Straight hair
Hair that falls flat without a wave. 13 hairstyles on EveryHairstyle so far.
Straight hair grows without a wave or curl and falls flat from root to tip. It is the most common hair type in East Asia and is widespread in many other regions. Because light reflects off its smooth surface it tends to look shiny, and because it shows every cutting line it suits precise, graphic cuts. It can be slippery, so braids and updos may need extra grip.
What suits straight hair
Blunt cuts look sharp on straight hair, which is why the bob, the pageboy and the hime cut are so closely tied to it. Long, one-length straight hair is admired in many cultures, from Japan and Korea to the long plaits of South India. Straight hair holds a sleek ponytail and a smooth chignon well, though fine straight hair can lie flat, so stylists use layers or a blow-dry for lift.
Adding texture
Straight hair can be given waves and curls with heated tongs, rollers, braid-outs or a perm. The digital perm, developed in Japan, is popular in East Asia for adding soft curls. Without some texture, braids and buns can slip, so stylists may backcomb a little, use dry shampoo or texture spray, or braid slightly damp hair. Straight hair also shows oil sooner, because scalp oil travels down it easily.
Famous straight hair hairstyles
Further reading
🇯🇵 JapanChonmage
Traditional Japanese topknot worn by men, historically by samurai and now by sumo wrestlers.Updo · Straight hair · 1603
WorldComb over
A hairstyle for balding men that uses long hair to cover thinning areas.Styled · Straight hair
🇺🇸 United StatesCrew cut
A short, graduated men's haircut with upright top hair.Cut · Thick hair · 1920
🇩🇪 GermanySuebian knot
A historical male bun worn by the Suebi and other Germanic tribes to signal status and identity.Updo · Straight hair
🇬🇧 United KingdomPageboy
Straight hair hanging below the ear with an inward turn.Cut · Straight hair · 1950
🇯🇵 JapanHime cut
A Japanese style with straight cheek-length sidelocks and long back hair.Cut · Straight hair · 1970
🇯🇵 JapanNihongami
Traditional Japanese hairstyles characterized by elaborate updos, side wings, and wax styling.Updo · Straight hair
🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreDucktail
A 1950s men's cut with a central rear parting.Cut · Straight hair · 1950
🇬🇧 United KingdomVictory rolls
A 1940s women's hairstyle featuring voluminous side rolls shaped like the letter V.Styled · Straight hair · 1940
🇺🇸 United StatesFinger wave
S-shaped waves set by hand with comb and gelStyled · Straight hair · 1920
🇺🇸 United StatesThe Rachel
Voluminous layered cut popularised by FriendsCut · Straight hair · 1995
WorldHair crimping
A heat or braid technique creating zig-zag waves in long hair.Styled · Straight hair · 1985
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Bob cut: 147 Company, CC BY 4.0, source
- Hime cut: kxz Chen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Comb over: Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo, Public domain, source
- The Rachel: ABC Television, Public domain, source
- Chonmage: not listed, Public domain, source
- Queue: Lai Afong, Public domain, source
- Suebian knot: Bullenwächter, CC BY 3.0, source
- Nihongami: 都新聞社 Miyako Shinbun, Public domain, source
- Crew cut: greginhollywood, CC BY 2.0, source
- Pageboy: Jacometto Veneziano, Public domain, source
- Lob: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ducktail: Rockbillyboogie, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Finger wave: Unknown author Unknown author (Either deceased family member or work f, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hair crimping: 1000heads, CC BY 2.0, source