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15 Birthday Hairstyles That Slay in 2024

Getting ready to celebrate your birthday? Do it in style with one of these cute birthday hairstyles! From gorgeous low-effort options to intricate styles that will put you in the spotlight on your special day.

Celebrate With the Prettiest Birthday Hairstyles

Most women have a love/hate relationship with their birthday. On one hand, it’s the single day of the year that is all about Y-O-U. Celebrating another year of life well-lived with presents, good food, and the company of your family and friends is always a bright spot in the year.

On the other hand, each birthday marks another year older – sometimes with the smile lines and crows’ feet to match. But if birthdays insist on coming each and every year, you may as well go all-out to look gorgeous as you celebrate your special day! 

We’ve curated a list of the best birthday hairstyles to make your decision a little easier.

You’ll see a range of pretty hairstyle options for your big day, from easy chic styles that require little effort to show-stopping looks that will elevate your celebration. See examples of the best birthday styles below, along with styling tips and tricks to make this birthday one to remember! 

15 Birthday Hairstyles That Slay

These cute birthday hairstyles will have you ready to celebrate in no time! Check out the most flattering birthday looks below to choose a hairstyle that’s sure to make you feel gorgeous on your b-day.

We found 15 trendy looks that will help you mark this special occasion with style. Which one will be perfect for you?

1. Birthday Girl Bendy Waves

Birthday Girl Bendy Waves cute birthday hairstyle

Sofia Zhuravetc/Shutterstock

Peep this breezy, casual birthday look – it’s absolutely perfect for women with hair past their shoulders. Here, ash-toned shades of blonde and brown blend together with slightly bendy waves that give this style an effortless look.

This trendy hairstyle is parted down the center to put all the focus on your sparkling eyes as you open up your gifts and party with friends and family. To nail this birthday style, work a small amount of nourishing hair serum through your damp hair from midshaft to ends.

Blow dry your hair on low (or with the Dyson Supersonic for even more heat damage protection). Heat a large-barreled curling iron or wand on low heat (for fine or thin hair) to medium heat (for medium to coarse hair). 

Wrap large sections of hair around the barrel starting at the midshaft – don’t wrap all the way up to the roots. Leave the ends of your hair out to get bendy waves that look perfectly undone for your special day!

2. Wrapped Up Half-Up Hairstyle

Wrapped Up Half-Up Birthday Hairstyle

Anna Tryhub/Shutterstock

On your birthday, give everyone the gift of *you* with this easy wrapped up half-up hairstyle! Fans of low-effort styles will appreciate this quick, 5-minute look. The easiest way to pull it off?

Gather your hair into a loose ponytail at your crown (use a scrunchie to avoid leaving a dent in your hair) and curl only the ends with a curling iron or wand. 

Spray with hairspray for more staying power, then pull the scrunchie out and shake out your voluminous curls. Gather the top half back into an elastic and top it off with a cute bow to match your outfit. Time to party! 

3. Voluminous Short Party Waves

Voluminous Short Party Waves birthday hairstyle

Sofia Zhuravetc/Shutterstock

This birthday-ready look reminds us of a spunky, trendy take on classic Marilyn Monroe looks. You’ll be the life of the party with these high-volume, spirited waves! If you have short to medium-length hair, this side-parted style may be just right for you. 

Start with root-volumizing mousse (which is lightweight and provides a little hold) and work it into the roots of your damp hair. Then, blow dry your hair on the lowest setting to prevent heat damage. 

Heat a curling iron or wand on low (for fine or thin hair) to medium heat (for medium or coarse hair) and wrap small sections of hair around the barrel from the roots to just above the ends.

Leave the ends out for a trendier look. Flip your head upside down, tousle your warm waves, and mist with setting spray to make the look last as long as your party! 

4. Boho Birthday Braids

Boho Birthday Braids Hairstyle

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Braided hairstyles are some of our favorite options for birthday looks! If you’re looking for a b-day style with a touch of eccentricity and the laid-back boho spirit, this style will be right up your alley.

