Instagram's It Girls Agree—These Are the Only Hairstyles That Matter for Fall
Fall fashion and beauty are finally in full swing, and we're turning to Instagram's It girls for endless hair inspiration this season. Not only are they notorious for their ability to take any style and show a million ways it can be worn off the runway, but they're also pros at identifying the popular styles before they pick up speed. We've scrolled through hundreds of Instagram posts from the most recognizable content creators, models, and fashion people to compile the hairstyles they've been all over lately. Get ready to screenshot!
1. Messy Ballet Bun
The reigning queen of aesthetic-led beauty trends, Hailey Bieber, has been spotted rocking what could only be described as a messy ballet bun. The style features textured face-framing strands and cascading tendrils pulled loose from the bun.
We love Verb's Ghost Air Dry Whip to create ultra-textured hair looks that are all about being imperfect. The product is ideal for all hair textures and works to smooth and define your hair while reducing frizz.
Customer Review: "I love how my hair feels and looks after using Ghost Air Dry Whip. It's easy to apply and doesn't really have a scent. My hair is easily styled without having to put the work into it but It doesn't leave my hair weird the next day."
2. Chocolate-Colored Curls
The last weeks of summer may very well have been dominated by the "cowboy copper" hair color trend, but this fall, we're fully expecting chocolate-colored curls as the breakout star of the season, as worn here by New York–based content creator Maggie McCormack.
Looking for a hairspray that will provide the hold for your curls without transforming them into a crunchy miss? The Soft Style Soft Sculpting Spray Gel will lock your curls in place while keeping your hair smooth and soft.
Customer Review: "Love, love this hairspray. It's lightweight but still has enough hold for my fine hair. It is not drying either. I hate hairspray that makes your hair feel like a rock and this does just the opposite. Please don't ever discontinue this hairspray!"
3. Slicked-Back Bun
A slicked-back bun is a fast and fuss-free style that looks effortlessly chic. Everyone from model Jasmine Tookes to socialite Sofia Richie Grainge has been photographed wearing it while attending spring 2024 fashion shows in New York, Paris, and Milan.
To get your hair into that flawless slicked-back bun, use Emi Jay's Angelstick. It smoothes the strands and slicks pesky flyaways using a blend of nourishing castor seed oil, sunflower seed wax, murumuru butter, and vitamin E.
Customer Review: N/A
4. Elegant Topknot
Elegant topknots are popular year-round and will continue to dominate well into the fall. Symphani Soto is pictured here wearing the cool-girl-approved style with loose strands escaping from the updo to complement her face-framing strands.
To create the cascading tendrils that give this topknot its finishing touch, we recommend using a 1–2 inch curling iron. Our top pick is the Conair Instant Heat 1/2-Inch Curling Iron because it heats up quickly, is easy to use, and creates gorgeous curls every time.
Customer Review: "[I] Have several of these and they're always great quality and last for years. No funny smell, curls right and the swivel cord makes it easy to use. Temperature gage is easy to set and stays put. Not too big to handle."
5. Pinned Back at the Crown
You heard it here first: Sleek strands with slicked-back sections will be everywhere over the next few months. We're taking notes from one of model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's recent Milan Fashion Week looks for this one.
After dedicating ample time to styling your hair, there's nothing worse than watching your strands slip from place. To replicate this chic style, use bobby pins that deliver ample hold like the ones above by Conair.
Customer Review: "The [Conair] bobby pins are very sturdy. I've had them for a while now and none of them have broken!"
6. Claw-Clip Chignon
Keep your chunky claw clips! Claw-clip chignon styles are popping up everywhere on our For You pages as we head into fall. It's the perfect effortless style for everyone with schedules that don't include much wiggle room for more detailed styles.
Are you loving Jill Wallace's checkered claw clip featured in the picture above? While we're not sure which one she's wearing in the shot, Casa Clara's Allegra Clip is just as cute and practical.
Customer review: "Such good quality! I have a TON of hair and struggle finding clips that hold my hair up, this one does the trick, and it's chic!"
7. High-Volume Ponytail
Looking for a quick, five-second hairstyle that will pair perfectly with all your fashion-forward fall looks? Try re-creating a fun and flirty high-volume ponytail like the one worn by content creator Mishti Rahman.
The key to this trendy ponytail is adding volume to the roots. This volumizing spray by Color Wow delivers all-day volume using clear, flexible volume-pumping resins that settle on each individual strand. Simply spray onto the roots, blow-dry, and style.
Customer Review: "This product is great. It was designed to thicken the root and add lift, but I've been using it as a pre-treatment in combo with the Color Wow Curl Enhancer and it keeps my curls all day, softly, with real staying power and doesn't go flat!"
8. Curly Cut
If you have naturally curly hair and are tired of the extra steps it takes to style it every day, it might be time to finally schedule a curl cut at your salon. That way, you can wake up with pre-styled, healthy-looking curls. Emmanuelle Koffi has the right idea!
