Easy first-day-of-school hairstyles anyone can execute
The first day of school is going to be a major event this year, especially for kids who haven't had in-person learning in over a year. Naturally, your child is going to want to look their best for the big day, which means putting some effort into their hairstyle. The good news is that it's entirely possible to send your child off to their first day of school rocking a fancy 'do without a lot of effort.
We asked celebrity hair stylist Anh Co Tran to share his tips and tricks for easy hairstyles that are perfect for back to school. He dished all of his pro secrets, including his 10 favorite hair products, and shared five hair styles that even the most hair-inept (um, me) can easily execute.
Easy kids' hairstyles, from a celebrity stylist
1. Braids or twists
"Braids are always a hit. If you don’t know how to braid, try twists! It’s an efficient and playful style that keeps hair out of the face while staying in place all day. Just twist the hair back from the face, adding pieces as you go. Secure with bobby pins or a small ponytail holder."
2. Inverted ponytails
"Make a high or low ponytail, and secure it tightly with a hairband. Loosen the base below the hairband, create a separation and loop the ponytail over and through the hole. Pull the hair through and retighten the base. It looks fancy, but it's surprisingly easy."
3. A slicked-down 'do
"For shorter hair, wet cowlicks down and use a fine-tooth comb to position hair slightly back off the face. Make sure the hair around the ears is laying back and spray lightly with a finishing spray."
4. Zigzags
"Zigzag parts are back! Use a rat tail comb to create a zigzag parting on dry hair. Brush the hair back and place the tail comb on the front hairline, wherever you’d like to begin the parting. Keep the tail comb positioned on the scalp and move your hand from left to right as you travel back on the head. Gently divide the hair and clip aside. You can finish the style by creating pigtails, a ponytail, or braids."
5. Morning waves
"Loosely braid the hair at night and unravel it in the morning. Lightly comb through it with your fingers, and finish with a moisturizing cream product through the ends."
Anh's must-have products
1. Rat tail comb
A rat tail comb is essential for making razor-straight parts.
Get a three-pack of rat tail combs at Amazon for $4.99
2. Hair ties
Much like socks, hair ties seem to disappear into thin air. A 100-pack of ribbon ponytail holders should be enough to last for a few months. My daughter likes all the different colors, as well as the fact that they're ouch-free.
Get a 100-pack of Ribbon Ponytail Holders at Amazon for $8.99
3. Tangle Teezer
Use this colorful, oddly-shaped brush on wet or dry hair to get rid of tangles without damaging delicate strands. It even works on wigs, weaves, and extensions.
Get a Tangle Teezer at Amazon for $11.41
4. Bobby pins
For twists, braid crowns, or buns, you'll need a big handful of bobby pins to keep styles secure and in place. Kids will love Bememo's rainbow bobby pins that come in their own storage box.
Get a 100-pack of Bememo Hair Pins at Amazon for $11.99
5. Finishing spray
Don't let all of your hard work get destroyed the minute your child steps on to the playground: Spritz finished styles with Leonor Greyl Paris medium-hold finishing spray to help keep your child's fancy hairdo in place.
Get Leonor Greyl Paris Spray Structure Naturelle at Amazon for $42
6. Shu Uemura oil
Keep the ends of your child's hair moisturized and glossy-looking with a drop or two of Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil. The luxurious product is on the pricey side, but it lasts forever if you use it sparingly. Plus, you can make your kids share it with you—it does wonders for dry, colored hair.
Get Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil at Amazon for $22.69
7. Leave-in conditioner
If your kid has fine, wavy hair, you likely spend a portion of every morning combing out tangles. L'Oreal's 10-in-1 leave-in conditioner detangles even the most epic rat's nest, plus it protects hair from heat and helps prevent split ends.
Get L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert 10-in-1 Perfecting Multipurpose Spray at Amazon for $15.20
8. Texturizing styling cream
Use a small dot of Leonor Greyl Paris Éclat Naturel styling cream on the ends of hair to smooth frizz and give styles a sleek look.
Get Leonor Greyl Paris Éclat Naturel styling cream at Amazon for $42
9. Tiny rubber bands
Keep the end of braids and tiny twists securely anchored—without detracting from the look of the style—with extra-small rubber bands made from clear plastic.
Get a pack of 2,000 clear plastic hair bands at Amazon for $5.99
10. Barrettes
A selection of fun, stylish, and functional barrettes can be used to accessorize a great hair style, or cover-up a badly-executed braid. Simple metal barrettes are practical for keeping growing-out bangs out of a child's eyes, but a set of whimsical butterfly clips really set a simple hairstyle apart.
Get a pack of 16 butterfly clips at Amazon for $7.99
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