It’s back to school season again!
I know how important it is for students of all ages to find the perfect hairstyle before heading back to class.
The right look can give you confidence, help you make a good first impression, and just make you feel your best as you take on a new school year.
I’ll provide step-by-step details on how to do each look, along with tips on things like quick styling, how to make the style last longer, and how to customize the look to suit your hair type and length.
These back to school hairstyle ideas are fun, on-trend, and achievable at home.
The Sleek Low Ponytail
The sleek low ponytail is a gorgeous, polished look that’s perfect for back to school.
It looks great on all hair lengths and keeps your hair neatly pulled back and out of your face during busy school days.
To get this look, start by applying some smoothing serum or cream through damp hair and blow drying straight.
Then, gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, securing it with an elastic band
For extra polish, wrap a small section of hair around the elastic and pin it underneath with bobby pins.
Use a boar bristle brush to smooth out any bumps or flyaways.
Then mist hairspray over the finished ponytail to lock in the sleek look.
For an added touch, curl the ends of the ponytail in soft waves using a curling iron.
This is an easy yet elegant hairstyle that transitions seamlessly from school to after-school activities. It works great with both straight and curly hair textures.
The key is keeping the hair very smooth and tight when gathering it into the ponytail.
To make this ponytail last longer, use a texture spray at the roots before blow drying for extra grip.
And focus the heat styling on the roots and crown area where frizz and flyaways are most likely to occur.
The Soft Wave Bob
A bouncy, soft wave bob hitting around the shoulders is a gorgeous back to school look.
The waves add volume and movement for an effortlessly chic style.
Get this cut by asking your stylist for a classic blunt bob shaped to hit right around the collarbones.
Incorporate subtle face-framing layers around the front to encourage the hair’s natural bend and wave. Avoid any heavy layering throughout the rest of the length.
At home, apply a volumizing mousse and scrunch gel or curl cream through damp hair.
Diffuse until 80% dry, flipping hair side to side to create body and bend in the waves.
Or air dry hair wrapping sections around a large barrel curling iron to set in soft waves.
The finish should have touchable, tousled movement vs tight uniform curls. Run fingers through the waves and shakes ends lightly.
Lock in the style with a flexible hold hairspray.
This medium bob length and wavy texture is flattering for round, square and oval face shapes. It adds loads of movement to fine, limp hair.
For thicker hair, keep layers minimal to remove bulk.
Play with a side or middle part and switch up placement of your waves. With the right products and simple styling, this cut easily goes from school to weekend fun!
The Half-Up Style
One of my favorite back to school hairstyles is the versatile half-up look. It’s a great in-between style – keeping some hair down while pulling back the top section.
This helps keep hair out of your face while leaving some hair down to frame your features beautifully.
Start by applying some volumizing mousse to the top and crown sections of damp hair before blow drying.
Then, brush the top section of hair straight back and gather it into a ponytail, securing with an elastic just above the crown.
Leave the remaining lower section of hair down in soft waves or smooth straight strands.
Mist all over with medium hold hairspray to lock in the style.
You can customize this look by changing where you place the ponytail or by adjusting the part.
For example, an off-center part with a low side ponytail is very on-trend.
Or for a boho vibe, just tie back a small section near the front, leaving most of the hair down.
This half-up style works great on medium to long hair. It helps contain unruly hair while still allowing movement and bounce.
The look can be dressed up with pretty barrettes or pins in the half-up section. It’s great for school, sports, and casual everyday wear.
To increase volume in the ponytail section, flip your head upside down while blow drying and really get lift at the roots. Then spray the section with dry shampoo before pulling into the ponytail.
3. The Top Knot Bun
A top knot bun is one of the hottest back to school hairstyles. It looks sophisticated while keeping all of your hair neatly up and off the neck.
It’s comfortable for warm weather but also pairs well with casual autumn outfits.
Start by spritzing sea salt spray or texturizing spray through dry hair.
Then, brush hair straight back into a high ponytail atop your head.
Twist the ponytail and wrap it into a messy bun shape, securing with bobby pins in an “X” shape.
Tousle pieces around the face and mist with medium hold hairspray to finish.
For added polish, wrap a piece of hair around the base of the bun to hide the elastic band.
This style works best on medium to long hair.
But those with shorter locks can tease the top section before sweeping into the ponytail for more height.
Play with wrapping the bun looser or tighter depending on the look you want.
To get extra volume in the crown for this look, flip your head over while blow drying upward at the roots to boost lift.
Use dry shampoo at the roots as needed to soak up oil and add grip before styling.
Straight Center-Parted Strands
Long, straight center-parted hair is a gorgeous back to school style.
The length is on-trend while the center part creates symmetry and elegance.
Keeping hair stick straight helps remove bulk from thick hair.
Start by applying a heat protectant evenly through damp hair.