Whip frizzy curls and coils into shape by running the Santo Curl Mousse through your hair for pillowy volume and touchable hold. This mousse is ideal for both wash-and-gos and protective styles and defines curls to perfection.
Customer Review: "Wow beautiful curls! My hair has some movement still and doesn’t feel stiff. It helps with my frizz and even has helped in the humidity. It smells sooo good! I have gotten compliments on the scent already."
9. Face-Framing Tendrils
Sometimes, it's the little details that upgrade a hairstyle from cute to iconic. The next time your hair is up in a bun or ponytail, take cues from Emma Leger and pull out some face-framing strands to bring attention to the face.
This metal tip graphite rat-tail comb duo by Toni & Guy gives you control over precise parting and styling. They're also static-free, durable, and heat-resistant, meaning these combs can be used with hot tools.
Customer Review: N/A
10. Nineties-Inspired Bob
Nineties-inspired hairstyles are in again, and we're all for it. Give your bob the throwback treatment by adding a zigzag headband for added intrigue. Extra points if you match your headband to your frames like Mary L. Jean did!
Your days of getting headaches while wearing headbands are over! Kitsch's Zigzag Headbands are designed with long, wavy teeth for a comfortable nonslip grip for a stylish, slicked-back look.
Customer Review: "These headbands have exceeded my expectations. They are comfortable (I was worried that I would have a headache after wearing for a few hours, but no) I am really enjoying these. They give my hair more volume and are an easy way to style when I am in a hurry."
11. Wispy Bangs
Blunt hairstyles may be trending again, but we're also seeing a sudden rise in wispy, long bangs that fall right around the eyebrows, as modeled here by Megan Adelaide Vega. The wispier, the better, we say.
Creating picturesque wispy bangs is all about adding the right amount of texture with the help of a lightweight product. Living Proof's Full Texturizing Foam delivers up to three times more texture on wet or dry hair without weighing it down.
Customer Review: "So glad I purchased this! I have thin hair that frizzes in ANY humidity. This made my hair appear thicker and no frizz! Amazing! Also, product does not feel heavy or greasy on hair. Hair looks and feels natural."
12. No-Fuss Braid
Short on time? Re-create model Anaa Saber's New York City style by pulling your hair into a messy braid and leaving out a couple of textured strands to look like an effortlessly cool model off-duty.
These hair elastics were designed to keep thick hair up without causing any breakage to your delicate strands. What's more, they're extremely durable.
Customer review: "I love these! Lightweight, keeps my hair up all day without having to redo it, and most importantly it doesn’t give me major headaches like every other brand I’ve used. Highly recommend for hair quality hair bands that don’t break."
13. Textured Bob
Laura Harrier's textured bob created by hairstylist Rikke Gajda for New York Fashion Week is the stuff of dreams. It keeps her glowy makeup front and center while adding a bit of edge to her otherwise timeless look.
Use this R+Co dry styler to create soft volume and hold for the effortless, second-day hair look we'll be seeing everywhere with season. The Velvet Curtain Cotton Touch Texture Balm is also great because it combats frizz and flyaways.
Customer Review: "I use this every time I blow-dry my hair. It leaves my hair feeling beautifully soft without the extra greasiness that other texture balms have in the past. I love this product."
14. Classic Blowout
You can't wrong with a classic blowout. Sabina Socol shows us her take on the style with volume, shine, and epic layers. Maybe you should consider taking this pic with you on your next trip to the salon for inspo.
Use a few spritzes of this volumizing blow-dry mist to repair and protect your hair from styling damage and speed up the styling process. It's also humidity-resistant, heat-resistant up to 450°F, and creates a soft, shiny finish.
Customer Review: "The BEST blow-dry spray that I've ever used. I love it! Great volume and shine. I highly recommend this product."
15. Goddess Braids
Goddess braids (also commonly referred to as bohemian braids) were trending all summer and don't seem to be going anywhere for this fall. Soto opted for an ombré blonde finish that complements her skin tone perfectly.
To help extend the wear of protective hairstyles, it's crucial to keep your scalp well-oiled. We love this nourishing hair oil by Mizani because it's fast-absorbing, lightweight, and helps minimize frizz while restoring shine.
Customer Review: "I love this oil! It smells amazing, it’s light and it doesn’t leave my hair feeling greasy. I only apply it to my scalp and I know longer have issues with my scalp feeling itchy and dry."
16. Waves + Side Part
Once again, Sofia Richie Grainge has taken a style we all know and love and made it look beyond luxurious. It's frizz-free and perfectly coiffed and has just the right amount of bounce. In other words, it's the ideal hairstyle for all your more formal fall affairs.
