Style Tutorials, Tricks, and Top Picks
30 Bohemian Styles That Will Survive Even Festival Season
22 August 2018
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Although it’s snowy and cold in many parts of the world, our eyes are already on the prize: festival season. In just a few weeks, we’ll dust off our denim hot pants and flex our braiding muscles.
Yes, these festivals are technically celebrations of being outdoors and hearing the best musicians in the world, but they’re also an ode to all things arty. What’s more creative than ethereal bohemian hairstyles?
If you’re starting to plan your vibe for the next few months, look no further than these artful, gorgeous styles.
Knotted Braid
You don’t have to possess rainbow-streaked hair to pull off this deceptively simple look, but it does require length and texturizing spray. Even better, it’s the ideal way to make your second day festival hairstyle seem intentional—the more grit, the better the braid.
Start by dividing you hair into two sections at the nape, then begin knotting them again and again until you run out of hair. Secure the style, inserting hair pins to keep the various loops in place.
Jeweled Headband Braid
What’s a crown braid without a little extra panache? For this elaborate look, create a deep side part and begin French braiding along the hairline away from it. Transition into a standard braid, bringing it back and around your head like half ponytail before securing it in place.
If you’re a lady who appreciates a good accessory, pin a feathery embellishment in your hair or play with a reverse jeweled headband.
Side Cornrows
More is not always better, as proven by this impactful cornrow look. If you’re working with curls or natural texture, braid two to five thin cornrows above one ear (or both). Then, use a teasing brush to build volume all over your head before pulling your hair up into a loose poof shape and combing it forward with your fingers.
Want added panache? Add a hair accessory just behind your braids.
Thousand Braid Updo
Don’t panic—there aren’t actually that many braids involved here. Start by giving your hair a healthy blast of texturizing spray before parting it in your favorite position. Create several thin braids on either side of the part, stopping just before your crown.
Once all your braids are in place, bring them back into a half ponytail style. For added volume, twist some strands instead of tightly braiding them. Pancake as much as you can to create maximum visual impact.
Grecian Braids
This antiquity-inspired style is the simplest one on the list, requiring only a basic understanding of braiding to do. Pretend like you’re planning on styling a half ponytail, pulling back two sections of hair from just above your ears. Braid and pancake each one, tying or pinning them back at the back of your head.
For an added bohemian touch, braid small strands throughout your hair—the more randomly placed, the better.
Twisted Half Updo
Here’s the ultimate rule of festival season: If it even looks like a braid, it’s on-trend. We love the look of fantasy hair color when it’s paired with a very simple updo style. In this case, two hair twists and one accessory is all it took to create this trendy look.
Half Up Fishtail
To begin, gather the top half of your hair into two pigtails and secure each one with a clear hair elastic. Working with one side at a time, divide the ponytail into two equal sections. To create the fishtail effect, take a half-inch section of hair from the outside of left ponytail and cross to the right. Repeat the process on the opposite side, taking a section from the outside of the right ponytail over to the left. Continue crossing sections of the hair over until you reach the end of the braid, then secure it with an elastic.
Craft another fishtail braid with the remaining pigtail. Once both braids are complete, bring them both to meet at the back of your head and tie them together. For a final touch, pancake the braids to create a voluminous effect.
Half Braid
Begin by gathering the hair on the top half of your hair in a loose ponytail. Craft a loose side braid that ends just about at your ear and secure it with a clear hair elastic. Pancake the braid for a undone final touch.
Bohemian Braided Ponytail
First, craft a basic three-strand braid using a small section of hair from the crown of your head and secure it with a clear elastic. Then, use all of your hair (including the first braid) to create a classic braid. Secure the finished plait with a clear hair elastic and pancake the braid for a tousled final look.
Teased Ponytail
Begin by backcombing 1-inch sections of hair near your crown, gently combing the hair toward your roots. Once you’ve teased the front section of your hair, gently comb the top layer of hair over the teased hair to cover the backcombed roots. Secure the ponytail in your desired position and set the style with a medium hold hair spray.
Piecey Waves
Start at the back of your head, working with 2-inch sections of clean, dry hair. Spray each one with a heat protectant before clamping the base of the section with your flat iron. Flip the flat iron down and hold it in place for 15 seconds.
Move your flat iron down the section of hair, flip the flat iron up, and hold it in place. Continue twisting the flat iron up and down until you reach the bottom of the section. Once you’ve crimped your whole head, set your look with a flexible hold hair spray.
Flower Crown
A flower crown is the quintessential music festival accessory. Simply pop a flower crown on top of your favorite hairstyle and you’ll go from basic festival goer to a bohemian goddess in no time.
Mohawk Braid
Begin by sectioning off the hair you’ll use to craft the mohawk, creating two vertical parts from your hairline to the crown of your head. Then, create a Dutch braid with that section of hair. Secure the braid with a clear hair elastic and pancake it for an over-the-top finish.
Half Top Knot
Simply gather the top half of your hair in a ponytail and fasten it with a hair elastic. Then, wrap your ponytail around itself until you form a bun, securing it with several bobby pins. If you want to give your top knot a little extra glamour, swap out your regular pins for bejeweled variety.
