15 Hair Hacks that Take Less Than 5 Minutes

Aug 10, 2013

During those occasional mornings when the snooze button gets the best of you, don’t worry about being a bed head the rest of the day. If you don’t have time to do our favorite DIY hairstyles, try these 15 hair hacks that all take less than five minutes to do! It’s a go-to guide for looking fabulous when you’re pressed for time, and get this – none of these styles need a ton of product or require curling irons and hair dryers (unless of course, you want that extra va-va-voom). Get ready to look effortlessly beautiful.

1. How to Style a Braided Chignon: Braid, twist, tuck – it’s that simple. We love that both sides of the head are styled this way, giving this hairstyle an incredibly effortless balance. (via A Beautiful Mess)

2. Faux Fringe: Bangs are a big deal if you’ve never had them before, so don’t do anything extreme until you’ve tried this faux fringe style. This boho chic ‘do is made possible by the flip of a pony tail. (via …love Maegan)

3. Messy French Bun: The high bun trend isn’t going anywhere, so learn how to toss one on top with this easy tutorial. Just pull your hair straight up and twist it like a unicorn horn before your wrap it around itself to finish. (via A Cup of Jo)

4. Pinned Back Bangs: This cute hairstyle keeps long bangs out of sight and your face looking fresh. Create a bit of volume by tugging on the front and top it off with your favorite hair accessory. (via A Beautiful Mess)

5. Pretty Ponytail Twist: Elevate the typical high ponytail by camouflaging its closure with a twist of hair. The result is soft and romantic, perfect for dates and dressy events. (via …love Maegan)

6. Knot Your Average Pony: If you can tie a shoelace, you can perfect this gorgeous hair style. Just tie two strands of hair in a knot and secure with a clear tie. Tease the final style a bit to look right on point. (via The Beauty Department)

7. Three Twisted Buns: This awesome hairstyle looks super complex, but it’s seriously simple! A twist on the left, a twist on the right, a bun in the center and you’re ready to go. (via A Cup of Jo)

8. Super Long Ponytail: You’ll never guess what this tutorial used to create the illusion of hair extensions. The answer: nothing but the hair that’s already there! Just tie a super high top pony, and then a standard one underneath. Not only does it add length, but it creates a stunning layered effect. (via Free People Blog)

9. Side Twist Fishtail Braid: We’ve featured this hairstyle in the past, but we just had to bring it back for this post. Reason being the video tutorial for this pretty style takes only two minutes! It’s a style that’s almost too good to be true, but we’re glad it is :) (via Running On Happiness)

10. Knot Braids: The milkmaid braid gets a cool update with this hair tutorial. Instead of braiding your hair overhead, tie loose knots in your hair until you run out of room and pin down. The result is a more downplayed style that we’d definitely rock. (via A Beautiful Mess)

11. Elegant Half Up: Need a quick hairstyle that looks elegant from every angle? Try this gently wrapped ‘do. It’s a versatile style that works for most hair textures. (via The Small Things Blog)

12. Messy Side Pony: This blogger drew her hair-spiration from a J.Crew lookbook, but instead of copying the catalogue’s slicked back style she added a voluminous poof to the top of her tousled side pony. It might just be the perfect everyday look. (via A Cup of Jo)

13. Triple Topsy Tail Pony: The name of this ‘do is downright kooky, but the actual style is anything but. Simply part your hair in three mini ponies and flip the tail through the center of each one! It’s a fun way to look glam on the beach, don’t you think? (via The Small Things Blog)

14. Wedding Chignon: Bridal hair DIY? We love that it’s a thing. And the beauty of this basic pull back is that it can be easily amped up for the special celebration: try adding a few wisps of Baby’s Breath or an ornate hair clip that counts as either something old or something new. (via She Lets Her Hair Down)

15. Hair Chalk: Thinking of hopping on the street style trend of green, purple, and blue streaked hair? Before you take the leap, try it out for a day or two with these chalk pastels. Sometime it’s okay to dip your toes in the water ;) (via Brit + Co.)

Do you do any awesome hairstyles that take less than five minutes? Did we miss any quick and easy hair tutorials? Talk with us in the comments below.

Hallmark’s First-Ever Dating Show Is Coming So Soon

"What would you do if your entire family, and your hometown, set you up to find love?" That's the question Ashley Williams poses in the first Small Town Setup trailer, coming to Hallmark+ in 2025. And if anyone has the answer, I have no doubt it's Hallmark — if anyone knows about warm, cozy, and sappy romance it's them! Even if you're not a huge reality dating show fan (or if you couldn't stop watching Reese Witherspoon's Love in Fairhope) this is one January TV show you won't want to miss.

Here's everything we know about Hallmark's dating show Small Town Setup, hosted by Ashley Williams.

'Small Town Setup' puts you right in a Hallmark movie.

All six episodes of Small Town Setup premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and is hosted by Ashley Williams, who you'll recognize from movies like Falling Together and Two Tickets to Paradise as well as How I Met Your Mother.

Just like your favorite Hallmark movies are all about finding love, Small Town Setup focuses on singles coupling up. The show will follow a single who "has made it in the big city, but has yet to find love." And their concerned parents (definitely a Hallmark trope and an IRL trope...) get the whole neighborhood involved in finding three potential matches.

"When the singleton arrives home for a visit, they are presented with dating options curated by their hometown. After three dates, will they find love in their hometown? Or head back to the big city? All is revealed at a big town hall event, full of heart, warmth, and a few laughs along the way."

