Second Day Hairstyles for When You’re In-Between Washes

If you want healthy hair, don’t wash it every day. Seriously, if there’s one way to strip your hair of its natural oils, fade your colour and give you split ends, then daily washing is the way to do it. But sometimes, on those in-between days, you’ve just got to do something with your dirty(ish) hair – even after spraying it with your trusty dry shampoo.

If your hair’s looking a little greasy or you’ve got a bad case of bed head (ever had weird, stuck-up strands that won’t be tamed?), simple, time-saving updos can be a godsend. Here are some of our favourites to try when you’re between washes.

Space Buns

Space buns – everyone’s favourite festival hairstyle – are the perfect second day ‘do. Whether worn half-up, half-down or as two gloriously full bunches, space buns work best when your hair’s got a bit of a grit to it.

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To recreate this look, follow the steps below. It’ll take you all of 5 minutes!

1. Part your hair down the centre of your head, from your forehead to the nape of your neck.
2. Tie your hair in pigtails. You can make them high or lower on your head, depending on where you’d like your buns to sit. Leave a few tendrils loose at the front for a laid-back finish.
3. For a more voluminous, slightly messier look, tease your pigtails by combing backwards with your comb.
4. Twist each pigtail into a rope, before coiling and securing it with a hair elastic or a few bobby pins. The tighter you coil the pigtails, the sleeker your space buns will be.
5. Mist over with hairspray.

Top Knot

Just like space buns, top knots are much easier to achieve when your hair hasn’t just been washed. And when paired with a red lip and some big earrings (see below), no one will ever know it’s a second day deal. Yes, if late nights are to blame for your unwashed hair, top knots are the perfect way to throw people off the scent!

Here’s how to do a top knot (and avoid any questions about last night’s happy hour!):

1. Create a ponytail that’s positioned high on your head. For a messier look (like the one pictured), you can tease out a few strands at this stage.
2. Twist the length of your ponytail and wrap it around the base.
3. Secure your bun with a few bobby pins and mist over with a light hold hairspray.

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Milkmaid Braids

Although it looks a little more complicated than your average updo, this braided look is actually really easy to achieve. Milkmaid braids have a timeless, bohemian appeal; they’re elegant and effortless all at once – and they suit most occasions because of this.

Master this deceptively simple updo with our tutorial:

1. Section your hair down the centre, making sure there’s an even amount of hair on each side.
2. Plait each section. At this stage, leave a few face-framing tendrils loose at the front for a perfectly pared-down finish.
3. Now that you’ve plaited both sides of your hair, you’ll need to secure them across your head. Take the left braid and place it across your head, securing it with a bobby pin behind your right ear. Then take the right braid and do the same thing, fastening it behind the left one and pinning it near your left ear.
4. For a lasting hold, spritz over with some light hold hairspray.

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Messy Low Bun

One of those mornings where you don’t even have 5 minutes to spare? Get up and go with a low messy bun; the basic updo that’s got cool girl effortlessness written all over it.

Follow these steps to create a low messy bun that’s got a bit of volume:

1. Tease a few strands of your hair by combing up towards your head (you can also use a backcombing brush for this).
2. Tie your hair into a low ponytail, leaving a few tendrils loose around your face.
3. Create some volume at the crown by teasing the hair here using the fine end of a tail comb.
4. Tease the upper part of your ponytail (where the length starts) with a comb or backcombing brush.
5. Take the lower section or your ponytail (the unteased part) and flip it over the top section to create a bun. Secure it with a bobby pin.
6. If you’re looking for a neater finish, wrap the ends around your bun and secure in place with a few bobby pins

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Headscarf Hair

If your hair tends to look less-than perfect on the second or third day between washes, invest in a few headscarves. Whether tied like a turban or woven into/around an updo, they can be used to tame the unruliest tresses. Misbehaving hair needn’t ruin your day; make headway with a headscarf instead.

Here’s how to tie a headscarf so that it covers most of your hair. This vintage-inspired hairstyle hides a multitude of sins – and looks good too!

1. Fold a medium-sized square scarf in half, so that it forms a triangle.
2. Fasten this around your head, tying it into a bow. The flat side of the triangle should sit across the base of your head, at the nape of your neck.
3. Lift the pointed end of the scarf so that it’s covering your head; tuck this point into the tied section.
4. Adjust the bow if necessary, and tuck in any stray strands.

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Low Ponytail

Ponytails needn’t remind you of school PE lessons; with a little texture and an accessory or two, they’re modern, chic and oh-so easy to do. Matte and messy low ponytails are the perfect way to make use of second day hair with worn-in texture.

Get the look with our handy how-to:

1. Drag the hair down into a low ponytail with your fingers; secure it with a hair elastic.
2. Push the hair up at the crown, teasing it out with the thin end of your tail comb.
3. Conceal the hair elastic with a hair ribbon, or using a loose strand of your own hair.
4. Loosen a few strands around your face.
5. Spritz on a light hold hairspray.

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