If you’re like me, scrolling through Instagram can feel a mix of inspiring and slightly intimidating. The confidence, the curves, and those perfectly coiffed styles can make you wonder where to even begin.
But I don’t think achieving that fierce “baddie” aesthetic should be stressful, which is why I lean toward styles that look high-glam but are actually quite achievable.
So I’ve come up with some hairstyle ideas that capture that bold attitude but won’t require a professional glam squad to achieve.
1. Boxer Braids
It is no secret that boxer braids have been having a major moment for the last few years, which makes them a total go-to for the bad girl aesthetic.
This look draws major inspiration from the way female boxers style their hair for a fight. All you need are two tight braids running straight down the back of your head.
I love the idea of adding feed-in hair to the braids to get that extra length or a fun pop of color. DOPEaxxPANA has a tutorial that makes it insanely easy to try this at home:
2. Slick Bun
One thing you will notice is that baddies love to embrace their natural beauty. And honestly, is there any better way to show off your natural hair texture than with a big, beautiful poof?
A slick bun is the perfect way to keep things polished while still letting your natural hair shine through.
This tutorial by LexiVee03 proves just how simple it is to pull this off:
3. Clipped Up
I am obsessed with the trend of embellishing hair with colorful butterfly clips. Another option I love is wearing snap clips right along the hairline.
Basically, the more creative you can get with your clips, the better.
4. Vibrant Blunt Bob
If you are looking for a look that screams “bad,” I’d highly recommend a sleek blunt bob.
This cut features a straight, blunt line with zero elevation, meaning you won’t find any layers or texture here. It should be straight and sleek, just like Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction.
And if you really want to earn some trend points, make sure to go for a vibrant, unnatural color—I’m thinking a bold purple or blue.
5. Cornrows
Cornrows have a way of making everyone look just a little bit tougher. And since a baddie should always look fearless, this style is a total no-brainer.
I’m not going to lie to you: mastering this might take a bit of skill, especially if you are a beginner. But just remember that practice makes perfect, so keep at it!
If you have short hair or just want to add some fun colors, feed-in hair is a great option.
This tutorial by Glam by Merry does an amazing job of explaining the basics:
And if DIY isn’t your thing, you can always get them done professionally!
6. Accent Braids
Accent braids are another absolute staple of the baddie diet. I love this look because the braids can stand on their own or be seamlessly incorporated into another style.
These are essentially small braids added throughout the hair, but a trendy option I’ve been seeing is two French braids running from the hairline to the crown.
Valerie Pac shows you exactly how to get the look by adding a few mohawk braids:
7. Half-up Fountain Pony
This has hands down been one of my favorite hair trends for the last few years. Made popular by celebs like Khloe Kardashian and Ariana Grande, this chic take on the half-up ponytail is definitely here to stay.
Imogen Fox X Foxy Locks walks you through how to pull this off using clip-in extensions:
8. Space Buns
If you pay attention to baddie hair, you’ll often find that things are just better in twos.
Two buns, two ponytails, two braids.
Space buns (buns on both sides of the head) are a super popular choice for the baddie crowd. Just keep in mind that when it comes to double buns, bigger and more textured is the way to go (skip the tight, sleek look here!).
9. Slayed Edges
Every baddie hairstyle needs slayed edges.
Edges usually refer to the baby hair growing around the hairline. It has been common practice in many cultures to smooth these edges into designs using edge control gel and a toothbrush.
While rocking natural texture at the hairline is totally fine, baddies usually want a clean, polished look.
Sonnis Love has a fantastic tutorial for beginners on laying edges:
10. Half-Up Sleek Topknot
This is one of the absolute best hairstyles for straight hair. I adore how chic this style is, and the best part is that it is easy for most girls to pull off.
This video by Filthy Rich Tresses shows how to achieve the look with a hairpiece:
Or if you prefer to use your own hair, Emily Farmer has a great tutorial for that, too:
11. Rubber Band Hairstyles
Criss-cross rubber band hairstyles are easily one of the trendiest ways for a baddie to do her hair right now.
There are so many ways to incorporate rubber bands into other styles, but sectioning hair into smaller ponytails that cross over each other around the hairline is especially popular.
Here is a compilation of a few baddie hairstyles using rubber bands by Girly Squad:
12. Pigtails
You will likely notice that a ton of baddie hairstyles draw inspiration from hair trends of the early 2000s. Pigtails were huge back then, and they are definitely making a comeback with the bad girls now.
If you really want to look trendy, you can wear your hair in a half-up style or go for full pigtails.
Kennedy Leigh shows you how to pull this off with your own hair:
13. Brazilian Body Wave
Baddies love to flaunt their natural waves and curls, but there is certainly no shame in switching things up with hair extensions or a wig from time to time.
Brazilian body waves are a highly-desirable texture and ultra-glam. Fake hair is honestly the best way for a baddie to keep a few extra styles in her rotation.
14. Ultra-High Topknot
Since we have already covered similar styles, you know that baddies love their high topknots. But just remember that when it comes to a baddie topknot, the higher, the better.
Final Thoughts
So, do you have what it takes to be a baddie?
Can you commit to having trendy clothes in your closet, your nails on fleek, and your makeup always done? Can you keep up with the high standards of perfection?
If you want to be bad, you are going to need the perfect baddie hairstyle. Hopefully, this guide gave you a pretty good idea of where to start.
But before I go, I do want to remind you that the things you see on Instagram are not always reality. People work hard to project perfect lives onto the world, but you never know what it is like behind the scenes.
I just want to remind you that although it is fun to be a baddie, don’t take it too seriously. Perfection is an impossible standard that is hard for anyone to reach.
Always remember that you are already perfect how you are and being you is the best thing you can always do!