My hair has a mind of its own, and I learned early that “tame it” and “embrace it” are both valid answers. These 15 easy curly hairstyles are the little tricks I reach for when my curls have opinions, whether I have five minutes or twenty. They work across short, medium, and long natural curl patterns and skew toward heatless, second-day friendly finishes.
Think soft, undone shapes that still read intentional. These looks favor volume at the crown, face-framing tendrils, and accessories that do the heavy lifting. Most are under 10 minutes and adapt whether your curls are sparse, thick, or in a grow-out phase.
15 Easy Curly Hairstyles I Use When My Curls Have Opinions
High Curly Ponytail with Fluffed Volume
Best for medium to thick curls. Trim face-framing layers every 12 to 16 weeks. About 5 to 8 minutes each morning.
This makes my ponytail look twice as thick without heat. Gather hair at the crown with a silk scrunchie, then use a hair pick at the roots to lift and separate small sections for shape. Leave a few tendrils out to soften the forehead.
Mistake to avoid: pulling too tight. That flattens the crown and kills the relaxed, voluminous vibe. A light leave-in or curl refresher keeps the defined bands from going crunchy.
Messy High Bun with Tendrils
Best for short to medium curls. Grows out into a looser bun by day two. About 2 to 4 minutes to assemble.
My rushed-morning staple. Twist the hair into a loose top knot and pin with bobby pins, then pull small pieces out around the hairline. It hides a flat crown and looks intentionally undone, not sloppy.
Honest fail: I once used a tiny elastic and the bun shrank into an awkward nub. Use a soft scrunchie and pins for hold. A little frizz here is welcome.
Half-Up Half Knot with Volume
Best for medium to long hair. Trim layers to maintain shape every 10 to 12 weeks. About 4 to 6 minutes each morning.
This balances polish and bounce. Pull the top third of your hair back, tie a loose knot, and tug the knot open slightly for volume. It flatters wide foreheads and disguises a grow-out phase.
The trick is to apply a small amount of styling cream to the top pieces so they sit smooth without looking slick. Most people over-tighten the knot and lose that soft crown lift.
Braided Crown That Actually Stays Put
Best for medium to dense curls. Stays secure all day once pinned. About 10 to 15 minutes to braid and pin.
This is my go-to when I want something a little elevated but heatless. French-braid two small sections from each temple toward the crown and wrap them across like a halo. Pin with enough bobby pins to lock the weight.
People expect perfection. Let the braids loosen a touch so the style reads romantic rather than overworked. No product necessary unless your hair is very silky.
Side Braid with Texture
Best for shoulder-length to long curls. Looks better with natural frizz. About 6 to 8 minutes.
A single loose side braid softens a square jaw and keeps length visible. Braid loosely and pull at the outer loops to widen it; this creates that soft, undone braid you see everywhere right now.
One overrated move is over-smoothing before braiding. You want texture. A tiny dab of styling cream at the ends is enough.
Double Buns for Playful Volume
Best for short to medium curls. Best for daytime events. About 5 to 7 minutes each morning.
Space buns are the playful fix when I want hair off my neck but not a bun silhouette. Part down the middle, make two high ponytails, twist into buns, and pin. Pull out small curls at the temples for softness.
If your hair is fine, the buns can look limp. Tease the base lightly or use a small donut for shape. Don’t pack them too tight or they read costume-y.
Braided Half-Up with Loose Curls
Best for long curls. Holds well through the day. About 8 to 12 minutes.
Small braids at the crown keep hair out of the face while letting the rest of the curls sing. Feed each braid into a mini pony at the back and pin for a secure hold that still feels delicate.
I used to French-braid too tightly and the front pulled my hairline. Keep the braid loose and soft for a modern, lived-in finish.
Ribbon Half-Up Pony
Best for shoulder-length to long curls. Not ideal for high-activity days. About 4 minutes.
Tying a ribbon around a half-up pony reads polished without trying. Use a wide ribbon in a complementary color and wrap it once for a tidy bow. It flatters heart and oval faces by highlighting the cheek area.
Honest moment: I once picked a slick satin ribbon and it slipped all afternoon. Use a textured grosgrain or secure with a hidden bobby pin.
Scarf-Wrapped Curly Look
Best for medium to long curls. Great for travel and second-day hair. About 3 to 5 minutes.
A scarf immediately masks a messy hair day and adds color. Fold it into a band, tie at the top or back, and leave front pieces out to frame the face. It works on bangs or curtain layers too.
Avoid slick fabrics that slide; a cotton or viscose blend grips better. This is one of my most reliable hair-day hacks.
Topsy-Turvy Ponytail Stack
Best for mid-length to long curls. Survives a full workday if pinned. About 1 minute once you practice.
This trick makes a plain pony feel styled. Create a low pony, then make another tie below and flip the top section through to create loops. Repeat for two or three tiers to add width and interest.
