Any hair
Styles that work on most hair. 116 hairstyles on EveryHairstyle so far.
Some hairstyles work on almost any hair: straight or coily, fine or thick. The ponytail, the bun, the braid, the buzz cut and the shaved head are found on every continent, which is part of why they are among the oldest and most common styles. They need little special skill, adapt to many lengths, and can be dressed up or kept simple.
Why they work
A ponytail and a bun only need enough length to gather, and the shape comes from the tie or the coil, not from the hair's texture. A three-strand braid can be made in straight, wavy or coily hair, though it looks different in each. Very short cuts such as the buzz cut and the crew cut, and the shaved head, take texture almost out of the picture. These styles are often the first that children learn.
One style, many looks
The same basic style can look very different on different hair. A bun can be sleek on straight hair or full and round on coily hair. A braid on fine straight hair is slim and smooth; on thick coily hair it is wide and textured. Buzz cuts show the shape of the head and the natural hairline. Stylists adjust tension and product to the hair, rather than changing the style itself.
Famous any hair hairstyles
Still to be written: Head shaving.
Further reading
🇮🇳 India and 4 moreGajra
Flower garland worn in the hair or on the wristAdorned · Any hair
🇮🇳 IndiaPunjabi paranda
A multicoloured silk braid extension from Punjab.Adorned · Any hair
🇺🇦 UkraineUkrainian wreath
Traditional floral headdress for Ukrainian girls and unmarried womenWrapped · Any hair
🇨🇳 China and 1 moreBuyao
A Chinese hairpin with dangling ornaments that sway when the wearer moves.Adorned · Any hair
WorldHair stick
A long, thin accessory used to secure hair buns and updos.Adorned · Any hair
🇪🇸 SpainPeineta
Large decorative comb worn under a lace veilAdorned · Any hair · 1800
🇨🇳 ChinaChinese hairpin
Traditional Chinese hair ornaments used to secure buns and signify status.Adorned · Any hair
🇰🇷 South KoreaHwagwan
Elaborate Korean ceremonial coronet for womenWrapped · Any hair
🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreHair extensions
Cosmetic additions of human or synthetic hair attached to natural hair for length and volume.Styled · Any hair · 1950
🇮🇳 IndiaPoola Jada
A floral and jewelled adornment for South Indian bridal braids.Adorned · Any hair
🇮🇳 IndiaKerala bridal jasmine plait
Long braid wrapped in fresh jasmine garlands for Kerala brides.Braid · Any hair
🇮🇳 IndiaAmbada
Decorated Maharashtrian bridal hair bunUpdo · Any hair
🇮🇳 IndiaParanda
A colourful woven tassel braided into Punjabi hairAdorned · Any hair
🇲🇱 Mali and 1 moreGoffa
Traditional braided style with metal adornments for married women in Mali and Niger.Braid · Any hair
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Ukrainian wreath: Samuil Dudin (1863-1929), Public domain, source
- Buyao: anonymous, Public domain, source
- Ponytail: Dick Thomas Johnson, CC BY 2.0, source
- Bun: Stilfehler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Peineta: Hiart, CC0, source
- Buzz cut: Fadi El Benni of Al Jazeera English, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Crew cut: greginhollywood, CC BY 2.0, source
- Hair extensions: Eunicehair, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Gajra: Amarnath, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Chinese hairpin: Augusthaiho, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Hair stick: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Punjabi paranda: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, source
- Braids: Unknown author, Public domain, source