Are you looking for the perfect hairstyle to freshen up your look this May? Whether you’re planning to attend a special event, or just want to add a new twist to your everyday style, we’ve got you covered. From breezy beach waves to elegant buns, and everything in between, this article will guide you through stunning hairstyles suitable for various hair types including short, medium, and long hair. Curious to find out which style will suit you best and how to maintain it? Read on to discover these fabulous styles and pick your favorites!
Soft Beach Waves
Soft beach waves are the epitome of summer vibes, giving you a carefree look that’s effortlessly chic. This style is particularly flattering for medium to long hair, adding movement and texture to your locks. It’s ideal for those with naturally wavy hair or anyone looking to add a bit of romance to their style.
To achieve this look, use a salt spray or curl enhancer on damp hair, then dry with a diffuser or air dry. To maintain the waves, apply a light serum or mousse to keep them defined and frizz-free. Recommended products include Moroccanoil Beach Wave Mousse or Bumble and bumble Surf Spray.
Classic High Ponytail
A classic high ponytail is not only practical but also stylish, suitable for everything from a casual day out to a formal event. This look is especially great for those with long or medium hair and adds an element of sleek sophistication.
Achieve this hairstyle by brushing your hair back tightly and securing it with a hair tie at the crown of your head. For a polished look, wrap a strand of your hair around the base of the ponytail to hide the hair tie. Use a smoothing brush and a light hairspray like L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray to keep it neat and in place.
Low Bun with Floral Accessories
Elevate a simple low bun by adding floral accessories, making it a perfect choice for a wedding, prom, or any birthday celebration. This style suits all hair lengths but is particularly charming on medium hair to long hair.
Style your hair into a low bun at the nape of your neck, and secure with pins. Weave in some fresh or silk flowers matching your outfit for that extra touch of elegance. To maintain the look throughout your event, spritz with a flexible-hold hairspray like Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.
Side-Swept Loose Braid
A side-swept loose braid is perfect for creating a whimsical and romantic look, suitable for both school and special occasions. It works best on long or medium hair and gives a soft, pretty appearance.
To create this style, sweep all your hair to one side and braid loosely, allowing some strands to fall out gently for a relaxed look. Secure with a decorative hair tie or ribbon. Maintain the braid’s shape and prevent flyaways with a light application of hairspray, such as Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control.
Half-Up, Half-Down with Scarf
This versatile hairstyle combines the comfort of having your hair out of your face while still showcasing your beautiful locks. Suitable for medium to long hair, this style is perfect for a casual school day or a baddie weekend look.
Pull the top half of your hair back and secure it with a clip or tie. Add a colorful scarf as a headband to enhance the look. To keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant, use a volumizing spray, like Dove Hair Therapy Refresh+Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo.
Top Knot Bun
Ideal for those with medium to long hair, the top knot bun is a modern, stylish way to keep your hair up and out of the way during hot days by the pool or while working out at the gym. This easy and short style is perfect for maintaining a neat appearance.
To achieve this, gather your hair at the top of your head and twist into a bun, securing with pins. To ensure the bun stays in place, apply a strong hold gel or pomade like TIGI Bed Head Hard To Get Texturizing Paste.
Bohemian Fishtail Braid
A bohemian fishtail braid offers a laid-back yet elegant look, suitable for festivals, casual outings, or even a prom. This style works beautifully on long hair and adds an element of baddie flair to any outfit.
Split your hair into two sections and weave them together in a fishtail pattern, pulling pieces loosely to add volume. Secure with a clear elastic and pull at the braid slightly to enhance its texture. To protect your hair while sporting this style, use a nourishing hair oil like MoroccanOil Treatment Original.
Sleek Straight Hair
Sleek straight hair offers a polished, sophisticated look, ideal for professional settings or formal events. This style is most flattering on those with medium to long hair and emphasizes the sleekness of straight hair.
Achieve this look using a flat iron to straighten your hair from roots to ends, applying a heat protectant beforehand to avoid damage. For a glossy finish, use a shine serum like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.
Tousled Bob
The tousled bob offers a fresh, playful look perfect for those with short hair wanting a style that’s both easy to manage and stylish. This carefree hairstyle adds volume and texture, making it ideal for those looking to enhance their natural waves.
