7 Bridesmaid Hairstyles That Complement Any Costume

If you grew up binging 27 Dresses, you’re seemingly now in your individual real-life model of the plotline. Around your mid-to-late twenties, mates from faculty, highschool, your new metropolis, and past will start sporting shiny new rocks on their left fingers—which means you may quickly have a bevy of enjoyable occasions to get glammed up for. But whether or not you are a seasoned bridesmaid or your first stint is on the horizon, you’ll seemingly quickly obtain a textual content asking if you wish to decide in to skilled hairstyling or determine it out by yourself. Who What Wear magnificence editors have been on this scenario fairly a couple of instances, however now we have entry to celeb hairstylists who may give additional steering on what makes a bridesmaid coiffure not simply look nice, however red carpet-ready.
“An excellent bridesmaid coiffure ought to really feel polished and elevated, however by no means overly fussy,” says skilled hairstylist and textured hair skilled Tippi Shorter. “Bridesmaids are sometimes on the transfer all through the day, whether or not it’s serving to the bride, wrangling a flower woman, or navigating sudden climate—so the fashion ought to be comfy, safe, and capable of maintain up via all of it,” she provides. Celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook provides that each the neckline of your bridesmaid dress and your hair texture are further elements to contemplate. “The best option pictures superbly however nonetheless strikes,” says Brook. “I often lean into a glance that may look timeless years later whenever you look again on these lifetime recollections.”
Keep scrolling to seek out the seven hairstylist- and editor-approved bridesmaid hairstyles that look timeless and effortlessly stylish, each time.
Latest Videos FromWho What Wear
7 Elevated Bridesmaid Hairstyles to Try in 2026
Romantic Slipknot
If you need to make your bridesmaid costume look a bit extra editorial, skip the peerlessly coiffed low bun and take a look at a romantic, ever-so-slightly undone slipknot. Spotted in every single place from the S/S 27 runways to weddings WWW senior magnificence editor Jamie Chevron has attended, this unfussy fashion is a go-to for stylish individuals throughout marriage ceremony season. “I like taking traditional kinds and making them really feel rather less anticipated,” says skilled hairstylist Liz Shears. She calls a smooth, low bun, “particularly when paired with just a little texture or softness across the face,” an particularly fashionable alternative when making a bridesmaid look. All you want is a fine-toothed comb, flat iron, and texture spray to craft this elegant fashion.
Shop Romantic Slipknot Styling Products
Soft Blowout
(Image credit score: ANGELA WEISS / AFP by way of Getty Images)
When doubtful, a tender blowout is at all times an ideal alternative—particularly with a strapless bridesmaid costume. “Think ethereal roots and brushed-through bends,” muses Brook. The key to making a glamorous blowout, nonetheless, begins whereas your hair continues to be moist. Brook recommends utilizing a volumizing spray just like the Biolage Full Rescue Volume Spray for carry and physique. “I like this product as a result of it makes the hair thrice fuller and doesn’t get sticky hours later,” she explains. After round-brushing and touching up any needed spots with a curling iron, end off the look with a contact of texture spray and a little bit of hair oil on the ends. “The end ought to really feel touchable, with sufficient polish to make it particular,” she provides.
Shop Soft Blowout Styling Products
Modern Hollywood Waves
(Image credit score: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic by way of Getty Images)
If you’re keen on a blowout however need to take issues up a barely extra glamorous notch, ask your hairstylist for these softer, modern-day Hollywood waves. “I like making them barely extra relaxed and touchable fairly than completely uniform,” says Spears. You can obtain this look by gently brushing out your curls till they flip into easy, looser waves—utilizing a brushable spray to protect the fashion with out sacrificing touchability. “I additionally advocate an anti-humidity spray for pure, curly hair to maintain it from rising greater with frizz,” Shorter provides.
Shop Soft Hollywood Waves Styling Products
The Undone Bun
If you need to exhibit your costume—particularly if probably the most eye-catching particulars are concentrated close to the neckline—take into account sweeping your hair up into a refined, but barely undone topknot á la ’90s Pamela Anderson or modern-day Paige Paul. My go-to marriage ceremony visitor and bridesmaid coiffure is a excessive bun with face-framing items, with an deliberately messy smattering of curls falling from the voluminous bun. While Anderson’s signature updo is a bit much less fussy (she as soon as instructed British Vogue in a YouTube video that the look was “at all times” achieved with a thong), you’ll be able to clear it up Paul-style by brushing your hair right into a easy ponytail utilizing flexible hairspray earlier than forming a bun. Just be sure that the tendrils can fall freely so as to add that tender, romantic contact.
(Image credit score: Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG by way of Getty Images)
Shop Polished Pam Styling Products
Half-Up, Half-Down
This one’s traditional for a purpose.”Half-up hair is having a marriage second,” says Brook. Pulling the entrance part of your hair away and letting the again cascade lengthy gives a flattering, versatile look that enhances quite a lot of costume kinds. “A bit carry on the crown, tender motion via the lengths, and some items across the face really feel romantic with out wanting overly organized,” the hairstylist provides.
