The day I chopped my 16-inch ponytail into a collarbone-length bob with curtain bangs, I expected a tiny revolt from my cowlicks. Instead, it became my go-to basic witch costume hair — cozy, a little messy, and perfect for PSL runs in Uggs. Below are 15 easy looks that hit that vibe, for straight, wavy, and curly hair and for short through long lengths.
This set is low-fuss and very fall. Most styles take five to 15 minutes and survive an iced coffee spill. I built these for fine to thick hair and a few are stylist-cut ideas you can ask for by name.
15 Basic Witch Costume Ideas That Nail the PSL, Uggs, and Chaos
Curtain Bangs to Soften a Strong Jawline
Best for medium to thick hair. Touch up bangs every 8 to 10 weeks. Five to eight minutes styling each morning.
Curtain bangs give you that "I woke up cute" energy without committing to full bangs. They flatter round and square faces by creating vertical lines, and they age well as they grow out. The trick is to blow the bangs with a round brush inward, not flat, so they bend slightly toward the cheekbone. Most people over-dry them and end up with wispy, frizzy edges. I learned this the hard way and now always finish with a little smoothing oil applied to my fingertips.
Messy Low Bun With Face-Framing Pieces
Best for thick hair and day-two texture. Pins loosen after 24 hours. About three to five minutes to assemble.
This bun reads casual witch energy. Pull hair into a low bun at the nape, leave two face-framing pieces and tug the bun a little to loosen. For fine hair, tease the crown lightly before twisting. The biggest mistake is overpinning; fewer pins and a messy finish look intentional. I once pinned mine too tight and it flattened my shape for the whole evening.
Beanie Tuck With Soft Layers
Best for medium to long hair with layers. Grows out without a harsh line. Two minutes plus put-on time for the beanie.
Tucking layers into a slouchy beanie is the easiest way to look intentionally relaxed and still put together. Leave short layers loose around the face so they peek out. If your hair is too blunt, a quick vertical slice cut at the ends by your stylist will make the tuck sit softly. My fine-haired friend learned beanie tucking after a winter of flat ponytails and refuses to go back.
Half-Up Double Buns for Chaotic Cute
Best for fine to medium hair. Survives windy walks. Five minutes styling when hair has texture.
Half-up double buns balance playfulness with lived-in texture. Add a little sea salt spray to second-day hair, twist two small top sections and pin loosely. Avoid using tiny elastics that kink the hair. I once used thin bands and spent a full commute trying to hide the indentations.
Slicked-Back Low Pony for Second-Day Hair
Best for thick or coarse hair on day two. Low maintenance until wash day. Two to three minutes to finish.
When your hair is acting like it wants to be anonymous, slick it back. Use a small amount of smoothing cream or gel, comb through, and secure low. The payoff is polished and a little witchy without being fussy. The mistake is using too much product, which looks shiny and stiff. My hairdresser warned me that winter static will betray any heavy gel.
Boho Braided Crown for a Romantic PSL Run
Best for long hair and medium density. Lasts all day with bobby pins. Takes 10 minutes on textured hair.
A soft braided crown instantly ups the cottage-core factor. French braid a section from the front toward the ear, then mirror on the other side and pin. Tug the braid gently to widen it for a softer look. Too-tight braids read severe and wash out the casual vibe. I used to over-braid and ended up looking like I was headed to a costume party rather than brunch.
Textured Lob With Curtain Fringe
Best for fine to medium hair. Trim every 10 to 12 weeks for shape. About eight minutes to style with a small barrel.
This lob is my fall classic. It reads modern but cozy, especially in cool ash tones. Use a 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand to add S-waves below the ear and finish with a spritz of texturizing powder at the roots. A common mistake is over-smoothing; that removes the lived-in effect. If you want the cut, ask your stylist for a blunt lob with soft point cutting on the ends.
Scrunchie Pony With Curtain Pieces
Best for medium to thick hair. Holds through a coffee run. Two minutes to style.
A velvet scrunchie instantly reads retro-cozy. Pull hair back low, secure with an oversized scrunchie, and leave curtain bangs or wisps out. If your hair is slippery, use a texturizing powder at the crown before tying. I love this for messy days when I still want a cute silhouette.
Grown-Out Bangs and Soft Shag
Best for fine to medium hair seeking low upkeep. Grows out gracefully. About six to eight minutes styling.
Ask your stylist for a modern shag with short layers around the crown and longer face-framing pieces. Grown-out bangs are perfect for a lived-in look that still feels intentional. The shag can look dated if the layers are too uniform. One honest note: I thought the shag would be effortless, but my first cut needed a small rework to remove a heavy section that sank at the back.
