Pin Up Girl

This mid-century hairstyle inspired by Lucille Ball is screaming pin up girl vibes. Start by using large hot rollers to curl the hair. Then, slick back the sides into a half-up style, ending at the tip of your ear. Pin the top front section of your hair to follow the voluminous curl pattern, and pair with a cherry red lipstick to complete the look.

Baby Spice

30 years after their unforgettable early days, the Spice Girls remain one of the most iconic girl groups of all time—and the members’ distinct style makes for prime Halloween inspiration, year after year. To channel Baby Spice (a.k.a. Emma Bunton), playful pigtails will do most of the legwork. Use some texturizing spray for a tousled look, then add some light, playful makeup and a ’90s-inspired outfit and you’re good to go.

Spider Queen

We’re not the biggest fans of creepy crawlies, but we’ll make an exception for this chillingly good (and easy) braided ponytail. All you need for this spider queen look is a few plastic spiders and a zipper, which gives the illusion that bugs are spilling out of your hair.

Wednesday Addams

Wednesday Addams feels especially relevant this Halloween, given the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega, recently dropped. A costume inspired by the iconic character is easy to create in a snap—or should we say a snap snap? For this goth look, center-part your hair and create a tight braid on either side. You may want to use a styling cream when parting and braiding the hair to capture Wednesday’s iconic style.

Sandy from ‘Grease’

If you currently have medium-length hair, wearing it curly and voluminous will help you create an instantly recognizable look inspired by Sandy from Grease. Simply use a volumizing product, create tight, bouncy curls like Kelsea Ballerini rocks here, and pin one side up just like the iconic character does in the movie’s finale. From there, a red lip and an all-black ensemble featuring a leather jacket will ensure you feel cool and transformed.

Rosie The Riveter

One of the most universally recognized figures in America, Rosie the Riveter is an easy Halloween hairstyle. All you need for this hairstyle is a red bandana or scarf to tie around your head. Make sure to cinch it in a classic knot right at the center. Many choose to pull their hair up into a messy bun for this look, leaving a few strands loose at the front of the head. The final touch for this costume is Rosie’s signature bicep curl pose for photos.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was famous for her short, blonde bombshell haircut and red lipstick. You can capture this look even with longer hair by securing your hair in a bun at the back of your head and curling the front pieces to emulate the icon. Make sure to flash a big movie star smile all night long, and don’t be afraid to pencil in her signature beauty mark.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader

Whether you’ve watched Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts documentary series or simply appreciate a good performance, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are veritable icons that inspire Halloween looks year after year. While a dance-ready blue and white ensemble is key to this costume, the glam is arguably the best part. Style your hair down in a center part with loose curls, and consider using the DCC’s go-to products in the process to give your look extra star quality.

Mia Thermopolis

This one’s easy-peasy—pull your hair into a topknot hairstyle, then add headphones, sunglasses, and a tiara, and you’ll look like you just landed from Genovia.

Ariana Grande

Go with a super high, slicked back ponytail on Halloween, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about. Kourtney Kardashian nailed Ariana Grande’s signature look, pairing the hairstyle with a pink mini dress. If you’d like a comfier option for cold October weather, pair the pony with an oversized hoodie and tall boots, just like Ari would.

Harley Quinn

Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn look has been a Halloween favorite for years now, and for good reason: It’s so easy to replicate. You’ll need to center-part your hair and form two high pigtails, leaving some strands loose at the front to frame your face. You can then add temporary hair color to either side to achieve the two-tone pigtails Harley Quinn is known for, or like this creative take, add some colored clip-in extensions to each side. The latter option is great if you work the next day and don’t want to risk showing up as a character.

Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon’s signature high ponytails with sleek and long side bangs come to life on Paris Hilton. To complete the look, DIY the super-heroine’s tiara and hide hair ties by wrapping a thick section of hair around the base of each ponytail.

Princess Leia

Princess Leia’s side buns are beloved by Star Wars fans across the galaxy. Whether you choose to wear an all-white outfit to complement your Leia buns or not, this costume will be easily identifiable. Depending on the length of your hair, you can choose between the cinnamon bun-esque swirl mastered by Leia or simple side buns: Just make sure to position the buns right at your ears.