Twists and bubble fishtail braids combine to put a hippie-chic spin on a traditional curled birthday hairstyle. Start by parting your hair down the middle. Begin twisting one side toward your crown, gathering more hair into the twist as you go.

Secure the first twist with a few bobby pins. Repeat on the second side. Bundle the “tails” of the twists into an elastic and do a mini fishtail braid. Secure it with a small elastic and wrap hair around the elastic to conceal it. 

Repeat by creating another small fishtail braid and wrapping the secured ends with hair. Heat a curling iron or wand to low or medium heat to finish the style by curling the ends.

5. Celebratory Chic Hair Bow

Celebratory Chic Hair Bow Birthday Hairstyle

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The best way to let everyone know what a GIFT you really are is rocking a birthday bow made out of – what else? – your own hair. This is one of those visually complex styles that looks intricate, but is actually super simple to create.

]We love this updo look for a birthday celebration! It’s so much easier than it looks. You’ll create a side part (if you have bangs, slick one side down behind your ears securely), then pull your hair up into a high ponytail.

Use a little gel to keep it sleek and held well. For the ponytail, don’t pull the tail all the way through on the final wrap. This creates a little “bubble” bun with loose ends poking out. Split the bubble bun in half and spread it apart in the middle to create the loops in your hair bow.

Take the loose ends underneath the bun and bring them up and over the elastic, through the center of the bubble bun. Pin securely in place with bobby pins. This part becomes the center of your hair bow. So cute! 

6. Birthday Tiara With Loose Waves

Birthday Tiara With Loose Waves birthday hairstyle

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Everyone will know exactly who the birthday girl is when you don a sparkling, feminine tiara on your special day! Seize your chance to be queen for a day by wearing a dainty tiara (or heck, a big giant crown) to really set off your hairstyle. 

For this birthday-perfect look, we recommend pairing the tiara with a low-key hairstyle like the loose waves shown here. It keeps the look from being over the top while making it clear exactly whose special day it is.

Start with root volumizing mousse for extra oomph and create loose waves with a curling iron or wand on low to medium heat. Finish with a mist of hair spray and top with a jeweled tiara for a birthday look that’ll make you feel like royalty. 

7. Voluminous Party Ponytail

Voluminous Party Ponytail birthday hairstyle

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Steal the show on your birthday with a high-volume party ponytail that is full of body and movement! This style looks so put-together and polished with a touch of fun and spunk to let your personality shine through.

You can pull this look off in just 15 minutes! 

Start by prepping with root-volumizing mousse and a little shine serum from the midshaft to ends. Blow dry on low (upside down if you want the most volume) until your hair is fully dry. Instead of curling every square inch, go ahead and gather your hair into a high ponytail. 

Take a small section of hair out of the ponytail and use it to wrap around the elastic to conceal it. Pin in place. Now, take large sections of the ponytail and curl them with a curling iron or wand for extra body. Va-va-voom! 

8. Polished Half-Up Twists With Barrette

Polished Half-Up Twists With Barrette birthday hairstyle

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Half-up hairstyles are always a great option for birthdays because they give you the best of both worlds. You get the convenience of a pulled-up hairstyle that keeps your hair out of your face and eyes with the gorgeous, free-flowing look of a down and loose hairstyle. 

And with this simple and chic style, you won’t spend an hour getting ready on your b-day when there are a million other things you’d rather be doing. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, go with it!

Air dry with a little defining mousse or gel worked into your damp hair. You can also heat-style your waves or curls with a curling iron or wand if you’d prefer. 

The key to this pretty half-up style is a simplistic barrette. Part your hair down the middle in front and twist each side toward the back of your head. Bring the two twists together and secure with a pretty barrette (we love this open golden triangle one!) to finish the style. 

