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With the change of season comes the natural desire to switch things up above the neck. For those rebelling against the ubiquitous bob, looking for easy hairstyles for long hair becomes more and more appealing as the temperature drops.
Forever synonymous with untamed beauty, long hair is simply an iconic look. Just ask Stevie Nicks, the good witch of rock ’n’ roll, who entered the collective consciousness in 1975, dressed like a modern-day Lady of Shalott—her draping, heavily fringed blonde hair cutting an image as striking as her draping, heavily fringed dresses. Although, if we ve learned anything from Botticelli s Venus or Irving Penn s 1999 portrait of Gisele Bündchen, a woman with hip-grazing waves need never be fully undressed anyway. And surely Yoko Ono and John Lennon, who famously posed nude together on the cover of their 1968 album Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins and expressed their love by growing out matching manes, would echo that sentiment. But regardless of how you wear your long hair, the most important thing is to keep it strands healthy.
How to Care for Long Hair
According to celebrity hairstylist and founder of Roz Haircare Mara Roszak, who counts Zoe Saldana and Anne Hathaway as regular clients, hair health is the number one thing to consider when you think about growing out your hair super long. “This will ensure your hair looks beautiful and strands don’t break or split,” says Roszak. “The key is to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and looking its best self.”
There are a couple of easy options for you to give your hair some needed T.L.C. and protection to do that. She recommends using deep treatment oils or masks regularly to provide moisture and fortify your strands. Something like her RŌZ Willow Glen Treatment Oil Mask works great as a weekly overnight deep treatment to hydrate and treat damage in the hair cuticle.
Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons, agrees and adds that you’ll want to get regular trims to keep long hair looking fresh. “While it sounds totally counterintuitive, regular trims will actually help you grow longer, healthier hair,” Fitzsimons says yes. “Because your hair at the end is the oldest [part], it’s the most prone to breakage and split ends, which can work its way and actually impede your maximum hair length.”
Lastly, both experts say that you have to protect hair when you choose to style it with hot hair tools and when you style hair in tight dos that might cause strands some tension. Something like the Andrew Fitzsimons AF 10-in-1 Leave In Conditioner, will provide a barrier against high heat and work to nourish hair and keep it strong.
Ways to Wear Long Hair
Carrie Bradshaw may have lamented that she’d "never be the woman with perfect hair," but when the power of waist-skimming lengths is in effect, perhaps you don’t have to. One of the best things about keeping your strands long is that there are many ways to wear it. Think Kim Kardashian, who, no matter what color her hair happens to be at the moment (Jet Black! Silver Platinum! Raspberry Pink!), is keen on channeling Cher with an extreme, down-to-there mane. And so much more. Here, a look back at the men and women who will make you want to cancel your next haircut and order Viviscal in bulk.
Kim Kardashian
While her silver or pink strands usually get us to stop scrolling in our tracks, we’re especially fond of her natural black hair. Worn with loose beachy waves, her long hair has added texture for something extra chic. Fitzsimons adds that Kardashian makes for perfect long hair inspo for everyone’s mood boards.
Gisele Bundchen
Irving Penn’s portrait of a young Gisele will sit on the pantheon of iconic photos that defined Bundchen’s career. Set in his signature black and white backdrop, the picture shows her completely nude with only her hair hanging down so effortlessly.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City
Carrie Bradshaw is synonymous with her voluminous natural curls, but we hold a very special place in our hearts for when she wore her straight and long hair. Paired with highlights for extra dimension, it makes for an unforgettable Carre beauty look.
Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono’s long jet-black hair defined ‘70s beauty. Paired with a sun hat and sunglasses, it gives that carefree and boho chic vibes that we’re still emulating today.
Naomi Campbell
One of the most fun ways to wear long hair includes the easy half-up half-down do. Channel your inner Naomi Campbell and gather sections of hair at the crown of your head and keep other parts down past your shoulders. Add full curls for more volume and a nice added touch.
Beyoncé
Queen Bey is goals always and no one wears long hair quite like she does. Here, she wears it pin-straight and with golden highlights for added depth that’s just stunning.
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
We can’t talk about the beauty of long hair without talking about this Sandro Botticelli masterpiece. Here, he paints Venus arriving on earth and emerging from a seashell with her long curls blowing in the wind. Ethereal and romantic, its influence today remains unmatched.
Brigitte Bardot
You can never go wrong with a Brigitte Bardot-inspired blowout. Especially great if you already have long layers, simply give your ends a slight rounded bend for extra body and for that bombshell effect.
Alanis Morisette
Effortlessly cool, Alanis Morisette wears her long hair with rocker waves and face-framing layers.
Lenny Kravitz
If you’re looking for a protective style for your natural hair, take cue from Lenny Kravitz and wear long stunning dreads.
Joni Mitchell
It doesn’t take much to change up a long hairstyle. Opt for brow-grazing fringe bangs like Joni Mitchell for something simple but still makes a bold statement.
Fernanda Ly
We especially love these blunt layers and matching blunt bangs on Fernanda Ly’s long hair. Plus this white pink hue is just gorgeous.
Gwyneth Paltrow
A classic look on Gwyneth Paltrow, her long bright blonde hair is worn in half-up half-down style with face-framing tendrils that define Paltrow’s face quite nicely.
Sade
Another easy go-to for long hair, singer Sade wore her natural hair slicked back at the crown and in a low pony.
Lisa Bonet
Lisa Bonet’s dreads have a super cool vibe and makes for another great protective style option for your natural hair.
Nicole Kidman
Roszak loves to look to Nicole Kidman for long hair inspo. Here, Kidman wears a sleek and straight low ponytail that keeps her hair out of her face in the chicest way possible.
Solange Knowles
Microbraids are stunning on their own, but up the anté with this simple styling trick. Simply sweep braids in a high ponytail like Solange Knowles for something more dynamic.
Lily Collins
Another pick from Roszak, Lily Collins proves that updos can be super fun. Here, the Emily in Paris star gathers her long hair in a messy bouffant-esque bun with fringe bangs and a few face-framing tendrils hanging out.
Megan Fox
If you’re looking to grow your hair out, Fitzsimons loves Megan Fox’s long hair for inspo. We’re loving her current era of brightly colored hair and this bright auburn with slight beach waves is simply stunning.
Cher
The queen of ‘70s disco, Cher’s long jet black hair will always be a top look. We’re partial to her voluminous curls with a middle part.
Jennifer Lopez
Fitzsimons also likes to look for Jennifer Lopez for long hair inspo. Lopez wears her long layers in loose waves and neutral “bronde” tone that’s perfect for the colder months.
Diana Ross
Let your natural curls flow free like Diana Ross’ afro-like do. Her curls are full and voluminous for a bold long hairstyle that’s just fun to rock if you have natural curls.
Taylor Swift
Entering her sports girl era, Taylor Swift keeps her long blonde hair styled straight with full bangs.
Blake Lively
If you couldn’t tell already, the 70s and long hair just go hand-in-hand. We’re loving Blake Lively’s disco-inspired long curls that really make a statement.
Zendaya
Zendaya wears her diffused curls past her waistline like a cape that flows so effortlessly as she walks. Another win for the actor that constantly kills it on the red carpet.
