15 Hairstyles That Required a Whole Morning
This listicle highlights hairstyles that were so detailed and high-maintenance they could take an entire morning to complete.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Some hairstyles looked stunning but demanded serious time and patience. These 15 styles were all about careful styling, layers of products, and perfect placement. Many were worth the effort for special occasions, even if they tested your arm strength and endurance.
1. Towering Beehive
Geoff Charles on Wikimedia Commons
This hairstyle was all about height, volume, and perfect symmetry. It required teasing, backcombing, and generous amounts of hairspray to keep it standing tall. Many women spent hours just shaping the beehive and making sure not a single strand slipped out of place.
2. Elaborate Finger Waves
Studio on Wikimedia Commons
The precise curves of finger waves took skill and steady hands. Setting each section with combs and setting lotion could eat up an entire morning. The results were worth it, giving a sleek and glamorous finish that looked like it belonged on a Hollywood set.
3. Victory Rolls
David Merrett from Daventry, England on Wikimedia Commons
These rolled sections of hair had to be perfectly even and balanced on both sides. It often involved sectioning, pinning, and re-rolling until the shape was just right. Once complete, it gave a bold, polished look that made the effort feel justified.
4. Full Curl Set with Rollers
sahar photography on Pexels
A classic roller set required damp hair, careful placement, and hours of drying time. Even with a hood dryer, the process could stretch into most of the morning. The payoff was a head full of uniform, bouncy curls that lasted for days.
5. Intricate Braided Crown
Stilfehler on Wikimedia Commons
Braiding a full crown meant working around the entire head with precision. Each section had to be smooth and evenly woven to create a flawless ring. It was a patient person’s hairstyle, often saved for weddings or other major events.
6. Pompadour Perfection
Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons
A pompadour needed volume at the front and a sleek finish everywhere else. Achieving this meant teasing, smoothing, and shaping with both heat and spray. Many found themselves redoing sections repeatedly until the curve looked just right.
7. Structured French Twist
Byrddesigns at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
The French twist seemed simple but demanded flawless technique. The hair had to be smoothed, tucked, and pinned without any bumps or gaps. A single uneven fold could send the stylist back to square one.
8. Hollywood Glamour Waves
danceonair1986 on Wikimedia Commons
Big, structured waves were a red carpet favorite that took dedication. The curls had to be set, brushed out, and shaped until they fell in perfect uniform patterns. This was not a style you could rush if you wanted that silky, glossy finish.
9. Gibson Girl Updo
Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons
This voluminous style from the early 1900s required thick hair or padding for fullness. It involved careful backcombing and smoothing to get the rounded shape just right. Women often spent hours ensuring the hairstyle framed the face perfectly.
10. Sleek Chignon with Accessories
Agnesar31 on Wikimedia Commons
A chignon could take time when styled to absolute perfection. The hair had to be pulled back smoothly, twisted evenly, and pinned without any loose strands. Adding decorative combs or jeweled pins only added to the time it took to get ready.
11. Pageant-Ready Curls
Engin Akyurt on Pexels
Big, glossy curls for competitions were styled with precision. Every curl had to be uniform, shiny, and free of frizz. Contestants often woke up before dawn just to have enough time to get the perfect look.
12. Traditional Geisha Shimada
Everjean (EverJean) from Antwerp, Belgium on Wikimedia Commons
The shimada hairstyle was a true work of art involving wax, pins, and intricate shaping. It required assistance from skilled hands to achieve the traditional form. The preparation could take an entire morning, with every detail carefully maintained.
13. Marie Antoinette Powdered Updo
Peter symonds on Wikimedia Commons
This towering style involved hairpieces, padding, and plenty of powder. Each element had to be placed perfectly to achieve the extravagant shape. Wearing it felt like an event in itself because of the effort it took to create.
14. Tight Micro Braids
Abraham Benjamin on Pexels
Micro braids took incredible patience, as each tiny braid had to be neat and even. The process could stretch well beyond a morning, depending on hair length. Once done, the style could last for weeks, making the long session worth it.
15. Regency-Era Ringlets
www.iafd.com on Wikimedia Commons
Perfect ringlets were a sign of elegance but required serious preparation. Each curl was wrapped, pinned, and heated to keep its shape. Women would sit for hours until every curl matched in size and placement.