Space Buns
Begin by parting your hair down the middle with a comb, securing each section with an elastic. Working with one bun at a time, remove the elastic, apply a medium hold pomade to your edges, (front and back) and brush through.
Gather your hair in the desired location of your bun and secure the pigtail with an elastic. Backcomb or fluff the pigtail before wrapping it into a bun shape. Secure it with bobby pins. Repeat steps on opposite side.
Crimped Accent
For this look, simply style your hair however you like and use a crimper to crimp a few sections of loose hair. While subtle, the accents add a cool visual and textural element to your style without fully committing to a crimped ‘do.
Boho Side Swept Accent Braid
Beautiful bohemian hairstyles don’t always require super long locks. If you’re working with short hair, opt for a boho accent braid.
Start with a small section of hair from one side of your head at the crown. Begin creating a three-strand braid going towards the back of your head. Once you reach the end, secure the braid behind your head with bobby pins and finish off the look with a light spritz of hairspray.
Half Up Boho Buns
To create this classic bohemian hairstyle, brush through your lengths and section your hair into two half-up pigtails. Starting on either side, twist the hair in the pigtail toward the back of your head and wrap it around the clear elastic until you’ve created a bun. Secure the bun in place with bobby pins.
Repeat this step on the other side and complete the look with a few spritzes of hairspray.
Embellished Braids
Floral accents are an easy way to add a touch of boho to any braided look. Once you’re done styling your braid, secure a few flower pieces throughout your strands.
Lived-In Texture
Begin by applying a small amount of Redken’s Rough Paste 12 throughout damp hair. This long lasting leave-in paste enhances hair texture, enabling styling of ragged, deconstructed styles. Allow hair to air dry.
Once your strands are completely dry, apply a small amount of texturizing finishing spray like the Redken's Wind Blown 05 Dry Finishing Spray to complete the look.
Undone Fishtail Braid
First, apply a few spritzes of a dry texture spray like the Shu Uemura Texture Wave for buildable texture with long-lasting, flexible hold. Gather hair to either side of your head. To create the fishtail braid, split your hair into two sections, take a small piece of hair from the left section, and cross it over to the right. Then, take a small piece of hair from the outside of the right section and move it back to the left side.
Repeat these steps until you reach the end of your hair. Hold the braid in place with a clear hair elastic.
Braid Bling
Looking to add a touch of glam to your ‘do? Step up your boho hair game with a few statement jewelry pieces. We love the look of hair cuffs throughout boho accent braids.
Halo Braid
On the lookout for the perfect bohemian wedding hairstyle? The halo braid might be just what you’re looking for. If you’re a braiding newbie, we recommend getting some tips from your stylist before attempting this style at home.
Braided Bubble Pony
Ready for a bubble ponytail with a boho twist? Secure each bubble with a hair elastic as you usually would. Then, wrap a simple, two-strand braid around each one.
Messy Rope Braid Updo
Starting from either side of your head, take a small section of hair from the front of your hairline and split it into two. Create a rope braid by twisting the front piece over the back, then add more hair to the current front section and twist again. Repeat these steps until you reach the end of your hair, then secure the rope braid at the back of your head with bobby pins.
With the remaining hair, secure a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Twist the pony into a bun and secure it with bobby pins. Gently tug on the bun to loosen some pieces of hair for a messier finish.
Full Blown Crimped
To achieve an all-over crimped look, start by spraying a heat protectant like the Matrix Biolage Thermal Active Setting Spray through your strands. Taking 1-inch sections, use a crimper to clamp your hair at the base and hold it in place for 10 to 15 seconds. Slowly repeat this step as you move the crimper down the section. Grab another 1-inch section and continue on until you’ve crimped your entire head. Once you’re done crimping, use a bit of hairspray to hold the style in place.
Boho Braided Pigtails
Begin by working a small amount of anti-frizz serum like the Mizani Thermasmooth Smooth Guard through damp hair. When the hair is mostly dry, use a comb to part your hair down the middle from the top of your head to the nape of your neck.
Starting with either side, create a French braid until you reach your mid-lengths. For this look, we recommend swapping out your regular hair elastic for a ponytail cuff. Repeat the same steps on the opposite side and complete the look with a small amount of hairspray.
Embellished Bantu Knots
Looking to upgrade your bantu knots for festival season? Whether you decide to add some accent braids or update your knots with a few hair jewelry pieces, the possibilities are endless.
Boho Hair Scarf
If you’re looking for the perfect hair accessory to complete any bohemian hairstyle, opt for a hair scarf. We love hair scarfs paired with a textured half-up ‘do. Simply tie the hair scarf around the base of the ponytail and be on your way.
Glitterage
This festival season, you’ve probably seen glitterage all over social media. The look involves painting temporary streaks of glitter throughout your strands, mimicking the natural finish of a traditional balayage.
If you’re stumped on how to create the glitterage look for yourself, be sure to consult with your stylist first.
Looking for more personalized styling advice? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.
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