Okay, real talk: fall hair hits different. Maybe it’s the crispy air that suddenly makes your texture cooperate, or the fact that cozy season just demands a vibe shift. Either way, if you’re still rocking your summer beachy waves, it’s time for an upgrade.
I’m serving up 12 fall hairstyles that are equal parts effortless and elevated—the kind you can actually recreate without a cosmetology degree or three hours in front of the mirror. Think textures that work with the season, styles that look intentional (even when you snoozed your alarm twice), and vibes that scream “I’m cozy but make it chic.” Let’s get into it.
1. The Slicked-Back Low Bun
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This is your “I woke up like this but actually tried” moment. The slicked-back low bun is sleek, polished, and ridiculously easy once you nail the technique.
Start with damp or second-day hair (honestly, greasier is better here). Apply a strong-hold gel from roots to mid-lengths, then brush everything back into a low ponytail. Twist the ponytail around itself to form a bun, secure with bobby pins, and finish with hairspray. The key? That glossy, sculpted front section—it’s giving ballerina meets CEO.
Pro tip: Leave out two thin face-framing pieces if you want it softer. This look pairs perfectly with oversized sweaters and gold hoops, and it stays put through your third pumpkin spice latte run.
2. Curtain Bangs with Loose Waves
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If you don’t have curtain bangs yet, are you even doing fall right? They’re the gateway bang—low commitment, high reward, and they frame your face like a Renaissance painting.
Style them by blow-drying with a round brush, flipping them outward as you go. Then, add loose waves through the rest of your hair with a 1.5-inch curling iron (wrap sections away from your face for that effortlessly undone look). The curtain bangs blend seamlessly into the waves, giving you that “just came back from a cabin in the woods” vibe.
This style screams cozy fall energy and works whether you’re grabbing coffee or attending an actual event. Plus, when your bangs inevitably get greasy, they somehow look better? Fall magic.
3. The Messy Top Knot
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The messy top knot is the fall hairstyle equivalent of sweatpants—comfortable, reliable, and somehow always appropriate.
Flip your head upside down and gather all your hair at the crown. Twist it loosely and wrap it around itself, securing with a hair tie. Here’s the secret: pull out a few pieces around your face and at the nape of your neck. Tug gently on the bun to make it fuller and messier. The goal is “artfully disheveled,” not “I just rolled out of bed” (even though you might have).
This works with literally any fall outfit—oversized flannels, chunky knits, leather jackets. It’s the hairstyle that says “I’m busy being fabulous” without actually saying anything.
4. Braided Low Ponytail
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Want to look like you put in effort without actually putting in effort? The braided low ponytail is your answer.
Create a deep side part, then take a small section from the heavier side and braid it loosely. Gather all your hair (including the braid) into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Wrap a small section of hair around the hair tie to hide it, and gently pull on the braid to make it fuller. Boom—instant dimension.
The braid adds just enough interest to elevate a basic ponytail, and it’s perfect for those transitional fall days when you need your hair off your neck but still want to look put-together. Pair it with a turtleneck and trench coat for peak autumn sophistication.
5. Natural Texture with Headband
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Embracing your natural texture this fall? Chef’s kiss. Add a padded headband and you’ve got yourself a whole vibe.
Let your hair air-dry or diffuse with a curl cream or mousse. Once it’s fully dry, slide on a velvet, silk, or padded fabric headband—pushing it back slightly from your hairline. The headband keeps things out of your face while highlighting your natural volume and texture.
This is the ultimate low-maintenance fall hairstyle. It takes about 90 seconds to style, looks intentional as hell, and works whether you have curls, waves, or somewhere in between. Plus, velvet headbands are so fall it hurts.
6. Half-Up Twisted Style
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The half-up, half-down is a classic for a reason, but let’s add a fall twist (literally).
Take two sections of hair from the front, one on each side. Twist them back toward the crown and secure them together with bobby pins or a small claw clip. Leave the rest of your hair down—straight, wavy, curly, whatever you’re working with. For extra fall vibes, add some loose waves with a curling wand.
