It's about time to go head back to school, meaning it's time to reunite with friends, get back to learning new things, and . . . get used to waking up really early again. If you're less than enthused about that last activity, we have just the thing for you to help you get out the door quicker in the morning and score an extra few minutes of shut-eye (because we know those five minutes of snoozing really do matter).
You can pick your outfit the night before to make getting ready in the morning faster, but unfortunately, you can't do your hair ahead of time — or can you? There are actually quite a few hairstyle hacks and tricks — like heatless waves [1] — that you can employ in your routine Monday through Friday to cut down on your 6 a.m. prep time.
Consider the following quick and easy hairstyle ideas the equivalent of the five-minute face hack [2] that seems to constantly be going viral on TikTok. These back-to-school hairstyles make doing your hair in the morning a super-simple task — even for those who claim to have zero hairstyling abilities.
Your morning wake-up call will feel a little less brutal with these fun and easy school hairstyles, ranging from sleek ponytails to elevated claw-clip [3] buns to braided looks. Check them out for yourself ahead and prepare to be blown away by how fast and easy these hairstyles are for school.
Easy Messy Bun Hairstyle
This easy messy bun is a perfect back to school hairstyle. It's loved by Beyoncé (yes, you read that right), and one of our editors has even re-created it [5]. All you need is a curling iron, a hair tie, and a few bobby pins.
Easy No-Elastic Ponytail Hairstyle
Want to get the perfect ponytail without an elastic? Try out this trick from a celebrity hairstylist. Not only is it nifty to know, but it also looks great.
Easy Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle
This half-up, half-down look makes for a great back-to-school hairstyle. We love how sleek it is.
Easy Box-Braid Hairstyles
This video has multiple styles you can wear with box braids. Our favorite? The high bun look with a severe side part.
Easy Space-Bun Hairstyle
Love space buns? So do we. This tutorial shows how cute they are for back-to-school, especially if you have longer hair and have often struggled with making space buns work for you.
Easy Bubble-Ponytail Hairstyle
Bubble ponytails have been everywhere this summer, and you don't have to stop wearing them just because the season is coming to an end. Grab your hair ties and watch this tutorial.
Easy Double-Bun and Face-Framing-Braids Hairstyle
This double-bun with face-framing braids makes for a great back-to-school hairstyle. You can keep your hair out of your face all while looking stylish at the same time.
Easy Front Bubble Braid Hairstyle
If you're in love with the bubble braid trend, we have a fun twist. Instead of doing large bubble braids, just do a fun one down the center of your part, as shown in this tutorial.
Easy Claw-Clip Hairstyle
Claw-clips are here to stay, and we totally get why. They make even the dirtiest of hair look put together. Check out this tutorial for an easy claw-clip style for back-to-school.
Easy Flipped-Ponytail Hairstyle For Short Hair
If you have short hair but you still love wearing it up in a ponytail, check out this flipped-ponytail tutorial. It's super cute and doesn't take long to achieve.
Easy Crimp and Curl Hairstyle
This is one of our favorite easy school hairstyles. Yes, it requires two different tools — a curling iron and a waver — but it's so easy to accomplish. Plus, add a little dry shampoo and you can wear it all week long.
Easy Heatless-Waves Hairstyle
This easy heatless waves hairstyle is perfect if you've been trying to lay low on the hot tools. It gives the most gorgeous waves that'll last for days.
— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez [6]
Jessica Harrington [7] is the Section Lead of Beauty at Popsugar, where she oversees all vertical coverage across the website, social media, and newsletter. With over nine years of industry experience, she has interviewed numerous celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report. She's based in New York City and has a degree in journalism from Hofstra University. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling with her husband, thrifting, and cooking.
Renee Rodriguez [8] (she/her) is a senior staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for PS's TikTok and Instagram accounts.
