15 Low-Maintenance Hairstyles I Swear By (Because Who Has Time for Complicated Hair?)

Hey there, fellow busy bees! Let’s talk hair, shall we? If you’re anything like me, you’ve got about a million things on your to-do list every day, and spending hours on your hair just isn’t in the cards. Trust me, I get it. As someone who’s constantly juggling work, family, and trying to have a semblance of a social life, I’ve become something of an expert in low-maintenance hairstyles.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless styles, always on the hunt for that perfect balance between “put-together” and “I didn’t spend my entire morning on this.” Today, I’m going to share with you my top 15 go-to hairstyles that look amazing but take minimal effort. So grab your coffee (or wine, no judgment here), and let’s dive in!

1. The Messy Bun: My Everyday Savior

Ah, the messy bun. It’s like the yoga pants of hairstyles – comfortable, versatile, and somehow always appropriate. This is my absolute go-to when I’m running late (which, let’s be honest, is more often than I’d like to admit).

Here’s how I do it: I flip my head upside down, gather all my hair at the crown of my head, and twist it into a bun. I secure it with a hair tie, and then – here’s the key – I gently tug at the bun to loosen it up a bit. Pull out a few face-framing strands, and voila! You’ve got that effortlessly chic look that says, “Oh, this old thing? I just threw it up.”

Pro tip: If your hair is on the thinner side like mine, try using a volumizing dry shampoo before putting it up. It gives your bun that extra oomph and helps it stay put all day.

2. The Low Ponytail: Sleek and Chic in Seconds

When I need to look a bit more polished but still don’t have time for anything complicated, the low ponytail is my best friend. It’s simple, classic, and takes literally seconds to do.

I part my hair where it naturally falls (because who has time to fight with their hair?), smooth it back with my hands, and secure it at the nape of my neck with an elastic. To elevate it a bit, I sometimes wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide it. A quick spritz of hairspray, and I’m out the door.

This style works great for second (or third… or fourth) day hair, which is perfect for those weeks when washing my hair daily just isn’t happening.

3. The Half-Up Top Knot: Business in the Front, Party in the Back

This style is my secret weapon for those days when I want to look like I made an effort, but in reality, I spent about two minutes on my hair. It’s especially great for those in-between days when my hair isn’t quite clean, but isn’t quite dirty either.

I section off the top half of my hair, twist it into a small bun right on top of my head, and secure it with a few bobby pins. The rest of my hair I leave down. It’s that simple! If I’m feeling fancy, I might curl the ends of the hair that’s left down, but honestly, it looks great even if I skip that step.

This style is perfect for Zoom calls – it looks put-together on camera, but I can still be rocking my pajama bottoms off-screen!

4. The Sleek Low Bun: My “I Mean Business” Look

When I need to look really polished for an important meeting or event, but still don’t have a ton of time, the sleek low bun is my go-to. It’s classy, it’s professional, and it takes way less time than you’d think.

I start by smoothing my hair back with a brush and some hairspray or gel (depending on how stubborn my flyaways are that day). Then I gather it all at the nape of my neck, twist it into a bun, and secure it with bobby pins. A final spray of hairspray, and I’m done!

This style works even better on second-day hair, which is a huge plus in my book. And if I’m really short on time, I can do this with damp hair and let it air dry throughout the day.

5. Beach Waves: The “I Woke Up Like This” Look (Even Though I Didn’t)

Beach waves are my secret for looking like I spent time on my hair when I actually rolled out of bed 10 minutes ago. The best part? You can achieve this look while you sleep!

Before bed, I dampen my hair slightly and braid it into two loose braids. When I wake up, I undo the braids, run my fingers through my hair, and hit it with a bit of texturizing spray. The result? Effortless, beachy waves that look like I spent hours with a curling iron.

If I’m really in a rush, I’ll sometimes just do one braid instead of two. The waves are a bit looser, but it still gives that effortless, tousled look.

6. The Headband Tuck: My Bad Hair Day Savior

This style has saved me on more bad hair days than I can count. It’s perfect for those mornings when my hair just won’t cooperate, but I don’t have time to wash and style it.

I start by putting on a wide headband (the fabric kind works best). Then I tuck all my hair up and into the headband, creating a sort of faux updo. It takes a bit of practice to get it looking just right, but once you’ve got it down, you can do it in your sleep.

This style works with any hair length and texture, which makes it super versatile. Plus, it keeps my hair off my neck, which is a godsend on hot summer days.

7. The Side Braid: Effortless Elegance

When I want to look put-together but still casual, the side braid is my go-to. It’s a step up from a regular ponytail, but it doesn’t require any more time or effort.

I part my hair deeply to one side, then braid it starting from behind my ear and working my way down. I secure it with a small elastic, then gently pull at the braid to loosen it up a bit. This gives it that effortless, bohemian vibe.

The best part? This style actually looks better with a bit of texture, so it’s perfect for second or third-day hair. A quick spritz of dry shampoo at the roots, and I’m good to go!

