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43 Hairstyles for Straight Hair That Are Cute and Easy to Copy

Tired of your daily ponytail? I got you.

By Sami Roberts and Brooke Shunatona
olivia rodrigo on the left with two long braided pigtails and constance wu on the right with brown straight hair and a gold headband
Instagram: @oliviarodrigo | @constancewu

As someone with naturally straight hair (1c hair type over here, whatuppp), I’ve basically spent a lifetime mastering every tip, trick, and hairstyle for straight hair. I’ve tried every ponytail in existence, I’ve tested a zillion volumizing hair products, and I’ve spent countless nights with velcro rollers, socks, and scarves in my hair, trying to achieve the perfect heatless curl. Basically, I am the Obi-Wan of straight hairstyles, so if you’re here in the midst of a styling rut or just want some new inspo, I gotchu. From side parts with barrettes to ‘90s style bangs, straight hairstyles are having a moment rn, and I've got proof. Keep scrolling for 43 of the prettiest straight hair pics from Insta.

1

This gold-barrette hairstyle

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Don’t ever underestimate the power of a really cute hair accessory in your straight hairstyle. To add a little bit of glam to your look, pick up some gold barrettes and pin them at the front of your hair, close to your part.

2

This side piece straight hairstyle

Listen, buns don’t have to be boring when you have straight hair. Proof: This very ~sophisticated~ bun with a long bang layer on Leslie Grace. To give the front section a bit of staying power, wrap it for a few seconds around a curling iron to create a soft bend.

3

This messy bun hairstyle for straight hair

This messy bun is perfect for straight hair because it doesn’t require endless teasing and hair-spraying. Just gather your hair on your crown, leaving two face-framing pieces loose, then tie off your bun haphazardly with an elastic. Pull out wispies from the bun to get a piece-y look—it's those tiny intentional details that turn a last-minute hairstyle into a ~vibe~.

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4

This side part for short hair

A deep side part and a little volume can take a straight short hairstyle to an entirely new level. To get that volume, rake a dollop of pomade or gel through your damp hair, shaping and smoothing it with a fine-tooth comb. Then, with an edge control brush or a clean toothbrush, smooth down your hairline for a sleek look.

5

A deep side part and barrette for straight hair

No need to worry about getting your hair to stay where you want it, because the black hair barrette, as seen on Olivia Holt, will do it for you. With your hair straightener, bend pieces of your hair to create some soft waves, then follow up with a texturizing spray to give it some grit.

6

This half-up ponytail for straight hair

To get Ashley Graham's waves, wrap two-inch sections of hair around your curling wand, then, once you’ve finished curling (and fully let your hair cool) rake through them with a wide-tooth comb and tie off the top half of your hair into a ponytail. PSA: If you heat-style your hair frequently, I highly suggest picking up a heat protection spray to prevent split ends and damage.

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7

This single braid hairstyle for straight hair

If you like to wear your hair down, this is your perf straight-hair hairstyle. Add some waves with a wide curling wand, then, starting from the right side of your head and about halfway back, braid a small section of hair across your part (like a headband), moving your arms over to the other side of your head as you braid. Half boho-chic, half Game of Thrones vibes.

8

This feathery ponytail hairstyle for straight hair

Got major layers? Meet your new BFF straight hairstyle: this low ponytail that'll show off your choppy cut without feeling basic (especially when you add on a cute velvet bow). And don’t forget to style your curtain bangs with a round brush and a few spritzes of hairspray to give them some shape and hold.

9

A wavy ponytail for straight hair

This super-sleek ponytail will need some strong-hold mousse to keep it smooth (or, you know, just wait until you're on day-four hair, and you won’t need a GD thing to slick it back). To recreate Thomasin McKenzie's ponytail, wrap the tail around a large curler after blow-drying it, then pin the ponytail to the nape of your neck after unraveling it. The effect? A '50s-style bubble ponytail.

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10

This gold headband straight hairstyle

Adding a shiny hair accessory to your hair is honestly the easiest way to instantly glam-up your look. Even better: This gold headband style on Constance Wu would work with straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, etc.

11

This wrapped ponytail for straight hair

Hi, Winnie Harlow with the ponytail goals. Wrapping one piece of your ponytail around the base hair tie instantly takes your look from “I had no time to style today” to “I am Ariana Grande.” For an even sleeker look, swoop your edges with an edge control product before misting on a shine spray.

12

This side-braid straight hairstyle

If you have long hair, a long side braid like this is a great easy hairstyle for straight hair. The best part? You can play around with it and add different hair accessories, like this mustard silk headband.

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13

A pinned-back hairstyle for straight hair

Tired of half-up straight hairstyles? Opt for Beanie Feldstein's pinned-back look instead. Gather a three-inch section of hair across your hairline (think: arch of eyebrow to arch of eyebrow) and comb it straight back, securing with a bobby pin or a cute pink bow clip. For texture, add some soft flat-iron waves throughout the rest of your hair.

14

This messy ponytail look for straight hair

Sydney Sweeney's messy ponytail? Yes, pls. Just rake a few puffs of mousse (I like Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse and TGIN Honey Whip Hydrating Mousse) through your damp hair from roots to ends, then finger-comb your hair into a ponytail. Pull out some layers around the face to give it an even messier look.

15

This ‘90s hairstyle for straight hair

Nothing says ‘90s hair to me like curled, piece-y bangs, so if you’ve got 'em, make your bangs the main event. For Taylor Hill's volume, blow-dry your damp bangs with a large round brush, then wrap the warm hair around a velcro roller to set the curl. (Psst: This look would go amazingly with this ‘90s grunge makeup trend).

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16

Side braids for straight hair

Take a page out of Olivia Rodrigo's book and try these side braids. No French braiding skills required here, just section your hair into halves, tie then off at the base of your head with hair ties, and braid each pigtail, stopping a few inches from the ends.

17

This Y2K bun hairstyle for straight hair

This spikey bun for straight hair gives me major early '00s vibes. It’s a hairstyle that’s both easy to master and very much a ~lewk~. To get that slicked-down look, spray the top of your hair with hairspray to stick down any flyaways before combing it back.

18

Face-framing hairstyle for straight hair

How cute is this high bun hairstyle for straight hair?! Pro tip: Once you secure your bun, smooth out your face-framing layers with a flatiron, lightly bending the ends for a little shape to offset the total sleekness of the look.

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19

This low bun style for straight hair

There’s a time and a place for a messy bun, but right now I’m kiiinda obsessed with this tight, sleek low bun. Add a little “lived-in” vibe to the bun by pulling out small pieces of hair at the back while still keeping the whole thing intact. The trick? A strong-hold hairspray that will keep everything in its place.

20

Front braided hairstyle for straight hair

I’m all about hairstyles that don’t require a ton of styling—IYKYK. For this style, leave most of your straight hair as is (or add some waves with a curling wand or flatiron) and then take two front sections and braid them down the sides.

Headshot of Sami Roberts
Sami Roberts

Sami Roberts was the previous beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan. Keep up with her cat-filled life in New York on Instagram

Headshot of Brooke Shunatona

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

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