School mornings can get hectic fast. Between making breakfast, packing lunches, finding missing shoes, filling water bottles, and getting everyone out the door on time, there isn’t always time for an elaborate hairstyle.
15 Easy Hairstyles for School That Take Less Than 5 Minutes
That’s why having a few hairstyles for school that take less than 5 minutes can be a lifesaver.
Whether you’re doing your daughter’s hair or she is old enough to style it herself, these quick and easy school hairstyles are cute, practical, and perfect for busy mornings. Most only require a brush, hair elastics, bobby pins, or a claw clip.
Here are 15 easy hairstyles for school you can do in five minutes or less.
1. Classic High Ponytail
You can’t beat a ponytail when you’re short on time.
Brush the hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic. For a more polished look, take a small piece of hair from underneath the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic.
Time: 2 minutes
2. Bubble Ponytail
A bubble ponytail looks impressive but is incredibly easy.
Start with a regular ponytail. Add another elastic a few inches down and gently pull the hair between the elastics to create a “bubble.” Continue down the ponytail.
It’s one of my favorite cute hairstyles for school because it works especially well on long hair.
Time: 3–4 minutes
3. Half-Up Ponytail
For girls who like wearing their hair down but want it away from their faces, try a simple half-up ponytail.
Pull the top section of hair back and secure it with an elastic, scrunchie, or bow.
Time: 1–2 minutes
4. Claw Clip Twist
Claw clips aren’t just for moms! Tweens and teens love them, too.
Gather the hair into a low ponytail, twist it upward, and secure it with a medium or large claw clip. Leave the ends sticking out for a cute, casual look.
Time: 1 minute
5. Messy Bun
The messy bun was practically made for rushed school mornings.
Pull the hair into a high ponytail, twist it into a bun, and secure it with an elastic. Gently loosen a few sections to create that effortless look.
Time: 2 minutes
6. Low Sleek Ponytail
A low ponytail is one of the easiest ways to make hair look polished quickly.
Create a middle or side part, brush the hair smooth, and secure it at the nape of the neck. Add a little styling cream or gel around the hairline if needed.
Time: 2–3 minutes
7. Half-Up Claw Clip
This is another adorable option for tween and teen girls.
Take two sections of hair from around the face, pull them toward the back, twist them together, and secure them with a mini claw clip.
Time: 1 minute
8. Braided Ponytail
If you know how to make a basic three-strand braid, this hairstyle couldn’t be easier.
Put the hair into a ponytail and braid the ponytail all the way down. Secure the bottom with a small elastic.
This is also a great hairstyle for gym days or after-school sports.
Time: 3–4 minutes
9. Front Mini Braids
Mini braids are a fun way to make wearing hair down feel a little more special.
Take a small section of hair near each side of the face and create two tiny braids. Secure each with a small clear elastic.
Time: 4–5 minutes
10. High Ponytail With a Bow
Sometimes the easiest way to upgrade a basic hairstyle is with an accessory.
Create a high ponytail and add an oversized bow, ribbon, or cute scrunchie.
You can coordinate the bow with her school uniform or outfit, too.
Time: 2 minutes
11. Low Bubble Pigtails
Divide the hair down the middle and create two low pigtails. Add small elastics every few inches and gently pull each section outward to create bubbles.
This is especially cute for elementary and younger tween girls.
Time: 4–5 minutes
12. Headband Hairstyle
When you have approximately 30 seconds left before everyone needs to get in the car, grab a headband!
Brush the hair, add a cute headband, and you’re done. Padded headbands, athletic headbands, and simple neutral styles can instantly make hair look more put together.
Time: Less than 1 minute
13. Side Braid
Pull the hair over one shoulder and create a loose three-strand braid.
Gently tug on the braid after securing it to make it look fuller and more relaxed.
Time: 3 minutes
14. Half-Up Mini Bun
Gather the top section of hair as though you’re creating a half-up ponytail. Instead of leaving it as a ponytail, twist the hair into a tiny bun and secure it.
It’s cute, trendy, and keeps hair out of the face during class.
Time: 2–3 minutes
15. Scrunchie Ponytail
On those mornings when you’re really running late, don’t overthink it.
Brush the hair into a low, middle, or high ponytail and add a cute scrunchie. Velvet, satin, gingham, floral, and oversized scrunchies can turn the simplest ponytail into an actual hairstyle.
