As someone with naturally curly hair that tends towards the dry side, styling my hair has always been a challenge.
Unfortunately leaving my hair to fall naturally isn’t an option (unless I’m just kicking around at home), so I’ve been heat styling my hair nearly everyday since I first discovered a straightener at 13 years old.
And as you can imagine, this has wreaked havoc on my tresses.
Due to this excessive heat styling, the integrity of my hair has been severely compromised over the years. My long, thick locks have slowly turned wispy, dry and brittle. And despite trying desperately to get it back on track, there is only so much a weekly hair mask can do.
I’ve succumbed to the realisation that I do, in fact, need to stop heat styling my hair. So in an effort to prevent myself from causing even more damage to my hair, here are 7 no-heat hairstyles I’m living in at the minute.
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Low bun with middle part
One of the easiest styles to pull off for all hair types and hair lengths, the low bun with middle part takes approximately two seconds to do and looks incredibly chic. You can dress it up with hairclips or pins, and if you’re worried about fly aways try using a little holding spray or de-frizzing balm at the top of your hair before pulling it back.
bh recommends: bhave Frizz Control and JUSTICE Professional Firm Hold Hairspray.
Hair clips
Speaking of hair clips, these trendy accessories are perfect for helping style your natural hair. Whether your hair is long, short, curly, or straight, styling with hair clips can help tame those funny little pieces of hair (usually at the front!) we all have that just won’t behave. They’re incredibly versatile and you can wear them in so many different ways!
See how three ways to style hair clips here…
Half-up half-down
I don’t know about you, but the top half of my hair is signifcantly more damaged than the bottom half. It could be that the top half of my hair gets more sun exposure, or it could be that I spend more time (AKA more heat) styling it. Whatever the reason, it’s usually the hair on the top of my head that just won’t cooperate when I leave my hair natural. That’s why I love a half-up half-up look. It ties up my problem pieces while still being able to rock my hair (half) down. This style is particularly useful for those of us with shorter hair.
High ponytail
If your hair is long enough, then a messy high ponytail might be the perfect no-heat style for you. Typically reserved for the gym, you can make this hairstyle look a little more chic by slicking your hair back with some gel or holding spray and pull it tight, like Khloe Kardashian. Let your natural hair spill over and add a little hydrating oil to the ends if need be. Try adding a scrunchie or a hair clip to make it more trendy.
bh recommends: Lady Jane Scrunchies and Ponytailers and Lily Silk Flower Silk Hair Scrunchies.
Messy waves
Not all of us can be so lucky, but for the few that have naturally wavy hair that doesn’t frizz, there should be no reason you can’t rock your natural tresses! To ensure your hair falls nicely and behaves all day, run a hydrating serum or foam through your locks and add an accessory, like Elle Fergusons’s hat, if you’re worried some strands may go astray.
bh recommends: AFFINAGE PROFESSIONAL Moisture Foam and muk Haircare Hot muk Smoothing Serum.
Slicked back
The slicked back style is ideal for when you have a more formal event or an important meeting. It’s elegant, sophistocated, and a better alternative to the middle part for those of us that have wavy and/or dry and frizzy pieces at the front of our hair around the face. You can rock this look with both a bun or a ponytail and is best styled using a flexible holding gel.
bh recommends: Schwarzkopf Taft Spike Styling Gel and John Frieda Frizz Ease® Clearly Defined® Gel.
Top knot
Finally, the ever-versatile top knot. This hairstyle is a go-to for so many reasons — you can dress it up or keep it casual, you can add accessories or keep it simple, and you can wear it messy and touseled or sleek and chic. Depending on your hair’s length, texture and volume, everyone’s hair looks different in a top knot and that’s what’s so awesome about them! To avoid causing further breakage to your hair, use a coil hair tie instead of a regular hair elastic.
bh recommends: Lady Jayne Style Guards.
