30 Quick Hairstyles For Picture-Perfect Hair When You're In A Pinch

Put-together hair will immediately make you look and feel better — no matter what you're wearing and whether or not you have any makeup on. "Hair matters in relation to our general sense of attractiveness, which is intrinsically connected to our confidence and self-esteem," psychologist Elaine Slater tells Red. "Many associate confidence with feeling in control, and hair is one way that most of us can be in charge in terms of the vast number of ways in which we can alter it. Hair can give us the external appearance of being well managed and in control." However, creating a stunning hairstyle usually takes time, which is something we don't always have a lot of. 

Luckily, there are some hairstyles that can be done in under five minutes and others that you can even achieve on the go. From a variety of braids, buns, and half-updos, we've gathered hairstyles that not only look great but can be created quickly, so that you can still look your best even if you are rushing out of the door. And don't worry, all of these styles are easy and can work on many different textures and lengths of hair, so you don't have to be super skilled in hairstyling to recreate them.

Model Bella Hadid has been a trendsetter for years, and her '90s-inspired bun is definitely worth recreating. The key parts of the look are a middle part, perfectly slicked-back hair, and a small bun with ends that peek over the top. 

To achieve it, it's best to first tie a regular ponytail leaving out a thin layer of hair around and on top of your head. Then, create the middle part and wrap the leftover hair around the ponytail — this is much easier than keeping a middle part while tying all of your hair into a bun. Once the hair is all sleek against your head, create a tight bun ensuring that the ends of your hair are laid straight up against your head to create that peacock-like effect.

Space buns are a quirky hairstyle that often takes a lot of bravery to rock. After all, not everyone can pretend they're Miley Cyrus circa 2012. If you want to give space buns a go but don't feel like you can't quite yet embrace the look full-out, opt for mini space buns in a half-updo.

All you need to do is separate the top layer of your hair, divide it into two parts, and create messy mini buns on top of your head with them. With this hairstyle, you'll want to embrace the messiness. This means you can absolutely create it quickly. In fact, chances are this style will look its best when styled in a rush!

A fun way to update simple braids is to add a top criss-cross layer, which will definitely make the style seem more intricate. 

To get the look, all you have to do is add a top layer from your left side into the right braid and repeat with the left. It might seem a bit complicated at first, but if you make sure to section the parts off properly and tie up the ones you don't need to use for the first braid, you will definitely be able to nail this hairstyle!

A bubble ponytail is eye-catching and super easy to create, making it the perfect hairstyle when you want your hair to look more interesting but don't have much time.

All you really need are a couple of hair ties and a brush. Create your go-to ponytail (a high, middle, or low one), and depending on how many bubbles you want, go 2-3 inches below your first hair tie and add another one. Pull the hair between the two hair ties a bit to create the bubble effect. After that, add the next hair tie and repeat all the steps until you reach the end of your hair.

A French braid can be really difficult to do on your own hair — and it takes a lot of practice to create one quickly. If you know how to braid one, however, try leaning into the loose messy look, as that tends to give your hair more volume. It also gives that "I've been busy all day, but my hair still looks cute" vibe.

A slicked hairstyle is perfect for those days when your hair is slightly greasy but you don't have the time to wash and style it. However, if you prefer how you look with your hair down, a slicked-back half ponytail provides the best of both worlds. If the hair that remains down looks too greasy, just apply a bit of dry shampoo to it. The hair on the top half should remain shiny and tightly brushed to your head, ending in a super high ponytail.

Claw clips are not only super trendy right now, but they are also very comfortable to wear. Even better, it takes less than a minute to put one in your hair. If you want to use them the classic way, gather all your hair, twist it, and then lay it upwards towards your crown. Now all you have to do is place the clip over the twisted hair, letting the ends of the hair fall naturally out of it. If you have longer hair, you might need to bend the twist in half to ensure most of your hair is in the clip.

A messy bun will always be in style. Because it's a hairstyle that is so easy to create, you can literally do so on the go — you don't even need a mirror. If you have fine hair and you find that your messy buns lack volume, consider using a hair donut to add some fullness to the final style.

If you want to spice your hair up while it's down, an easy thing to do is add a braid. While you can add tiny braids here and there, a more intricate style is to pull one braid over the top of your head to mimic a headband. To keep it in place, it's best to use two bobby pins or a small hair clip.

Another model-inspired hairstyle you can easily recreate is Hailey Bieber's low bun — a signature look that the star has been wearing for years. To achieve it, part your hair down the middle and slick it back into a low ponytail. After that, twist the ponytail into a neat and tight low bun.

Having hair that softly frames your face can make you feel super confident. If you want to rock a hairstyle without losing that feeling, create a ponytail but keep a couple of face-framing layers out of it. If you want to add some bounce to the front pieces, consider curling them to create that wave.

A slicked-back low ponytail is always a safe choice, and it works for literally any occasion — no matter how relaxed or formal it is. You can rock this hairstyle with a middle part or a deep side part, whichever you prefer. Since your hair will be out of your face, this hairstyle is perfect if you plan on wearing eye-catching makeup!