One creator said it took 30 seconds and they were not kidding. If you rush the flips they look messy in a bad way. Keep the loops even for a polished effect.
Twisted Front Pieces with Mini Clip
Best for all lengths with face-framing layers. Fast to do in the mirror. About 30 seconds.
The 30-second fix. Twist two small sections from the temples toward the back and secure with a mini clip. It opens the face without pulling hair fully back.
Common mistake: grabbing thick sections and making the twist bulky. Keep the sections small for a delicate, natural result.
Curly French Braid into Low Bun
Best for mid-length to long curls. Very secure and work friendly. About 12 to 15 minutes.
This is my go-to for meetings. Start with a French braid along one side or centered, then gather the remaining hair into a low bun. Pin the curly ends so they peek softly.
No product overkill. A little styling cream on the braid section helps with grip, but too much will flatten the texture.
Low Pony with Brushed Volume
Best for medium to long curls. Grows into a looser look by day two. About 5 minutes.
A low pony with a lifted crown looks polished without losing curl identity. Gather hair low, then use a pick to subtly lift the crown and scrunch the pony for bounce. Face-framing pieces make it modern.
My stylist talked me out of smoothing the crown completely. It looks more intentional with a little height and a soft texture.
High Puff with Face-Framing Tendrils
Best for short to medium tighter curls. Refresh with spray on day two. About 3 minutes.
For thin crowns this trick adds the illusion of density. Gather hair high on the crown with a satin scrunchie and gently shape the puff with your fingers. Leave a couple of tendrils to soften the face.
I once over-combed the roots and lost the puff. Use a pick and fingers, not a brush.
Jaw-Clip Twist That Saves Days
Best for medium hair and second-day texture. Very quick and casual. About 2 minutes.
This is the lazy-chic move I use when I do not want to fuss. Twist the hair into a loose rope at the nape and secure it with a large jaw clip. The twist masks uneven layers and reads styled.
Warning: a too-small clip will slip all afternoon. Use one with teeth or pair with a bobby pin for extra hold.
What You'll Need to Get This Look
Heat Tools
- 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand ($30 to $60) good for defining selective curls when you want a polished finish.
- Diffuser attachment for hair dryer ($10 to $25) helps boost natural curl without frizz.
- Travel ionic blow dryer ($25 to $45) lightweight option for quick shape.
Styling Products
- Curl defining cream, 6oz ($12 to $25) use sparingly on roots and ends.
- Leave-in conditioner spray, 8oz ($10 to $20) handy for day-two revival.
Hair Care and Protection
- Satin scrunchies multipack ($9 to $15) gentle on curls and reduces breakage.
- Silk pillowcase, queen ($20 to $40) preserves curl shape overnight.
Accessories and Finishing
- Large jaw clips set ($6 to $15) perfect for quick updos.
- Bobby pins, 200 pack ($5 to $12) essential for braids and buns.
- Hair pick with wide teeth ($6 to $18) for root lift without fluffing out the whole curl.
Budget Swaps
- Drugstore curl mousse, 8oz ($6 to $12) cheaper mousse that works in a pinch.
- Affordable mini clips pack ($4 to $10) perfect for twist-back styles.
Shopping Tips for These Looks
Buy tools during holiday sales: Blow dryers and curling wands drop in November and January. I waited and scored my 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand at a discount.
Invest in satin accessories: Satin scrunchies and pillowcases protect curls overnight and are worth the small spend. Try a satin scrunchies multipack.
Drugstore dupes often live up to the promise: A cheap drugstore curl mousse kept my style intact during a weekend trip.
Buy clips and pins in bulk: You will lose them. A large bobby pins 200 pack and large jaw clips set saved me from emergency salon runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep volume at the crown without frizzing?
Start with a root-lifting leave-in and use a hair pick to tease lightly. Finish with a light mist of curl refresher spray. Try a leave-in conditioner spray, 8oz.
What’s the fastest style for second-day curls?
A high puff or jaw-clip twist takes two to three minutes and usually masks oil and flattening. Keep a satin scrunchie multipack in your bag.
Can thin curly hair pull off these looks?
Yes. Go for high puffs, stacked ponytails, or half-up knots to create width. A lightweight mousse helps without weighing hair down, like this drugstore curl mousse.
How do I stop brassiness while embracing a scarf or ribbon?
Choose scarves in cool tones that don't reflect warm dye onto your curls and wash them if they snag product. I keep a silk option separate for dyed hair and use a silk pillowcase, queen at night to reduce color fade.
Are these styles damaging if I do them every day?
Not if you use soft scrunchies, avoid tight elastics, and alternate updos. Use a satin scrunchie multipack instead of rubber bands.
Final Thoughts
Start with a twist-back clip or a messy top knot for the quickest win; both are forgiving and teach you how your curl pattern behaves. Try one new look a week and notice which ones still look good on day two. Which of these easy curly hairstyles will you try tomorrow?
