FESTIVAL HAIRSTYLES: TRESS TRENDS TO TRY THIS SEASON
With summer finally on the horizon and your tickets for Glastonbury, Wireless and Tomorrowland booked, your fit and your hair ‘do is something you need to get sorted... ASAP.
So, whether you’ve been inspired by the festival hairstyles at Coachella or have a stream of images on your Pinterest boards, we’ve gathered the best festival hairstyles to see you through the entire weekend and beyond.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
THE BEST FESTIVAL HAIR IDEAS
EASY FESTIVAL HAIR IDEAS
BANTU KNOTS
Ideal for those with natural waves, curls and texture, this Bantu Knot festival hairstyle allows you to showcase your strands in a fun and unique way. Plus, because it’s a protective hair style, you can get two-looks-in-one as this festival hair idea is also great at creating defined curls when taken down.
How to create Bantu Knots:
Start with freshly washed hair and apply a leave-in conditioner. - Section your strands into between 8-20 sections (the smaller the sections the tighter the curl when you take them down.)
Comb each section and apply your curl cream or hair gel from root to tip. - Begin by twisting the strands all the way down then coil the section around itself to form a knot.
- Secure your Bantu Knots with a bobby pin or small elastic hair band and voila you’re ready to meander to the main stage.
130
28.00€
82
15.80€
51
31.60€
3
47.40€
6
29.30€
BUBBLE PIGTAILS
Fun, nostalgic and playful, the Bubble Pigtails festival hairstyle is the ultimate nod to Y2K fashion. High-impact and eye-catching it’s a look that guarantees everyone will notice you... and your outfit.
How to create Bubble Pigtails:
- To create Bubble Pigtails, start with dry detangled lengths.
- Apply a smoothing cream or hair gel to get a sleek base and then part your hair in two down the middle from your forehead to the nape of your neck.
- Pull your strands up into a high ponytail using hair ties and secure tightly.
- Then, starting a few inches from the top, tie small elastics down the length of your locks at even intervals.
- Gently tug or tease these sections to create round ‘bubble’ shapes.
15.82€
208
31.64€
34
14.00€
1
39.55€
SLICKED BACK WITH EDGES
Elevating the trending slicked back bun look, this festival hairstyle allows those baby hairs you try so hard to tame do all the talking.
How to create a Slicked Back Style With Edges:
Start with creating the ultimate Slicked Back hairstyle (read our guide on how to achieve this here.) - Then, part the ponytail in two and twist them together to create the long, braided twist down the back and secure with a hair tie.
- For the baby hairs, use an edge brush and strong-hold gel to sweep the hairs into curls and swirls.
- Take your time to perfect these and once you’re happy use your hair gel to set them in place.
To finish, add a shine spray or strong-hold hair spray to ensure everything stays in place.
328
31.60€
31
22.60€
1
33.34€
27
62.10€
FESTIVAL HAIRSTYLES FOR LONG HAIR
STEGOSAURUS BUNS
Sculptural and edgy, the Stegosaurus Buns festival hairstyle leans into traditional space buns, but with an added shot of spice. Using the same technique as traditional space buns but having them stacked down the back of the head, this look is both futuristic and high-fashion.
How to create Stegosaurus Buns:
- To recreate this look, start with dry hair and apply either a hair mouse or hair gel to create grip on your lengths.
- Using a tail comb, divide your hair into 3-5 horizontal sections from the top of your head to your nap.
- Secure each section into a ponytail and ensure they're stacked vertically down your head.
- Twist each ponytail around its base to form a bun and secure with hair pins. You can also fan them out to create more volume and leave out soft, wispy ends for a more undone look.
- Finish with a strong-hold hair spray and a light mist of shine spray.
FACE-FRAMING BABY BRAIDS
Super easy and effortless, the Baby Braid festival hairstyle look is ideal if you’re on day two of the festival and your blow-out still looks fresh. Minimalist with a sprinkling of boho, this loose and lived-in look is the perfect festival hairstyle.
How to create Baby Braids:
To try this, begin with brushing out your blow out and applying a styling cream to re-invigorate the loose, carefree natural texture of your hair. - Then, take small sections from each side of your middle parting and braid tightly all the way down your locks.
Secure with a clear elastic and you’re good to go. If desired, you can add a spritz of lightweight texturising mist to boost volume and bounce.