For soft, frizz-free waves, invest in a medium-hold, matte-finish styling like the Matte Waves Texture Lotion. This Oribe product will help define waves and natural textures without drying out or weighing your strands down. It's like magic!
Customer Review: "I have tried so many products and this is the only one that gives me soft bouncy and waves, no frizz, no crunch. Love, love, love! Worth the money!"
17. Pinned Bun
Everyone needs a trusty hairpin to keep their locks in place with little to no effort or time spent worrying about a finished look. Here, content creator Sasha Mei wears her oversize hairpin tucked into a simple bun.
Add texture, hold, and a semimatte finish to your slicked-back bun with TIGI's cult-classic Bed Head Hair Wax Stick. To use, simply dampen your hair and use a sweeping motion for smooth and even application.
Customer review: "This product is amazing! I am such a fan of a sleek slick back and this product not only holds everything in place but keep its shiny and glides evenly. You will not be disappointed!"
18. Ribbon Details
Remember when we ID'd ribbon hairstyles as one of our favorite NYFW beauty looks for this year's shows? Well, it's also taking the fashion world by storm off the runway. We're in love with how Sarah Solinger styled hers!
This season, embrace coquette hairstyles by sprinkling your strands with hair ribbons like these by Amazon brand Bmobuo. What we love most about this six-piece set is that they're attached to clips for easy placement and removal.
Customer Review: "These are super cute and great quality. Love that you can just clip it in easily."
19. Italian Bob
Glamorous Italian bobs are finally giving French bobs a run for their money. Fashion-and-beauty creative TyLynn Nguyen wears her with flicked-under ends for instant bounce and shape.
You can never have too many finishing hair sprays. This one by Shu Uemura delivers a long-lasting, buildable hold for all your texturized blowouts, slicked-back buns, and chic updos.
Customer review: "This hairspray did wonders. I sprayed it on my edges and it held them in place all day. Moya Hold Hair Spray also adds shine to my hair."
20. Hush Cut
Have you tried out the hush cut yet? Check out how stylish it looks on Allison Ho. The trend has its roots in Korea and is all about layers and bangs while being incredibly low-maintenance. Flattering on all face shapes, this is one style we'll keep an eye out for this fall.
Skip the blow-dryer with the help of this clean, salon-grade styler by Odele. It offers a perfect air-dry finish every time by locking in moisture and locking out frizziness while adding shine and texture.
Customer review: "I used this product after washing, on damp hair, to style my waves. It looked perfect! A little goes a long way, smells light and clean. It gave me pretty, non-frizzy waves."
21. The "Wet" Ponytail
Embrace your inner siren by trying an ultra-textured ponytail this fall. The secret? Pairing a nonsticky hair gel with a cream for a chic finish. To avoid having wet-feeling hair, lock down the style with a high-shine serum or holding spray.
To re-create this look, get your hands on a lightweight styling gel to run through your hair as you pull it up into the ponytail. This one by J Beverly Hills provides moisture, subtle style support, and enhances shine.
Customer Review: "This is the best styling gel I've bought! It doesn't leave your hair 'crunchy,' and it works really well holding your hair back when you want to do a sleek bun or pony. So glad I found this."
22. Sporty Headbands
We'll also be seeing a lot more sporty headbands as a trending hair accessory this season. Try wearing it with straight hair parted at the center as Mei did in this shot. The best part? It's probably one of the cheapest accessories you can get your hands on.
ALO's Performance Conquer Headband is perfect for keeping your hair out of your face and serving some major tennis core–inspired style whether you're on or off the courts.
Customer Review: "This headband is literally perfect. It's perfect for working out and just cute to put on!"
23. Messy Bun
With all this talk about buns for fall, we can't leave out one of the most popular variations. For a night out on the town, Leger wore a messy bun that we haven't stopped thinking about since it popped up on our IG.
Use this translucent dry finishing spray to add instant volume, lift, and texture to any hairstyle. Its unique formula features raw silk powders and light holding polymers.
Customer review: "Such an amazing finishing texture spray. It gives good grit to the hair and makes your style look a little more lived-in!"
24. Chunky Grunge Braids
One of the most unexpected hair trends this season is the meteoric rise of chunky grunge braids on and off the runway. Here, New York–based model Chanel McKinsie wears her thick two-strand braids accessorized with safety pins.
These safety pin–shaped hair clips are designed to be worn in the hair (not to pin your jeans together), meaning they'll protect your strands while adding a touch of eye-catching style.
Customer Review: N/A
25. Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs will also be popular this season. Whether your hair is in a bun, a ponytail, or free and loose, you can count on curtain bangs to add the right amount of intrigue to any fall outfit.
Use a blow-dryer and a large round brush like the Oribe Italian Resin Large Round Brush to create bouncy, voluminous curtain bangs that would rival those of Sabrina Carpenter.
Customer Review: "Great to get those large voluminous waves. Doesn't tangle in my coarse hair. Really like!"
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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