10 Must-Try Heatless Hairstyles for this Back to School Season

Those back-to-school jitters are real! But feeling cute and confident, no matter how nervous or so-not-ready-to-go-back you are, can quickly make the new school year go from drab to fab. And who says you need to put in a lot of effort when it comes to getting ready? Not us.

If you're looking for super easy, heatless hairstyles that will have you looking polished and put together (even if you just rolled out of bed), then you've come to the right place. We've gathered our top 10 must-try heatless hairstyles for back to school that don't need a bunch of tools and gadgets (maybe just a few hair ties and bobby pins). So whether you're heading off to school or are going to be showing off your locks all year long on class Zoom calls, you can make that first-day impression count.

But before we begin, some of these hairstyles require our number one favorite hair accessory: bobby pins. To make sure you're caught up on bobby pin 101, read up on our blog post here to learn the bobby pin tricks that will completely change your hair game.

1. The Claw Clip French Twist

One of summer's biggest hair trends isn't over yet! Claw clips are one of our favorite back-to-school hair accessories because they always look cute, can be worn multiple ways, don't damage your hair, and you can match them with your outfit—what's better than that?

Here's a quick guide on how to do an easy, classic claw clip updo. For more styling options, check out the tutorial below.

Step 1: Part your hair down the middle. Take out any front pieces you want to frame your face (optional).

Step 2: Gather your hair as if you were putting it into a low ponytail, and begin twisting it around your finger. Stop when about half the length of your hair is tightly coiled.

Step 3: Raise the twisted part of your ponytail up against the middle part of the back of your head and secure it with the claw clip.

Step 4: Let the loose ends fall over the twist in a cute, flippy, 90s-child way, and voila!

 https://youtu.be/DoPQ6S5tMxw

2. Overnight Heatless Waves

This heatless hairstyle is perfect for girls who want to have those voluminous waves but don't want to spend time in the morning using a curling iron. All you'll need is a robe belt (that is at least twice as long as your hair) and some hair ties.

Step 1: Center the robe belt on your head.

Step 2: Divide hair into two sections and begin on either the left or right side.

Step 3: From the first section, grab a portion of hair that's the same size you would typically curl (about 1 to 2 inches) and twist it around the robe belt. Don't pull too tightly for this first curl, as this will deflate the curl's volume—you can twist the following sections tighter!

Step 4: After you twist the first section, grab a section of the same size below it and join it with the previous section.

Step 5: Continue this process with all of the sections. 

Step 6: After you've wrapped all of the sections, wrap hair around the belt until all your hair is wrapped in one long section, ensuring that no section overlaps with another.

Step 7: Secure the end with a hair tie and then wrap it into a bun. Repeat on the other side.

Step 8: Sleep!

Step 9: Gently unwrap the hair in the morning, slowly undoing each section at a time and unwinding it in the opposite direction than how you started. 

Step 10: Separate and loosen the curls by running your fingers through your hair.

Step 11: Spray with hairspray to keep waves in place. Leave waves as is or style with bobby pins, a cute headband, or a silk scarf.

https://youtu.be/pGb_1WIJdbg

3. Sleek Braided Ponytail

The trendy slicked-back ponytail with a braided twist is a quick, back-to-school hairstyle that's perfect for those days when you couldn't be bothered to wash your hair. Having a bit of natural grease and oil in the hair helps you get that sleek look without a bunch of excess product. This style is made for those girls with extensions or naturally long, thick hair.

Step 1: Brush through hair to make sure it's tangle-free.

Step 2: Slick hair back with a brush and use any styling products you want (e.g. gel or styling crème) to ensure hair is completely smooth.

Step 3: Secure into a ponytail.

Step 4 (optional): Add extensions here and blend with natural hair.

Step 5: Tightly braid hair all the way down. Secure with a hair tie.

https://youtu.be/SFGwr5vi0yQ

4. Braided Space Buns

If your goal this back-to-school season is to show off your cute, bubbly personality through your hairstyles, then this look is one to wear and wear again. These cute little space buns can be worn as an updo or a half-up, half-down look—depending on what you're feeling. We'll walk you through the half-up, half-down look below.

Step 1: Brush through hair, then divide the top section of hair from the bottom section. 

Step 2: Divide the top section of hair into two equal sections (parted down the middle) and secure into two ponytails. Use any gel or edge control here to slick back baby hairs.

Step 3: Braid each ponytail all the way down and secure with an elastic. Loosen braids for fuller buns or tighten them for smaller buns.

Step 4: Wrap braids into small buns and secure them with bobby pins.

https://youtu.be/B_Xs3tkk0Fk?t=105 [Starts at 1:45]

5. Simple Wrapped Ponytail

Jazzing up the classic ponytail = one of the easiest (and cutest) heatless back-to-school styles you can possibly do. All you need are some hair ties, bobby pins, and maybe some trendy barrettes to accessorize.

Step 1: Part hair down the middle. Pull out any front hair pieces or add cute barrettes here to frame the face.

