Easy Heatless Hairstyle for Long Hair: 5-Minute Faux Braid Tutorial

Looking for an easy heatless hairstyle for long hair? This simple faux braid tutorial takes less than five minutes, requires no curling iron or straightener, and creates a gorgeous, voluminous hairstyle that’s perfect for everyday wear!

A few weeks ago, I shared this cute faux braid hairstyle on my Instagram Stories, and you guys had SO many questions about how I created it! The best part? It looks way more complicated than it actually is. If you’re looking for easy hairstyles for long hair that don’t require heat, you’re going to LOVE this one. This hairstyle takes less than five minutes to create, doesn’t require any actual braiding skills, and works beautifully for straight, wavy, or curly hair. It’s especially great for those days when your hair needs a break from curling irons, straighteners, and other hot styling tools. Since my hair is colour-treated and bleached, I’m always looking for cute ways to style it without adding unnecessary heat damage. Today I’m sharing my step-by-step heatless faux braid tutorial, plus one of my favourite hair care tricks for damaged hair. Grab a handful of small elastics, and let’s get started!

Step 1: Add Volume With Dry Shampoo

One of the reasons I love this easy heatless hairstyle is that you don’t need freshly washed or perfectly styled hair to recreate it. In fact, a little texture can make the finished look even prettier! Whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or slightly oily, I recommend starting with a small amount of dry shampoo at your roots to refresh your hair and add volume. When I originally created this tutorial, I was using Nexxus Keraphix Dry Shampoo from the Nexxus Keraphix collection. I loved how it absorbed excess oil, added texture, and left my hair feeling refreshed without obvious residue. Simply apply dry shampoo according to the product instructions, let it settle, and gently work it through your roots with your fingertips. Don’t worry about making your hair look too polished. For this hairstyle, a little messiness is actually a GOOD thing!

Step 2: Divide Your Hair Into Two Pigtails

Once you’ve added a little volume, divide your hair into two equal sections to create low pigtails. You can use a comb to make a clean centre part or simply separate your hair with your fingers for a more relaxed look. Secure each section with a small elastic, preferably one that blends into your hair colour. I personally love using clear elastics because they’re less noticeable and help create the illusion of an intricate braid. Make sure your pigtails are secure but not painfully tight, since you’ll be loosening the hair in the next few steps. This simple foundation is what makes the finished hairstyle look like a beautiful, textured braid without having to learn any complicated braiding techniques.

Step 3: Create a Small Opening Above the Elastic

Now comes the fun part! Take one pigtail and use your fingers to gently separate the hair just above the elastic, creating a small opening in the centre. If the elastic feels too tight, slide it down slightly to give yourself a little extra room. You’ll be pulling the ponytail through this opening to create the first twist in your faux braid. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect right away. This hairstyle is meant to have a soft, romantic finish, so a few loose strands will only add to the overall look.

Step 4: Pull Your Ponytail Through the Opening

Next, take the length of your ponytail and gently feed it through the opening you just created, moving it away from your face as shown in the tutorial photo. Pull the hair all the way through until the twist sits neatly above your elastic. This technique creates a pretty, twisted effect that resembles a braid without requiring any traditional braiding skills. Repeat the same process on your other pigtail, making sure both sides are twisted in the same direction for a consistent look. Seriously, once you get the hang of this step, the rest of the hairstyle is SO easy!

Step 5: Gently Loosen Your Hair for Extra Volume

After pulling your ponytail through, you’ll notice that your hair has formed a pretty twist. Now it’s time to make it look fuller! Using your fingertips, gently tug on the outer sections of the twisted hair to create more volume and texture. This technique is sometimes called pancaking, and it’s one of my favourite tricks for making braids and faux braids appear thicker. The more you loosen the sections, the bigger and more dramatic the hairstyle becomes. Personally, I live by the motto go big or go home, so you KNOW I love adding extra volume! Just be gentle, especially if your hair is bleached or prone to breakage. If a few flyaways pop out, use a bobby pin to secure them or leave them loose for a more effortless, undone finish.

Step 6: Add Another Hair Elastic

Once you’re happy with the volume of your first twist, add another small elastic a little farther down the ponytail. I typically space my elastics about 2.5 inches apart, but you can adjust the distance depending on your hair length and the look you’re trying to achieve. If you have extra-long hair, you may want to create larger sections for a more dramatic effect. If your hair is shorter or layered, smaller sections may be easier to manage. The beauty of this heatless pull-through braid hairstyle is that you can customize it to suit your hair type and personal style. Just make sure the elastics aren’t pulling too tightly on your strands.

Step 7: Repeat the Pull-Through Technique

With your second elastic secured, repeat the same technique from steps three and four. Create a small opening above the new elastic, then feed the ponytail through the gap, moving it away from your face. Once the hair is pulled through, gently loosen the outer sections to create that beautiful, voluminous effect. Repeat on the other side, trying to keep the twists approximately the same size. At this point, you’ll really start to see the faux braid take shape! I love how this technique creates the appearance of a detailed hairstyle without the time or effort of a traditional French braid or Dutch braid.

Step 8: Add a Final Elastic and Repeat

Depending on the length of your hair, you can stop after two twists or add another elastic for a longer, more detailed look. I personally love adding one more section because it makes the hairstyle look extra full and textured. Simply secure another elastic, create an opening above it, and pull the remaining ponytail through just like before. Repeat on the other side, then gently loosen the sections until you’re happy with the overall shape. If you have very long hair, you can continue adding sections until you reach your desired length. This is one of those hairstyles that looks different on everyone, which makes it even more fun to experiment with!