Then, blow dry hair using a paddle brush to flatten and smooth out the strands.
When hair is 90% dry, divide hair into sections and pass a flat iron over each piece to seal in the sleek look.
Finish with a shine serum or oil through the mid-lengths and ends. This helps control frizz and flyaways for stay-put style all day at school.
Mist the roots with dry shampoo as needed to refresh oilier hair types.
For thicker or wavy hair, try pressing each section with the flat iron twice to really flatten and straighten the cuticle.
Avoid going over the same spot too many times which can cause damage. Always use heat styling on dry hair to lock in the straight look.
This versatile hairstyle transitions from school to fun weekends out with friends seamlessly. It’s a great way to show off gorgeous highlights or balayage color too!
The Fishtail Braid
Fishtail braids add beautiful texture and interest to back to school hairstyles.
The braid looks intricate but is actually quite easy to do yourself at home!
Start by spritzing sea salt spray or dry shampoo through dry hair for texture and grip.
Gather hair into a neat, low ponytail at the nape of your neck then split into two even sections.
Take a small piece from the outside of one section and cross it over to the inside of the other section – just like a regular braid.
But then take another small piece from the opposite side and cross it over as well.
Keep alternating in this “criss-cross” pattern until you’ve reached the ends and secure with an elastic. For extra style, gently pull on the braid to loosen and pancake it.
Finish with hairspray.
This style works best on medium to long hair.
But fishtail braids can be done on shorter hair by first curling the hair or teasing the ponytail for volume before braiding.
Vary the braid placement too – braids over the shoulder or angled across the back are very pretty.
For second day hair, mist dry shampoo on the scalp and fingers through the braid to refresh. You can also carefully loosen and redo any frizzy pieces.
Add accessories like barrettes or ribbons to customize your look.
Face-Framing Highlights
Subtle face-framing highlights brighten up your look for back to school in a totally natural looking way.
The strategic placement helps frame and enhance your features.
It’s low maintenance and grows out very gracefully.
Ask your stylist for fine highlights in pieces around your face – near your eyes, cheekbones and along your part line.
The most natural look involves doing multiple very thin strands throughout these areas to mimic how the sun naturally lightens hair over time.
For school, style your face-framing highlights with soft waves or straight strands.
Pull top pieces back with barrettes or pins to show off the hand-painted color.
Or wear hair half-up half-down.
This technique works beautifully on all hair colors – adding dimension to brunettes while accentuating the eyes on blondes.
Face-framing highlights help make stylist appointments less frequent since growth blends seamlessly.
To maintain, use a toning or coloring shampoo once a week to keep brassiness at bay.
And don’t wash immediately after coloring – let the highlights oxidize a bit to get brighter over the next 1-2 days. Sleep in a shower cap to let the color develop without fading.
The Textured Lob
Choppy, textured lobs are ultra trendy for back to school.
The medium length is versatile while the razored ends give movement and shape. It’s low maintenance and stylish.
Get this look by showing your stylist inspiration photos of textured lobs with stacked, piecy ends.
Ask for long to medium-length layers cut throughout to take weight off and encourage movement. Then have the ends thinned and texturized for that effortless feel.
Style your new textured lob with a texturizing spray scrunched through the ends for definition. Air dry or diffuse upside down for extra volume and body at the roots.
Finish with a medium hold hairspray.
This cut works well on most hair types, but is especially great for fine hair.
The layers help thin hair hold curl and get extra bounce. It’s also ideal for those growing out short cuts or removing damaged ends over time.
To boost texture and volume between washes, use dry shampoo at the roots and tousle the hair.
Also alternate between volumizing and moisturizing shampoos to get the right balance of body and softness.
Loose Bob
Bobs with loose, tousled waves are always in style for back to school.
These chin to shoulder-length cuts keep hair fresh and current.
The soft waves flow beautifully and bump up fine or limp hair.
Get this look by showing your stylist photos of wavy bobs you admire. Ask for the length to hit somewhere between your jawline and shoulders.
Get subtle face-framing layers cut in to encourage the hair’s natural texture.
At home, apply a volumizing mousse and spritz in sea salt spray. Scrunch hair as it air dries or diffuse.
When dry, tousle waves into place with your fingers. Finish with a flexible hold hairspray to lock in the style.
This bob is gorgeous on straight, wavy or curly hair when cut to enhance your natural texture.
Add beachy volume with sea salt spray or define curls with gel.
Part your hair on the side for an asymmetric look.
To boost waves on flat hair, twist damp hair into loose bantu knots first.
Let it dry completely before undoing each knot for soft curls that set into waves. Refresh in between washes with dry shampoo.
The Angled Bob
For school, I love an angled bob hitting around the chin.
The angle is flattering to all face shapes while removing bulk from thick hair. Styled sleek, it’s polished. Wavy, it’s fun and carefree.