Billie Eilish

If you have dark hair like Nina Dobrev, transforming into Billie Eilish for the evening will just take picking up a can of green hairspray. The musician’s famous lime green center part will take seconds to complete and will get you compliments all night. If you can’t temporarily color your hair, there are plenty of Billie Eilish-inspired wigs out there to help you capture the look.

Maleficent

If you don’t have a pair of devil horns available, you can still evoke Maleficent vibes. There are two ways to fashion your hair into horns: First, you can use flexible rod rollers to form the foundation and simply wrap your hair around them. The second option is to coil two little tiny buns on your head using the crown of your hair, making sure to pin them in place to preserve the peak.

Betty Boop

Betty Boop’s tightly curled raven hair is a great option for anyone with short hair. You’ll need a center part and curls courtesy of either a curling iron or foam rollers. Red lipstick and a red dress are great additions, and many choose to draw on Betty’s exaggerated eyebrows.

Modern Mermaid

While this look fits Ariel, there are plenty of other ideas you could pair it with. “You could rock this braid with tons of costumes,” says celebrity hairstylist Hayley Heckmann, noting that this glam mermaid braid would also work for a princess or Catwoman look.

For this lengthy style, pull your hair into a super-high ponytail and use a strong hold product to keep your hair in place. To keep your mermaid braid smooth and shiny, apply a styling paste to your hands while you braid, and feel free to add hair extensions for a lengthier look. Once the braid is secure, it’s time to accessorize. “We used little rings with seashells and starfish to accessorize this mermaid braid,” Heckmann says. However, you can also wear this look long after Halloween: Just skip the accessories and add ribbon or string around the braid.

Britney Spears

Britney’s schoolgirl moment in the “…Baby One More Time” video is a Halloween hairstyle classic. You can achieve this look by parting your hair down the middle into pigtails and simply braiding both sides. Incorporate any pink ribbons or clips you may have at the tops and bottoms of each braid. This hairstyle can upgrade the classic schoolgirl costume into a worthy throwback.

1920s Flapper

Prepare to party like it’s the prohibition era with this easy Halloween hairstyle. A flapper hairstyle is all about the headband. After loose curling your hair or pulling it back in a low, messy bun, style a jeweled headband across your forehead. You can even replicate this style with a necklace if you don’t have the right hair accessory.

Princesscore

We’re big fans of bubble braids, and there are endless ways to try and style the look. Whether you’re going for Princesscore or channeling Megan Thee Stallion, bubble braids can take any costume to the next level. For Halloween, however, you’ll definitely want to go all out, adding volume and accessories to make a statement.

To recreate this look courtesy of celeb hairstylist Graham Nation, work a high-volume mousse into your hair from roots to ends. After you’ve secured your braid with hair ties, use texturizing spray to add more volume and secure it again. Keep the look in place all night with a final mist of strong-hold hairspray.

“Material Girl” Madonna

The key to Madonna’s “Material Girl” era look is volume. Those who don’t have naturally curly hair may want to curl or tease their strands before pinning them to one side. You may want to use a silk scarf tied as a headband to hold this hairstyle in place. Extra-large earrings will complete this ’80s look.

Cowgirl

Kendall Jenner basically broke the internet with her interpretation of Jessie from Toy Story. But if you’re not feeling in the Pixar mood, this braided, low pigtail style paired with a cowboy hat gives all the wild, wild West vibes that a cowgirl like you needs on Halloween.

Elsa

If you don’t have icy, white-blonde hair, a quick wig purchase can easily transform you into the Queen of Arendelle. All you’ll need to do is create a side-swept braid, then gently tug at the width to create more volume. If possible, leave some strands loose to frame your face.

Medusa

This look is best accomplished by creating a crown braid or braiding multiple sections of your hair and then pinning the braids up. The strands of the braids will allow you to incorporate rubber snakes into your hair and will hold them in place. For extra hold, secure the serpents with bobby pins.

’80s Rockstar

High-volume curls are always in style, including for Halloween since the look works for a variety of different costumes. Model Imaan Hammam’s hair was the star of her Slash look, but larger-than-life ‘dos also work great for channeling pretty much any ‘80s rockstar. 

To get the style at home, create some serious volume and curl. Celeb hairstylist Takisha Sturdevant-Drew recommends diffusing your hair upside down and side-to-side to volumize and add texture. Then, using a half-inch curling wand, add a few curls where needed. Backcomb at the roots, then glide your comb through your hair for shine.