For the best results, work a texturizing cream through damp hair and scrunch it as it air dries. This look is especially flattering for round and heart-shaped faces. To maintain your tousled bob, use products like Bumble and bumble’s Surf Spray for that perfect beachy texture.
Waterfall Braid
The waterfall braid adds a whimsical touch to long or medium hair, cascading beautifully around the face. It’s a fantastic choice for special occasions like prom or a wedding.
Start by creating a French braid along the crown, gradually weaving sections of hair to flow freely down through the braid like a waterfall. This style suits those with at least medium-length hair best. Keep your braid in place with a light-hold hairspray, such as Aveda Air Control.
Messy Updo
A messy updo is perfect for a relaxed yet chic look, suitable for school events or a casual day out. This style works best for those with medium to long hair and adds a touch of effortless elegance.
Twist and pin your hair into a loose bun at the back of your head, allowing some strands to fall freely for a soft, romantic vibe. Secure with bobby pins and a spritz of flexible-hold hairspray like Sebastian Shaper Plus. This updo is particularly flattering for oval and square face shapes.
Textured Pixie Cut
The textured pixie cut is a bold choice that exudes confidence and style, ideal for those who prefer short hair. This cut is particularly suited for fine hair as it creates an illusion of thickness.
Style this cut by applying a volumizing mousse to wet hair and blow-drying with a round brush to add body. It’s a great look for angular face shapes, adding softness to the overall appearance. Maintain the style with a texturizing paste like TIGI Bed Head Manipulator.
French Braid Crown
The French braid crown is an elegant, timeless style that circles the head like a halo. Perfect for long or medium hair, this braid is ideal for formal events or a day at the pool.
To achieve this look, start braiding from the front of your hairline and work your way around the head, securing the end of the braid with a pin hidden under the start. It’s best suited for those with thicker hair. Secure your style with a light misting of hairspray, like L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin.
Low Chignon
A low chignon is a sophisticated hairstyle that exudes elegance and class, perfect for prom or a birthday celebration. This hairstyle works best on medium to long hair and is particularly suited for formal wear.
Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it into a bun, securing with pins. For a flawless finish, use a shine-enhancing hair spray like Schwarzkopf Osis+ Sparkler Shine Spray. This style is universally flattering, especially for those with oval and heart-shaped faces.
Wavy Lob with Highlights
The wavy lob with highlights is a trendy and dynamic style, perfect for adding dimension and movement to your medium hair. This casual yet chic look is great for everyday wear or special occasions.
To style, apply a curl-enhancing cream to damp hair and diffuse to bring out the natural waves. Highlights should be subtly blended to enhance the texture. This style is flattering for all face shapes. To maintain the waves, use a nourishing oil like MoroccanOil Treatment Light.
Twisted Ponytail
The Twisted Ponytail is a chic twist on a classic style, great for medium to long hair. It combines the simplicity of a ponytail with the sophistication of intricate twists, making it ideal for both casual and formal settings.
To get this look, part your hair down the middle and take two sections at the front. Twist each section back toward the nape of your neck and secure them with a ponytail. This style works particularly well for those with long hair looking to add a refined touch to their usual ponytail. Maintain your twisted ponytail with a smoothing serum, such as Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, to keep flyaways at bay and add a glossy finish.
Braided Updo
A Braided Updo is the epitome of elegance and is perfect for special occasions like weddings or proms. This style is versatile and works well with medium to long hair, adding a touch of grace and sophistication.
Start by creating a few loose braids with your hair, then twist and pin them into a bun at the back of your head. This style is particularly flattering on individuals with oval or heart-shaped faces. To keep your braided updo intact and looking fresh, use a strong hold hairspray like L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray.
Curtain Bangs with Waves
Curtain Bangs with Waves combine the retro flair of bangs with the modern twist of loose waves, suitable for medium to long wavy hair. This style is becoming increasingly popular for its flattering and youthful appearance.
To achieve this look, blow-dry your bangs with a round brush, sweeping them to the sides to create the ‘curtain’ effect. Use a curling wand to add soft waves to the rest of your hair. This hairstyle suits those with round or square faces by elongating the appearance of the face. Maintain your waves with a light mousse, like Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse, to ensure they hold without feeling stiff.
