Open Hair Hairstyle Ideas: Front Looks, Curls and Flowers
18 looks Women and girls Updated 8 Oct 2026
An open hair hairstyle shows off your length and needs very few pins. This gallery has 18 open hairstyle ideas, from a quick front twist to glossy waves for a gown.
Under each photo, check the length you need, the faces that suit it and the minutes it takes at home. Open hair can frizz in humidity, so we have also added clip and clutcher styles that hold through the day. For tied-up options, see our bun and juda styles and braid and choti ideas.
Front Open Hair Hairstyle Ideas
A front open hair hairstyle styles only the front section and leaves the rest loose. It is the fastest way to dress up open hair.
- Hair
- Medium to long, straight
- Best for
- Oval, round faces
- Upkeep
- 7 min, 4 bobby pins
Two twists from the front meet at the crown and keep hair off the face. The back stays open and full.
Stylist note: Twist one section from each temple backwards and cross-pin them at the crown.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- Round, square faces
- Upkeep
- 8 min, 5 bobby pins
A small puff swept to one side adds height and suits round faces. Pin it behind the ear for hold.
Stylist note: Backcomb the front lightly, sweep it to the side and pin it behind the ear.
- Hair
- Long, straight
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 6 min, 1 clear elastic
One thin braid from the front adds detail without hiding your length. Good for college days.
Stylist note: Braid a thin strand from the temple, take it back and tie it under the top layer.
Half Up Half Down Hairstyle
A half up half down hairstyle keeps the front neat and shows off the length. It works for straight, wavy and curly hair.
- Hair
- Long, wavy
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 8 min, 1 elastic, 2 pins
A loose twisted knot at the crown over wavy lengths looks relaxed for brunch or a mehendi.
Stylist note: Tie the top half, twist it into a small knot and pin. Leave the lengths wavy.
- Hair
- Medium to long, straight
- Best for
- Heart, round faces
- Upkeep
- 3 min, 1 bow clip
A half tie with a satin bow clip is quick and sweet. Best on smooth straight hair.
Stylist note: Gather the top half at the crown, tie it, then clip the bow over the elastic.
- Hair
- Long, thick
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 10 min, 5 small elastics
Small elastics every two inches make a bubble braid that sits over open hair. Good for long, thick hair.
Stylist note: Tie the top half, add small elastics every two inches and pull each bubble wider.
Soft Curls Hairstyle and Waves Hairstyle
Curls and waves turn plain open hair into a party look. Always use heat protectant spray before a curler or straightener.
- Hair
- Long, straight or wavy
- Best for
- Oval, round faces
- Upkeep
- 25 min, 32 mm curler
Loose curls from the mid-lengths down look soft and full. Use a 32 mm curler for this size.
Stylist note: After heat protectant spray, curl 1 inch sections facing away from your face and finger-comb.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- Long, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, flat iron
Beach waves are flat bends, not round curls. They look relaxed for holidays and lunch dates.
Stylist note: Use heat protectant, twist small sections around a flat iron, and leave the ends straight.
- Hair
- Long, straight
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 30 min, curler, 4 pins
Soft waves swept over one shoulder give a classic evening look. Pin the back side to hold the sweep.
Stylist note: Make a deep side part, curl everything in one direction, brush out and pin behind one ear.
Open Hairstyle With Clutcher or Clips
A clutcher or a pair of clips is the easiest way to hold open hair in place in humid weather.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- All face shapes
- Upkeep
- 2 min, 1 small clutcher
A small clutcher holds a twisted half-up and survives a hot day. The quickest open style there is.
Stylist note: Twist the top section once and catch it in a small clutcher at the crown.
- Hair
- Medium to long, straight
- Best for
- Oval, round faces
- Upkeep
- 3 min, 3 pearl clips
Three pearl clips in a row add shine to straight open hair. Easy for parties and engagements.
Stylist note: Part deep on one side, comb that side back and set three clips in a line.
- Hair
- Medium, curly
- Best for
- Round, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 3 min, 1 claw clip
A claw clip at the crown keeps open curls off the face but keeps the volume. Good for natural curls.
Stylist note: Scrunch curl cream into damp hair, let it dry, then clip only the crown section.