To obtain this look your self, Shorter suggests utilizing each a curling iron and sizzling rollers for physique and quantity, then taking small sections of hair simply above the ears and bringing them collectively behind the top. “Think of the world the place the goggles strap would lie within the again,” she instructs. Pin in place, pull again any further items you need, and use a versatile hairspray to lock all the pieces in. Celebrity hairstylist Dionysiou recommends utilizing Living Proof’s Style Lab Flex Hairspray for this particular fashion. “[It’s] an ideal brushable hairspray with medium maintain and motion, excellent for loose-wave half-ups,” he explains.
Shop Half-Up, Half-Down Styling Products
Sculpted Knot
(Image credit score: Launchmetrics)
Whether you like to fashion your slicked-back buns excessive, low, or proper in-between is as much as private desire, however skilled stylists agree: a smooth topknot is at all times a good suggestion for a bridesmaid. “A smooth, low bun is without doubt one of the best kinds to do your self,” says Brook. “The simplicity feels stylish, particularly with a stupendous neckline or assertion earrings,” she provides. This look requires a little bit of legwork to attain the ultimate ultra-polished look, however Brook assures us that the method is not overly laborious (and in the long run, it is solely value it).
Start by defining a middle or aspect half on dry hair and smoothing styling cream into the sections—utilizing a boar brush to easy the hair right into a clear ponytail wherever it’s most flattering. Then, safe the ponytail with an elastic and twist the hair right into a bun across the base, concealing the elastic and pinning all the pieces in place. “Keep the bun near the top and test the form from the aspect; that’s what provides it a refined end,” Brook instructs. “For flyaways, mist a clear toothbrush with hairspray and gently easy them down,” she provides, recommending Biolage’s Styling Gelée and Freeze Fix Hairspray. (Though any strong-hold gels and hair sprays work in the long run.)
Shop Sculpted Knot Styling Products
Polished Ponytail
Though we have steered our justifiable share of tousled, smooth, and everything-in-between buns above, do not assume {that a} ponytail is not match for a proper event. “For one thing just a little extra fashion-forward, a low ponytail with a easy end and some intentional items across the face can really feel extremely stylish,” says Spears. Dionysou finds the “polished ponytail” significantly stylish when paired with a bridesmaid robe—particularly at “low or mid-height, with the elastic hid and a tender bend via the ends.” He suggests utilizing the Color Wow Style on Steroids Texturizing Spray so as to add “texture and grit” with out stiffening the strands. “It’s excellent for any hair texture, however particularly for effective, slippery hair that does not maintain something,” he explains.
Shop Polished Ponytail Styling Products
What to Consider When Picking a Bridesmaid Hairstyle
- Comfort degree: Dionysiou says that your consolation ought to be paramount when selecting a bridesmaid coiffure, as you may seemingly be sporting it for a number of hours. “It ought to be safe with out feeling tight,” he explains. “Bridesmaids should not really feel pulled, be in ache, or really feel like they should always modify.”
- The costume: The most essential side of your look is the costume, so your look shouldn’t solely swimsuit you and your preferences, however the costume, as nicely. “Consider the aspirations you will have on your look, alongside along with your hair density, texture, and size, whereas balancing it with the outfit and the cohesiveness of the bridal occasion,” he instructs. The neckline, as beforehand identified by Brook, is one other figuring out issue of your remaining look.
- Hair kind: Your pure texture and density might really feel like an afterthought when choosing a bridesmaid coiffure, however it ought to be one of many first elements you (and the bride) take into account. ” bridesmaid coiffure ought to really feel such as you, work along with your pure texture, and keep comfy from the ceremony to the final dance,” says Brook. “You need to be current within the second, with out always checking your hair.”
- Weather: Climate and climate circumstances differ from marriage ceremony to marriage ceremony, however these elements will play an essential position in your remaining look. “It ought to really feel proper for the circumstances,” says Dionysiou. “Weather, indoor versus out of doors weddings, and the time of yr all play an element within the kinds and merchandise to make use of,” he provides. Come armed with anti-frizz spray and strong-hold hairspray for circumstances that threaten to deflate your voluminous, ultra-chic fashion.
Who’s Who
- Sunnie Brook is a star hairstylist and the inventive director for Biolage.
- Tippi Shorter is a textured hair skilled, skilled hairstylist, and the Global Artistic Director at Mizani.
- Dionysiou is a star hairstylist and the senior stylist at Benjamin Salon in New York City.
- Liz Shears is knowledgeable hairstylist at Benjamin Salon in West Hollywood, California.
Why Trust Who What Wear
At Who What Wear, we all know that magnificence is not one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have examined 1000’s of merchandise—together with skincare, make-up, haircare, and nails—whereas additionally working carefully with trusted specialists, like famend dermatologists, celeb make-up artists, and different main business insiders. Together, this ensures each information is well-researched, inclusive, and related to you.
We deal with formulation that ship, whether or not they’re reasonably priced favorites or luxurious investments. Our product choice is predicated on tangible outcomes, ingredient know-how, and what we would really advocate to our closest family and friends members.