132
31.60€
3
31.64€
1
51.98€
3
41.81€
BEACH WAVES
Soft, sophisticated and easy, the loose Beach Waves festival hairstyle look mimics the sun-kissed, wind-blow waves you’re boundto achieve at any festival the world over.
How to create Beach Waves:
Starting with damp hair, apply a volumising mouse from root to tips. - Then, use a root lift spray directly at the crown and anywhere else you want added volume (we suggest around your face and on your face framing pieces).
Next, section your hair and begin curling your strands using a curling wand. The larger the barrel of your hot tool the bigger and looser your curl. - Spritz each section with a texturising mist and scrunch for a more ‘lived-in’ finish.
- Once all your hair has been curled, rake through with your fingers to loosen your waves and apply a hair serum to finish.
32
42.94€
2
29.38€
48
13.50€
2
129.90€
FESTIVAL HAIRSTYLES FOR SHORT HAIR
SHORT AND SWEET BUNS
You may think that Space Buns only work if you have long-hair, but this iconic festival hairstyle works whatever your hair length or hair type. For an added point of interest if you chopped off your lengths into the bob hairstyle this spring, try curling your ends outwards for a 60s mod-look.
How to create Short and Sweet Buns:
- Begin by sectioning your hair down the middle of your head and horizontally across from ear to ear. This gives you the two sections for your Space Buns.
- Using some hair gel and your hairbrush, brush your locks into two high ponytails then twist your strands into buns. If you want to go the exta mile, you can create multiple hair buns across your head and create a ‘bun crown’.
- Secure each bun in place with a bobby pin and finish with a shot of shine spray. Now you’re ready to rock'n'roll.
8
43.00€
1
25.90€
2
208.00€
SHOT OF COLOUR
Love colour and want to make a statement this summer? How about adding some bright and bold pigments for the ultimate festival hairstyle. Using your preferred hair dye, this festival hair idea is quick, easy and oh-so effective.
How to create the Shot of Colour look:
To add some colour to your lengths, we suggest pre-lightening your hair first with Bleach London’s Total Bleach kit, especially if your hair is dark brown or black. This ensures maximum colour payoff when you go to add in your colour. - Then, pick your shade craving, apply to your strands and rinse off after 30minutes. You can have a lot of fun mixing shades, creating ombre colour combinations and if you use your fingers and a comb to apply, you'll create the ultimate grungy, festival-approved lived-in finish.
WET AND WILD
If you’re on day two or even made it to day three, then the Wet Hair look may be the ideal solution to still look put together (and combat unwanted grease.) Editorial, sophisticated and oh-so-cool, this festival hairstyle is simple to achieve and effortless to maintain.
How to create the Wet Look hairstyle:
- Start with damp hair as this will make styling easy. We would suggest having a water spray bottle handy and spritzing your strands as you style.
- Apply a mouse if you want volume and body, otherwise apply a strong hold gel from root to tip.
- Section your hair as you apply and use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product evenly throughout.
Finish with a hair gloss to lock in moisture and ensure your strands look sleek and shiny. - Choose how you want to style it— slicked back behind your ears, straight with a middle parting, a dramatic deep side part, tied back in a low ponytail or in a bun. The possibilities with this look are endless...
2
33.90€
5
24.00€
32.77€
28.25€
FESTIVAL HAIRSTYLE FAQs
Should I straighten my hair for a festival?
Whether you decide to straighten your hair for a festival or not is totally dependent on your style and personal preferences. There are both pros and cons to straightening your hair. The pros are that your hair is sleek and looks polished. It’s also easier to then create other looks like space buns, bubble ponytails throughout the weekend. The cons however are that humidity and sweat at a festival may impact how sleek and shiny your strands look We suggest bringing and applying more styling products to maintain the look than you typically would for your everyday look
How to style a fringe at festival?
The best way to style a fringe at a festival is to start with a clean fringe and blow dry it into the ideal shape. Then, rely heavily on your dry shampoo. This will be your best friend throughout the weekend, and you can spritz and go whenever you feel your fringe looks oily or dishevelled. We also suggest setting your bangs with a flexible-hold hair spray. If all else fails, ensure you’ve got some hair accessories handy and clip it away when it gets too much.
How long does festival hair last?
Typically, festival hair styles last between one to three days depending on the style, products used and weather conditions. Styles like buns and braids last longer as they require minimal touch-ups but looks that are loose and free may need more consideration and care.
And there you have it – whether you’re dancing all day or just there for the vibes, these festival hairstyles are your one-way ticket to turning heads this festival season.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
