If I’ve realised one thing in isolation, it is this: when I said “I’d do it if I had the time” – about learning French, selling stuff on Depop, pickling some cabbage – I was lying. I’ve been isolating for weeks and have I learnt any French? Non. Did I delete the Duolingo app from my phone to free up more storage for hair inspo pics? Oui. Here’s the coolest styles I’ve saved, ready for when isolation ends.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 No-heat curls
This one is all about minimal effort (and damage).
How to:
Wash and towel dry your hair then split it into a middle parting. Grab an old pair of tights and clip them on top of your head – a leg on either side. Plait each side of your hair using the tights as one of your three sections (don’t add hair to this section). Sleep with them in then in the morning, unravel the plaits carefully and break up the texture with your fingers. For a bigger, bouncier curl, switch the tights for a dressing gown tie and wrap the hair around, rather than plaiting.
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2 Bantu knots
Great for natural hair (and loved by Rihanna).
How to:
Wash, detangle and towel dry your hair. Use a rattail comb to create sections (smaller for short hair and larger for long hair), secure the hair with an elastic to keep them mapped out. Work section-by-section, applying a small amount of curl-defining cream and twisting the hair – from root to end – into a taut rope. Keep twisting the hair until it coils around itself. To secure the Bantu knot in place, tuck the ends underneath the knot – this tends to suffice for naturally curly hair but straighter hair may need an elastic.
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3 60s flicks
Outward flicks on short hair, *chefs kiss*.
How to:
Wash your hair, apply a heat-protect serum and blow-dry it straight. If your hair is frizzy, quickly smooth it with your straighteners – don’t worry about it being perfectly straight. Clip the top half of your hair out the way. Working in 1.5-inch sections, run your straighteners down the hair. When you’re a few inches from the ends, begin rotating the straightening iron (when you’re at the end it should have turned 180 degrees). Whether you flick it inwards or outwards is up to you.
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4 Bubble ponytail
So 90s it hurts.
How to:
Start by brushing your hair to untangle any knots. Secure your hair into a ponytail (if you’re going for a sleek look, blow-dry the hair in the direction of the ponytail beforehand). Wrap a small section of hair around the hair elastic and secure with a bobby pin. Work your way down the length of the ponytail, adding a hair elastic every couple of inches. Tug a little at each section to make the bubble effect. Leave the elastics visible or continue wrapping small sections of hair around them.
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5 Super sleek
This hair is smoother than that guy from that bar that time.
How to:
Starting with the bottom layer of hair, take small sections (no more than 1.5-inch wide) and run your straighteners from root to tip. The big thing here is to take your time, making sure each section is completely smooth. The hair needs to ‘set’ so don’t touch it (or put it behind your ears) until it has completely cooled – using no-crease clips in the front of the hair while they set will stop the hair separating. Spray some stronghold hairspray onto a toothbrush to smooth any flyaways.
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FAQs
How can you create no-heat curls at home?
You can create no-heat curls by plaiting damp hair with an old pair of tights. Divide your hair into a middle part, use the tights as one of the plait sections, and leave them in overnight. For a bigger curl, use a dressing gown tie and wrap your hair instead of plaiting it.
What is the best way to secure Bantu knots in straight hair?
To secure Bantu knots in straight hair, you may need to use elastic bands. Twist washed and towel-dried hair section-by-section, then coil each section tightly and tuck the ends beneath the knot. Elastic can help knots stay in place for straighter textures.
How do you style a 60s flick using straighteners?
To get a 60s flick, blow-dry your hair straight and section it into 1.5-inch pieces. As you straighten each section, rotate the straightener 180 degrees a few inches before the ends. This creates the signature outward or inward flick characteristic of this look.
How do you achieve a bubble ponytail effect?
You create a bubble ponytail by tying your hair up, then adding hair elastics every couple of inches down the length. Gently tug at each section to make the bubbles stand out. You can leave the elastics visible or cover them with small sections of hair for a sleeker finish.
What steps help you get super sleek hair?
For super sleek hair, straighten small sections (no wider than 1.5 inches) from root to tip. Let each section cool completely before touching or styling to allow the hair to ‘set’. Using a toothbrush spritzed with hairspray is great for smoothing any stray hairs at the end.