While we’d all love to just wash and brush our hair and go, or wake up with perfect hair, the reality is that some effort has to go into your hair if you want it to look good.
Good news is that having a great hairstyle doesn’t mean spending hours in the bathroom primping, curling or straightening your hair. A low maintenance hairstyle is possible. 
All it takes is a few simple changes to how you care for, cut, color and style your hair.
Straight, Short Hair – Low Maintenance Hairstyle
Why: It’s neat and professional but slightly edgy.
Tell the hair stylist: “I want a chin-length tapered bob that’s a bit longer in front than in back.”
Straight, Long Hair - Low Maintenance Hairstyle
Why: A face-framing style makes you look younger.
Tell the hair stylist: “I want graduated layers with bangs—a sort of 70s, hippie-chic vibe.”
Wavy, Short Hair - Low Maintenance Hairstyle
Why: Messy in a good way, it gives fine hair body.
Tell the hair stylist: “I want a tousled pixie cut, but not too short.”
Wavy, Long Hair - Low Maintenance Hairstyle
Why: You don’t have to blow-dry it to make it look good.
Tell the stylist: “I want a long shag that comes to a V in back.”
Curly, Short Hair - Low Maintenance Hairstyle
Why: It’s sexy and polished—and it gives shape to curls.
Tell the hair stylist: “I want a jaw-length blunt cut with long, side-swept bangs.”
Curly, Long Hair - Low Maintenance Hairstyle
Why: A precise part gives curls a modern twist.
Tell the hair stylist: “I want center-parted loose ringlets that fall slightly longer in back than in front.”
Many hairstyles allow you to wash and go each morning whether your hair is short or long. The trick is finding the hairdo that looks best on you. Here are some examples of some hairstyles that are easy to maintain on a daily basis:
Simply Hairstyles When Your On The Go
If you don’t follow haircut trends, you might prefer a classic hairstyle. Some traditional hairstyles require minimal daily care to look good. These simple classic hairstyles work for casual or dressy occasions:
- Long hair all in one length: Contrary to popular belief, long hair can sometimes be easier to maintain than a short haircut. Long hair that is below the shoulders or longer that is all one length can often be styled in less than ten minutes each day. The length allows a variety of hairstyles, such as loose, ponytails, braids or an updo. The one length doesn’t require the styling time that layers sometimes need. Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore and Scarlett Johansson have worn long one length hair in many beautiful styles.
- French twist: Audrey Hepburn made the French twist updo famous in the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The way the hair is swept up around the face and twisted in the back accentuates a woman’s neck and draws attention to her face. Modern versions of the French twist include face framing ringlets or side swept bangs. Recently, celebrities Victoria Beckham, Kristen Stewart and Kate Winslet have worn variations of the French twist.
- Side braids: Side braids come in two versions – messy and sleek. The messy side swept braid looks is a looser braid, with height at the crown, and a few loose tendrils of hair. The sleek side braid is a tighter braid with the hair brushed shiny and close to the head. It works for straight, curly or wavy hair.
- Ponytail: The ponytail is versatile because depending on how you fashion it, the hairdo can be understated elegance or carefree casual. A sleek, smooth ponytail looks great with a little black dress. A neat ponytail with a few loose tendrils can look refreshing with jeans.
Tips for Low Maintenance Hair Care
Whatever hairstyle you choose, your hair will be easier to care for with the following tips:
- Keep hair moisturized. Moisturized hair will be more manageable and healthier. Use conditioner after every shampoo. Wash hair with a gentle shampoo, such as a sulfate-free one, no more than two or three times a week to prevent drying it out.
- Trim away split or uneven ends to prevent scraggly, dry ends or breakage. Get a haircut that is easy to style on your own.
- Keep the haircut at the length recommended by the stylist to maintain the look.
- Grow hair long to at least shoulder length to allow a large number of hairdo possibilities. Longer hair can be put in updos, ponytails or styled loose.
- Consider roller-setting hair or getting a professional blowout with a hairdryer into a hairdo that can sometimes last up to a week with minimal daily upkeep.
Low Maintenance Hairstyles With Color
If you don’t use hair dyes to color your hair then you’ve already got low maintenance hair color covered. For the rest of us:
- Consider letting your dyed color grow out and eliminate the regular upkeep of an artificial hair color.
- Try a hair color that is as close to your natural hair color as possible. This cuts down on root touch ups andtime spent combating color fade.
- If you love the variety that different hair colors offer then opt for a solid hair color. It’s easier to maintain than other color processes such as two-tone looks and highlights.
Talk to a hair stylist for more ideas on hairdos that require little daily maintenance and explore many fun hairstyle possibilities. Visit my hair salon in Columbus Ohio!
