Too often, chest-grazing hair gets dismissed as boring. Safe. Vaguely unprofessional. Archetypically feminine, and therefore at odds with the whole lean in, kick ass, take names thing. Needless to say, the above perceptions are all totally subjective.
In recent times, classic Rapunzel-length hair has gotten a much-needed rebrand. It all started in October of 2016 when Kim Kardashian showed up to (that ill-fated) Paris Fashion Week sporting close to three feet of center-parted, glossy, silky-smooth hair. Since then, style icons like Vanessa Hudgens, Nicki Minaj and, most notably, Beyoncé have jumped on the Cher hair bandwagon, rocking extensions so long they’d put Lady Godiva to shame — we’re talking thigh- to calf-length manes.
Chin-grazing bobs and extreme lengths — both made waves on the Spring 2018 runways. If we were the sort to split hairs, we could sit here and debate which sparked more furor, Cara Taylor’s jaw-defining chop or Kirsty Hume’s cascading blonde waterfall. Instead, we’ll leave it at this: both are equally fashion. Both are spunky. Both require a fair amount of maintenance. Both are inarguably #trending. (After all, we’re living in an age of extremes.)
Today, we’re catering to those who long to feel their mile-long lengths whooshing behind them as they walk. Who dream of re-enacting Beyoncé’s unforgettable ponytail-in-the-air-don’t-care ‘gram. Aspiring Rapunzels, click through the gallery above for all the long hair inspiration you’ll ever need. Whether you desire armpit length (APL), bra-strap length (BSL) or hip length (HL) lengths, Queen Bey, Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland, the Spring 2018 runways and the ever on-trend street style set quite literally have your back. Above, 20 long hairstyles that are anything but boring.
[ Next: Great Lengths: 36 Inspiring Long Haircuts to Try Now ]
Rapunzel Hair
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Rapunzel Hair #1
Beyoncé debuted her new Rapunzel-esque lengths at Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian's opulent New Orleans wedding. (She's quite the thunder-stealer, that one.) The Queen sported a curly blonde pony that reached to her thighs, allowing a few short strands to peek out and frame her subtly made-up face.
Image: @beyonce
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Rapunzel Hair #2
Models with carefully tousled, chest-grazing strands (i.e. extensions) and orange-red lips walked the runway at Sies Marjan's Spring 2018 show. He wanted the looks to convey "confidence."
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #3
Ciara swept her freshly straightened, blowing-in-the-breeze lengths into an ultra-high pony for her upcoming appearance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. 2018: the year of extreme hair.
Image: @ciara
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Rapunzel Hair #4
Nineties icon Kirsty Hume showed off her sleek, waist-length blonde waves on Michael Kors' Spring 2018 runway. Along with her tie-dye dress, a slightly meandering middle part upped the vacation-ready "long hair, don't care" vibes.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #5
If you've got a round face, wear your Cher hair flat-ironed straight and consider some lash-grazing bangs. In other words, adopt Susie Bubble's signature look.
Image: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
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Rapunzel Hair #6
Kim Kardashian's icy, white-silver, formerly chest-length mane can easily be yours (grown-out roots and all). All you need are a few hair extensions and a colorist with Chris Appleton-level skills. NBD.
Image: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
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Rapunzel Hair #7
Fun fact: Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland hasn't "properly" cut her long hairstyle in 10-plus years. Instead, she gets "invisible trims" from British hairstylist Alex Brownsell. For day-to-day maintenance, Weiland relies on “loads and loads” of oil (from Kératase and Nuxe) and Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, which she leaves on overnight. Turns out looking like a princess doesn't come easy.
Image: @shrimps
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Rapunzel Hair #8
Add natural texture to your outfit by slicking down the few inches of curly hair nearest to your part, let the rest form a curl cascade.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #9
At Calvin Klein's Spring 2018 presentation, Natalie Westling wowed the crowd with her chest-grazing, fiery red curls. Per Raf Simons, complement your archetypically feminine long hairstyle with a badass leather (or rubber) jacket.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #10
Black girls, take note: box braids that fall to your waist look incredibly regal.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #11
At Rick Owens' Spring 2018 show, pin-straight, Rapunzel-esque strands came tucked into sculptural, asymmetrical dresses.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #12
At the 14th Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, Nicki Minaj (who else?) pushed the extreme hair trend to new (logic-defying) limits. Minaj wore Alexander Wang — and bleach-blonde, calf-length hair extensions.
Image: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
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Rapunzel Hair #13
There are layers in this beautiful long hairstyle. As you can see, abbreviated sections help frame the face — and make for a really cool profile shot.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #14
Per Gucci's Spring 2018 presentation — and, it follows, Alessandro Michele — match your heart-shaped eyewear to your waist-length hair. Also, do a deep part.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #15
For a recent So You Think You Can Dance? appearance, Vanessa Hudgens donned a supernaturally long set of extensions, which she wore straightened and parted down the middle for optimal "#chervibes."
Image: @vanessahudgens
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Rapunzel Hair #16
Wear your chest-length hair sleek and shiny, pair it with shoulder-skimming blouses.
Image: @palomija
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Rapunzel Hair #17
Ariana Grande, once known for her interminable brunette mane, recently made the switch to Khaleesi-esque blonde-gray. We shudder to think how many hours she spent in the chair.
Image: @arianagrande
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Rapunzel Hair #18
At Tommy Hilfiger and Gigi Hadid’s latest fashion extravaganza, models sported belly-button-length rock 'n' roll hair, complete with middle-parted front bags.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #19
For an über long hairstyle that's as silky as this street style star's emerald green trench, invest in a good leave-in conditioner.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rapunzel Hair #20
Play off of Shay Mitchell's styling. Tie your extra-long hair in an extra-long pony, wear men's suiting and big-ass statement earrings.
Image: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
