7 Easy Long Curly Hairstyles Curly Girls will Love!

I’ve had long hair my entire life, and often as I get ready for the day, I face the same age-old question: what should I do with my hair? As the mom of three,  I want something practical that won’t take a lot of time out of my busy day, so effortless and ease go a long way;  looking great doesn’t hurt either!

As the owner of the curly girl hair movement, curleegirlee.com, and a mother to a young and long-haired curly girl, I want to be able to implement versatile looks that work for both our hair textures and are easily wearable for adult women as well as curly girls of all ages.  So here are seven easy and simple ideas for long, curly hair that I’ve come to love. These hairstyles will add some extra flair to any outfit you choose for yourself as well as your little one and can be dressed up or down for both of you.  Inside you will also awesome find some very cool natural curly hair product suggestions to accompany your look.

1. Messy Bun

Whether it’s messy or neat, high or low, buns are a classic style that always looks great! For a messy high bun, pull your hair back behind your head. Don’t worry too much about making it intentionally messy, allow some curls to fall through or around your face on their own, and don’t play with it too much. The “messy” bun style will look best when it looks (and is) effortless! Tie the hair into a ponytail for extra security, then twist the hair loosely and wrap it around the ponytail base to create a simple and easy bun. Pin with as many bobby pins as you may need, and you can even tie it with another hair tie if you are worried about more curls slipping out throughout the day. You and your curly girl can accessorize your bun by adding a bow to the base, or by tying a hair scarf or ribbon around it to hide the pins. A loose, low bun is an excellent hairstyle that is simple and easy while also looking sophisticated, making it perfect for a special occasion without having to put in hours of effort. For extra special occasions, secure jewel or flower hair twist pins into the bun for added elegance.

2. Side Braid

The braid, like the bun, is another timeless classic that is easy to achieve. It’s neat and will keep curly hair from tangling or getting in your way throughout the day. Simply pull curly hair to one side, section, and braid it. Just like with the messy bun, don’t worry about it being perfect; messy braids will feel and look better than ones that are tight and neat—plus you don’t have to worry about it staying perfect as you go about your day. Here is a tutorial for how to braid curly hair for excellent results! For extra volume, before securing the braid with a hair tie, pinch the end between your fingers to make sure it doesn’t come loose, then pull gently at the plaits of the braid to make it appear thicker and fuller. Tie off with a hair tie or ribbon!

3. Slicked-back Ponytail

The slicked-back ponytail is great for both special occasions and daily activities. It’s sleek and chic but also practical. To achieve, first, make sure your hair is clean and free of tangles. Use a pick or comb to create a part if you desire one, but they are optional for this hairstyle. Mist your hair with a spritz of water from a spray bottle and work through. Use your favorite gel product. we suggest trying Controlled Chaos Curl Creme, and work a generous amount into the roots of your hair. You may want to separate your hair into sections to do this if it is extra thick. Then brush the hair down with a bristle brush until it is completely smooth against your scalp. Do this for all sections then tie them together into a single ponytail at the base of your neck. Check out this helpful video to see how to get your hair extra smooth. Let the curls of your ponytail hang loose and free!

4. Loose with a Middle Part

Perfect for you and your curly girl- let your curls hang free and natural with this sleek, classic, and—above all—easy look! Dry your hair as you normally would, or check out our previous article on how to ensure you wake up with fabulous curls. If you are in a time crunch and do not have time to air-dry we suggest drying with a diffuser to add extra volume to this simple look. If you haven’t used a diffuser to dry your hair before, take a look at this article. Use a pick or a wide-tooth comb to part hair down the middle. If your hair is not used to being parted this way, it may be more difficult to keep the part in the middle or keep the hair where you want it. Try parting the hair while it is still wet, or use a product such as gel or curl creme to keep your hair from trying to go back to its original position.

5. Bubble Ponytail

Bubble ponytails are an easy way to style your hair into a unique, head-turning style while also putting minimum effort into the look. To begin, pull your hair into a ponytail (this style works for both high and low ponytails—even pigtails for the young long hair curly girl!) and tie it back at the desired height. A few inches down from the base of the ponytail, add another hair tie and repeat this step until you reach the end of your hair. Like with the braid, you can add extra volume and fullness to your “bubbles” by gently pulling at your hair before securing it. Use simple hair ties for each section, or use ribbon or bows for an added touch of style. These ponytails are a great style for containing wild hair.

6. Half Up

The half up style is an excellent idea for adding a bit of cuteness and grace to your style, and there are so many ways to accessorize or personalize it! Just like with the loose style, dry your hair using your preferred method, then simply pull back the hair from behind and above your ears and tie the section back against the crown of your head. Leave the section loose and add a bow on top. Or you can tie it back into a bun or even a braid!

7. Space Buns

Space buns are a new trend that has taken over in the past few years, and it’s no surprise why! This simple and easy style is cute, fun, and easy to accessorize. Simply part your hair down the middle and section off into two sides. Pull one section to the top of your head before tying it off into a ponytail. Just like the bun, twist your hair and wrap it around its base and secure with bobby pins. Do the same process to the other section of hair and make sure the buns look even! Also like the original bun style, feel free to add a ribbon or fancy hair tie to both add some additional flair and cover any pins! This is an excellent alternative to the bun for those with extra thick hair!


Atara Twersky, Owner of the Curly Girl movement and Author of the Curlee Girlee book series is a TODAY Show Style Icon. Her mission is to teach girls to embrace the beautiful curls they have with power and confidence. Join us as together we change the “coarse” of curly hair.

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