By
Anneke Knot, Real Simple
Back to school is a time filled with newness: new school year, new classmates, new school supplies, new back-to-school wardrobe, and, of course, a new look. The beginning of the year is the perfect time to revamp your go-to hairstyles for school. Unfortunately, with Instagram feeds filled with braids that make rocket science look easy, finding looks that actually save you time becomes a real challenge.
We scoured our Instagram feeds to find the latest hairstyles you can actually do before your 8 AM class.
1
Barrette Pinned Side Part
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Barefoot Blonde
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Add a little quick sparkle to your look by clipping in a few shiny barrettes. Part your hair down the middle with a comb, spray your hair with O&M Surf Bomb Sea Spray ($28; sephora.com) to create some natural waves, and then pin some barrettes down the side about an inch and a half apart.
See full tutorial on barefootblonde.com.
2
Slicked Back High Pony
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@deepica
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Elevate your typical ponytail for school by adding height and shine. Run a dollop of the John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum ($10, amazon.com) through wet or towel dried hair. Use a comb to evenly transfer hair into an elastic at the crown of your head. Secure the elastic.
3
Silk Headband
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@venitaaspen
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Skip the shower this morning with this look. Brush hair back out of your eyes, then wrap a printed scarf around your head like the Urban Outfitters Vintage Printed Silky Scarf ($10; urbanoutfitters.com) and tie to secure.
If your hair is thin, back comb a few pieces above the crown and comb hair above to tease the area. Spray with TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Level 4 Hold Hairspray ($5, target.com) to secure volume
4
Double French Braids
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@simplyaudreekate
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Give your hair a breather with this style. Part your hair down the middle from the front to the back. Run an dollop of Shea Moisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ($13; bedbathandbeyond.com) through your hair on both sides to add extra shine and nourish your hair while it's in braids. Separate your hair into three sections and French braid on both sides.
5
Braided Low Ponytail
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@oliviarink
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Low ponys are our favorite laid-back hairstyle. Separate your hair into three sections and French braid from the back of your head. Secure with an elastic in a low pony. Wrap a section of hair around the elastic and pin to secure. Curl bottom pieces of the pony for an extra sophistication. Mist with the Kenra Professional Shine Spray ($11; amazon.com).
6
Braided Bun
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@allieprovost
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Elevate your day-to-day hairstyle for school with this classic look. Part your hair down the middle and French braid both sides down to the base of your neck. Wrap each side of the hair in a bun. Secure with elastics.
7
Side Part Loose Waves
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@melaniesutra
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Loose curls are much easier to achieve than you think. Start by parting hair far down one side. Grab large sections of hair and curl with the Remington 1.5 in. Curling Wand ($22; amazon.com). When finished, shake hair loose and hairspray immediately after.
8
Scrunchie Low Ponytail
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@louiseroe
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Give your hair a spa day by leaving it in a simple low ponytail. Gather all your hair at the base of the neck and secure it with the AEO Velvet Scrunchy ($10 for 3; americaneagle.com) to add a little flare.
9
Half Up Half Down Braided Bun
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@rachmartino
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The half-up-half-down hairstyle is the best way to fake an elaborate look. For this hairstyle, simply grab three sections of hair on both sides and braid. Take each braid and bring them together in the back. Bunch remaining hair into a bun and secure with an elastic.
10
Top Knot
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@jeanwang
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The top knot is our tried and true hairstyle to get us through everything from late nights studying for exams to oversleeping our alarms. Gather all your hair at the crown of your head. Comb out all bumps and secure with an elastic. Wrap ponytail around the base and wrap another elastic around. Pin bun to head with Goody Bobby Pins ($1; bedbathandbeyond.com) to secure.
