Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over a decade in salon work. I created this gallery of 32 QW hairstyles for women to showcase versatile looks that suit a wide range of hair types, face shapes and lifestyles. From polished updos and textured lob cuts to playful braids and runway-inspired color, each image is selected to inspire practical, wearable results. These styles work for anyone wanting low-maintenance chic, volume for fine hair, or structure for thick, curly textures. Throughout the post I share salon-tested tips on tools, product choices and quick steps to recreate each look at home or bring clear direction to your next salon visit. Whether you’re refining a signature cut or experimenting with a new color, this collection is organized to help you pick the right style, understand maintenance needs, and get professional results with approachable styling methods.
Voluminous Tousled Curls with Deep Side Part
This look suits medium to thick hair and natural waves or curls (2B–3C). The goal is lifted roots, soft, separated curls and controlled frizz for a salon-finished, undone glamour. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner, a volumizing mousse through roots and lengths, then a heat protectant. If your hair is naturally straight, create texture with a 1½-inch curling wand, wrapping random sections away from the face for movement. For natural curls, use a diffuser on low heat to enhance shape while lifting the roots with your fingers. Tools: blow dryer with diffuser, 1½
Textured Red Short Shag with Side‑Swept Fringe
This textured, asymmetrical short shag with a side‑swept fringe suits fine to medium wavy hair and adapts well to naturally curly or slightly thick textures when properly texturized. The salon technique uses graduated layers at the crown for lift, long face‑framing pieces on one side, and point‑cut or razor texturizing to create movement and separation. Styling: work a lightweight sea‑salt spray or volumizing mousse through damp hair, rough‑dry while scrunching or use a diffuser for natural wave, then refine select pieces with a small‑barrel curling wand or flat iron to add soft bends. Tools needed: professional scissors, texturizing shears or razor, blow dryer with diffuser, small curling wand/straightener, wide‑tooth comb and a round brush. Products required: sulfate‑free shampoo for color care, heat protectant, sea‑salt spray or mousse, matte paste/pomade for piece definition, flexible‑hold hairspray and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty level: intermediate — low daily effort but requires a precision cut from a stylist. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, use color‑preserving treatments for red tones, refresh with dry shampoo and salt spray, and avoid heavy oils that flatten the layers.
Half-Up Braided Crown with Loose Beachy Waves
This half-up braided crown paired with loose, beachy waves suits medium-to-long hair and works well on fine, medium or thick textures—especially hair with natural wave or slight layering. To create it, prep hair with heat protectant and a texturizing spray, section the top front pieces and create two small Dutch or French braids along the hairline, then pin them back into a soft crown. Use a 1–1.25 curling wand to add loose S-shaped waves to mid-lengths and ends, then finger-comb for a natural finish. Tools: curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins and small clear elastics. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, light-hold flexible hairspray, and a lightweight finishing oil or serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — requires basic braiding skill and comfortable curling technique. Salon tips: backcomb lightly at the crown for volume, hide pins beneath the braid, and use dry shampoo at the roots for extra grip. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or loosely braid, refresh waves with a quick re-curl or spritz of texturizer, and avoid heavy conditioners that weigh the style down. Typical styling time: 20–35 minutes.
Textured Voluminous Side Braid with Soft Face-Framing Pieces
Salon-ready textured side braid with soft, face-framing pieces suits medium-to-long hair. This look works on fine through thick hair; those with fine hair should add volumizing products or clip-in extensions for fullness, while very curly hair can be smoothed slightly for the relaxed finish. Technique: start on clean, towel-dried hair. Apply heat protectant and texturizing spray, blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the crown, or diffuse for natural wave. Create loose waves with a 1 curling wand for grip. Backcomb lightly at the crown for volume, sweep hair to one side and begin a loose three-strand or fishtail braid, pulling sections gently as you go to pancake for width. Secure with a small elastic, wrap a thin strand to conceal the band and pin. Pull out soft face-framing pieces and loosen the braid for a lived-in look. Tools: blow-dryer, round brush, 1 curling wand, tail comb, elastics, bobby pins, clips. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum. Difficulty: intermediate. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re-texturize roots, retuck stray pieces, sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape.
