Once you find the perfect bridesmaid dress that you and your friends love, you might want to consider whether or not to help them with their bridesmaid hairstyles, too!
The key to finding amazing bridesmaid hairstyles is to choose a look that is easy enough for your friends to do themselves. Unless you plan on paying for a hairstylist, it’s a lot to ask for your friends to get a professional updo for your wedding. Which is why we always recommend hairstyles that your friends can easily do at home.
So, which bridesmaid hairstyles work best? There’s a few questions you’ll want to consider before deciding on the perfect one…
Where are you getting married?
If you’re getting married outside in a humid or windy location, you’ll want to consider a low maintenance updo. That last thing you want is your besties hair flying all over the place. Be practical.
When are you getting married?
Summer in Alabama can be just as humid as Florida on most days, so it’s important to consider how the weather might affect your bridesmaid hairstyles. Spring, fall, and winter weddings might be the best for down hairstyles, while summer is perfect for a bun or other easy updo.
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What’s the bride’s wedding hairstyle?
Whichever bridesmaid hairstyles your friends choose, you’ll want it to complement your hairstyle. While it’s tempting to go matchy-matchy, it’s usually best to let the bride’s hairstyle stand out. The same goes for your bridesmaid dresses and wedding dress! So, if you’re planning on wearing your hair down, consider having your bridesmaids wear their hair up, and vice versa.
Make Sure Your Friends Love It
While you can definitely make a suggestion on how you would love your bridesmaids to wear their hair, at the end of the day you want them to feel comfortable and beautiful. Allow them to choose bridesmaid hairstyles based on what they think looks good to them, not the other way around.
Now that we’ve covered how to come up with the best bridesmaid hairstyles, lets get into some of our favorite options!
The Easiest Bridesmaid Hairstyles
We specifically selected these hairstyles below for how easy they would be for your bridesmaids to do them on their own, but there are still a few pro secrets we want to share that will help make your hair look amazing.
For updos, start with day-old hair (or even two).
One of the best ways to ensure a great updo is to have hair that isn’t freshly washed. If you can, wash/blow dry your hair the day before (so it looks great for the rehearsal dinner). Then, the day of the wedding, do nothing but style it! Your hair will have more texture this way, and it will be easier for it to hold a style.
For down hairstyles, you want freshly washed hair.
You want to start with a clean canvas, so plan on blow-drying your hair straight and smooth. Even if you’re going to do easy waves, starting with frizz-free, glossy hair is key.
Use the right products and tools
Hairstyling products are a key component to having a great bridesmaid hairstyle, and you’ll see which ones the pros love in some of the tutorials below. Our favorite must-have products include:
- Oribe Gold Lust Dry shampoo (this is the best one that doesn’t leave a white residue)
- Virtue 6-in-1 styler (great for down hairstyles that need some help)
- For black hair, Carol’s Daughter has some amazing, natural styling products.
- Tail comb (for making the perfect middle part)
- Bobbie pins (these will ensure your style stays put)
- A light hairspray (to set it and forget it!)
- Clear elastic hair ties (for practically every updo)
Tools can vary based on which style you choose, but a couple of our hairstyling go-tos are:
Now, on to the hairstyles!
Up Bridesmaid Hairstyles
Ponytail
While a ponytail itself is simple, there are so many different variations on it that you can do. Here’s just a few of the ones we think we work great for a wedding.
- High textured ponytail
- Rope braid twisted ponytail.
- Low ponytail (this is a great video from celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton that features several of his famous ponytails).
Bun
Buns make a great wedding hairstyle because they can be as chic and sleek or messy and boho as you want them to be. These are a couple variations hat we think are great for bridesmaid hairstyles. Have curly or natural black hair? This tutorial shows three easy updos that are perfect for a wedding.
- Messy bun (this is definitely a casual look, but I think it could be great for a rustic barn wedding or something outside).
- Top knot bun (the sleek version starts at the 4:00 minute mark)
Chignon
What’s the difference between a chignon and a bun? A chignon tends to be more formal and sit at the nape of the neck, while a bun can be anywhere. Also, a bun is wrapped around itself, where a chignon can be twisted, tucked, etc. While a chignon is definitely harder than a bun, there are some easy ways to create an elegant yet not too fussy look yourself. We like this chignon tutorial here.
Down Bridesmaid Hairstyles
It can sometimes be hard to get down wedding hairstyles to last throughout the night, but it can be beautiful for wedding pictures when everybody’s style is still fresh! Here are a handful of our favorite down bridesmaid hairstyles that will last longer than others. For most of these styles, you’ll want to start with freshly blow-dried, smooth hair.
Half Up Half Down
Wearing your hair half up/half down is a great in between look that feels loose and casual yet still finished. This tutorial shares some great tips for making a half up half down braid or twist.
Easy Waves
It’s tempting to do barely-there waves, but you’ll want to make sure you start with enough of a girl that it will last you at least a few hours. I like this easy waves tutorial because it gives just enough body. She also shares some good tips for how to best use your hairspray with this style.
Vintage Curls
Old Hollywood curls is actually a great bridesmaid hairstyle because it tends to keep it shape for a lot longer than you would think, thanks to the deep side part and hair tucked behind your ears. This easy hair tutorial shows you how to easily get the look.
Which bridesmaid hairstyle are you leaning towards? Let us know in the comments!
Also Read:
The Best Natural Skincare Lines to Detox With Before Your Wedding Day
Shauné Hayes On What EVERY Bride Should Do Before a Wedding Makeup Trial
10 Perfect Nail Polish Colors for a Summer Wedding
Wedding Day Ready: The Easiest-To-Apply False EyeLashes
The Best Products I Use to Fade My Acne Scars
13 Long Lasting Lipsticks That Will Get You Through Your Wedding Day
5 of the Best Face Masks For an Instant Bridal Glow
Start Doing This Now for Amazing Skin On Your Wedding Day
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