Hair

Hair is a very important feature in shoujo. It’s used to add glamour, to add size to the head (and thereby increase the visual presence of the character), and to carve out a unique identity for a character whose face might otherwise look similar to others.

Hairstyles for Girls

Ponytails are common on shoujo characters. They can be centered on the head or positioned slightly off center for a more casual look. Buns are also very popular, and long, wavy hair is seen on schoolgirls. Ringlets are mostly used on characters in historical genres or stories.

Wavy and Long

Bob with Bangs

Ringlets

Floppy Hair with Ponytail

Standard Ponytail

Long and Straight

Small Headband with Hair Brushed Forward

Braided Ponytail

Traditional
Buns

Hairstyles for Boys

Unless you’re drawing action characters with “samurai” or spiked hairstyles or a teen-idol type with superlong hair, boys’ hairstyles are much less varied than those of girls, but are still important in creating a character’s look.

Brushed Up

Small Ponytail

Parted in the Middle

Wavy

Brushed Down

Carefree