Textured Platinum Shaggy Bob with Choppy Layers and Fringe
This modern shaggy bob suits fine to medium hair and wavy textures best; thick hair can wear it but will need internal thinning. The cut uses short, choppy layers and a soft, slightly asymmetric fringe to create movement and airy volume — ideal for clients who want low-weight shape with an undone finish. Styling technique: start with a root-lift mousse on damp hair, blow-dry with a vent brush or diffuse while scrunching to enhance natural wave, then define pieces with a 1-inch curling wand or flat iron for soft bends. Tools needed: professional razor or scissors for the cut, thinning shears, hairdryer with nozzle/diffuser, round brush, 1 curling wand, and clipping comb. Products required: volumizing mousse, heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, light paste or cream for piece definition, flexible-hold hairspray, and purple shampoo/toning treatment for maintained platinum. Difficulty level: cut is advanced and should be done by a stylist; daily styling is moderate and takes 5–10 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, use bond-repair treatments after bleaching, limit heat, and refresh texture with dry shampoo between washes.
Voluminous Messy Updo with Soft Curtain Bangs
This elegant, undone updo with soft curtain bangs suits medium to thick hair and works well on straight or naturally wavy textures; fine hair benefits from light padding or clip-in pieces for added lift. Start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Blow-dry the fringe with a round brush to shape the bangs, then rough-dry the crown while lifting sections to build volume. Backcomb lightly at the crown with a teasing comb, gather hair into a loose, low-to-mid bun or twisted knot, and secure with bobby pins, leaving a few face-framing strands soft. Use a curling wand to add subtle bends to loose pieces if needed. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, teasing comb, tail comb, sectioning clips, curling wand (optional), bobby pins, elastic. Products: volumizing mousse, heat protectant, light texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray, and a small amount of shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — salon-level finish achievable at home with practice (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: refresh volume with dry shampoo, retuck pins as needed, sleep on a silk pillow or wrap, and avoid heavy oils that collapse lift.
Long Layered Blowout with Face‑Framing Layers and Feathered Ends
Salon-ready long layered blowout with face‑framing layers and feathered ends. Suitable for medium to thick hair and straight-to-wavy textures; fine hair can achieve the look with density-building products or extensions, while very curly hair will require smoothing. Technique: work on towel-dried hair, apply a volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through lengths, then section hair. Using a large (1½–2) round brush and a hairdryer with a concentrator nozzle, blow-dry each section from roots to ends, lifting at the crown for volume and rolling the brush through mid-lengths to create feathered, outward-bending ends. Finish by softly running a flat iron or medium barrel curling iron through a few face‑framing pieces to refine shape. Tools needed: large round brush, blow dryer with nozzle, sectioning clips, flat iron or curling iron. Products: volumizing shampoo/conditioner, mousse or root lifter, thermal protectant, light smoothing serum, flexible hold hairspray, dry shampoo to refresh. Difficulty: moderate — requires practice with round brush technique. Maintenance: trims every 8–12 weeks, weekly deep conditioning, minimize daily heat, touch up color/highlights as needed, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
Textured Choppy Pixie Cut — Short Tousled Layers for Fine to Medium Hair
This cropped, textured pixie is ideal for fine to medium hair and can be adapted for thicker hair when weight is removed. In-salon, create graduated layers with point-cutting and light razor texturizing to build movement and fringe that skims the brow. For styling: towel-dry to damp, work a pea-sized amount of sea-salt spray or lightweight mousse through roots to mid-lengths, then rough-dry with a nozzle while tousling with fingers to encourage separation. Use a small round brush or a flat iron to define a few face-framing pieces if needed. Tools: barber or salon scissors, thinning shears or a razor for texture, blow-dryer with nozzle, small round brush and a fine-tooth comb. Products: volumizing mousse or salt spray, matte paste or clay for piecey definition, light hairspray and heat protectant. Difficulty: low to moderate for daily styling — quick to tousle but requires a precise cut from a skilled stylist. Maintenance: schedule trims every 4–6 weeks to keep the shape, avoid heavy conditioners at the roots, refresh texture with a dry shampoo between washes, and protect from heat when using hot tools.