Twisted Headband Braid for Windy Walks
Best for long straight or slightly wavy hair. Keeps hair out of the face. Five to seven minutes to create.
A twist headband looks put-together even if your hair is chaos. Take two front sections, twist them back and pin them behind each ear. Secure with bobby pins hidden under the twist. Avoid tight twisting that pulls on the temples or creates headaches. I used to twist too hard and regretted it by noon.
Loose Waves With a Middle Part
Best for medium to thick hair. Grows out well. About 10 minutes with a 1.25-inch wand.
Middle-part waves are a core basic witch look: simple, soft, and flattering for oval faces. Use a 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand and curl away from the face on alternating sections. Let the curls cool and then brush gently for soft waves. A mistake is curling all sections the same way, which creates a line of uniformity. Alternate directions for that effortless swept look.
Braided Low Pony With Scarf
Best for long hair. Cute with scarves and coats. About seven minutes to assemble.
Add a scarf to a low pony to instantly translate morning cozy into outfit-level detail. Braid a short section and wrap it around the pony, then knot a small scarf. Avoid too many accessories at once or it looks busy. I once wore two scarves and it read more costume than casual.
Tousled Pixie With Long Bangs
Best for fine to medium hair. Low wash-day time. Five minutes styling.
Short cuts can be basic witch energy too. A tousled pixie with long bangs gives texture and edge without fuss. Use a matte paste to lift the crown and separate pieces. The overrated trend here is squeezing every strand flat with gel; texture is what sells this cut.
Half-Up Twisted Pony for Curly Hair
Best for curly textures. Protects curl pattern. About five minutes on day two curls.
For curl types, half-up twists keep the shape and show off texture. Use a leave-in cream and a little oil on the ends to reduce frizz. Avoid brushing when dry. I learned that the hard way and briefly resembled a cotton ball.
Low Chignon With Scarves and Clips
Best for medium to thick hair. Great for colder days. Ten minutes with accessories.
A low chignon dressed with one or two clips and a scarf reads both polished and cozy. The secret is to anchor with bobby pins behind the chignon so the clips look decorative. Over-accessorizing kills the understated vibe.
What You'll Need to Get This Look
Heat Tools
- 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand ($35 to $60)
- 1-inch titanium flat iron ($30 to $70)
- 1.5-inch barrel curling iron ($30 to $65)
- Ionic blow dryer, 1800 to 2000 watts ($40 to $120)
Styling Products
- Sea salt spray, 8oz ($8 to $22)
- Texturizing powder, travel size ($10 to $25)
- Heat protectant spray, 6oz ($10 to $25)
Hair Care and Protection
- Deep conditioning hair mask, 8oz ($12 to $30)
- Silk pillowcase, standard size ($15 to $45)
Accessories and Finishing
- Velvet scrunchie pack, assorted colors ($6 to $18)
- Neutral knit beanie, one size ($8 to $30)
Budget Swaps
- Drugstore dry shampoo, 6oz ($5 to $12)
- Affordable flexible hold hairspray, 8oz ($6 to $15)
Shopping Tips for These Looks
Buy tools during holiday sales: Many quality irons and wands drop 20 to 30 percent in November. I grabbed my 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand after a Black Friday deal.
Try drugstore dupes for single-use items: If you only wear a look a few times, the drugstore dry shampoo will work fine.
Match barrel size to the wave you want: A 1.25-inch wand gives soft S-waves, a 1.5-inch creates loose beach waves. I keep both sizes for variety.
Protect color in cold months: Use a deep conditioning hair mask weekly to avoid faded tones from scarves and hats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make curtain bangs work if I have a cowlick?
Keep bangs longer and ask your stylist to point-cut into the ends so they are not a blunt block. Blow them with a round brush and a touch of smoothing oil at the tips.
Can curly hair pull off the basic witch look?
Yes. Focus on defining your curl pattern with a leave-in and light oil, then build one of the styles like half-up twists or low chignons that show texture. Try the sea salt spray, 8oz for added grit on day two.
Which tool is more versatile for these looks, a wand or a flat iron?
A 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand covers most soft wave looks. A 1-inch flat iron can also create bends and smooth bangs. I own both and use the wand more in fall.
How do I keep a messy bun from falling apart?
Secure with two bobby pins crossed under the bun and finish with a flexible hold hairspray. The affordable flexible hold hairspray is great for touchable hold.
Final Thoughts
Start with one small change, like curtain bangs or adding a velvet scrunchie, and see how it shifts your whole vibe. My go-to is the collarbone bob because it reads relaxed and intentional with minimal effort. Which look are you trying first this season?
