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36 Easy Hairstyles for Curly Hair You Can Do in Minutes

Styling curly hair can be fun, but finding quick and easy options that don’t take up too much time can be challenging. Whether you’re running late for work or simply want a new look, these 36 easy hairstyles for curly hair will have you ready in minutes. From casual buns to elegant twists, these styles are perfect for every occasion, keeping your curls looking great without the hassle.

Why Quick and Easy Hairstyles for Curly Hair Matter

For people with curly hair, quick and simple styles are essential. These hairstyles help maintain your curls while saving time, allowing you to embrace your natural texture without spending hours in front of the mirror. With these styles, you can keep your hair healthy and gorgeous, whether you’re heading to work or going out for a casual day.

Prepping Curly Hair for Quick Styling

Before diving into the hairstyles, it’s important to prep your curls. Use a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to keep your hair hydrated and frizz-free. A wide-tooth comb and diffuser will also come in handy to gently detangle and enhance your curls’ definition. Proper preparation will make styling much easier and faster.

36 Easy Hairstyles for Curly Hair For Busy Days

1. Half-Up Top Knot

A woman with a half-up top knot, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her curly hair tied in a top knot.

This style keeps your hair out of your face while highlighting your curls. Simply gather the top section of your hair, twist it into a knot, and secure it with pins or a hair tie.

2. High Puff

A woman with a high puff hairstyle, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, emphasizing her voluminous high puff.

A great way to add volume and show off your natural curl pattern. Gather your hair at the crown of your head and secure it for a bold, stylish look.

3. Pineapple Updo

A woman with a pineapple updo, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her curly pineapple updo.

This updo is perfect for both night and day. Pull all your hair to the top of your head, secure it with a loose tie, and let the curls fall naturally.

4. Messy Bun

A woman with a messy bun, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, keeping the focus on her loosely tied messy bun.

For an effortless look, gather your curls into a loose bun. Let a few strands fall out for a carefree, everyday style.

5. Defined Curl Ponytail

A woman with a defined curl ponytail, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, emphasizing her sleek ponytail and defined curls.

Create a sleek ponytail while leaving the rest of your curls defined and voluminous. Add some curl cream for a polished look.

6. Low Side Ponytail

A woman with a low side ponytail, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her elegant side ponytail.

A simple, yet elegant style. Sweep your curls to one side and secure them into a low ponytail for a soft, romantic vibe.

7. Double Buns

A young girl with two small double buns, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her playful double buns.

Perfect for a playful look. Divide your hair into two sections and create buns on either side of your head for a fun and youthful style.

8. Braided Crown

A woman with a braided crown, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, emphasizing her intricately braided crown hairstyle.

Take two sections of your hair and loosely braid them around the crown of your head. This look adds elegance while keeping it simple.

9. Curly Bangs and Bun

Keep your bangs out while securing the rest of your curls into a high bun. This style adds dimension while being quick and easy.

10. Low Braided Ponytail

A woman with a low braided ponytail, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her braided ponytail.

For a polished style, braid a low ponytail. This look keeps things tidy without taking much time.

11. Loose Twisted Updo

Twist sections of your hair and pin them up for a soft, romantic updo. It’s perfect for a more dressed-up look.

12. Side-Swept Curls

A woman with side-swept curls, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her beautifully swept curly hair.

Sweep your curls to one side and secure them with bobby pins for a dramatic, eye-catching style.

13. Faux Hawk

Pin the sides of your hair up, leaving your curls to fall down the middle for an edgy, bold look.

14. Simple Space Buns

A woman with simple space buns, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her playful space buns.

Divide your hair into two sections and create small buns on top of your head. This is a trendy, quick style perfect for any day.

15. Low Bun with a Twist

A woman with a low bun and a twist, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, emphasizing her neatly twisted bun.

Pull your curls into a low bun and add a twist detail for a polished look that’s still easy to achieve.

16. Curly Headband Look

A woman with a curly headband hairstyle, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her styled curls and headband.

Push back your curls with a cute headband, leaving the rest loose for a simple and stylish look.

17. Twisted Halo

Twist small sections of your hair around your head to create a halo effect. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for curly hair.

18. Loose Curls with a Scarf

A woman with loose curls tied back with a scarf, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her curls and scarf.

Use a scarf as an accessory by tying it around your curls. It adds color and style while keeping your hair in place.

19. Half-Up Half-Down Twist

A woman with a half-up half-down twist, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her elegant twist hairstyle.

Twist two sections of your hair from the front, pin them back, and leave the rest of your curls flowing free.

20. Sleek Low Bun

A woman with a sleek low bun, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her polished low bun.

Gather your curls into a smooth, low bun for a sleek and professional look that’s still easy to create.

21. Braid and Bun Combo

A woman with a braid and bun combo, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, emphasizing her unique braided bun style.

Braid a section of your hair and wrap it into a bun for a quick, stylish look that’s both fun and elegant.

22. Simple Claw Clip Updo

A woman with a simple claw clip updo, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her casual claw clip updo.

Gather your curls into a twist and secure them with a claw clip for an effortless updo that’s trendy and practical.

23. Bubble Ponytail

Create a bubble ponytail by adding small elastic bands along the length of your ponytail. It’s a fun twist on a classic style.

24. Curly Hair with a Side Braid

Create a simple side braid and leave the rest of your curls loose for a laid-back yet chic look.

25. Mini Twists

A woman with mini twists, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her neat, stylish mini twists.

Divide your curls into small sections and twist them. This low-maintenance style is perfect for busy days.