Textured Short Tousled Bob with Side-Swept Fringe — Red Copper Waves
This short, textured tousled bob with a soft side-swept fringe is ideal for fine to medium wavy or naturally curly hair, and can be adapted for straight hair with styling. The cutting technique uses graduated layers, point-cutting and light razoring to remove bulk and create movement while keeping shape around the face. To style, towel-dry with a little volumizing mousse at the roots, then diffuse dry while scrunching to enhance natural wave; for straighter hair, wrap random sections around a ¾ curling wand and break up curls with fingers. Tools: professional shears, thinning shears/razor, blow dryer with diffuser, ¾ curling wand, round brush and clips. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root-lift, sea-salt/texturizing spray, small amount of matte paste or cream, and light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home in 10–15 minutes once cut is right. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks to keep layers fresh, sulfate-free shampoo, weekly deep conditioning, refresh texture with dry shampoo and salt spray between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Asymmetrical Curly Undercut — Textured Side-Swept Top
This bold asymmetrical undercut pairs closely clipped sides with a voluminous, textured curly top — ideal for natural curls, loose waves and hair with medium to thick density. Cutting technique: clipper-cut the sides (0.5–2.0) with a soft blend into the top, then sculpt the long section with point-cutting and thinning shears to preserve spring and movement. Styling technique: apply leave-in conditioner to damp hair, scrunch in a curl cream or mousse, then diffuse on low heat while shaping the side sweep with fingers. For more definition, twist small sections and set with a curling wand. Tools needed: clippers, barber scissors, thinning shears, wide-tooth comb, diffuser-equipped blow dryer, curling wand (optional) and styling clips. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, lightweight leave-in, curl cream or mousse, matte pomade or paste for control, and a light-hold hairspray for finish. Difficulty: intermediate — daily styling is straightforward but shaping the undercut and texturing the top requires professional cutting skills. Maintenance tips: schedule side trims every 3–5 weeks, reshape length every 8–12 weeks, deep-condition weekly, refresh curls with a water/leave-in spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Tousled Curly Updo with Curtain Bangs
This textured, tousled curly updo with soft curtain bangs works best on medium-to-long lengths and naturally wavy to curly hair; fine hair benefits from volume-building products or clip-in extensions. Start by applying heat protectant and a volumizing mousse to damp hair, then diffuse or air-dry until about 80% dry. Use a 3/4–1 curling wand to reinforce the curl pattern on random sections, allow curls to cool, and finger-comb for natural texture. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift, then loosely gather hair at the mid-crown or nape, twisting and securing sections with U-pins to create a soft, messy upstyle. Leave a few face-framing tendrils and shape curtain bangs with a small round brush or flat iron for softness. Tools needed: curling wand, blow dryer with diffuser, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, bobby/U-pins and elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root-lift, sea-salt/texturizing spray, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh with dry shampoo and a light mist or re-curl, re-pin loose pieces, and trim bangs/layers every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape.
Short Platinum Finger Waves (Vintage Marcel Curls) for Fine–Medium Hair
This short finger-wave style suits fine to medium textured hair at ear-length or slightly longer; thicker hair can work but will need sectioning and light thinning to sit smoothly. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a light setting lotion or mousse and a heat protectant. Create defined S-shaped waves using a small-barrel curling iron or a Marcel iron, working in 1–2 inch sections. Pin each curl into the desired wave with duckbill or setting clips and allow to cool fully so the pattern sets. Remove clips and gently shape waves with a soft bristle brush or your fingers; finish by smoothing with a tiny amount of shine serum on the ends and locking the style with a strong-hold hairspray. Tools needed: small-barrel curling iron or Marcel iron, tail comb, duckbill/setting clips, soft brush, and blow dryer (optional). Products: heat protectant, setting lotion or mousse, lightweight oil/shine serum, strong-hold hairspray, purple shampoo and weekly mask for maintained platinum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires practice to get even waves. Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh with a water/leave-in mist and reshape with fingers, and schedule regular trims and toning to keep platinum looking crisp.