Pull-Through Braid
The Pull-Through Braid looks intricate but is surprisingly easy to create and is a stunning alternative to traditional braids. This style is best suited for long hair and adds significant volume and texture.
To achieve a pull-through braid, tie your hair into multiple ponytails and pull the hair through each to create a braid-like effect. This hairstyle is perfect for those with fine hair as it creates the illusion of thickness. To maintain the style, apply a volumizing spray such as Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast.
High Sleek Bun
The High Sleek Bun is a timeless look that exudes sophistication and elegance, perfect for formal events or a professional setting. It works best with medium to long hair and provides a polished appearance.
Pull your hair into a tight ponytail at the crown of your head, then twist the ponytail into a bun and secure with pins. This style is particularly flattering for those with angular faces as it draws attention upwards. Keep your bun sleek with a smoothing brush and a finishing spray like Kenra Volume Spray 25.
Space Buns
Space Buns are a fun and quirky hairstyle, perfect for music festivals or casual outings. This style is suitable for medium to long hair and adds a playful element to your look.
Create two high ponytails at the top of your head. Twist each ponytail into a bun and secure with pins. This style works well for those looking to add a bit of baddie flair to their ensemble. To maintain the buns throughout your active day, use a firm hold hairspray like Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray.
Long Layers with Side Bangs
Long Layers with Side Bangs offer a classic and flattering look for those with long hair. This hairstyle adds movement and dimension, making it ideal for those seeking a subtle change without sacrificing length.
To style, blow-dry your hair with a round brush, focusing on lifting the roots to add volume. Side bangs should be styled to softly frame the face, suitable for those with square or diamond-shaped faces. For daily maintenance, use a light argan oil like MoroccanOil Treatment to keep your hair smooth and shiny.
Braided Halo
The Braided Halo is a divine and elegant hairstyle, ideal for weddings, proms, or any festive gathering. This style wraps around the head giving a crown-like effect, perfect for those with medium to long hair.
To create a Braided Halo, part your hair down the middle, and create two Dutch braids on each side. Wrap each braid around the top of your head and secure with pins behind the ears. This look is particularly flattering for those with oval-shaped faces, giving a soft, romantic vibe. Maintain this style with a light hairspray, like TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray, to hold everything in place without stiffness.
Undercut Styling
Undercut Styling offers a bold and edgy look, perfect for those who love to stand out. This style is great for short hair and can be customized with various patterns shaved into the undercut.
To style an undercut, keep the top longer and style with pomade for a sleek look or with mousse for volume. This look suits individuals with a daring fashion sense and works well with any hair type. To keep your undercut sharp, regular trims are necessary, and use Layrite Natural Matte Cream for a flexible hold.
Asymmetrical Bob
An Asymmetrical Bob is a chic, modern hairstyle that works well for those looking for a sophisticated yet bold look. This cut is shorter on one side, providing a unique, angular silhouette that suits straight or wavy hair.
To maintain an asymmetrical bob, use a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease to keep your hair sleek and shiny. This cut is ideal for those with round or heart-shaped faces as it helps elongate the face. Regular trims are needed to maintain the asymmetrical shape.
Pin-Up Curls
Pin-Up Curls hearken back to the glamorous 1940s and 1950s, perfect for a vintage-themed event or as a fun, dressy style. Ideal for medium to long hair, this look adds volume and bounce.
Achieve this look by using a curling iron to create tight curls, then brush them out gently for a softer, voluminous effect. Pin the curls in place and set with a strong hold spray like Schwarzkopf got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray. This style flatters most face shapes and adds a touch of old-school charm.
Stacked Bob
A Stacked Bob is a sophisticated hairstyle that adds volume at the back of the head with graduated layers. This style is perfect for those with short hair looking for a manageable yet stylish cut.
Style a stacked bob with a blow dryer and a round brush to accentuate the layers and create volume. Use a light texturizing spray, like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, to maintain the shape and volume. This haircut is great for those with finer hair as it creates the illusion of thicker hair.
With these stunning May hairstyles, you’re ready to refresh your look and step out in style this season. From playful braids to elegant buns, there’s something for every occasion and hair type. Try out these looks and let us know which ones are your favorites by leaving a comment below. Get ready to turn heads with your fabulous new hairstyle!
