Low maintenance hairstyles for fine straight hair

• Hairstylist Tony Chaar shares the best low-maintenance haircuts for fine, straight hair in this reader consultation.
• Her top recommendation: medium length or bob length, with or without bangs.
• Want a consultation about your hair? Read more here.

Q: Hello! My name is Ciara and I’m just wondering what you think is the best hairstyle and color for me. I’m looking for something that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. I don’t like to put product in, and I try not to use a blow dryer on my hair all the time.

I currently have a pixie, which I really like, but I want a change. Maybe just a different style of pixie cut, or I was thinking of growing it out into a bob.

My hair is naturally medium brown and straight. I have very fine hair, but my hairdresser always says I have a lot of it. It can move and get greasy quickly. I try not to wash it every day, but sometimes I just can’t get away from it.

Thank you for taking the time to do my consultation and I look forward to seeing your suggestions! — Ciara

A: Ciara, thank you for sending me your consultation request. Thank you for giving me a good description of your hair and a picture of your upper body. This was the best guide for me.

People always think that a pixie is going to be low maintenance, but it’s actually the opposite—it’s high maintenance. With a short haircut, you will be going to the hairdresser every eight weeks or sooner.

I think a bob will come close to your goal of an easy-to-maintain hairstyle. I can do a medium or long bob around the collar.

But first, you’ll need to grow out your pixie. This is the hardest part. You want to enlarge the sides and top, keeping your fringe resting on the cheekbone:

Then, continue growing it to chin-length with a side bang. The back should remain short for now, until the rest of the hair is caught:

This middle stage is difficult. We call it a bad stage. Your hairstylist should note the weight from the top while growing.

You will also need to be more creative than usual to create the texture. I know you said you don’t like using a product, but you may need to use someone to get through this stage in the short term.

Also play with headbands, scarves, hair accessories, and curl or straighten them.

Once your hair has grown into a bob, you will be able to air dry it, and it will be much easier to care for:

By the time your hair reaches your collarbone, playing with it will come naturally. With your cut, you can add a little soft texture, but nothing too crazy to the layers. Keep it simple.

To style, play with your part or tuck your hair behind one or both ears:

Bangs suit you, so you can do a full fringe once you have a bob or long bob:

As for your color, if you keep it the same now, you will have more darkness around your face with a bob. So you will need some color on your lips.

If not, I suggest you make the most of the sunshine you already have. It should be a little golden (think: Gisele), since you have been at sea for two or three months:

This will moisturize your skin a lot.

I hope this gives you some ideas on where to go next with your hair.

Product Selection

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is a dry hair spray that builds volume and coarse texture without a powdery residue.

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