Short Curly Pixie with Textured Top and Tapered Sides
This short curly pixie suits naturally curly or wavy hair and works well on fine to medium-density textures with enough root volume. The look is created with a tapered or clipped back and sides and a longer, heavily textured top to showcase spiral curls and movement. Cutting technique: clipper or scissor-taper the sides and back to the desired length, then point-cut and razor-texture the top to remove weight and enhance individual curl formation. Styling technique: start on damp hair, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner, then a curl-defining cream or mousse distributed from roots to ends. Diffuse on low heat while scrunching with fingers or use a denman brush to clump curls; finish by separating with fingertips for lift. Tools needed: clippers, professional shears, thinning shears or razor, diffuser, wide-tooth comb/denman, small curling iron for touch-ups. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, leave-in, curl cream or light mousse, anti-frizz serum, light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: medium — cut requires a stylist familiar with curly texturizing; daily styling is quick. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning, refresh with water + cream, protect color-treated hair with bond treatments and purple shampoo as needed.
Short Textured Pixie with Voluminous Waves and Silver Streaks
Suitable for fine to medium hair and adaptable to thicker hair when thinned out. Best on natural waves or hair that holds shape. Styling technique: cut into a short, layered pixie with a longer, feathered top and tapered nape; build volume with backcombing at the crown and a directional blow-dry using a small round brush to shape soft S-curves. Define select sections with a 19–25 mm curling wand on low heat, alternate directions for movement, then lightly finger-comb and set with flexible hold spray. Tools needed: blow-dryer with concentrator nozzle, 1 round brush, small curling wand or flat iron, tail comb and sectioning clips. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, texturizing/sea-salt spray, light flexible hairspray and a small amount of silicone-free shine serum for polished edges. Difficulty level: intermediate — requires clean layering and basic hot-tool technique. Maintenance tips: trims every 4–6 weeks to retain shape; use purple shampoo and periodic glossing to keep silver tones bright; deep-condition weekly; on quick mornings dampen roots, apply mousse and rough-dry; sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Curly Pixie with Soft Fringe and Tapered Sides
This textured curly pixie is ideal for naturally wavy to curly hair and suits fine-to-medium densities; straight hair can also wear it when styled with a small-barrel iron or curling wand. Salon technique: the cut is created with short, tapered sides and a longer, layered crown to preserve volume and movement. The stylist uses point-cutting and light texturizing (shears or razor) through the top to remove bulk while keeping curl definition. Styling technique: diffuser-dry on low heat while scrunching, or define pieces with a 3⁄4–1″ curling wand for straighter hair. Tools needed: professional scissors, thinning shears, razor (optional), hair dryer with diffuser, small curling wand, and a wide-tooth comb or fingers for styling. Recommended products: lightweight curl cream or mousse for hold, sea-salt spray for texture, small amount of texturizing paste or pomade for piece definition, heat protectant, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate—requires an experienced cut for the right balance; daily styling is quick (5–10 minutes). Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to retain shape, deep-condition weekly if colored or dry, refresh with water-plus-leave-in on day two, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
Textured Low Messy Bun with Face‑Framing Fringe (Soft Fringe Updo)
This relaxed low messy bun with soft, face‑framing fringe suits shoulder‑length to long hair and works well on straight, wavy, or slightly textured hair. Fine hair benefits from texturizing products and light backcombing at the crown for hold; medium and thick hair can create richer volume with minimal teasing. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or lightweight cream, then blow‑dry fringe with a round brush for shape. Add body with a 1″ curling iron to create loose bends, mist with a salt spray, lightly backcomb the crown, and gather hair low at the nape. Twist into a loose bun, secure with an elastic and bobby pins, and pull out a few face‑framing pieces for softness. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1″ curling iron or wand, tail comb, elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizer or mousse, texturizing/sea salt spray, light‑hold hairspray, small amount of shine serum for flyaways. Difficulty: easy–moderate (10–20 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re‑pin as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and trim fringe every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape.