8. The High Ponytail: Sporty Chic in Seconds

On days when I’m running errands or hitting the gym (or pretending I’m going to hit the gym), the high ponytail is my best friend. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it keeps my hair out of my face.

I flip my head upside down, gather all my hair at the crown of my head, and secure it with an elastic. Then I smooth out any bumps with a brush or my hands. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide it.

To take this look from gym to brunch, I sometimes add a cute scrunchie or hair scarf. It’s amazing how such a small addition can completely transform the look!

9. The Twist and Pin: My Five-Minute Updo

This style looks way more complicated than it actually is, which makes it perfect for those times when I need to look like I put in effort, but don’t actually have the time to do so.

I part my hair down the middle, then take a section from each side and twist it back, securing each twist with a bobby pin behind my ear. That’s it! It takes literally two minutes, but it looks like I spent much longer on it.

This style works great with any hair length or texture. If my hair is feeling a bit flat, I’ll tease the crown a bit before doing the twists to add some volume.

10. The Faux Bob: Short Hair Without the Commitment

On days when I’m craving a change but don’t want to commit to a haircut, the faux bob is my secret weapon. It’s a great way to switch up my look without any long-term commitment.

To create this style, I put my hair in a low ponytail, but don’t pull it all the way through the elastic on the last loop. This creates a sort of “pouch” of hair. Then I tuck the ends up and into this pouch, securing them with bobby pins. A bit of teasing at the crown, and it looks like I just got a chic bob haircut!

This style takes a bit of practice to get right, but once you’ve mastered it, you can do it in just a few minutes. It’s perfect for those days when I’m bored with my usual long hair but don’t have time for a salon visit.

11. The Claw Clip Updo: ’90s Chic Is Back, Baby!

Guess what? Those claw clips from the ’90s are back in style, and I couldn’t be happier about it. This style is so easy, it almost feels like cheating.

I gather all my hair at the back of my head, twist it up, and secure it with a large claw clip. That’s it! If I want to make it look a bit more polished, I’ll leave out a few face-framing pieces.

This style works great for any hair length or texture. Plus, it’s super comfortable and keeps my hair off my neck, which is perfect for hot summer days or long work sessions.

12. The Braided Crown: Boho Chic in Minutes

When I want to feel like a woodland fairy (which is more often than you might think), the braided crown is my go-to. It looks way more complicated than it actually is, which is always a win in my book.

I part my hair down the middle, then create a French braid on each side, starting from my temples and working my way back. When I reach the nape of my neck, I secure each braid with a small elastic. Then I bring each braid up and over my head, pinning them in place to create a crown effect.

This style works best on second or third-day hair, as the extra texture helps the braids stay in place. A bit of dry shampoo at the roots helps absorb any excess oil and gives the style some extra staying power.

13. The Twisted Ponytail: Elevate Your Basic Pony

When a regular ponytail feels too boring but I still need something quick and easy, the twisted ponytail is my solution. It’s just as fast as a regular ponytail, but looks way more intricate.

I start by dividing my hair into two sections. I twist each section away from my face, then combine them at the back of my head and secure with an elastic. It’s that simple!

This style works great for any hair length or texture. If my hair is feeling a bit flat, I’ll tease the crown a bit before twisting to add some volume.

14. The Topknot: My “I Woke Up Late But Still Need to Look Put Together” Style

The topknot is my ultimate lazy day hairstyle. It’s perfect for those mornings when I hit snooze one too many times but still need to look presentable.

I flip my head upside down, gather all my hair at the very top of my head, and twist it into a bun. I secure it with an elastic, then gently tug at the bun to give it that perfectly imperfect look.

The best part about this style? It actually looks better when it’s a little messy. So if some pieces fall out throughout the day, it just adds to the effortless vibe.

15. The Scarf Updo: Add Some Flair to Your Hair

Last but not least, we have the scarf updo. This is my secret for those days when my hair just won’t cooperate, but I still want to look put together.

I start by putting my hair in a messy bun or ponytail – whatever’s easiest. Then I wrap a silk scarf around my head, tying it at the nape of my neck. It instantly elevates any hairstyle and makes it look like I put in way more effort than I actually did.

This style is perfect for hiding greasy roots or uncooperative flyaways. Plus, it’s a great way to add a pop of color or pattern to any outfit.

Wrapping It Up (Pun Intended)

And there you have it, folks! Fifteen hairstyles that look amazing but won’t eat up your precious time. The key to all of these styles is embracing a bit of imperfection. After all, we’re going for “effortlessly chic,” not “spent three hours in front of the mirror.”

Remember, the best hairstyle is one that makes you feel confident and doesn’t stress you out. So experiment with these styles, find what works for you, and rock it with pride. Because at the end of the day, you’ve got more important things to worry about than every hair being in place.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to try that new Netflix show everyone’s been talking about. My hair? Oh, I just threw it in a messy bun. Took me all of two minutes!