When I first tried a devil costume women look, I expected full-on camp. Instead a simple red bob and the right part earned more compliments than the horn headband ever did. Below are 15 hair ideas that range from low-effort devilish to full costume theater, with options for short hair, long hair, and every texture in between.
These looks are mostly quick on a normal morning. I cover straight, wavy, and curly hair, and suggest one or two techniques that actually make a difference. Expect styles that pair well with makeup and with or without costume horns.
15 Devil Costume Women Hair Ideas That Look Wicked After Dark
Fiery Finger Waves for a Vintage Devil
Best for fine to medium hair. Re-style every day for sparkle. About 10 minutes using a small iron.
This look reads costume-ready without feeling cartoonish. The payoff is sleek, retro waves that frame the face, flattering oval and heart shapes most. The trick is using a 1-inch barrel and curling away from the face on the top wave, then finger-combing and setting in clips while cooling.
Most people overbrush here and lose the wave. Do not brush into frizz; use a light hold spray and finger-shape instead. I once wowed a crowd until I sprayed too much and stiffened every strand.
Slicked-Back Horn Ponytail
Best for thick hair and second-day volume. Tighten elastic at the nape. About 5 minutes to polish.
This sharp pony gives a devilish silhouette when paired with horn accessories. It flatters round and square faces because the slicked hair elongates the face. The trick is smoothing with a pea-sized gel and wrapping a thin section of hair around the band to hide it.
Common mistake: starting with fully dry, frizzy hair. Slightly dampen the crown and smooth; you get a cleaner finish. For fluffier hair, a boar-bristle brush is your ally.
Curtain Bangs with Red Root Tint
Best for fine to medium hair. Bangs grow out gracefully. Trim every 10 to 12 weeks.
Curtain bangs soften and make a devil costume feel modern, especially when paired with a dab of temporary red root color at the part for a pop. They flatter long faces and give round faces a slimming vertical line. The technique is blow-drying bangs with a round brush from roots to ends so they sweep away naturally.
A common mistake is cutting bangs too short; let them sit at cheekbone level first. I once rushed and regretted it for weeks.
Textured Lob with Mini Horn Clips
Best for medium hair. Grows out into a lived-in shape. About 7 to 10 minutes to texture.
A textured lob reads both modern and costume at once. It suits most face shapes and is forgiving when you sleep on it. The styling move is 1.25-inch barrel S-waves that start below the ear, then tousle with a salt spray at the midlengths.
Avoid over-texturizing at the roots or your hair will look greasy. Mini horn clips tuck in easily and keep the look wearable for daytime.
High-Gloss Topknot with Red Velvet Ribbon
Best for long, thick hair. Clean edges last through a night out. About 8 minutes if hair is tangle-free.
This polished topknot gives height and drama, perfect when you want costume energy without a lot of fuss. It flatters long faces and adds presence for photos. The technique I use is smoothing from root to knot with a boar-bristle brush and securing with a strong elastic, then wrapping hair around and pinning.
One honest moment: I once used low-quality elastics and my knot came undone mid-party. Use sturdy bands and a couple of hidden pins instead.
Braided Crown with Red Weft
Best for long hair or extensions. Holds through dancing. Expect 20 to 30 minutes to braid.
A braided crown softens a devil theme into something archaic and striking. It flatters heart and oval shapes and works brilliantly with red weft for contrast. The technique is a Dutch braid along the forehead line and tucking the ends under, securing with pins.
This is one of the looks I recommend asking a stylist for if you have heavy layers. It avoids product links and feels intentionally hand-made.
Gothic Mermaid Waves with Face-Framing Pieces
Best for long thick hair. Re-style for photos. About 15 minutes with large barrel tools.
These loose, opulent waves read costume and luxurious. They flatter long faces and look extra dramatic when paired with smoky eye makeup. The trick is using a 1.5-inch barrel and alternating barrel direction every two sections, stopping the curl before the end for softer movement.
Overcooking with hot tools gives brittle ends. Use heat protectant and a wide-tooth comb to finish.
Half-Up Space Buns with Red Highlight
Best for medium to thick hair. Easy to restyle. About 6 minutes for playful energy.
Space buns keep the vibe fun and youthful. They suit round and square faces by lifting the face and pairing well with bangs. The key is securing minis at the crown and leaving front pieces loose for face-framing.
Most people over-tighten and get headaches. Keep buns slightly loose and secure with small elastics and pins.
Sleek Short Shag with Choppy Bangs
Best for fine to medium hair. Cut shapes quickly. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
A short shag can read devilish when colored a bold shade or styled with wet-look paste. It flatters petite faces and makes styling very fast. Ask your stylist for razor-textured layers and ask them to leave length in the fringe for versatility.
This is a cut recommendation rather than a product look, so no product link here.