9. Mega Volume Party Curls With Curtain Bangs

Mega Volume Party Curls With Curtain Bangs birthday hairstyle

Nadya Korobkova/Shutterstock

When you really want to make an entrance, this is the birthday style to go with. Tons of volume and height and lots of tumbling, cascading curls with curtain bangs create a trendy birthday style that will have all eyes on you! 

This high-volume style is a scene-stealer on its own, but take a page out of the book of Extra by pairing it with a long-sleeved emerald sequin dress as shown if you want to milk every ounce of ooh-la-la out of this look. And who doesn’t? 

The key to creating this mega volume style is prepping with the right products. A curling iron or wand can create the texture, but you’ll need root volumizing mousse and the grit of dry shampoo or volumizing powder throughout the rest of your hair to get this much volume and height. 

Finish by styling your curtain bangs with a curling iron or mimic curtain bangs by pinning the front pieces back around your temples, leaving enough hair in front to create those trendy bends. 

10. Sleek Midi Bob

Sleek Midi Bob birthday hairstyle

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A short or mid-length bob is easy to style for birthday festivities and fun! Make it simple with a sleek, chic look that is fast to style and won’t get in the way of your fun for the day.

Plus, this universally flattering look will go with just about any outfit you’ve got planned for your b-day. We especially love it with an off-the-shoulder top or dress to really show off those collarbones and your jawline.

All you need to do to get your hair birthday ready is straighten it on low to medium heat and slightly turn the ends toward your face.

Finish up with a drop or two of shine serum or a quick mist of shine spray. You can bump things up a notch by pairing this simple, chic look with a fun metallic smoky eye and mega-volume lashes to complete the look. 

11. Elegant B-Day Bun With Face-Framing Tendrils

Elegant B-Day Bun With Face-Framing Tendrils

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For an upscale birthday celebration (or just when you’re dying to get your hair up and out of your face), nothing beats an elegant bun. Keep things fun and far from severe by pulling out a few tendrils in the front and around the back to soften up the style and flatter your face. 

Prep with volumizing mousse to give your hair extra body and volume. Blow dry with a round brush for extra body and to add more texture to the style.

Then, gather your hair into a ponytail at the crown (or the height you want your bun). Take large chunks of the ponytail and create various-sized loops of hair to build the base of your bun.

Pin each section with hidden bobby pins. Cross loops over, under, and through one another for a perfectly styled bun. Pull out your face-framing pieces and few wispy strands in the back to finish the look. 

12. Waterfall Braid With Curled Ends

Waterfall Braid With Curled Ends birthday hairstyle

Md. Nasim Mia/Shutterstock

A waterfall braid is a unique and chic option for your b-day soiree. This braid is done much like a French or Dutch braid, but with one important exception. You’ll drop one of the 3 braid sections as you work, which creates the cool waterfall cascade effect.

Each dropped section hangs below the braid and gives it a neat, blended effect with the rest of the hairstyle. If you’re a skilled braider, try it yourself at home. If you’ve got two left hands when it comes to braiding, visit a salon to get this intricate b-day style done.

The basic idea of creating a waterfall braid is starting a horizontal Dutch braid and dropping the “bottom” section (you’ll grab a new bottom section each time from underneath the braid) as you work. Finish the style by curling the ends for a pretty party look! 

13. Birthday Princess Blowout

Birthday Princess Blowout Hairstyle

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Rock a gorgeous, classic blowout a la Kate Middleton with this princess-inspired blowout! Healthy volume and slight waves set this style apart and make it appropriate for the most special of events – your birthday! 

Nailing a salon-quality blowout at home is tricky. We recommend visiting your favorite stylist if you want to rock this look without the hassle.

If you’re up for the challenge, do it at home by using volumizing products in your damp hair before you begin blow drying. Use a round brush with lots of bristles to smooth your hair and grab every strand while you work. 

Work from the front and top, clipping the rest of your hair up for now. Position the round brush at your roots, lifting a small section of hair and pointing the blow dryer nozzle downward to get extra root volume.

Pull the brush up and dry the midshaft zone. When you reach the ends, spin the round brush around and around as you keep a good distance with the dryer.