Textured Crown Braided Updo — Romantic Halo Braid for Medium to Long Hair
This romantic textured crown braided updo creates a soft halo effect by feeding multiple loose braids around the head and pinning the ends into a low, messy bun. Best for medium to long lengths; works particularly well on wavy or lightly textured hair. Fine hair will benefit from texturizing products or light backcombing to add grip, while thick hair should be pre-sectioned and smoothed as you braid to keep the shape balanced. Technique: create two to four Dutch or French feed-in braids starting at the hairline, pancake each braid to widen it, then wrap and pin the braids around the crown, tucking ends into a small bun or securing under the braids. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, bobby pins, and a curling iron (optional) to create initial waves. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or salt spray for texture, dry shampoo for grip, and a flexible-hold hairspray to finish. Difficulty: moderate (salon level). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, tighten pins as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and re-pancake braids for added volume.
Tousled Textured Pixie with Long Side Fringe — Short Layered Hairstyle
This short, tousled textured pixie with a long, side-swept fringe suits fine to medium hair best and works well on naturally straight or slightly wavy hair. For thicker hair, ask your stylist to texturize and remove bulk; very curly hair will need larger, controlled layers to maintain the silhouette. Technique: start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse at the roots, blow-dry using a small round brush or fingers to lift the crown, then add soft bends through the top layers with a ¾–1 curling wand or flat iron. Finger-comb while cooling to break up uniformity and create an undone finish. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, small round or vent brush, ¾–1 curling wand or flat iron, tail comb and clips. Products required: volumizing mousse or root-lift, heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, matte paste/clay for separation, and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — the cut requires a trained stylist and daily styling practice for the lived-in look. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, use occasional deep conditioning, and return to the salon for periodic texturizing to prevent heaviness.
Textured Short Curly Pixie-Bob with Side-Swept Fringe
This textured short pixie-bob with loose curls and a side-swept fringe suits fine to medium hair and naturally wavy or curly textures—it can also be created on straight hair with heat styling. The salon technique involves a graduated, layered cut with razoring or point-cutting to remove bulk and create movement, leaving slightly longer pieces on top and at the front for the fringe. To style: apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow-dry with a diffuser or root-lift by hand to create body. Use a small-barrel (19–25 mm) curling wand to define a few pieces, or enhance natural waves with scrunching while diffusing. Tools needed: professional scissors/razor for the cut, blow dryer with diffuser, curling wand, wide-tooth comb, and a fine pick for lifting roots. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or foam, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light pomade or cream for piece definition, flexible hold hairspray, and purple shampoo for maintaining bright blonde tones. Difficulty: medium—cut requires an experienced stylist; daily styling is quick. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks, weekly deep conditioning, use dry shampoo to extend styles, and refresh by misting water/leave-in and re-scrunching.
Textured Red Pixie Cut with Choppy Layers and Side-Swept Fringe
Suitability: Best for straight to slightly wavy hair and works well on fine to medium-thick textures; very thick hair benefits from additional texturizing. Styling technique: The cut pairs a tapered, clipped back and sides with longer, choppy layers on top and a side-swept fringe. In-salon, achieve the look with scissor-over-comb, point-cutting and light razor work for feathered ends; use clippers at the nape for a clean silhouette. At home, blow-dry the crown forward while lifting with fingers, then shape the fringe to the side and define pieces with your hands or a small flat iron. Tools needed: professional shears, thinning shears, optional razor, clippers, blow dryer with nozzle, small round or vent brush, and a 1
Textured Curly Pixie with Voluminous Top and Tapered Back
Suitable for natural wavy to medium-curly hair (2C–3B), this textured curly pixie features a voluminous, layered top with a tapered back and sides for shape and movement. The cut is best executed dry or with curl-aware dry‑cutting to establish lift at the crown and maintain defined, free‑forming curls while keeping the nape neat with scissors or a clipper. To style, start on clean, conditioned hair: apply a lightweight leave‑in and curl cream, scrunch hair into sections, then diffuse on low–medium heat to build volume. For targeted definition, refine a few pieces with a small‑barrel curling iron or wand and finish with a light‑hold gel. Tools: diffuser, wide‑tooth comb or fingers, small‑barrel iron, and texturizing shears/clipper for the professional cut. Products: heat protectant, curl cream or mousse, lightweight gel, anti‑frizz serum, and flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires an experienced stylist for precision shaping, but daily styling is manageable once the curl pattern is learned. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, refresh with water + leave‑in or curl activator between washes, sleep on silk, and avoid brushing dry to reduce frizz.
