7 Easy Hairstyles That Will Make Your Hair Look So Much Healthier

I’m always guilty of overdoing it with the hair styling at the end of the year with Christmas and New Year’s (and my birthday) by January my strands are a shred of their former self. So, at the beginning of the year, I’m always looking for easy hairstyles that don’t require too much manipulation as I try to stop using high heat and pulling and tugging my hair into harsh styles. The other reason for this is that I truly cannot be bothered, I want to relax and ease into the year. For January, the mission for my tired-out locks and tired-out brain is creating the simplest styles that still look cool as ever.

I asked some top stylists and beauty writers their favourite easy styles and tips for overworked hair and I now have a catalogue of 7 looks to pick from– here are my favourites.

1. Changing Parts

"A parting is your BFF when it comes to changing your style,” says Marcello Moccia, co-owner of Room 97 Creative Leeds and Wakefield. "Try taking it deeper for a more dramatic look. Move it so it sits above the end of your eyebrow where it will highlight your cheekbones as well as your eyes. Tuck behind the ear and grip with a bejewelled grip. Change the side your parting is on, with more hair on the opposite side you will get extra volume through the top which is perfect for a more luxurious finish.”

Get the look:

2. Relaxed Bob

"If you have a bob or lob, we love to style in a way that’s ultra-relaxed, not too try-hard and is super sexy,” suggests Harry Ponting assistant manager of Blushes, Worcester. "If you’re on day-2 hair then no worries, section your hair roughly into partings and pop some dry shampoo through– the powder texture is great for refreshing and giving your root volume a boost too. Blast it through with the hairdryer and when suitably tousled use your straightening irons on a low heat to just create a subtle bend in the front pieces so that they fall away from your face. Minimal effort but maximum results.”

Get the look:

3. Seventies Bombshell

For those with longer hair that perhaps you curled yesterday and don’t want to add anymore heat on it, refresh with L’Oréal PLI thermal modelling spray, take a triangle fringe section and grab your velcro rollers and wind your bangs or front pieces around the roller away from your face and secure,” advises Harry. "Repeat on your side pieces and lightly on a low-speed heat it up. Leave them to cool for a little while, then let them out to get a real 70’s bombshell-look. Pop your head upside down and using your hands just tousle your hair through and the whole look is refreshed.”

Get the look:

4. Slicked Back

This look works on long or short hair according to Harry. "A slicked back look is just the right amount of drama and shine. To get the side-slicked look, simply comb your hair back and to the side, using a gel for hold. Choose a parting, then with towel-dried hair that’s been combed through, apply gel and/or mousse and scrunch. Using a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment lightly circulate on a low speed setting the air around your head until your hair is around 40-50% dry and then leave. If you feel the need, add a little more gel or oil through the ends to contain frizz.”

Get the look:

5. Big Curls

"Easy chic hairstyles for that post party season should be loose and relaxed,” says Michelle Sultan, Imbue Creative Director and Ambassador. "Try braiding hair when wet and then let dry completely for loose SJP waves that always look like you spent hours styling your hair. Run a tiny amount of Imbue Curl Worshipping Oil down the strands of the hair to give shine and a little definition and lovely shine and lustre into hair.”

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6. Fun Upfront

"A great way to trick a thought through look is to style the front sections of the hair only, leaving the rest looking more undone or simply tying into a pony or messy bun,” says Syd Hayes, BaByliss Ambassador. "Try the BaByliss Cordless Hot Brush to refresh bangs or shorter frontal layers to add an element of glam. It works to smooth your locks while adding body and movement.”

Get the look:

7. Bold Braids

"For me nothing say 'low-fi hair', more than braided hairstyle. As the new year begins post ‘Detty December' (a term used to describe the festive season across countries like Nigeria,Ghana and South African) it’s quite common to see people still wearing the intricate braided looks they installed whilst on holiday” explains beauty writer Ata-Owaji Victor. "Although famed for their versatility and unique ability to change up any look, if you're looking to extend the life of your braids then something like Oribe’s Hair Plumping Mousse, is great for taming those loose curls that start to appear around 3 weeks into wearing the style” 

For an added hair health boost, "try using T.H.O.M’s scalp serum around day 4 into your braided style to keep your newly parted scalp protected and nourished” 

Get the look:

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated. 

Next up: Honestly, These 37 Hairstyles Give Life and Oomph to Thin Hair