Double Buns
Space buns are very simple, with a Downing-approved ’90s vibe that’s both trendy and timeless. To get the look, follow his advice:
- “Product is key, and using the appropriate styling & finishing products will give the best texture to the curls.” First, apply a texturizing cream to wet hair.
- Next, dry your hair using your preferred method. “When drying, the trick is to try and achieve as much volume and texture as possible. This will help with the longevity and support of the buns.”
- Part your hair. Downing suggests either a center part or a zig-zag.
- “Visually check in the mirror for bun placement and balance,” depending on your face shape and structure.
- Once you’ve decided on placement, create the buns by “gathering all the hair to the specific point of the head shape, tie with a hairband, if needed tease and backcomb for further volume/texture.”
- Then tease it all out with a shine spray.
Sleek High Ponytail
If you have long hair, you can get this chic high pony following this tutorial from influencer Joyjah Estrada:
- Start with cleansed and dried curls. Using a spray bottle, mist a little water throughout to make the hair easier to work with.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner.
- Brush your hair back into a high ponytail at the back of the head, secure it with an elastic, add some gel to control flyaways, and, if you prefer, lay your baby hairs.
- Add some hairspray for a bit of oomph and volume.
Slicked-Back Low Ponytail
Yara Shahidi’s slicked-back ponytail is similar to the high pony from look #19, only it sits lower on the back of the neck. Slick back the hair at the crown of your head with gel, brush through, and leave the rest loose and curly. Affix with bobby pins or an elastic to keep the style in place.
Scarf Braid
Weave a scarf through your braid for an instant upgrade. Follow this Kristin Ess tutorial for the best results:
- Take your scarf of choice (make sure it’s not too thick). Fold it in half and use an invisible hair elastic to create a small loop.
- Start at the crown of the head, slipping a piece of hair through the loop and tightening the scarf to keep it in place.
- Then, braid the hair along one side, incorporating the scarf as you would a third section of hair and working down the crown of the head.
- Use the excess scarf to tie the rest of your hair into a low bun, winding the fabric around and leaving the ends dangling.
- Secure with bobby pins to make sure the scarf stays in place.
Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are an amazing protective style for natural hair. Not only is this style super chic, but it’s also healthy for your curls. They look complicated, but Bantu knots are pretty easy to do at home with some practice.
- Section your hair in the places you’d like the Bantu knots.
- Twirl each section of hair until it’s rope-like, then wrap it onto itself to create the knot.
- Secure with a bobby pin.
Mermaid Waves
Gisele Bundchen’s soft mermaid waves are beautiful on their own or paired with a hair accessory. Follow Ferrara’s advice for getting this look:
- To begin, take stock of your hair texture. This will factor in when you decide how to approach these loose waves.
- “If you have a smaller coil, a blowout will have to come first, then a styling wand to get the looser mermaid waves.”
- “On wavy hair, let it air dry with a product of your choice, then pin up the strands and use the wand for more definition.”
Slicked Side Part
Steve Granitz / Getty Images
A little gel added to the part line creates an edgy structure to tightly spiraled curls, as seen on Nathalie Emmanuel.
- Style as usual with your preferred products and drying methods, parting the hair to one side.
- Take a flexible hold gel and apply generously to the area on either side of the hair part and along the hairline.
- Brush the gel through to distribute. You can also add a few bobby pins to further secure.
- Style your edges if you wish.
Finger Waves
Finger waves look amazing on any length of hair. They take a bit of patience, but the results are worth it. This tutorial by stylist Ted Gibson shows you how:
- Using ample gel and a comb, create the S-shaped waves on damp hair.
- Gently clip finger waves into place with metal salon clips.
- Braid the rest of the hair to encourage a looser wave pattern.
- Either air dry or use a blow dryer to speed up the process. Then, take down the braids and clips.
Brushed Out
Take a page of Kelly Rowland’s book and embrace a bit of sexy frizz by brushing out your curls.
High Half Ponytail
Joan Smalls’ super high half ponytail will probably require extensions to get the full length. Follow the steps from #19, placing the hair at the crown of the head rather than the back.
Vintage Scarf
Channel Betty Boop like Alia Shawkat with a fire engine red scarf—the perfect style for a short crop. Follow Ferrara’s advice for styling a scarf with curly hair:
- “Grab a square scarf and fold it diagonally, starting from the longer end of the triangle.”
- “Fold the scarf down into 1-1.5-inch folds until the point is the top layer.”
- “Put the part with the point at the nape of your neck and then tie it at about an inch from your hairline on top of your head.”
- For short hair like Shawkat’s, you don’t have to do much. If it’s longer, “slick it back with a middle part, gather the ponytail, then place the scarf around it until the whole scarf is almost an extension of your hair, then twist as you would to make a bun and use a hair tie to fasten—your bun will look like the scarf!”
Unraveled Braids
Unraveled braids like these seen on Tessa Thompson are a great option. A few things to keep in mind:
- “The braids pictured are woven tightly from the scalp with natural hair and include human hair extensions,” says Ferrara.
- “When the braids are unraveled like this, it is usually a hair extension that has… been treated by a relaxer to keep it as the texture you see pictured.”
- “[For] an unraveled look like this, smaller braids are a must, depending on your hair texture, as most hair won’t stay braided with one or two large braids.”
Pinned Back
Loose, romantic waves can be held off the face with artfully placed bobby pins, as Blake Lively demonstrates here. Using the same steps from #15, change up the placement of the barrettes to alter the look.