Textured Asymmetrical Pixie Cut with Long Side Fringe
A modern, textured asymmetrical pixie that features a longer, side-swept fringe and closely tapered sides. Suitable for fine to medium hair that needs the illusion of density, and also for naturally wavy or slightly thick hair when softened with layering; very coarse or curly hair can work but requires more texturizing and daily shaping. Cut technique: precision scissors with point-cutting and razor texturizing on the top to create feathered movement, clipper or scissor taper at the nape and sides, and a long diagonal fringe left to sweep across the brow. Styling technique: towel-dry and apply a volumizing mousse at the roots, blow-dry with a small round brush or fingers to lift the crown, then define texture with a low-heat flat iron or diffuse for natural wave. Tools needed: scissors, thinning shears or razor, clipper (optional), hairdryer, small round brush, flat iron, tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or sea-salt spray, texturizing paste or clay, flexible-hold hairspray, occasional shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — professional cut is recommended; daily styling is quick (5–10 minutes). Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape, use weekly deep-conditioning for color-treated hair, refresh roots with dry shampoo, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and preserve the fringe.
Long Layered Blowout with Face‑Framing Volume
Salon-friendly long layered blowout with soft face‑framing layers and cascading waves. Best suited to medium‑to‑thick hair and long lengths; fine hair can achieve a similar look with clip‑in extensions or strategic texturizing for added body. Begin with a layered cut that removes bulk while keeping length; apply a volumizing mousse at damp roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Section hair and blow-dry using a large round brush (2–3) and a concentrator nozzle to create lift at the roots and smooth, rounded ends. For movement, wrap large sections around a 1¼–2 curling iron or use hot rollers, then finger‑comb to loosen waves. Finish with a lightweight smoothing serum on ends and a flexible-hold hairspray at mid‑lengths to preserve bounce without stiffness. Tools needed: blow dryer, large round brush, curling iron or rollers, sectioning clips, and tail comb. Difficulty: moderate — expect 25–45 minutes depending on density. Maintenance: trim every 8–12 weeks, deep-condition weekly, use dry shampoo between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize frizz and preserve the shape.
Textured Beachy Waves with Tousled Layers — Blonde, Mid/Long Length
This tousled, beachy-wave look works best on fine to medium textured hair and naturally wavy hair; with the right layering it can be adapted for thicker hair to remove bulk and encourage movement. Start on damp hair: apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner, then a sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse from roots to ends. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute product and scrunch sections upward to create separation. Diffuse on low heat with a diffuser attachment while continuing to scrunch, or air-dry for a softer finish. For added definition, wrap random 1–2 inch sections around a curling wand (20–26mm) and finger-comb out. Tools: diffuser, curling wand (optional), wide-tooth comb, hair clips. Products: leave-in conditioner, sea-salt spray or mousse, heat protectant, light texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — basic styling skills needed to balance texture without frizz. Maintenance: refresh with a water + sea-salt mix or dry texturizer between washes, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose braid, trim layers every 8–12 weeks, and use a weekly deep-conditioning treatment to prevent dryness.