26. Loose Top Knot with Headband

A woman with a loose top knot and headband, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her casual top knot.

Create a loose top knot and accent it with a headband for a casual, stylish look that’s ready in minutes.

27. French Braid Low Bun

A woman with a French braid leading into a low bun, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her elegant braided bun.

Braid the front of your hair into a French braid and secure the rest into a low bun for a romantic style.

28. Crown Braid with Loose Curls

Create a braid around the crown of your head and leave your curls loose for a boho-inspired look.

29. High Ponytail with a Twist

A woman with a high ponytail and a twist at the front, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her sleek ponytail and twist.

Add a twist to the front of your hair before pulling it into a high ponytail for a simple yet elegant look.

30. Curly Side Bun

A woman with a curly side bun, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her elegant side bun.

Sweep your curls into a side bun for a romantic style that works for both casual and dressy occasions.

31. Flat Twist Updo

A woman with a flat twist updo, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her sleek flat twist updo.

Flat twist the sides of your hair and pin them up into an updo for a sleek, polished look that’s easy to achieve.

32. Double Dutch Braids

Create two Dutch braids for a sporty, fun look that keeps your curls in place all day.

33. Quick Bantu Knots

A woman with quick Bantu knots, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her playful Bantu knots.

Divide your curls into sections and twist them into Bantu knots for a playful, protective style.

34. Tucked-In Curls

A woman with tucked-in curls wrapped in a scarf, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, emphasizing her scarf-wrapped curls.

Tuck your curls into a scarf or wrap for a simple, stylish look that’s perfect for keeping your hair protected.

35. Low Chignon

A woman with a low chignon hairstyle, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, highlighting her elegant low chignon.

Gather your curls into a low chignon for an elegant style that’s perfect for formal occasions and easy to pull off.

36. Rolled Back Half-Updo

A woman with a rolled back half-updo, with slightly imperfect skin. The background is blurred, focusing on her soft, rolled-back half-updo curls.

Roll back sections of your hair from the sides and pin them for a half-updo that highlights your curls in a simple yet elegant way.

Styling Tips for Long-Lasting Results

Now that you have 36 easy hairstyles for curly hair to choose from, it’s important to make sure those styles last all day, keeping your curls looking fresh and defined. Here are some key tips to help you maintain your look:

  • Start with a Good Base: Proper hair care sets the foundation for long-lasting styles. Always make sure your hair is well-moisturized with a leave-in conditioner or curl cream. These products hydrate your curls and create a barrier that fights frizz throughout the day.
  • Use Lightweight Products: Heavy products can weigh down curls and cause them to lose their bounce. Opt for lightweight gels or sprays that offer hold without flattening your hair. Look for ones that are specifically designed for curly hair to enhance curl definition while keeping your style intact.
  • Seal in Moisture: After applying your products, use a small amount of oil or serum to seal in the moisture. This will help to reduce frizz and add shine. Argan oil or lightweight hair serums work well for this purpose without leaving your hair greasy.
  • Choose the Right Hair Ties: Avoid using regular elastic hair ties, which can cause breakage and dent your curls. Instead, opt for scrunchies or silk hair ties that are gentler on your strands. These also help preserve the shape of your curls, especially if you’re wearing styles like buns or ponytails.
  • Protect Your Hair While You Sleep: For styles you want to keep overnight, it’s essential to protect your curls while you sleep. Wrapping your hair in a satin or silk scarf or sleeping on a silk pillowcase will minimize friction, preventing frizz and breakage. The pineapple method, where you loosely tie your hair at the top of your head, is another way to keep curls intact.

Quick Fixes for Common Curly Hair Issues

Curly hair often comes with its own set of challenges, like frizz, tangles, or flatness, but there are simple solutions to help keep your curls looking their best. Here are some quick fixes for common curly hair issues:

  • Combatting Dryness: Curly hair tends to be drier than other hair types. If you notice your curls looking dry mid-day, a lightweight oil or serum applied to the ends can add moisture and shine. This quick fix not only adds hydration but also smooths any frizz that might have appeared.
  • Frizz Control: Humidity and lack of moisture can cause frizz, but keeping a small bottle of leave-in conditioner or curl cream in your bag can be a lifesaver. A quick spritz or a small dab can refresh your curls and tame frizz on the go. You can also gently scrunch the product into your hair to revive your curl pattern without causing more frizz.
  • Dealing with Tangles: Curly hair is more prone to tangling, but regular brushing or combing can disrupt the curl pattern. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle your hair when needed. Start from the bottom and work your way up to avoid breakage. It’s best to detangle curly hair when it’s damp and coated with conditioner to minimize damage.
  • Reviving Flattened Curls: If your curls have lost their volume throughout the day, a simple water mist can do wonders. Lightly spritz your hair with water and scrunch to reactivate your curls. You can also use a curl-refreshing spray that adds bounce without weighing your hair down. Adding a touch of mousse or curl cream to damp sections will help bring back definition.
  • Boosting Volume: For those days when your curls feel a little flat, you can easily boost volume with some quick tricks. Flip your head upside down and gently shake your roots to add lift. A light volumizing mousse or root spray can also help create more body without leaving residue.

Embrace These Easy Hairstyles for Curly Hair

These 36 easy hairstyles for curly hair give you plenty of options to choose from, no matter your mood or schedule. Whether you’re running late or simply want a fresh look, these styles will keep your curls looking great in no time.

For even more inspiration, check out 25 Playful Hairstyles for Short Hair With Ponytail to Try Now and keep experimenting with fun, quick styles that fit your routine.

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