Melissa Hebeler / E!In need of a little #hairspiration? You've come to the right place.
As humans, we're creatures of habit. And because of that, inevitably, you have a set, go-to hairstyle you wear for the better half of each week. Whether yours is a low pony, a high pony or a half-down-half-up 'do, there's an impressive, one-step, budget-friendly upgrade (well, six to be exact) you could be implementing. No glam squad needed.
Let's start with the ponytail...
The everyday low pony is a common go-to—and for good reason. It's incredibly easy to throw up on the fly and it takes little to no energy to do. Its laid-back nature makes it the perfect target for a one-step upgrade.
Now, you could purchase something like a Jen Atkin x Chloe + Isabel Oversized Circle Clip for $18 or you could head to the nearest Michael's Craft Store (like we did) and pick up this Bead Landed Belt Buckle for $2.99. If you're going the buckle route here's how to do it...
Step 1: Gather your hair, like you would making any old low pony, then feed your ponytail through the top opening and back out the bottom opening. Push and pull until it's where you want it then walk out the door!
Bandanas are extremely easy to come by these days (thanks to celeb style tricks like Kourtney Kardashian's). For $3 you can have any color you want!
Step 1: Tie the bandana around your ponytail and pull tight. It's that simple.
This one takes a little bit of braiding skill, but you can do it.
Step 1: Between the occipital bone and nape of your head, fishtail braid (let Lauren Conrad teach you how, here) the start of your low ponytail then secure with an elastic. Feel free to make it as messy or as perfect as you want it!
This one's for all the high pony lovers out there! All you need is some leather cord (you can find it at almost any craft store, but click here for the one we used).
Step 1: Shape your high ponytail then wrap the leather around your hair elastic. Once you're all done wrapping, secure it with Bobby pins!
This one might bring you back to your days in elementary school, but it's time to make the hairstyle relevant again.
Step 1: Flip your half-up ponytail inside out. That's it!
Last but definitely not least is this subtle side braid. You can play with different kinds of braid styles (French, fishtail, etc.), but we went with a standard OG braid for this look.
Step 1: Grab a section of your hair and braid! Then pin it back with Bobby pins for the finished look.