A claw clip can also be used for half-updos — all you need to do is find a slightly smaller one than you would normally choose. Pick up the hair on the top of your head (leaving a couple of face-framing pieces out, if you wish), and twist it to create a tiny bump on top of your head. After you claw it in place with a clip, you'll notice that the little bun provides a tad bit more dimension to the hairstyle.

Messy space buns will always be fun, and they will immediately give a nostalgic '90s vibe to your look. Essentially, they are like a regular messy bun, except you create it twice. And don't try to hide the end pieces of your hair that stick out — they only add more interest!

One thing a classic ponytail can give you that a low one can't is that signature bouncy movement that is created when you walk. A ponytail that sits higher tends to move as you move, immediately making your hair — and you! — the center of attention. To upgrade a classic ponytail, wrap a strand of your hair around the hair tie and keep it in place with a bobby pin.

A fun way to update a classic low ponytail is to wrap two pieces of hair around its base to give the style an elegant feel. To achieve this look, leave out two thicker pieces of hair on each side of your face, and tie the rest of your hair into a low ponytail. Then take one strand of the leftover hair and wrap it around the hair tie, fixing it in place with a bobby pin. Now repeat the exact same thing with the other strand of hair, and voilà — you're left with a wrap-around low ponytail.

A messy bun on top of your head with half of your hair down will definitely channel that 2015 Tumblr era. This is the perfect hairstyle for those times when you don't want your hair to keep falling into your face, but because your hair is clean, you don't want to tie it up completely.

Whether you're channeling your inner Britney Spears circa 1999 or you just feel nostalgic about your youth, schoolgirl pigtails are a classic hairstyle that will never not look cute. While you can opt for low pigtails, which can feel more relaxed, if you want the hairstyle to be dramatic, place the pigtails higher on your head.

A fun way to make a classic messy braid more interesting is to just add a scarf to it. To make things easier for yourself, tie your hair in a ponytail first. After that, tie the scarf around your hair tie, making sure the two ends are approximately the same length. Now all you need to do is divide the hair into three pieces, incorporate the scarf into two of those sections, and braid away!

A twisted ponytail looks intricate and unusual, but once you get the gist of it, you'll manage to create it in under five minutes. First, you'll need to tie a classic high ponytail. After that, part the hair into two sections and twist each of them in the same direction. Once both strands are tightly twisted, twist them around each other in the opposite direction. Once you tie the end, the braid will stay twisted!

A unique way to style your hair while it's down is to use a lot of bobby pins to add interest. All you need to do is give your hair a slight side part, and then add a bunch of bobby pins to the side of your head where the part is. If you're a Gen Z side-part critic, feel free to try this look with a middle part. Regular bobby pins will do just fine, but if you have some fun and quirky ones, this would be the time to use them!

When someone mentions Ariana Grande's hair, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a super high, super sleek, and ultra-long ponytail. To recreate it, make sure you use some hair gel to slick the hair back — you don't want any of that baby hair frizziness. If you have some extensions, feel free to add them to the ponytail for extra length and volume.

The aughts are back big time — especially in the world of fashion and beauty. One thing millennials loved rocking in the early 2000s was a zig-zag part, and it looks particularly great when combined with a tight messy bun positioned close to the back of your neck. To take the hairstyle to the next level, pair it with a Y2k-inspired outfit!

A halo braid is a perfect hairstyle for warmer days, as it keeps all of your hair away from your face and your shoulders. If you have very long hair, you can get away with braiding just one braid and wrapping it around your head like a headband — but if your hair is shorter, opt for two braids that will meet at the top of your head. As always, keep everything in place with bobby pins.

A twisted bun adds a bit of that vintage elegance to any look. A hairstyle like this is perfect for a more formal outfit, but it also looks great with a casual look. To create it, part your hair in two and begin wrapping it above your ear. Once you reach the end, wrap it into a bun. Repeat everything on the other side, except this time, you won't wrap it into a separate bun, instead, you'll wrap it around the first bun.

A low, slicked-back braid is great for those days you might want to add an overnight oil hair treatment of oil to your mane. In fact, the greasier your hair is, the better the braid will look, as it won't have many flyaways. All you have to do is make sure you're breading it tightly — you don't want this to be a loose messy braid.

Pigtails are fun, but they are very eye-catching, which means they aren't everyone's cup of tea. If you want to explore the look without committing to the drama, opt for a half-updo. Just divide your hair's upper half into two and create two ponytails. Keep the rest of your hair down for a  hairstyle that is cute and unique.

An easy way to update a classic bun — regardless of if it's a messy or sleek one — is to add a small scarf to it. All you have to do is pick a scarf that would match your outfit and then tie it around the base of your bun. Even though doing so literally takes less than a minute, you will look like you put so much time and effort into your hair when you're done.

Butterfly hairclips are another '90s and 2000s accessory that has had a resurgence thanks to Gen Zers. And we're glad it has! Butterfly clips are an easy and fun way to accessorize your hair, and the options with them are endless. If you don't know where to start, try adding a few coordinating butterfly clips to spice up a small braid on one side of your hair.

You can never go wrong with a simple classic braid, especially when it's one that you can do without looking in the mirror in any given situation. Messiness always looks intentional with a braid, which means you can create one super quickly without worrying whether pieces of hair are falling out of it. Try the look with a few face-framing tendrils for a soft, romantic feel.