Ask your hairstylist for an angled bob leaving hair a bit longer in front that angles down to shorter ends at the nape.
For fine hair, keep layers minimal. For thick hair, add longer layers throughout for movement.
Smooth styles work best on fine hair.
Blow dry hair straight back using a paddle brush, then pass through small sections with a flat iron to finish sleek.
For waves, scrunch in mousse for hold and diffuse or air dry.
Part your angled bob to the side for asymmetry or down the middle for a classic look. Tuck one side behind the ear for a flirty touch.
This cut works well on most hair textures and densities.
Boost volume by blow drying inverted at the roots.
Smooth flyaways with a small amount of serum. Use dry shampoo on second-day hair to soak up oil at the scalp for fresher hold.
The Long Layers
Long layers are a great way to remove bulk from thick hair or add movement to fine locks.
Soft, face-framing layers around a long cut are on-trend for school.
Ask your stylist for long layers that begin framing the face and cascade down throughout the length. Layers should be seamless and blended – avoiding any heavy stacked looks.
For fine hair, keep layers very subtle and concentrated around the face.
Long layered hair can be worn straight and sleek or with soft curls and waves.
Allow hair to air dry for a more lived-in finish or blow dry straight for a more polished look.
Use mousse or sea salt spray for texture and movement.
The key to getting this cut right is making sure layers don’t go too short or over-thin the ends.
Concentrate most of the layering around the face and remove length gradually throughout the rest of the hair for the most flattering shape.
Use a wide-tooth comb when hair is wet for easy detangling.
Try a hydrating mask once a week to condition dry ends. Refresh hair between washes using dry shampoo at the roots to soak up excess oils.
The Tousled Pixie Cut
Short pixie cuts are a great back to school option for busy students.
These low-maintenance looks are quick to style but make a huge impact.
A choppy pixie cut with longer pieces on top is a stylish choice.
To get this cut, ask your stylist for longer layers cut through the top and sides with shorter underlayers and pieces in the back.
The result is a tousled, piecey shape that lifts right off the head. Avoid going too short – leave some feminine length.
Style with a matte pomade for separation and movement.
Blast roots with dry shampoo for volume and tousle pieces forward and up with your fingers.
Move hair in different directions as it air dries for a naturally tousled effect.
This cut is ideal for those with fine to medium hair density and some natural wave or curl.
The longer top pieces give styling options while the underlayers take out bulk.
Embrace your natural texture for best results.
Go for second or third day hair to maximize texture and volume – a pixie looks best a bit un-styled.
Use dry shampoo and your fingers to tousle and revive hair between washes.
Soft Preppy Headband Styles
Headbands give polished, preppy style to back to school looks.
Position a sleek headband further back on the head for a modern look vs traditionally across the front.
Start by blow drying hair super straight back or pulling into a low ponytail to smooth flyaways.
Then, slide a pretty headband onto the crown of the head, nestling it back an inch or two from hairline so it rests behind the ears.
Leave hair down in soft waves or straight strands.
Mist hair with medium-hold hairspray for stay-put style that lasts all school day. This works great with short to medium length hair.
Customize your look by experimenting with different style headbands – from soft jersey or elastic bands to more ornate sculpted or floral designs.
Headbands keep hair contained while allowing you to highlight pretty hair accessories.
For volume, flip head over while blow drying hair and brush roots.
Set the headband further back on the head so you don’t flatten the crown but can still tame flyaways. Refresh slick ponytails with dry shampoo.
The Curly Shag Cut
Embrace natural texture with a curly shag cut for school.
This chin to shoulder-length cut features shattered ends and piecy layers that remove bulk and let curls pop.
Ask your stylist for short to medium layers cut throughout – concentrating most around the crown to boost volume.
Avoid blunt lines and keep the ends very soft and shattered for movement.
Style your curls with a curl defining cream scrunched through damp hair. Diffuse upside down for volume or air dry for a more natural shape.
Finish with a humidity-blocking gel to elongate curls and prevent frizz.
This versatile cut flatters different face shapes and hair densities. It works with wavy to tight curl patterns. The shattered ends help curls spring free vs. falling flat.
Shake out curls with fingers for bounce.
Get extra volume by clipping curls into place as they dry. Use a pick to lift hair from the roots when dry. Refresh curls between washes with a curl reviver spray or dry shampoo.
With a fresh cut and trendy new ‘do, you’ll be looking and feeling amazing heading back to classes.
These back to school hairstyle ideas are designed to be achievable at home while making you look salon-fresh.
Play with flirty finishing touches like hair accessories to customize your look. And don’t be afraid to embrace your natural texture – from stick straight to big bold curls.
As a stylist, I hope these tips help you kick off the school year in style.
With the right cut, products and styling techniques, you can take your look from school to sports to hanging with friends seamlessly.
Have fun, experiment and let your personality shine through with your gorgeous hair!
