If You Have Poker-Straight Hair, These Hairstyles Are For You
Hair types don't come with instruction manuals, and each one has its own set of challenges. If you have straight hair, you've likely had your fair share of questions — and maybe even a few annoying hair days. No matter how much hairspray you use or how many fancy formulas you purchase, it won't probably hold a curl — or any volume, for that matter. When you put it up in a ponytail or in a bun, it probably lies a little too flat for your liking, and maybe if your hair is on the thinner side, it doesn't look full enough for your liking when you style it. If this is the case, "frustrating" is a word you're all too familiar with.
But know that you're not alone: Straight hair can be tricky to not only style but also keep intact for many. That doesn't mean you don't have options, though, as there are plenty of people out there with stick-straight strands who have mastered hairstyles that look picture-perfect. Some are super simple to achieve, whereas others require a few extra steps to get a look that won't let you down, but they all look stunning in the end.
Soft wand waves
Tight curls can start to fall out, or, even more annoyingly, some ringlets will unfold while others stay intact or half-heartedly retain their shape. Instead, opt for soft waves that look natural even if they come undone. Start by waving or curling your hair, and then spray it with a holding formula. Finally, brush it out. These waves are softer in texture and silhouette, so it won't be as noticeable if some look straighter than others over the course of the day.
Slicked-back bun
Sleek is a keyword for anyone with straight hair. These slicker looks tend to work well with hair that has less volume. Pull it all back into a bun and get extra staying power with hair products. This will also help prevent flyaways and any shorter strands from slipping out of the updo. For extra personality, a few hair clips can go a long way. Clip them around the bun for a bold look that doubly reinforces the hair.
Blow-dry inward
Straight hair may often struggle to hold a head full of curls, but a little extra shape and volume is completely possible. Simply use a blow-dryer or blow-drying brush to flick your hair inward toward your face. This is particularly helpful for a sleek lob or bob, but it looks just as pretty at the ends of longer hair. It may not be a drastic change to your routine, but it'll add more shape and body to hair that normally lies flat.
Add a bow
On days when you don't have the time (or energy) to do an intricate updo, you can accessorize super-straight hair with a satin bow. Put your hair into your go-to ponytail or bun and tie in the ribbon at the base. A bow can also be added at the bottom of some looks, including braids. Moreover, there are tons of different color options, so you can match your outfit or change it up depending on your mood.
Pull half back
A good trick for giving hair more body, especially if it's poker-straight, is to concentrate all of it in one area. One way to achieve this is to pull half of your hair away from your face and secure it in the back. This provides a sleek finish in the front but plenty of extra volume in the back. It's great for straight hair that tends to lie flat or look deflated a few hours post-styling.
Clip in a flower
Straight hair that looks far from voluminous in a chignon can be boosted with a flower clip. It adds flair, color, and texture to any hair type, regardless if it can't hold a curl or falls out of braids and buns. Faux flowers can also be used in half-up hairstyles.
Accessorize with a bold headband
There's a lot of power in a headband. A statement version can change the whole aesthetic of any outfit and is ideal for spicing up hairstyles. It's also helpful when working with two- or three-day hair. Straight hair often looks greasier, according to Healthline, due to its lack of shape. A thicker headband can keep silky straight hair back, hide grease, and provide a lot of personality to a look overall.
Opt for a braid and bow combo
A classic braid, or one with a French twist, is an easy way to keep hair away from your face but it doesn't require any major volume to stay in place. It's polished and sleek, perfect for any kind of occasion, and helps dress up straight hair when leaving it down feels a little boring. The addition of a bow or barrette at the base or at the end gives it all the more interest and can even serve as a matching final touch to an outfit.
Add waves with a straightener
When your hair is poker-straight, who needs a flat iron? Well, as it turns out, it's a great idea to have one on hand. You can use a flat iron for the opposite purpose and add waves to your hair for extra volume. Use the plates to gently wrap your hair around, or alternate directions as you pull it down a section of hair. Flat-iron waves and curls actually last for quite a while due to flat irons' good heat distribution on their plates.
Flip it out
Just like blow-drying your hair inwards, you can also blow-dry it out for a slightly different look. This gentle flick at the ends provides a lot of bounce to a lob or bob and adds a subtle wave to poker-straight tresses. This can also be created with a flat iron or curling wand and is a quick option when you only have minutes to spare in the morning.
Leave out face-framing strands
Love a ponytail but feel a little bit bored with them? Shake up this straight hairstyle ever so slightly with this two-second adjustment. Pull all of your hair back into a tight updo but leave a few strands out to frame your face. Another idea is to take a brush or straightener and curl them inward or outward, or you could wave them just a bit.
Try out curtain bangs
Bangs are often executed and then regretted because they're so high-maintenance. Fortunately, straight hair doesn't often cause as many styling issues since it lies flat on the scalp and forehead. Sure, the occasional bad hair day might crop up, but with less texture and waves, it's generally simpler to style. The curtain bang look, in particular, is a fabulous choice, as it has more length and layering to play with, giving straight hair more interest.
Go for a sleek middle part
Middle parts may feel tricky to pull off, but with stick-straight hair, it's a piece of cake. Parting it down the center with gel or spray is one of the simplest ways to embrace strands of this type. Tuck the front pieces behind your ears, and you'll have a mod style that elongates everything and looks incredibly chic but only takes seconds to create.
Pile it into a messy bun
All hail the messy bun — a style that gives personality and pizzazz to any hair type. Intentionally disheveled and always effortlessly beautiful, a messy bun gives extra oomph to straighter strands. It can be looped in on itself and secured or piled up for a top-knot finish. What's more, you can select a few pieces to fall out of the back and around your face to instantly give it more shape than a sleeker bun.
Finesse a braided low bun
There are seemingly countless braided hairstyles out there, and when wrapped or twisted, these are an especially great way to add texture to finer, straight hair. It's a sleek and chic look that will feel like a change from a basic ponytail or braid. This is the perfect way to show off a layered haircut or piece-y bangs, giving hair much more movement and volume.
Sleep in a braid for waves
For perfect waves, sleep in a damp braid and remove in the morning for slightly more crimped volume. Because your hair spends hours in this position, it'll last longer, especially with some reinforcing products like hairspray and wave spray. Similar to creating soft waves with a curling iron, this provides subtle texture that's meant to look natural — and, therefore, it's no big deal if it loosens throughout the day.
French braid it
Another great hairstyle to rely on is the French braid. The interwoven nature of this braid style amps up dimension and creates a layered effect, providing ample texture in comparison to normal straight hair. It's stylish enough to leave as-is but equally as simple to accessorize with a bow or barrette.
Break out the claw clip
As we know, accessories are one of the best tools to have in your belt when it comes to working with straight hair. Aside from barrettes and ribbons, one choice has stood the test of time and is seemingly more popular than ever: claw clips. You can do a lot with a claw clip in straight hair, whether you swoop it all up or clip it half-back. It's the perfect way to show off layers and highlights (or lowlights), too, which gives straighter hair more dimension.