Keep the ends wrapped into the bristles and roll the entire section onto the brush. Leave the brush for a minute or so to allow the hair to cool completely in this shape. Slowly unroll to reveal bouncy, blowout waves that are perfect for any birthday bash! 

14. Brushed Curls With Straight Blunt Bangs

Birthday Hairstyle With a Brushed Curls With Straight Blunt Bangs

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This birthday-ready look is a study in contrasts. The volume and texture of the fluffy curls contrast nicely with the sleek blunt bangs that fall across the forehead. The way it all works together is gorgeous and oh-so appropriate for a fun birthday bash! 

The look takes a little time to put together, but it is clearly worth the extra effort. You’ll need to curl small sections of your hair with a small-barreled curling iron or wand. Make sure every section (excluding your bangs) is tightly curled and allow the curls to cool completely. 

Once they’re cooled off, use a hairbrush to brush through the curls lightly and separate them a bit with your fingers. The result is fluffy, soft curls that create tons of flattering volume. Use a small flat iron to smooth your blunt bangs to perfection. 

15. Triple-Tucked Birthday Curl Cascade

Triple-Tucked Birthday Curl Cascade Birthday Hairstyle

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This hairstyle looks a lot more complicated than it really is. That makes it perfect for a last-minute birthday hairstyle that looks like it took a lot of time and effort! You’ll create this pretty party look with two basic steps: Curling and pinning. 

Start by curling your hair in small sections all over. Leave the ends out for a trendier, more modern look. Curl the ends if you’re going for something a little more classic or vintage.

Separate the cooled curls with your fingers to create extra volume. Next, grab plenty of bobby pins. You’re going to create this intricate-looking style by taking small sections from the front, twisting them, then pinning them into place in a half-up hairstyle.

Repeat this process with the next layer of hair, then the section of hair right at your crown. You’ll do 3 layers of pinned and twisted sections to nail this look. It shouldn’t take more than about 15 minutes from start to finish, so you’ll have more time to enjoy your party or birthday activities! 

Things to Consider

Picking your birthday outfit and hairstyle is one of the most fun parts of planning for your birthday! Make sure you choose a hairstyle you’ll love by keeping the following things in mind. 

  • Choose a style that works with your plans. Sure, mega volume party curls are perfect for a big birthday bash or going dancing, but not so much for a birthday canoe trip or a quiet dinner at a nice restaurant. If you’ve been planning activities for your special day, make sure you choose a hairstyle that won’t interfere with your big plans. And word to the wise: Bring a hair clip or elastic just in case. 
  • Don’t saddle yourself with too much work. Some of the cutest birthday styles are also some of the most time-consuming and heavy-effort options. On your birthday, that’s probably the last thing you want to worry about! Strike the perfect balance by choosing a b-day style that you feel confident and comfortable doing (if you’re doing your own hair). If an intricate style is what you want, you can make your special day a little less stressful by booking an appointment with your stylist to take care of it. 
  • Do a trial run for new styles. If you’ve fallen in love with one of the gorgeous birthday hairstyles on our list but you’ve never tried it, make sure to do a trial run before your b-day. You’ll get more familiar with how to create the style and make it work well with your own hair texture and shape. This will give you a chance to suss out any potential problems with the style before your big day – and trust us, that alone can save you a lot of stress! 
  • Be open to different looks. Your birthday celebration can be a chance to try something completely different from your usual day-to-day looks. Take full advantage of the opportunity to try something that normally wouldn’t be in your wheelhouse! If you usually keep things simple and sleek, you could try a voluminous curly style. If you wear your hair up most of the time, picking a style that leaves your hair loosely flowing could be a great way to change things up.

It’s your party, but there’ll be no reason to cry when you’re rocking any of these gorgeous birthday styles.

From quick and easy options that won’t require much styling time to intricate styles designed to really make an entrance, there is no shortage of cute ways to wear your hair for your birthday. It’s all about what looks good to you and will make your special day that much better!

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