Getting everyone ready and out the door on a school morning can feel like a lot, especially when doing your child’s hair is part of the routine. Having a few dependable hairstyles you can count on can make the morning a lot easier.
Some days might call for a quick puff or bun, while other styles, like braids and twists, can be done ahead of time and touched up as needed during the week. Having a mix of options makes it easier to choose what works for your child’s hair and how much time you have that day.
Below, we’re sharing easy back-to-school hairstyles for kids with natural hair, along with tips for making styling and refreshing a little simpler with Just For Me Curl Peace Products.
7 Easy Hairstyles for School Mornings
The best hairstyle for a school day is one that works for your child’s hair texture, your morning routine, and, of course, what they actually like wearing. Here are seven simple styles to keep in rotation.
1. Two-Strand Twists
Two-strand twists are a protective style where you can do most of the styling ahead of time. Divide the hair into sections, apply a styling product, and twist two pieces of hair around each other from root to end. You can make the twists larger when you’re short on time or create smaller sections for a different look.
Try the Curl Peace Braiding & Twisting Grip Glaze as you work through each section. It provides hold and control to help keep twists looking neat.
2. Puffs
Puffs are perfect for those mornings when you need to get hair done quickly. Pull the hair into one high or low puff, or part the hair down the middle and make two. A bow, headband, or a few barrettes can make an otherwise simple style feel a little more fun.
Just be careful not to pull the hair too tightly when securing it, especially around the hairline. The style should feel comfortable throughout the school day.
3. Braided Pigtails
Braided pigtails are another simple braid hairstyle that works for school days. Part the hair down the middle, divide the hair into two sections, and braid each side. You can keep it simple or let your child pick out bows, barrettes, or beads to add to the ends.
For a little more control while braiding, work a small amount of Curl Peace Braiding & Twisting Grip Glaze through each section before you start.
4. Half-Up, Half-Down
A half-up, half-down style is an easy way to keep some of your child’s hair out of their face while still letting their natural curls and coils show. Simply gather the top section into a ponytail, puff, bun, or two smaller puffs and leave the rest down.
If the loose curls need a little attention in the morning, use a small amount of Curl Peace Defining Curl & Coil Cream to touch up individual sections rather than restyling everything.
5. Twist-Outs or Braid-Outs
If you have a little more time the night before, a twist-out or braid-out can make the next morning easier. Divide the hair into sections and twist or braid each one before bed. In the morning, carefully take them down and separate the hair as needed.
6. Buns
A bun is an easy go-to updo hairstyle when you want to keep your child’s hair up and out of their face during the school day. Try one high or low bun, or part the hair down the middle for two smaller buns. Add a bow or a few barrettes if your child wants to dress it up a little.
Keep the style secure but comfortable, and avoid pulling the hair too tightly around the hairline.
7. Braids or Twists With Hair Accessories
If your child already wears braids or twists, accessories are an easy way to make the style feel a little different without starting over. Let them pick bows, beads, barrettes, or clips to add a little personality to their hair before school.
When securing the style, look for accessories that won’t easily snag or pull on the hair. Fabric-covered hair ties, metal-free elastics, and scrunchies are a few options to try.
Make Back-to-School Styling Easier
Not every school morning leaves time to start from scratch. Doing some of the work ahead of time and keeping touch-ups simple can make things less stressful when you’re trying to get out the door.
Start With Detangling, Then Style
If you come across tangles while doing your child’s hair, take your time working through them rather than trying to brush or comb straight through. Divide the hair into smaller sections and slowly work your way up toward the roots one at a time. The Curl Peace Tender Head Detangling Treatment can add slip and make knots and tangles easier to work through.
Start at the ends and slowly work your way up toward the roots to keep detangling as gentle as possible.
Keep Styles Comfortable
No matter which style you choose, it shouldn’t feel tight or uncomfortable. Be especially careful around the hairline when doing puffs, braids, buns, or twists, and avoid pulling the hair too tightly just to keep everything in place.
If your child says their hair hurts or feels too tight, loosen the style. Repeated pulling and tension can damage the hair over time, especially around the hairline.
Prep Hair the Night Before
If you know the morning will be busy, get some of the styling done the night before. Braids, twists, and other styles that take a little longer can be finished before bed, leaving less to do in the morning. You can also lay out elastics, bows, clips, and accessories alongside their school clothes so everything is ready to go.
Choose Styles That Can Last Beyond One Day
Some styles don’t need to be completely redone every morning. Styles like two-strand twists, braids, and banded ponytails can make it easier to keep the same style going beyond one day.
Instead of taking everything down and starting over, see what actually needs attention. You might only need to redo a small braid or twist, smooth a section, or add a quick accessory. The Curl Peace 5-in-1 Wonder Spray can also be used for a quick refresh between styling days.
Protect Hair Overnight
How your child wears their hair to bed can make a difference in how much touching up you need to do the next morning. A satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase can help minimize friction while they sleep.
For longer braids, twists, or loose curls, you can also loosely gather the hair before bed to help keep the style in place. In the morning, see what actually needs attention before deciding whether to restyle anything.
Build a Simple Curl Peace Back-to-School Styling Routine
You don’t need to use every product every time you do your child’s hair. What you reach for can depend on the style you’re doing and what their hair needs that day.
- Detangle: Use the Curl Peace Tender Head Detangling Treatment when you need a little extra support working through knots and tangles.
- Define and Moisturize: Reach for the Curl Peace Defining Curl & Coil Cream when styling curls, coils, twist-outs, or braid-outs.
- Style with Hold: Use the Curl Peace Braiding & Twisting Grip Glaze when you want more hold and control for braids, twists, and similar styles.
- Refresh: Between styling days, use the Curl Peace 5-in-1 Wonder Spray on damp or dry hair for a quick refresh instead of starting the entire style over.
School mornings won’t always go exactly as planned, and your child’s hair doesn’t have to look the same every day. Keeping a few easy school hairstyles for kids with natural hair in rotation can help you work with the time you have while choosing styles your child enjoys wearing.
Keep styling simple by focusing on what their hair needs that day, whether that means detangling, defining natural texture, styling braids or twists, or refreshing a style from the day before. Explore the full Just For Me Curl Peace collection to find products that fit your child’s back-to-school hair routine.
FAQs
What are the easiest natural hairstyles for school?
Puffs, buns, two-strand twists, braided pigtails, and half-up, half-down styles are all easy options for school. The best choice will depend on your child’s hair, how much time you have that morning, and what they actually like wearing.
How can I make my child’s school hairstyle last longer?
Choose a style that can be touched up without completely starting over, such as braids or twists. At night, a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase can help minimize friction. In the morning, focus on refreshing only the areas that need attention.
How often should I restyle my child’s hair?
There isn’t one schedule that works for every child or hairstyle. Pay attention to how your child’s hair and scalp look and feel, and loosen or take down a style if it becomes uncomfortable or starts pulling too tightly.
Can I use Curl Peace products between wash days?
Yes. Some Curl Peace products can be used between wash days depending on what your child’s hair needs. For example, reach for the Curl Peace 5-in-1 Wonder Spray to refresh damp or dry hair, or use the Defining Curl & Coil Cream when touching up curls and coils.