South Indian Hairstyle Open Hair With Flowers
Open hair with jasmine or a rose is a favourite for poojas, weddings and festivals in the South. Pin flowers firmly so they do not slip.
- Hair
- Long, thick
- Best for
- All face shapes
- Upkeep
- 10 min, 6 U-pins
Two strands of jasmine pinned at the crown sit beautifully over open hair. Classic for festivals and family functions.
Stylist note: Make a small half-up at the crown, then U-pin the jasmine strands over it.
- Hair
- Long, wavy
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 15 min, 2 U-pins
One red rose behind the ear over soft waves is a simple open hairstyle with rose flower. Ideal for haldi or sangeet.
Stylist note: Add soft waves, then pin the rose behind the ear with two crossed U-pins.
- Hair
- Medium to long, any
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 12 min, 8 bobby pins
Small gypsy flowers tucked along a half-up twist look light and pretty. Good for daytime functions.
Stylist note: Twist the top half back, pin it, then tuck small flower sprigs along the twist.
Open Hair Hairstyle With Gown
Gowns need smooth, polished open hair. Keep the neckline in mind: open backs suit side swept hair, high necks suit curls down the back.
- Hair
- Long, straight, thick
- Best for
- Oval, heart faces
- Upkeep
- 35 min, curler, clips
Glossy, sculpted waves on one side suit a gown with a clean neckline. Brush curls out while they are cool.
Stylist note: Curl all hair one way, clip each curl to cool, brush out and shape the waves.
- Hair
- Long, any
- Best for
- Round, oval faces
- Upkeep
- 30 min, curler, 4 pins
Loose open curls with a few crystal pins near the crown suit receptions and cocktail nights.
Stylist note: Curl the lengths, pin back the crown lightly and add small crystal pins in the twist.
- Hair
- Long, straight
- Best for
- Oval, long faces
- Upkeep
- 20 min, flat iron
Sleek straight hair with a sharp middle part looks modern with a gown. Use a serum on the lengths only.
Stylist note: Use heat protectant, flat iron in thin sections and smooth a drop of serum on the ends.
Which Open Hairstyle Suits Your Face Shape
| Face shape | Best open style | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Front puff, side swept waves | Add height at the crown |
| Oval | Any curls, half up half down | Middle or side part both work |
| Long | Beach waves, loose curls | Keep volume at the sides, not on top |
| Square | Soft waves, side part | Soft bends near the jaw |
| Heart | Half tie, curls from the chin down | Keep the crown flat |
For a curls hairstyle front look, curl the front sections away from the face. It opens up the face and suits most shapes. See more in our face shape guide for women.
Keeping Open Hair Neat in Humidity
- Heat first: use heat protectant spray before any curler, straightener or crimper.
- Light products: a little serum on the ends, never at the roots.
- Carry a clutcher: if it gets sticky, twist the crown into a half-up.
- Curls last longer if you let them cool before brushing out.
A salon blow dry or curl costs more with extensions or a bridal trial. Long layers or a U cut help open hair fall well; trim them every 6 to 10 weeks. For more ideas, see our hairstyle for girls gallery and saree hairstyles.
Common hairstyle questions
What is an easy open hair hairstyle for daily use?
Try a front twist pinned at the crown or a half-up held in a small clutcher. Both take under five minutes and keep hair off the face.
How do I make a soft curls hairstyle at home?
Spray heat protectant, curl 1 inch sections with a 32 mm curler away from the face, and let them cool. Then run your fingers through for soft, loose curls.
What is the difference between beach waves and loose curls?
Beach waves are flat, messy bends made with a flat iron. Loose curls are rounder and fuller, made with a curling tong. Waves look casual, curls look dressier.
Which half up half down hairstyle suits long hair?
A bubble braid half-up or a twisted knot looks best on long hair. They add detail on top without hiding your length.
How do I pin flowers on open hair so they stay?
Make a small half-up or twist first. Then pin the flowers into that base with crossed U-pins. Pinning straight onto loose hair will slip.
Which open hairstyle suits a South Indian saree look?
Open hair with a half-up at the crown and jasmine strands pinned over it. It is classic, light and suits silk and cotton sarees.