Textured Half-Up with Blunt Fringe for Long Wavy Hair
This polished yet relaxed half-up look with a blunt fringe suits long hair across most textures—fine to thick—and works especially well on naturally wavy or gently straightened hair. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry the fringe straight with a round brush while lifting at the crown. Create loose, undone waves through the mid-lengths and ends using a 1–1.25 in curling iron, alternating curl direction for natural movement. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift, smooth the top layer, then secure a small half-up knot or low pouf with a clear elastic and a few bobby pins. Finish by scrunching in a salt spray for texture and locking with a flexible-hold hairspray; a drop of serum on the ends tames frizz without weighing hair down. Difficulty: intermediate, 20–35 minutes depending on length. Maintenance: trim bangs every 4–6 weeks, refresh waves with a quick re-heat or dry shampoo, and preserve red tones with a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and weekly deep conditioning.
Textured Layered Short Bob with Soft Fringe — Tousled Wavy Pixie-Bob
This short, layered bob with a soft fringe suits fine to medium hair and works well on natural waves or relaxed curls; thick hair can also wear it if the cutter thins and layers to remove bulk. The salon technique is classic graduated layering with point-cut ends and razor texturizing at the perimeter to create airy movement and reduce weight. Style on damp hair with a root-lift mousse and blow-dry using a round brush or diffuser to enhance volume; add 1 curling-wand bends or a flat iron to define a few face-framing pieces and the fringe for a tousled finish. Tools: professional scissors, thinning shears, razor (optional), blow dryer with diffuser, round brush, 1 curling wand or flat iron, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt or texture spray, light-hold hairspray, small amount of styling cream or paste for piece definition. Difficulty level: moderate — the daily routine is quick, but the cut requires a skilled stylist. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, use a hydrating shampoo/conditioner, refresh shape with dry shampoo and light re-texturizing between cuts, and sleep on a silk pillow to preserve softness.
Textured Shag Pixie with Curtain Bangs — Short Red Layered Cut
A modern textured shag-pixie with soft curtain bangs that flatters oval, heart and angular face shapes. Best for fine to medium hair where layering and razor texturing create the illusion of density; thick hair can wear this style with additional thinning and strategic layering. To style: start on towel-dried hair with a light volumizing mousse at roots, blow-dry using a round brush or paddle brush while lifting at the crown to set shape, then rough-dry ends with fingers for separation. Use a small flat iron or ¾-inch curling iron to flick select pieces inward or outward for movement. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, 1
Long Layered Cut with Curtain Bangs and Soft Textured Waves
This look features long, face-framing layers with curtain bangs and soft textured waves — ideal for medium to thick, straight-to-wavy hair. Fine hair can wear it if you add shorter layers at the crown and use volumizing products; very tight curls may require a relaxed cut or blowout first. In-salon technique: cut long, graduated layers with point-cutting to soften ends and create movement; shape curtain bangs with a slight interior bevel. Styling technique: apply heat protectant and a root-lifting mousse to damp hair, blow-dry with a round brush to boost root volume and smooth the bangs, then create loose bends with a 1–1.25 curling iron or wand working in alternating directions. Loosen curls with fingers or a wide-tooth comb and finish with a light texturizing spray for separation. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, 1–1.25 curling iron/wand, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, lightweight styling cream or serum, texturizing spray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: easy–moderate for home styling. Maintenance: trim bangs every 6–8 weeks, full-shape trims every 8–12 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning for long hair, refresh roots with dry shampoo, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize frizz.
Textured Pixie with Long Side-Swept Fringe — Short Layered Blonde Style
Modern textured pixie with a long side-swept fringe, ideal for fine to medium straight or slightly wavy hair. The cut is created by blending short tapered sides and back with longer, choppy top layers using point-cutting and a razor for movement. To style, towel-dry and apply a small amount of volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry with a round brush directing hair forward and across the forehead to form the sweep. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte texturizing paste through the ends for separation and a light flexible-hold hairspray to set. Required tools: sharp cutting shears, thinning shears or razor, clippers for the taper, blow-dryer, round brush, fine-tooth comb, and an optional flat iron for smoothing. Products: volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, heat protectant, texturizing paste or matte pomade, dry shampoo and light hold hairspray. Difficulty level: medium — easy daily styling but requires an experienced stylist for the initial precision cut. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning if hair is lightened, use purple shampoo for cool blonde tones and refresh with dry shampoo between washes.
