Halloween Hairstyles: 10 Easy Ideas for Every Hair Length
Good Halloween hairstyles do half the work of a costume. A pair of sleek braids, a slicked-back wet look or two high buns changes your whole silhouette, and most of them need nothing more than a comb, a few elastics and some hairspray.
The ten ideas below are sorted so there is something for every length. None of them needs a wig or heat damage, and several double as normal fall hairstyles if you leave out the accessories.
Choose by hair length
| Hair length | Best ideas | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Short | Slicked-back wet look, glitter roots, mini clips | Gel, comb, glitter spray |
| Medium | Space buns, half-up bow, crimped texture | Elastics, pins, ribbon |
| Long | Twin braids, witchy waves, high ribbon ponytail | Elastics, ribbon, texture spray |
10 Halloween hairstyles to try
Twin Sleek Braids
A sharp center part and two tight braids. It suits gothic, schoolgirl and witch looks, and takes five minutes.
Space Buns
Two high buns with loose pieces at the front. Add small star or spider clips, or leave them plain.
Slicked-Back Wet Look
Comb gel through damp hair and push everything straight back. Ideal for vampire looks and for short hair.
Witchy Waves
Loose, slightly undone waves with a deep side part. Braid damp hair overnight to get the texture without heat.
High Ribbon Ponytail
A sleek high ponytail and a long black ribbon. Swap the ribbon to orange or deep red to match your outfit.
Half-Up Bow
Half-up hair with a velvet bow at the crown. It is the easiest way to dress up hair that is too short for a full updo.
Crimped Texture
All-over crimped texture adds instant volume. Small braids left in overnight give the same effect with no heat.
Braided Crown
Two braids crossed over the top of the head and pinned. It keeps hair off the face all night.
Glitter Roots
Brush hair gel along the parting and press cosmetic glitter into it. It washes out with shampoo.
Low Bun With Clips
A sleek low bun with a few small black clips. Polished enough for a dinner and still clearly Halloween.
Accessories that do the work
A small accessory is often what turns an everyday style into one of these Halloween hairstyles. Black satin or velvet ribbon is the most useful thing to own: tie it around a ponytail, weave it through a braid or finish a half-up style with a bow. Small themed clips in the shape of stars, moons, bats or spiders sit well in buns and along a side part.
Plain black bobby pins lined up in a row look deliberate and cost almost nothing. For color without commitment, temporary hair chalk or a spray-in tint in orange, purple or silver washes out with one shampoo on most hair, though very light or porous hair can hold the tint longer, so test a hidden strand first. Cosmetic glitter is safer around the eyes than craft glitter, so check the label before you use it near your face.
How to make a style last all night
Hold comes from preparation rather than from the final spray. Brush a little mousse or texture spray through the lengths before you start, use two elastics instead of one on ponytails and buns, and cross bobby pins in an X so they lock. Finish with a light mist of hairspray from arm length.
Tight styles should not hurt. If your scalp aches, loosen the style, because constant tension can damage hair over time. The American Academy of Dermatology lists this among its tips for healthy hair. Wash out gel and glitter before bed and let your hair rest the next day.
Complete the look
Hair is one half of it. Pair any of these with a set from our Halloween nail designs, or keep it minimal with simple Halloween nails. If you liked the cuts shown here, the guide to short hairstyles for women and the list of long hairstyles for women have more everyday options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest Halloween hairstyle?
Two sleek braids with a center part, or a high ponytail tied with a black ribbon. Both take about five minutes and need only elastics.
What Halloween hairstyles work for short hair?
A slicked-back wet look, glitter along the parting and small themed clips all work on short hair. A half-up style works once hair reaches the chin.
How do I get hair glitter out?
Work conditioner or a little oil through dry hair first to loosen the glitter, comb it out gently, then shampoo twice.
Can I do these styles without heat?
Yes. Braids, buns, ponytails and the wet look need no heat at all. For waves or crimped texture, braid damp hair and leave it overnight.
See more hairstyle ideas by length.
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