Everyday
Quick styles for daily life. 138 hairstyles on EveryHairstyle so far.
Most hair, most days, is worn simply: a ponytail, a bun, a plait, or a short cut that needs only a comb. Everyday styles have to be quick, comfortable and practical for work, school and heat, and they last through the day. Across South Asia, an oiled plait or a quick bun; in much of the world, a short barber's cut or a ponytail.
Quick styles
A ponytail takes seconds; a bun only a minute more and keeps hair off the neck in hot weather. A single plait, the choti of South Asia, keeps long hair tidy all day and protects the ends. For short hair, the right cut is the style: a good bob, a crew cut or a regular haircut falls into shape after washing. Many people with coily hair choose protective styles that last for weeks, so daily styling is light.
Everyday care
Everyday hair depends on routine: washing as often as the hair needs, detangling gently, oiling in many South Asian homes, protecting curls with a satin bonnet at night. The quickest styles are also gentle if they are not pulled too tight. A regular trim, every six to eight weeks for short cuts and less often for long hair, keeps an everyday style in shape.
Famous everyday hairstyles
Further reading
WorldFrench braid
A three-strand gathered plait from crown to nape.Braid · Any hair · 1871
WorldBraid
Interlaced strands of hair used for style and social signalling.Braid · Any hair
🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreCornrows
Tight three-strand braids woven close to the scalp in straight or curved lines.Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 1902
WorldPigtails
Two symmetrical ponytails or braids worn on opposite sides of the head.Ponytail · Any hair
🇳🇦 Namibia and 1 moreBox braids
Square-parted protective braids with synthetic extensions.Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 1990
🇬🇧 United KingdomLovelock
A single long braid worn over the left shoulder by 17th-century Europeans.Braid · Any hair · 1580
🇳🇬 Nigeria and 4 moreFulani braids
West African braided style with beads and side strandsBraid · Coily and kinky hair
🇺🇸 United StatesProtective hairstyle
Styles that tuck hair away to reduce breakage and environmental damage.Braid · Coily and kinky hair
WorldCrochet braids
A protective hairstyle using a latch hook to attach synthetic hair to cornrows.Braid · Any hair
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian braid
A traditional long plait from Russia with historic marital meanings.Braid · Any hair
🇳🇬 NigeriaKoroba
A Yoruba braid styled like an upside-down basketBraid · Any hair
EuropeRoman hairstyles
Ancient Roman hair fashions reflecting status and identityUpdo · Any hair
Sub-Saharan AfricaAfrican hair threading
A traditional sub-Saharan African technique using thread to wrap and braid natural hair.Braid · Any hair
🇦🇹 AustriaGoddess braids
Thick, raised cornrows with added volume and curls.Braid · Coily and kinky hair
🇺🇸 United StatesPassion twists
A protective two-strand twist style using wavy extensions for a soft, boho look.Braid · Curly hair · 2018
🇪🇹 EthiopiaShuruba
Traditional Ethiopian cornrows and braids worn by women and men.Braid · Any hair
WorldDutch braid
A raised plait created by crossing hair sections under the centre strand.Braid · Any hair
🇮🇳 IndiaParanda
A colourful woven tassel braided into Punjabi hairAdorned · Any hair
🇺🇸 United StatesKnotless braids
A protective braiding style that feeds in hair to reduce scalp tension.Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 2010
🇺🇸 United StatesLemonade braids
Side-swept cornrows popularised by Beyoncé in 2016Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 2016
WorldFishtail braid
A two-strand plait resembling fish bones or a corn stalk.Braid · Any hair
🇳🇦 Namibia and 1 moreEembuvi
Traditional long braided headdress of Mbalantu women in Namibia.Braid · Straight hair
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Protective hairstyle: Bluenile Photography c/o A. Smith, CC BY 2.0, source
- Bob cut: 147 Company, CC BY 4.0, source
- Braid: Ciell, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cornrows: Rod Waddington, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ponytail: Dick Thomas Johnson, CC BY 2.0, source
- Bun: Stilfehler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- French braid: Stilfehler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Crew cut: greginhollywood, CC BY 2.0, source
- Box braids: Randen Pederson, CC BY 2.0, source
- Lovelock: Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599 - 1641) Details on Google Art Project, Public domain, source
- Fulani braids: François-Edmond Fortier (1862-1928), Public domain, source
- Pigtails: Ykstyyppi123, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Russian braid: Philip Budkin, Public domain, source
- Regular haircut: JParker9, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Roman hairstyles: Colchester Museums, Caroline McDonald, 2004-06-02 14:47:52, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- African hair threading: Judeylive, CC BY-SA 4.0, source