Step 9: Make It Messy and Add the Finishing Touches

Now for my favourite step: making it messy! Once all your elastics are in place, use your fingers to gently loosen the twists and pull out a few face-framing pieces if you like a softer look. I personally think this hairstyle looks even prettier when it isn’t perfectly polished. You can leave the pigtails loose and romantic or make the sections more dramatic for a fuller, bubble-braid-inspired finish. If needed, use a little lightweight hairspray to help hold everything in place. And that’s it! You’ve officially created a gorgeous heatless hairstyle for long hair in under five minutes. No curling wand, no straightener, and no complicated braiding skills required!

The Final Heatless Hairstyle

And there you have it! This easy faux braid hairstyle is simple, feminine, and completely heatless. I love how it gives the appearance of an intricate braid without requiring any actual braiding experience. Since my hair is bleached and colour-treated, I’m always trying to find ways to give it a break from my curling wand and straightener. This hairstyle is perfect for those days when I want my hair to look cute but don’t feel like spending forever getting ready. It’s also a great option for spring and summer, casual weekends, brunch dates, school, or even a fun girls’ night out. Add a pretty hair accessory or ribbon if you want to dress it up even more!

Bonus Hack: How to Care for Damaged, Bleached Hair

If you’re anything like me and love colouring or bleaching your hair, you know how important it is to take care of those strands! Bleaching can leave hair feeling dry, fragile, and more prone to breakage, which is why I try to balance my styling routine with products designed for damaged hair. When I originally shared this tutorial, Nexxus had recently introduced its Keraphix System, a hair care collection formulated for severely damaged hair. I’ve always enjoyed trying Nexxus products, so I was excited to give the collection a try. The routine began with Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo, formulated with keratin protein and black rice ingredients to gently cleanse hair. Next came the Nexxus Keraphix Gel Treatment, followed by either the Nexxus Keraphix Conditioner or Nexxus Keraphix Masque to help condition, detangle, and improve the feel of damaged strands. After using the system for two weeks, I loved how soft and healthy my hair looked and felt! At the time, the collection was available at CVS. Product formulas and availability may have changed since this post was originally published, so be sure to check the current product information before shopping. While no shampoo can permanently reverse structural damage from bleaching, a good conditioning routine can help improve manageability, softness, and the appearance of damaged hair.

Why Heatless Hairstyles Are Great for Damaged Hair

If you regularly use a curling iron, straightener, or blow-dryer, incorporating a few heatless hairstyles into your weekly routine can be a great way to reduce unnecessary heat exposure. Frequent high-temperature styling can contribute to dryness, breakage, and damage to the hair cuticle, especially when your hair has already been chemically treated. That’s one reason I love this faux braid tutorial so much! It allows me to create a cute, voluminous hairstyle without reaching for hot tools. Of course, heatless doesn’t automatically mean damage-free. Tight elastics, excessive pulling, and rough handling can still cause breakage, so it’s important to be gentle with your hair. Choose snag-free elastics, avoid pulling the twists too tightly, and take your time removing them at the end of the day. Your hair will thank you!

Tips for Making Your Faux Braid Look Fuller

One of the biggest questions I get about hairstyles like this is how to make braids look thicker, especially if you have fine or layered hair. My favourite trick is to focus on creating volume before and after styling. Start with a little dry shampoo or lightweight texturizing product if your hair needs extra grip, then gently loosen each twisted section once it’s secured. Using small elastics that blend into your hair colour can also help create a seamless finish. If you have layers, try using a few bobby pins to keep shorter pieces in place. And don’t worry about making both sides look exactly identical! A slightly undone, textured finish is part of what makes this hairstyle so pretty. The goal is effortless volume, not perfection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heatless Faux Braids

Can You Create This Hairstyle Without Knowing How to Braid?

Absolutely! That’s one of the reasons I love this hairstyle. Instead of using a traditional three-strand braid, French braid, or Dutch braid, you’re simply creating small openings in your ponytails and pulling the hair through. It’s beginner-friendly and perfect for anyone who struggles with more complicated braiding techniques.

Does This Heatless Hairstyle Work on Medium-Length Hair?

Yes! Although I originally created this tutorial for long hair, you can adapt it for medium-length hair by using fewer elastics and making smaller sections. The longer your hair, the more twists you can create, but you don’t need extremely long hair to achieve a cute faux braid.

Can You Do This Hairstyle on Second-Day Hair?

Definitely! In fact, second-day hair can be easier to style because it often has a little more natural texture and grip. If your roots are oily, refresh them with dry shampoo before creating your pigtails. Just make sure to detangle your hair gently before adding elastics.

Is a Faux Braid the Same as a Bubble Braid?

They’re similar, but not exactly the same. A traditional bubble braid uses elastics spaced along a ponytail, with the hair between them gently pulled outward to create rounded sections. This faux braid uses a pull-through twisting technique to create more intricate-looking sections. Both styles are easy, heatless alternatives to traditional braids, and both can be customized for a fuller, more textured finish.

How Long Does This Hairstyle Take?

Once you’ve practised the technique, this hairstyle can take less than five minutes to complete. If you’re trying it for the first time, give yourself a little extra time to get comfortable with the pull-through method. After a couple of attempts, you’ll be able to create this look in no time!

This post is sponsored by CVS, but opinions expressed are my own.