Okay, getting the entire town involved in my love life sounds crazy, but the whole community coming together for a town hall event sounds exactly like the kind of sweet and sappy event my life needs. (Listen!! Dating as a 20-something in the city is harder than I expected...)

Throughout the trailer we see our singles looking for love around their hometown, going on small town dates, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Yeah...I'll be tuning in — especially since Small Town Setup is totally giving Gilmore Girls.

Check out the 11 New January 2025 Movies Viewers Will Adore — and you'll want to add to your calendar ASAP!

12 "Outdated" Travel Destinations To Avoid In 2025 (Thanks, Overtourism!)

Tourism can be a blessing for the economy of many cities around the world, but it often comes at a price. Destinations like Venice and Bali are iconic for a reason — they’re unique, breathtaking places that lure travelers from around the globe. But when a travel destination becomes too popular, it risks losing its charm and overcrowding can strain infrastructure, inflate costs for locals, and disrupt the peace and quiet of small, serene towns.

Here are 12 destinations that have struggled with overtourism. The good news? Many are implementing smart strategies to balance tourism with sustainability. Planning to visit? Consider booking during the off-season for a more authentic and enjoyable experience or try these hidden gems.

Pixabay

Venice, Italy

Cruise ships and swarms of tourists have overwhelmed this picturesque city, leading to overcrowded canals, damaged infrastructure, and skyrocketing prices. The local population is dwindling as Venetians leave due to the city’s unsustainable tourism boom. Last spring, in an effort to manage the influx, the city put into effect an entry fee for day-trippers and has limited cruise ships docking its shores.

Oleksandr P

Bali, Indonesia

Once an idyllic paradise, Bali now suffers from traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and overcrowded beaches. The island’s resources are strained under the weight of mass tourism, but there are efforts underway to promote sustainability like putting a moratorium on new hotels.

Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

Machu Picchu, Peru

Overtourism has led to erosion and damage to this ancient Incan citadel. A quota system and mandatory guides are helping preserve this popular South American destination.

Darren Lawrence

Tulum, Mexico

Once a tranquil paradise known for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-chic vibe, Tulum has become a cautionary tale of overtourism. The surge in popularity, fueled by Instagram-worthy scenery, has brought overcrowding, environmental strain, and rising costs. The Guardianreported that locals are being pushed out by developers and despite the thinking that tourism helps local communities, poverty nearly doubled between 2015 and 2020. Local ecosystems, including fragile mangroves and coral reefs, are threatened by unchecked construction and pollution too. The local ruins have implemented stricter rules like no food or drink to limit trash and environmental impact from tourists.

Jimmy Teoh

Santorini, Greece

Instagram fame has turned this once-serene island into a tourist hotspot. Narrow streets are perpetually clogged, and locals are struggling with soaring costs of living due to tourism demand. The government has since capped the number of daily cruise ship visitors to keep overtourism at bay.

Chait Goli

Cinque Terre, Italy

Known for its colorful cliffside villages and breathtaking coastal views, these once-quiet fishing towns now see millions of visitors annually, way more than they can handle. To combat issues like congestion and cruise ships, local authorities have introduced visitor caps and encourage sustainable travel to protect Cinque Terre’s charm.

Rudy Kirchner

Reykjavík, Iceland

Is there anyone not going to Iceland these days? A small country with breathtaking landscapes, Iceland has been overwhelmed by tourists flocking to Instagram-famous sites like the Blue Lagoon and Diamond Beach. It's best to travel during the off season (November to April) and travel to lesser known spots like the Sturlungalaug hot spring.

youseflns

Maya Bay, Thailand (Phi Phi Islands)

This iconic beach, popularized by the DiCaprio film The Beach, suffered ecological devastation from hordes of visitors and anchored boats. Coral reefs were destroyed, and the beach was closed for years to allow recovery. It has since reopened after a huge revitalization project, but they have introduced visitor caps.

Pixabay

Kyoto, Japan

Traditionally quiet streets of this ancient capital city now teem with tourists during peak season. An increase in litter from tourists has required the city to install more trash bins to handle the crowds, and peaceful geishas are often chased down for photos. To mitigate the problem, Kyoto is considering running special buses to popular sites to reduce overcrowding, and temples and shrines are encouraging visitors to come early in the morning.

Prabin Sunar

Mount Everest, Nepal

The ultimate challenge for adventurers, Mount Everest has experienced overcrowding on the slopes and at base camps, leading to dangerous conditions, with litter and human waste piling up on the mountain. Permits are now harder to get, and stricter regulations for climbers are being enforced.

Mateusz Popek

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Game of Thrones effect brought an influx of fans to this medieval city. Overcrowded streets and cruise ship arrivals have made it difficult to appreciate its beauty. The local government is taking steps to limit daily visitors and impose stricter cruise ship regulations.

Helena I

Lisbon, Portugal

Short-term rentals dominate the housing market now, thanks to affordable flights and the digital nomad craze. This has led to skyrocketing rents and displaced locals. Historic neighborhoods are inundated with tourists, making them less charming too. Everything from public transport to waste management struggles to keep pace with the influx. I went in December and it still felt a bit like Disneyland. Douro Valley and Madeira might be more favorable destinations any time of year.

Cure your wanderlust in 2025! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel ideas!

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13 Yummy Christmas Cookies From Around The World

Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

The Noshery

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Broma Bakery

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Fancy Peasant

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Very Eatalian

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Cooking Classy

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Olivia’s Cuisine

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Cilantro Parsley

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

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