Step 2: Pull hair back into a mid-low ponytail.

Step 3: Take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it to conceal the hair tie. Secure with a bobby pin that matches your hair color.

Step 4 (optional): Add texturizing spray to give the ponytail extra volume.

https://youtu.be/EB2il7NCNCM?t=116 [Starts at 1:56]

6. Voluminous Textured Bun

For the girls who want a unique heatless hairstyle that looks like you put a lot of effort in (when you really didn't), then this one's for you. All you'll need are a comb, bobby pins, a hair tie, and some elastics.

Step 1: Part your hair however you want (either on the side or down the middle).

Step 2: Gather hair into a semi-high ponytail at the back of the head. Secure with a hair tie.

Step 3: Section hair into three smaller sections, as if you were going to do a braid. Secure each with an elastic a few inches down from the main ponytail.

Step 4: Flip each of the smaller ponytails in on itself. Then pin all three to the base of the head with bobby pins (this creates the texture and volume for your bun).

Step 5: Add another elastic a few inches down from the start of the bun. Then create a loop and flip it over the entire bun.

Step 6: Tuck and pin remaining hair away with bobby pins.

https://youtu.be/NVmgNoByl7E?t=407 [Starts at 6:47]

7. Pinterest Inspired Front Braids

We've been seeing this hairstyle everywhere lately, and not only is it super cute, but it also requires zero heat, a few elastics, and some basic braiding skills.

Step 1: Part hair down the middle.

Step 2: Separate two front sections of hair (not too big) and braid each section. You can braid 50% of the way down or more—depending on what you're feeling!

Step 3: Secure with small elastics that match your hair color. 

Step 4 (optional): If you want to rock this look but want to keep your hair out of your face, pull hair back into a bun or pin braided sections back with color-matched bobby pins.

https://youtu.be/wzpTaLlK7uc?t=205 [Starts at 3:25]

8. Quick & Easy 90's Ponytail

The 90's trends are hot this back-to-school season. So what's better than a quick and easy 90's-inspired ponytail that is both trendy and practical? This heatless back-to-school look works best with straight hair and only requires a comb, brush, hair ties, bobby pins, and an edge control gel if you have it.

Step 1: Start with second-day hair. This will give your ponytail a sleeker look and better grip.

Step 2: Give yourself a side part, but keep a small section of hair (or bangs) out to tuck behind your ear later.

Step 3: Comb hair back into a ponytail, smoothing it as you go. Secure with a hair tie.

Step 4: Take a small section of hair from the ponytail and twist it around the base, concealing the hair tie. Secure with a bobby pin.

Step 5: Take the front section of hair and tuck it behind your ear. Smooth baby hairs and flyaways down with hair spray or edge control gel.

Step 6: Secure the front section of hair using bobby pins the same color as your hair.

https://youtu.be/rmVb-65vOsw

9. Sleek "Model Off-Duty" Bun

This sleek, "model off-duty" inspired bun is perfect for those school days when you want to look polished and put together in only a few minutes with minimal effort required. And if your hair is greasy? Even better, since those natural oils help get that sleek look.

Step 1: Part your hair down the middle. Then, using a boar bristle brush (a regular hair brush will work too!), brush hair back towards the crown of your head.

Step 2: Making sure that your middle part is still visible, begin pulling and smoothing hair back into a ponytail at whatever height you find most flattering for you.

Step 3: Secure hair into a ponytail, then twist and wrap it into a bun until you have about one to two inches of hair left uncoiled.

Step 4: Using another hair tie, secure hair into a bun, leaving that extra hair out on the side, framing the bun.

Step 5: Use bobby pins that match your hair color and hair spray to ensure that the hair stays slicked back with no flyaways.

https://youtu.be/ipRdmxUwoQY

10. Simple Half-Up, Half-Down

Somedays, we can't decide what we want: hair up? Or hair down? Well, how about both? We love a classic half-up, half-down do because it truly is the best of both worlds.

For this super simple look, all you'll need are some hair ties and bobby pins that match your hair color.

Step 1: Section hair from above the ears and up to the top of the head.

Step 2: Gather and smooth hair with brush or hands and secure with a hair tie.

Step 3: Pull ponytail taut. Then grab a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the base of the hair tie to conceal it. Secure with bobby pins.

Step 4 (optional): Accessorize this simple look with a silky hair scarf that adds a pop of color to your back-to-school look.

https://youtu.be/xVi_a7aAac4?t=191 [Starts at 3:11]

No matter what hair type or color you have, we hope you've enjoyed our top 10 heatless hairstyle picks for this back-to-school season and that you give them a try. Check out our other hair tutorials here for more quick, effortless looks that are perfect for when you're running late but still want to look cute.

And to see more bobby pin tips and tricks, head over to our blog, where we give you the scoop on all things hair, bobby pins, and styling. For the latest offers, news in hair trends, styles, tutorials, product launches, and (of course) bobby pins, sign up for our newsletter below and get an exclusive BOGO offer when you join.

Don't worry. Your hair will thank you.