This style is perfect when you want your hair down but also out of your face. It’s giving romantic fall energy—ideal for apple picking, pumpkin patches, or pretending you’re in a Hallmark movie.
7. Sleek Straight with Middle Part
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Sometimes simple is sexiest. The sleek, straight middle part is minimalist, modern, and pairs perfectly with fall’s moody color palette.
Start with freshly washed hair and apply a heat protectant. Blow-dry straight using a paddle brush, then go over it with a flat iron in small sections. Create a sharp middle part with a comb. Finish with a shine serum or lightweight oil to get that glossy, silky finish.
This look is incredibly versatile—it works with leather jackets, blazers, or cozy cardigans. It’s giving “I have my life together” even if you absolutely don’t. And honestly? That’s the goal.
8. Bubble Ponytail
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
The bubble ponytail is playful, unique, and surprisingly easy to pull off. It’s like regular ponytail but make it interesting.
Create a high or low ponytail (your choice), then add additional hair ties down the length of the ponytail, spacing them evenly. Once they’re all in place, gently pull on each section between the hair ties to create “bubbles.” You can make them subtle or dramatic—I prefer dramatic because why not?
This style adds volume and dimension to thin or fine hair, and it’s perfect for those days when you want to try something different without committing to anything permanent. Pair it with a chunky knit sweater and knee-high boots for a look that’s equal parts cozy and cool.
9. Loose French Braid
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
The loose French braid is giving cottagecore meets cool girl, and I’m here for it.
Start at your hairline and create a French braid down the back, but keep it intentionally loose and messy. Don’t pull the sections tight—you want visible texture and a relaxed vibe. Secure at the bottom with a hair tie, then gently pull on the braid to make it fuller and softer. Pull out a few face-framing pieces for extra softness.
This is the perfect style for crisp fall mornings, coffee shop hangs, or literally anything that requires looking effortlessly pretty. It keeps your hair secure without feeling too done, and it works with every fall outfit in your closet.
10. Side-Swept Waves
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Side-swept waves are romantic, flattering, and ridiculously easy to achieve with the right technique.
Create a deep side part, then curl your hair in large sections using a 1.5-inch curling iron. Once all sections are curled, brush through them gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to soften the curls into waves. Sweep everything over to one shoulder and secure with a few bobby pins behind your ear on the opposite side.
This style is perfect for date nights, fall weddings, or any time you want to feel a little extra. It’s feminine, polished, and pairs beautifully with statement earrings (which everyone can now see, thanks to the side sweep).
11. Low Space Buns
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
Low-space buns are quirky, fun, and surprisingly versatile. They’re like regular space buns’ cooler, more sophisticated cousin.
Part your hair down the middle, then create two low pigtails at the nape of your neck. Twist each pigtail around itself to form small buns and secure with hair ties and bobby pins. Keep them slightly messy and textured—you’re not going for Princess Leia precision here.
This style works surprisingly well with oversized blazers and chunky boots for an edgy fall look. It’s playful without being childish, and it keeps your hair completely off your neck on those warmer fall days.
12. Textured Ponytail with Volume
SOURCE: Pinterest.com
The textured ponytail is what happens when a regular ponytail gets a glow-up. It’s all about that volume and intentional messiness.
Tease the crown section of your hair for added height, then gather everything into a mid-to-high ponytail. Before securing, gently push the ponytail forward to create volume at the crown. Once it’s secured, pull out a few pieces around your face and use a curling iron to add loose waves or texture to the ponytail itself.
The key to this style is the volume—it elevates a basic ponytail into something that actually looks intentional and stylish. It’s perfect for running errands, casual lunches, or literally any day when you want to look put-together in under five minutes.
The Final Word on Fall Hair
Here’s the thing about fall hairstyles: they should feel as good as your favorite oversized cardigan. They should work with the season (not against it), look intentional (even when they’re not), and most importantly, make you feel like the main character in your own cozy autumn movie.
These 12 styles are your cheat sheet for the entire season—whether you’re team is sleek and polished or messy and textured. Mix them up, make them your own, and remember that the best hairstyle is always the one that makes you feel confident. Now go forth and have the best hair fall of your life.
