15 of the Best Hairstyles for Long, Straight Hair

Wouldn't it be great if there was a reference somewhere, of the top celebrities with your hair type—so you could get inspired by all the different ways they style it?

Well, you're looking at it right here! 

In this new hair series, we'll focus on a different hair texture and length each week, covering straight, wavy and curly, and long, medium and short for each.

Let's kick things off with the long and straight hair type. Most of the 15 celebs I'm showing you today have naturally straight hair, or at least (like in the case of Kim Kardashian) they almost always wear it that way. 

The styling ideas here are super-simple—no celebrity hairstylist required. And at the bottom of this article, you'll find a handy cheat sheet with every look!

Centre Part

Sometimes, it's best to let long, straight hair just do its thing. Devon Aoki accentuates her ultra-long, flowing locks with a centre part (a look that's surprisingly slimming on a round face, by the way). This look works best when hair is super-shiny and super-straight, so run a flat iron through it even if your hair is naturally straight. It also works best if layering is minimal, and doesn't start until chest-level, like Devon's.

Centre Part Behind the Ears

We'll just ignore this two-toned makeup and focus on the hair—because like her or not, Kim Kardashian has great hair. Here, she is wearing one of the latest celebrity hair trends: super-straight and tucked behind both ears. It's a little thing, an easy thing, but as you can see, it has a lot of impact. (And it's perfect if you've got some shorter pieces around the face; just tuck or pin them back.) The sharp centre part adds to the drama.

Off-Centre Part

Aw, Selena Gomez looks so fresh-faced and natural here. And that's the point I want to make about her hairstyle. If you're sans bangs, an off-centre part that's not too rigid makes for a pretty, casual daytime look. I think this works well if the lengths have a little air-dried texture to them.

Deep Side Part

What would a hair round-up be without the classic deep side part? It's my favourite thing for dressing up a hairstyle, and Elle Fanning wears it with the lengths of her hair tossed over one shoulder. Like Devon's look, I think this one is best if you flat iron, to keep the ends nice and crisp.

Deep Side Part Behind the Ears

Here's a variation on the look Kim K. was sporting. Again, the hair is tucked behind both ears (all the better to show off some amazing earrings and eye makeup). But Allison Williams changed two things. First, the part is on the side, which makes the effect a little softer. And second, she left her hair all back behind her shoulders. These are easy things, not rocket science, but they can totally change up a look.

Face-Framing Layers

Jennifer Aniston is North America's hair icon for a reason. There's something so appealing about her signature California-girl hairstyle, which never looks too contrived or over-styled. The reason it's so flattering for her is because of the face-framing layers, which soften her angular lower face and also add interest to the ends. Note that the layers don't start until past the jawline.

Textured

I love this picture of Julianne Hough—it's gotta be one of my favourite celebrity hairstyles of all time. First of all, it's all one length, with the blunt ends that I so love. Second, it's crazy thick; try backcombing the underlayers and back section to build it up. Third, it's got the barest amount of texture through it. Not wavy but not totally straight, either. Just some light tonging should do it, starting from the mid-lengths.

Bangs 

Of course, bangs had to make an appearance here, because they're such a lovely pairing with long, straight hair. Anna Faris showcases an example on fine hair, with the fringe just grazing the bottom of her eyebrows, and the shape left quite blunt (to match the rest of her hair). This is a great option when you want to make a change, but don't want to lose your length. Flat ironing is key to dress it up.

Heavy Bangs

Here's a thicker bang option on Jessica Biel. (Don't you miss this look on her?!) Her bangs are cut a little heavier, but again, just fall at the bottom of the brows. She has some long layers cut into the lengths, which have a blown-out finish (instead of sharp and flat-ironed).

Half Up

Look at this cutie. Victoria Justice sectioned off the front of her hair and pulled it straight back for a half-up look. Definitely keep this trick in your pocket whether you have bangs or not, because it works with both. The key is to keep the section at the top, instead of including the sides (which can look too casual or Brigitte Bardot-ish). Also make sure the lengths are nice and smooth; Victoria's are softly turned under.

Braided

Don't forget about the braid! Isla Fisher demonstrates that long, straight hair does NOT have to be boring. For this look, she flat ironed her entire head and then braided a small section going up the side part towards the back. This creates definition for where the hair is forced to fall, plus the braid adds interest hanging in the lengths. You could also do your braid across the front, or have it on one side, closer to the ear, for a side-swept look.

Side Braid

Perhaps the easiest thing to do on this list is the cute side braid that Alessandra Ambrosio's got going here. You want to rough up the hair first with some dry shampoo and/or texturizing spray, and then create a loose, messy braid over to one side. Pull out random bits of hair around the face, and run your fingers up the braid to make it more disheveled.

High Ponytail

High ponytails aren't just for cheerleaders. They can actually be super-flattering (since they lift up your features), and long, straight hair can totally pull them off. Cara Delevingne wrapped her pony with a section of hair to elevate the look. She's also got a bit of texture in the lengths, so it's not too straight and perfect.

Low Ponytail

The low ponytail is not to be forgotten, however. Beyoncé wore hers with a strong centre part (and though you can't see it, wrapped the elastic with hair, just like Cara did). Once it's secured, use your hands to push the pony up a bit—it just adds a bit of lift so it's not so perfect and stuck to the head.

Top Knot

Did I save the sweetest one for last? Quite possibly, because Hannah Simone is adorable in this top knot. I especially love this with bangs and the longer pieces of hair in front of the ears, to soften it. To keep this looking like a style (and not like you just threw it up there with no effort), make sure to blow-dry the bangs with a round brush so they're nice and smooth. Then, push them over to one side like Hannah did.

Long, Straight Hair Cheat Sheet

What‣s your favourite look for long, straight hair?