, grab two more one-inch sections of hair at the front of your head, right below the first sections you created.

Step #3. Weave your hair. Starting on the right side, take the new section and bring it to the back of your head. Weave the end of this section under and through the ponytail you created earlier, right above the elastic, to form a loop. Repeat on the left side.

Step #4. Create your heart. Gather the three strands of hair you now have hanging from the sections that you created. Secure with a hair elastic about two inches down the length of the strands to complete the heart shape. If you want to tweak the size of the heart, you can gently tug at the edges of the left and right bottom sections of hair to loosen the loops to your liking.

#3. THE HAIR TUCK

If you want to style your long hair in a few seconds flat, tuck your hair behind your ears: This simple tweak to your mane happens to be one of the easiest simple long hairstyles to wear. Learn all about it in our article, Tucking Your Hair Behind Your Ears Is a Style in Its Own Right.

#4. SLEEK BUN

A sleek bun is a perfect hairstyle for getting your long hair out of your face and also disguising oily roots from second-day hair. 

Step #1. Apply hair gel. Comb through your hair to remove any tangles or knots—remember, the goal of this hairstyle is to be ultra-sleek. Apply a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Clean Style Gel to your roots and slick your hair backward. Add more product as needed so that there are no flyaways.

Step #2. Create your bun. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist into a tight bun. Secure with a hair elastic and bobby pins to ensure every hair is in place. If you notice any stray hairs, use a clean toothbrush to smooth them back.

#5. DUTCH BRAID

If you’re searching for easy braids for long hair, we’re big fans of the Dutch braid. This inverted braid looks totally stunning, and with a bit of practice, you can weave your long hair into this intricate style in a few minutes flat. For a step-by-step tutorial, here’s How to Dutch Braid Your Hair.

#6. HALF-UP PONYTAIL

For a hairstyle that allows you to keep your length while getting your hair out of your face, look no further than a half-up ponytail. 

Step #1. Part your hair. Create a horizontal part from ear-to-ear that goes around the back of your head to create a top and bottom section of hair.

Step #2. Create your ponytail. Working with the top section of hair, gather your strands into a mini ponytail at the top of your head. Secure with a clear elastic. To give your ponytail a boost, gently tug at the edges of its base, right above the elastic.

Step #3. Seal the deal. For some extra staying power, mist the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray over your strands before heading out the door.

#7. SPACE BUNS

When it comes to easy hairstyles for long hair that are fun and full of personality, we’re partial to space buns. This look has become super trendy as of late, making appearances at festivals and in everyday life. For step-by-step instructions, check out the tutorial at How to Do Space Buns. For a different take on the look, secure the buns at the nape of your neck instead.

#8.  LOOSE WAVES

We love a heat-free hairstyle, especially when it’s warm outside. Skipping hot tools is not only a great way to give your strands a break from heat styling, but it can also speed up your styling routine tenfold. Here’s how to get this step-by-step hairstyle for long hair. 

Step #1. Wash your hair. Hop in the shower to shampoo and condition your strands as normal.

Step #2. Apply hair mousse. After getting out of the shower, towel-dry your hair to eliminate excess moisture. Pump a bit of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse into the palm of your hand, then distribute it throughout your hair. 

Step #3. Scrunch. As you apply the mousse, scrunch your mane to create a loose, wavy texture. This also helps to completely work the mousse through your damp strands.

Step #4. Wait it out. Allow your hair to air-dry. Once your hair has dried, you’ll be left with effortless textured waves.

#9. FRENCH BRAID

The French braid is another classic and easy braided hairstyle for long hair. Even better, if you’ve already mastered the Dutch braid, it’ll be that much easier to learn how to create this braided look. Check out our article, Braiding Basics: How to French Braid Your Hair, for the breakdown.

#10. DOUBLE DUTCH BRAIDS

Speaking of braids, we love the look of double Dutch braids—there's something so nostalgic about them. Here’s how to get the look.

Step #1. Part your hair. For this easy braid for long hair, you’ll want to make your mane symmetrical. Part your hair down the middle, taking care to ensure the part is straight and both sides are as even as possible. Then, bring either side in front of your shoulders.

Step #2. Braid your hair. Starting on the right side, weave your hair into a Dutch braid. Then, do the same on the left side of your head.

Step #3. Loosen the look. To add a bit of personality to your hairstyle, gently tug at the sides of your braids to add volume. Then, pull loose a few strands around your face for a romantic, undone touch.

#11. FISHTAIL BRAID

Intricate-looking but deceptively simple to weave, the fishtail braid is one of our favorite braided hairstyles for long hair. See How to Do a Fishtail Braid for the tutorial. 

#12. LOW BUN

Sometimes, you just want your long hair to be tucked out of the way. That’s where a low bun hairstyle comes into play.

Step #1. Smooth your hair. Use a brush to work any tangles out of your hair. If needed, mist a bit of the L’Oréal Kids Burst of Sweet Pear Tangle Tamer for All Hair Types throughout your hair to help loosen difficult knots.

Step #2. Bring it back. Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the back of your head. Then, twist the length into a bun at the nape of your neck. Secure with a hair elastic and bobby pins as needed.

#13. MESSY PONYTAIL

For those that love the idea of a messy bun but want a bit more length in their hairstyle, a messy ponytail has the same vibe while letting you keep your length. For a step-by-step tutorial, here’s How to Achieve an Effortless Messy Ponytail.

#14. HALF-UP BUN

If you liked the half-up ponytail hairstyle we mentioned earlier, we have a feeling you’ll be a fan of this half-up bun long hairstyle, too. Here’s what to do.

Step #1. Part your hair. Just like with the half-up ponytail hairstyle, you’ll want to part your hair from ear-to-ear around the back of your head to create a top and bottom section of hair. The top section should include a little bit less hair than the bottom section.

Step #2. Twist-up your strands. Gather the top section of hair into a mini ponytail at the top of your head. Then, twist the length into a bun, making it as messy or as neat as you choose. Secure with bobby pins to hold the style in place.

#15. TOP KNOT

A top knot is another popular updo that’s easy to do with long hair—especially since it can be as messy as you’d like. To give it a try, head over to our article, How to Do the Perfect Top Knot.

#16. BRAIDED PONYTAIL

If you want to give a traditional ponytail hairstyle an upgrade, we have just the look: a braided ponytail.

Step #1. Brush your hair. Use a brush to remove any tangles and knots from your mane.

Step #2. Put your hair up. Gather your hair into a high ponytail at the crown of your head, taking care to avoid any bumps. Secure with a clear elastic.

Step #3. Braid your ponytail. Weave the length of your ponytail into your braid of choice—we’re partial to the fishtail braid for this simple style. When you reach the ends of your hair, secure the braid with another clear elastic.

Step #4. Fluff your braid. To add a bit of volume to the look, gently tug at the edges of your braid for a looser look.  

Next: How to Take Care of Long Hair