7 Festival Hair Trends Inspired by Coachella’s Best Looks

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No event is more influential in setting festival hair trends than Coachella. Attracting celebrities, influencers and trendsetters, this iconic festival is as much about fashion as it is about music. Hairstyles born here in the California sun quickly become the blueprint for festival-goers worldwide. From vibrant colors to fun bubble braid hairstyles, Coachella offers plenty of hair inspiration for your next festival look.

1. The Comeback of Y2K-Inspired Styles

This year brings a massive resurgence of Y2K-inspired hairstyles, with space buns, mini pigtails and butterfly clips reentering the festival scene. These nostalgic styles work best with both short and mid-length hair. For the perfect execution, you’ll need professional hair styling products that offer strong hold without making your hair feel crunchy. A texturizing spray applied to dry hair before styling will give you the perfect base for these looks.

2. Standout Bubble Braids

Bubble braids exploded in popularity after being spotted on countless Coachella attendees in recent years. This eye-catching style offers a fun, textured look that stays put during hours of dancing. Plus, it is an effortless style to achieve — even in the So-Cal desert. To make bubble braids, start by pulling your hair into a ponytail or pigtails. Secure small sections with elastic bands spaced evenly down the length of your hair. Then, gently pull the hair between each elastic to create the “bubble” effect.

This technique works for anyone with locks long enough to gather into this ponytail. If you have layered hair, use a strong-hold pomade to smooth flyaways and keep shorter pieces from escaping the bubbles. For extra staying power, mist your finished style with a strong-hold hairspray.

3. Ethereal Braided Crowns 

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Bohemian-inspired braided crowns adorned with flowers, leaves or feathers create a whimsical, earth-goddess aesthetic. This style works beautifully on longer hair, and you can make it your own with seasonal blooms or dried flowers.

Create a Dutch or French braid around your crown, securing it with bobby pins and finishing with a light mist of hairspray. Then, gently tuck your chosen accessories into the braid. For added security, attach smaller elements with hairpins or a small dot of temporary eyelash glue.

4. Glittery Glam

When it comes to festival hairstyles, glitter is a must. To add sparkle to your look, apply a light layer of hair gel where you want the glitter to stick. Then, press glitter onto the gel using a makeup brush or your fingertips.

Focus the sparkle along your part, at the roots or on the ends of your hair for a subtle shimmer that catches the light as you move. For a more dramatic effect, mix different sizes and colors of glitter. Remember to use biodegradable glitter to minimize environmental impact.

5. Temporary Color Transformations

Color dominates the festival scene, with pastels and neons making frequent appearances in hair. And with colored hair sprays, chalks and temporary dyes, you can experiment without commitment. These products wash out easily, making them perfect for a weekend festival.

To ensure the most vivid results on darker hair, lighten your base color or choose products formulated for brunettes. For a subtle approach, apply temporary color to specific sections, such as your ends or face-framing pieces — or go all-out with a full head of vibrant color.

6. Wet Look Locks

A sleek, wet-look hairstyle offers a dramatic contrast to Coachella’s desert setting. This versatile style works worn slicked back, with a defined part or with textured ends for a more lived-in appearance. Apply gel to damp tresses from roots to mid-lengths, using a fine-tooth comb to distribute the product. Then, shape and style as desired.

Make this look last through a full day at a festival with quality hair care products formulated to maintain hold without flaking or becoming sticky when exposed to heat.

7. Sustainable Style

The latest festival hair trends go beyond aesthetics to emphasize sustainability, with reusable hair accessories, biodegradable glitter and natural styling products becoming increasingly popular. Many Coachella trendsetters now showcase styles that look amazing while minimizing environmental impact.

Conclusion

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Whichever festival hairstyle you choose, preparation is essential. Practice your style before the event, and pack travel-sized styling products, extra hair ties and bobby pins to touch up your look throughout the day. With these Coachella-inspired looks, you’ll be sure to turn heads at any festival you attend!