Red Ombre Beach Waves
Best for long hair and color lovers. Touch up ombre every few months. About 12 minutes to wave.
Red ombre reads modern and costume-friendly from a distance. The payoff is movement and a color gradient that plays with light. Use a 1.25-inch wand and wrap sections away from the face, leaving ends loose.
Avoid piling too much product on the ends or the color will look flat. Red fades faster, so I keep a color-refreshing spray in rotation.
Low Twisted Bun with Soft Tendrils
Best for medium hair. Lasts through dinner and photos. About 10 minutes with pins.
This understated bun is elegant and pairs with subtle horns. It flatters most faces because the soft tendrils balance proportions. The technique is twisting two low sections toward the nape and pinning them into a loose chignon, pulling a few strands free.
One tip from experience: pin the bun with different-length pins for hold, not more product. Overworking with hairspray makes the tendrils look stiff.
Voluminous 1970s Blowout in Flame Red
Best for thick hair aiming for big volume. Style before the event. About 20 minutes with a large round brush.
A retro blowout adds glamour and makes a devil costume feel cinematic. It flatters oval and long faces by creating width at the cheek. The move is a hot brush or round brush blowout section by section, finishing with a light serum on ends.
The first time I did this, I underdried roots and lost volume. Blow-dry the roots completely before styling.
Twisted Rope Horn Updo
Best for long hair or long extensions. Stays secure with hidden pins. Expect 25 to 30 minutes.
This is the most theatrical hair in the list and reads costume-grade. It flatters anyone who wants height and structure. The technique is twisting two equal sections tightly, wrapping and pinning them into horn shapes, then smoothing the base.
If your hair is layered, start with texturizing spray. This one I recommend trying at home only if you like fiddly styles.
Sleek Bob with Crystal Hairline Accents
Best for fine to medium hair. Maintain blunt ends every 8 to 10 weeks. About 5 minutes to add crystals.
A sleek bob with a few crystals along the hairline makes a simple costume feel curated. It flatters round and heart faces when the length hits at the jawline. Use a small dab of salon glue for crystals and keep the rest of the hair glossy.
Don’t over-accessorize; a few well-placed accents read more intentional than a full glittering head.
What You'll Need to Get This Look
Heat Tools
- 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand ($30 to $60)
- Large 1.5-inch curling iron ($35 to $70)
- 1-inch titanium flat iron ($40 to $80)
- Blow dryer with brush attachment ($40 to $100)
Styling Products
- Alcohol-free volumizing mousse, 8oz ($10 to $25)
- Lightweight heat protectant spray, 6oz ($8 to $20)
- Flexible hold hairspray, 8oz ($8 to $25)
Hair Care and Protection
- Microfiber hair towel, one size ($8 to $20)
- Color-safe sulfate-free shampoo, 12oz ($10 to $25)
Accessories and Finishing
- Assorted bobby pins, 200 pack ($5 to $12)
- Hair donuts and padding set ($6 to $18)
- Mini horn clip set, black and red ($8 to $20)
Budget Swaps
- Drugstore texturizing salt spray, 6oz ($5 to $12) — cheaper but still gives grit for updos.
- Economy heat protectant mist, 6oz ($6 to $15) — good for casual wear.
Shopping Tips for These Looks
Buy tools during holiday sales: Blowout tools drop 20 to 30 percent in November. I waited and grabbed my 1-inch titanium flat iron.
Get a modular accessory kit: A kit with pins, elastics, and clips saves time when assembling theatrical styles. I keep a spare set next to my mirror.
Use temporary color for cosplay nights: A temporary red root powder or hair chalk refreshes color without commitment. Try temporary red root powder the week of the event.
Drugstore dupe hack: Salt sprays and mousses from the drugstore can mimic salon texture; layer lightly and add a small amount of serum on ends for shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make red hair color last through one night?
Use a color-depositing spray or temporary root powder after styling to revive vibrancy. For touch-ups, I use temporary color spray that washes out easily.
Will horns damage my hair when secured?
Not if you pad and pin them correctly. Use soft foam pads and lots of bobby pins for weight distribution. I keep a bobby pin bulk pack in my kit.
What heat tool barrel gives the most versatile waves?
A 1.25-inch ceramic barrel creates classic S-waves and works for shoulder-length to long hair. My go-to is the 1.25-inch ceramic curling wand.
How do I stop flyaways when creating a slicked-back look?
Work with slightly damp hair and a small amount of gel. Finish with a fine-tooth comb and a light mist of flexible hairspray. I use flexible hold hairspray for touchups without stiffness.
Final Thoughts
Where to start: pick the one element you can do well in five minutes, like a slick pony or a twisted low bun, and pair it with a small horn or a red highlight. Which look are you trying first: the polished topknot or the braided horns?
