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25 ways to style long hair

Looking to keep your lockdown length? See all the inspiration you need here.

By Becki Murray
Long hairstyle inspiration
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If you’ve been looking after your hair through the past year’s extended lockdowns, it’s probably looking a lot longer than usual by now. And of course, length brings options. From a shining ombre colour to weight-lifting layers, or even a choppy fringe, long hair inspiration can be found everywhere.

Here, see the best celebrity looks to bookmark before that long-awaited salon visit.

1

Emma Stone

emma stone long hair, los angeles, california   may 18 emma stone attends the los angeles premiere of disneys cruella at el capitan theatre on may 18, 2021 in los angeles, california photo by emma mcintyrewireimage
Emma McIntyre

At the premiere of her latest film, Cruella, Emma Stone revealed her longest hair yet. Her strawberry-blonde lengths were styled in loose waves, with a deep side parting to add clever volume at the roots.

2

Over the shoulder

Amanda Seyfried Beauty Muse
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Keeping your longer length sleek, but not flat is a difficult task. Amanda Seyfried achieves it by curling just the ends of her hair and sweeping the lengths over one shoulder.

3

The ultimate braids

santa monica, california   january 12 zendaya arrives at the 25th annual critics choice awards at barker hangar on january 12, 2020 in santa monica, california photo by steve granitzwireimage
Steve Granitz

The ultimate braid inspiration? It has to be Zendaya. The star has been showcasing head-turning styles on the red carpet, including these perfect waist-skimming box braids.

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4

Poker-straight lengths

long hair inspiration, los angeles, california   january 26 l r priyanka chopra and nick jonas attend the 62nd annual grammy awards at staples center on january 26, 2020 in los angeles, california photo by amy sussmangetty images
Amy Sussman

Priyanka Chopra's ultra-long, poker-straight hair is kept classic and sleek with a deep side parting.

5

The bend

Ashley Graham hair
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Add more movement to your hair by bending the lengths over a straightening iron. It works even if you then tuck your hair behind your ears, as Ashley Graham shows.

6

Loose layers

milan, italy   february 21 emily ratajkowski is seen during milan fashion week fallwinter 2020 2021 on february 21, 2020 in milan, italy photo by arnold jerockigetty images
Arnold Jerocki

Layers can work on straighter hair too, creating movement and volume – as well as a care-free feel.

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7

Tendril bun

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley often throws her long hair up into a messy high bun, which accentuates her bone structure. To stop it looking too severe, follow her example and leave two tendrils out.

8

Slicked-back roots

Blake Lively long hair
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Copy Blake Lively's trick to keeping loose waves off your face by lightly slicking back your roots. Try L'Oreal Professionnel's Techni Art Pli, £11.50.

9

Straight and shiny

Naomi Campbell Beauty Muse
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Above all, uber-straight hair needs to be glossy, so apply heat protector before employing your straighteners and try a shine spray as well to keep flyaways at bay. Naomi Campbell is your inspiration.

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10

The Markle bun

Meghan Markle hair
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Meghan Markle's go-to hairstyle, the messy bun, might have broken royal protocol but it is a perfectly imperfect way to sweep long hair off your shoulders.

11

Sleek pony

Karlie Kloss ponytail
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A ponytail is a simple way to keep long hair looking groomed. Just ensure your parting is clean and you control any messy-looking flyaways.

12

Milkmaid braid

Emily Blunt braid
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Turn your pigtail plaits into a sophisticated up-do like Emily Blunt, by pinning them on top of each other at the crown of your head.

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13

The low pony

london, united kingdom   march 05 embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time meghan, duchess of sussex attends the endeavour fund awards at mansion house on march 5, 2020 in london, england photo by max mumbyindigogetty images
Max Mumby/Indigo

The Duchess of Sussex makes a strong case for the low-slung ponytail.

14

Layers

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While face-shaping layers like those cut into Kaia Gerber's hair are mainly the work of a good hairdresser, you can enhance them when straightening your hair by making your hair flick-out at the ends.

15

Crisp curls

Jourdan Dunn long curls
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Ensure your curls look healthy like Jourdan Dunn's by using curl-defining products such as Color Wow's Dream Coat for Curly Hair, £24.

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16

Bended wave

January Jones Beauty Muse
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For glamorous-looking hair that doesn't take too much preparation, sweep your hair to one side, add a little voluminising powder like Oribe's Swept Up Powder Spray to your roots and twist large sections of your hair around a curling iron.

17

Slicked-back

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Follow Rihanna's example and use lots of gel but also a diagonal parting to get an on-trend wet-look finish to your hair, while still adding volume to your crown.

18

Tucked curls

Emily Ratajkowski hair
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For additional body around your roots when wearing curls, tip your hair upside down, apply voluminising spray and tuck the under layers of your hair behind your ears like Emily Ratajkowski.

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19

Sleek with lift

Bella Hadid Beauty Muse
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To stop super-sleek hair looking greasy or flat, slightly tousle your roots and use a touch of Oribe's Dry Texturising Spray, £41, to add height at your crown. It's a trick Bella Hadid often uses.

20

Voluminous curls

Jennifer Lawrence Beauty Muse
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Jennifer Lawrence proves that you don't need naturally curly hair to achieve big waves. The trick is to use a thin-barrelled curling wand, like Ghd's Soft Curl Tong, £99, before brushing out the curls and using lots of lots of texture spray.

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