Time: 1 minute
Tips for Making School Hairstyles Even Faster
The secret to getting out the door faster is having everything you need in one place. Keep a small basket or drawer stocked with hair elastics, clear elastics, bobby pins, claw clips, scrunchies, bows, headbands, a detangling brush, and styling products.
It’s also helpful to choose the hairstyle the night before. If your daughter knows she wants a bubble ponytail or mini braids in the morning, you won’t waste precious time deciding what to do.
You can even save photos of your favorite 5-minute hairstyles for school on your phone and let her choose one while she’s eating breakfast.
Easy School Hairstyles Don’t Have to Be Complicated
Getting ready for school doesn’t need to include a 20-minute hair routine. With a few go-to styles and cute accessories, you can create an adorable look in five minutes—or sometimes less.
From bubble ponytails and messy buns to claw clip hairstyles and mini braids, these easy school hairstyles are perfect for busy mornings.
And when everything else fails? There’s always a ponytail and a cute scrunchie!
Hair Products To Use on this Hairstyle
Here are the hair products that I used for this particular hairstyle.
HAIR ELASTICS
These are the Teenitor hair elastics I’ve been using lately. I was recommended to use them and couldn’t wait to give them a try. Victoria’s hair is on the thicker side, so I need to make sure I have hair elastics that will hold the hair and be extra durable. I also want to make sure the hair elastics won’t damage or crease the hair.
- Strong and stretchy: The elastics are not so thin that they break when you try to stretch, but they are not so thick that you can’t stretch them properly. They have stayed in very fine, soft hair through days of gardening. Also, they slide off the braids when grabbed and pull off clean. No rolling and catching the hair to make knots.
- Great deal: This is a great deal on 2000 pieces clear rubber elastic hair bands, enough for braiding different hairstyles. You can keep a couple dozen in your purse, another couple dozen in your gym bag, some in your car…you get the idea. Any time you realize you need a hair tie, you’ll have a stash.
The best part is that you get 2000 for under $7!
Buy them here.
HAIR STYLING CREAM
It’s the one question I get asked the most lately, and I love it. It’s important to make sure you prep the hair before you create a hairstyle. I love to use hair styling cream because I know it will help to keep the hair smooth and shiny.
I prefer using Dae Hair Styling Cream.
SIGNATURE BLEND – Our Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream is a clean, multitasking formula that smooths styled hair, preps shiny blowouts, and defines natural curls.
BENEFITS – Infused with desert-derived extracts, it adds polish and shine, while hydrating botanicals moisturize hair and tame frizz.
CONCERNS – Frizz, Shine, Curl Definition
KEY INGREDIENTS – Dragon Fruit: Rich in antioxidants & enzymes that lock in moisture & nourish hair from the outside in. Prickly Pear Seed Oil: Conditions strands to be silky, soft, & healthy. Meadowfoam Seed Oil: Restores dull & brittle strands to their natural glossy luster.
Buy it here.
Hair Wax – I’m obsessed with this product for flyaways on the hair. This works like magic. It just rubs right into the hair easily and quickly.
- Styling & Smoothing Frizz】Quickly tame flyaway hair. SNTE Hair Wax Stick is rich in castor oil, which effectively smooths hair frizz, edge smoothing… You can directly use the hair wax stick to apply it on the area of your hair that needs to be controlled.
- 【18 Kinds of Nutrients】New upgraded formula, containing 18 kinds of plant nutrients (beeswax, vitamin E, castor seed oil, avocado oil, rhus sucedanea fruit… ). Eliminate cheap wax stick.
- 【Healthy & Mild】Pure plant ingredients, no fragrance (does not contain any chemical flavor), SNTE hair wax stick does not hurt hair, does not hurt the scalp, pregnant women can use. Cruelty-free, vegan.
LONG COMB FOR CREATING STRAIGHT PARTS
Comb – This is the long comb I use for creating the straightest parts in the hair. This works like magic in the hair. Creating the straight parts ever.
- Rat Tail Combs Material: The Parting Comb is Made of CelconNot Easy to be Broken, Lightweight and Durable,Hair Combs for Salon Hair Stylist
- Rat Tail Combs Design: Stainless Steel, Metal Tail Comb for Hair Styling, Parting, Back Combing, Post Styling and Hair Coloring
If you have any other questions, please let me know! I love answering questions and helping anyone out with a hair question.
Hope you loved our super easy knotted ponytail! We’re all about making sure we make hair time fun and easy, so also let me know if there’s anything in particular you would love for us to create! We’re open to suggestions and recommendations!
