Baddie hairstyles you can actually do

hair is half your silhouette. the good news: the best baddie hairstyles are mostly tension, product and a brush, not talent.

here are the ones that work, how to do them, and how not to break your hair doing them. pick two you can do in your sleep. that's your rotation 🎀

the rules first

• heat protectant before every hot tool. every time. it's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.
• turn the heat down. most hair doesn't need the flat iron on max.
• sleep on satin or silk, or in a bonnet. less friction, less frizz, less breakage, and your style lasts another day.
• tight isn't the same as good. styles that pull on your hairline, worn all the time, can cause traction alopecia: hair loss at the edges that can become permanent. if it hurts, it's too tight.

the slick back bun

the clean girl classic and the fastest way to look done.

1. start with damp hair, or dry hair misted with water.
2. work a strong-hold gel through from root to ends.
3. brush it back with a boar bristle brush or a fine comb, tight to the head.
4. tie it at the height you want, twist into a bun, pin.
5. flyaways: hairspray on a clean toothbrush, brushed over the top.
6. textured or curly hair: edge control on the hairline, styled with an edge brush.

wear it with gold hoops. always.

the sleek high pony

same method as the bun, tied at the crown. for length, wrap a clip-in ponytail extension around the base and hide the join with a little strand of your own hair, pinned underneath. a high pony lifts your whole face, that's why it never leaves.

the bouncy blowout

the old money and mob wife staple.

1. volumising mousse on damp roots.
2. rough dry to about 80 percent.
3. section your hair. big round brush, nozzle pointed down the hair, dry each section with tension.
4. roll each section around the brush, blast it, let it cool on the brush, then let go. the cooling is what sets the shape.
5. or use a hot air brush, or big velcro rollers on dry hair for 20 minutes.

flip your head over and shake it out. done. iconic.

braids

knotless braids, box braids, fulani braids, cornrows, a long braided pony. protective, gorgeous, low effort every day.

• go to a braider whose work you've seen up close, not just on Instagram.
• say something if it's too tight while they're doing it. not after.
• keep them in for about four to eight weeks, not longer. wash your scalp, keep it moisturised, and wrap at night.

curls

defined curls are one of the best baddie looks there is, and they come from moisture and product, not heat.

leave-in and curl cream on soaking wet hair, then gel on top, scrunch, and diffuse on low heat or let it air dry. don't touch it while it dries. once it's dry, scrunch out the crunch with a little oil.

the claw clip and the half-up

the Y2K and soft baddie shortcut. twist your hair up and clip it, leaving two face-framing pieces out. or pull the top half back into a claw clip or a bow. one minute and it looks totally on purpose.

wigs and installs

a good lace front or sew-in is a full baddie look on day one. get it installed by someone experienced, give your own hair breaks, and keep your natural hair underneath moisturised and braided flat.

book the maintenance

a trim every 8 to 12 weeks, colour or gloss when it needs it. book the next one before you leave the salon.

FAQ

what are baddie hairstyles?

the classics are a slick back bun or high pony, a bouncy blowout, knotless or box braids, defined curls, a half-up claw clip with face-framing pieces, and long sleek installs. what they all share is that they look deliberate.

how do i get a sleek slick back?

damp hair, a strong-hold gel and a boar bristle brush. brush everything back tight to the head, tie it, then smooth flyaways with hairspray on a toothbrush. on textured hair, add edge control at the hairline.

can tight hairstyles damage your hair?

yes. styles that pull hard on the hairline, worn often, can cause traction alopecia. if a style hurts or leaves bumps around your edges, loosen it and give your hair a break.

what baddie hairstyles work for short hair?

a slicked side part, a sleek bob with a centre part, finger waves, defined curls, or a short half-up with a small claw clip.