Textured Layered Pixie Cut with Choppy Fringe (Tousled Blonde)
This short textured layered pixie is ideal for fine to medium hair and can be adapted for thicker hair by strategically removing bulk. The cut features short, choppy layers and a swept, piecey fringe to create lift and movement around the crown. Styling technique: start on towel-damped hair, apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots and a sea-salt spray through the mid-lengths; rough-dry with a blow dryer while using fingers or a small round brush to lift the crown and direct the fringe to the side. Use a flat iron on small sections to flip or refine ends for added definition, then finish by separating pieces with a pea-sized amount of matte paste or texture clay. Tools needed: cutting scissors and thinning shears (or razor for softer edges), blow dryer with nozzle, small round brush, tail comb, flat iron (optional) and sectioning clips. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt spray, light matte paste, and dry shampoo. Difficulty: intermediate—cutting is best done by a stylist; daily styling is quick once familiar. Maintenance: trims every 4–6 weeks, weekly deep-conditioning if color-treated, refresh with dry shampoo or salt spray between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize frizz.
Choppy Textured Shag Mullet with Short Fringe – Modern Edgy Layers
This choppy textured shag mullet with a short, wispy fringe suits fine to medium hair and works well on naturally straight or slightly wavy textures. The cut uses short, graduated layers at the crown and face with longer, disconnected length at the nape to create movement and a lived-in silhouette. Cutting technique: razor or point-cutting through the ends for feathered texture, texturizing shears to remove weight, and careful graduation at the crown to keep lift. Styling technique: towel-dry then apply a lightweight mousse or salt spray for grip, blow-dry with a nozzle while raking hair with your fingers for separation; use a small round brush to smooth the fringe and a flat iron or 19–25mm wand to flick and define select pieces. Tools needed: haircutting shears, razor or texturizing shears, blow dryer with nozzle, small round brush, flat iron/wand. Products required: heat protectant, sea salt spray or volumizing mousse, texturizing paste/wax, flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: medium — precise cutting by a stylist is recommended; daily styling is quick but requires retexturing. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, weekly deep conditioning to prevent ends from drying, and refresh texture between washes with water + salt spray and a pea-sized amount of paste.
Textured Platinum Pixie-Pompadour with Voluminous Top
This high-volume pixie-pompadour is best suited to fine to medium straight or slightly wavy hair; thicker hair can wear it too but will benefit from light thinning in the crown to achieve lift. Start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Section the top and sides, then blow-dry the crown using a round brush (1–1.5), lifting at the roots and directing hair back to build the pompadour shape. Use a vent brush or fingers to encourage separation; for extra control, smooth long top pieces with a small flat iron or blow-dry with a concentrator nozzle. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or light wax through the ends for texture and separation, then lock with a medium-hold flexible hairspray. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, vent brush, small flat iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, texturizing shears (for salon cuts). Products: volumizing mousse, heat protectant, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, matte paste/wax, color-safe/purple shampoo for blonde upkeep. Difficulty: intermediate — requires shaping and root-lift technique. Maintenance: salon trims every 4–6 weeks, root/tone touch-ups as needed, weekly deep-conditioning, and daily refresh with dry shampoo and fingertip restyling.
Thank you for exploring these 32 QW hairstyles for women with me. As a salon professional, my best advice is to choose styles that match your hair texture, daily routine and face shape — then commit to the right cut and upkeep. For longevity: schedule regular trims, use a color-safe shampoo if you color, and add a weekly deep-conditioning treatment for strength and shine. Invest in a quality heat protectant and a couple of reliable tools (a medium-round brush, a flat iron and a diffuser) to recreate most looks at home. When trying something new, bring a clear image from this gallery to your stylist and discuss maintenance, product needs and realistic at-home steps. Small adjustments in layering, length or styling can make a huge difference. If you want personalized recommendations, I’m happy to help—book a consult or bring your favorite images to the salon. — Lena, professional hairstylist