Easy & Stylish Hairstyles: Low-Maintenance Looks for All Hair Types

Sarah Kehoe

The Best Budget 'Do

"Allover layers instantly make long hair look pulled together, plus they let you go months without a trim," says New York City salon owner Mark Garrison.

Low-Maintenance Mane

• Shoulder length or longer
• Layers from mid-length to ends
• Long bangs — or none at all
• Straight to wavy texture

Styling Secrets

A trim every six weeks can be costly; at $40 plus tip, it could set you back about $400 a year. Go every four to six months with this style and a little TLC. Apply a mask (such as Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo: Dryness Reversal Treatment, $5.99, drugstores) weekly, and a heat-protecting mousse (check the label) before blow-drying with a round brush or using hot rollers.

Sarah Kehoe

Save 20 Minutes Every Morning

"A short bob will play up your hair's natural texture, making styling a snap," Garrison says.

Tousled in No Time

• Chin length
• Few or no layers
• No bangs
• Wavy to curly texture

Stylish Secrets

Take short hair from sporty to sexy by mixing equal dollops of conditioner and gel (a good combo: Herbal Essences Hydralicious Self-Targeting Conditioner, $2.99, and L'Oreal Paris Vive Pro Glossy Style Glossy Volume Gel, $4.99, both at drugstores). Scrunch through damp hair. Air-dry or use a diffuser; try claw attachments (in the DevaCurl DevaFuser Kit, $39.95, devachansalon.com) for more defined coils.

Sarah Kehoe

Take 5 Years off Your Face

"Bangs are like Botox, hiding lines, while length and layers add youthfulness," Garrison says.

Fresh Fringe

• Shoulder length or longer
• Full, textured bangs (a blunt cut is too bulky)
• Layers from the chin down
• Straight to wavy texture

Styling Secrets

Apply a smoothing serum (such as John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon, $5.99, drugstores) all over. Starting with the underneath layers and working your way up, blow-dry section by section with a medium round brush; wind ends upward for bounce. Finally, place the brush under your bangs, put the blower's nozzle directly above them, and dry until they're smooth.

Sarah Kehoe

Look 10 Pounds Thinner

"Sleek, mid-length strands lengthen your face, making you look leaner," Garrison says.

Slimming Trim

• Collarbone length
• Slightly angled bangs
• Few layers; choppy ends
• Straight texture

Styling Secrets

Distribute a dime-size dab of straightening balm (such as Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smoothing Creme, $5.99, drugstores) from roots to ends, then blow-dry in sections with a paddle brush. (Or use a multitasking blower and brush such as Conair Infiniti Hot Air Styler, $55, conair.com.) Whisk a flatiron through top layers and finish with anti-frizz serum.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, September 2009.