Festival hairstyles are officially back on the agenda, which can only mean one thing, summer is in full swing! There's nothing better than getting together with friends and seeing your favorite DJs or artists perform. You’ve got your ticket and outfit sorted, but what about the most important thing: your curly festival hairstyle!? From braids and twists to space buns and tendrils, paired with the right curly hair products, there are endless ways to style your curls.
What are Festival Hairstyles
Festival hairstyles are the finishing touch that completes your look. They go beyond your everyday styles, offering a more creative, expressive way to wear your hair, whether that’s fully up, or half up half down. Created with both style and practicality in mind, festival hairstyles are made to stay in place all day holding up against sun, wind, rain or whatever unpredictable UK festival weather has in store. These styles are all about having fun, embracing your individuality, and often adding a pop of temporary color, bold accessories, or extensions for that extra flare.
Easy Festival Hairstyle Ideas
Let's take a closer look at some festival styles, complete with a range of Curlsmith stylers and hair make-up on some of our curl friends.
1. Space Buns
It's not a festival if you don't see space buns! This iconic style not only keeps your hair tucked away, helping you stay cool while you bust out your best moves, it’s also a nostalgic nod to the 90’s making a major comeback to today’s festival scene. Playful and practical, space buns are an easy festival hairstyle for curly hair and can be customized with accessories and glitter to match your vibe.
How to Get the Space Bun Look
- Refresh your curls by spritzing our Shake & Shine
- Section hair into two by creating a parting from the middle of the front hairline to the center of the back hairline; clip one half out of the way.
- Apply our Feather Light Protein Cream, which consists of a cream and gel; great for combined softness and hold
- Smooth each section into a ponytail and secure it with a satin scrunchie
- Take the ponytail and twist it around until you form a bun; secure it with another scrunchie
- Add extra detail by laying your edges using a strong-hold gel such as our Fragrance-free Stronghold Gel.
2. Face Framing Braids
- Leave your curly hair flowing while adding a twist with two simple face-framing braids. This style is ideal if you want to keep your natural texture on show while still adding a little extra detail around the front. The braids are practical too, helping to keep your hair out of your face throughout the day. You can keep them quite structured for a simple, understated look, or your loosen them for a softer, more boho vibe. If you really want to get creative, try adding beads or a touch of glitter.
How to Get the Face Framing Braids Look
- Cleanse with Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash and follow with a leave-in conditioner such as our Memory Moisture Release
- While the hair is still soaking wet, apply a gel styler like our Curl Defining Souffle, which is great as it offers moisture and medium hold. All three products are available in our HD Wash and Go Kit
- Use the Praying Hands method to smooth the hair and evenly distribute the products
- Rake to detangle and scrunch to enhance the curls section by section
- Use a microfiber towel to remove excess water and hover diffuse to allow the curls to dry where they are sitting without adding extra volume
- Make a parting from the front hairline, either down the center or just off-center (roughly an inch long)
- Braid the hair on both sides
- Finish by using our Bonding Oil on dry hair to scrunch out the cast and add shine
3. Curly Mohawk
If you’ re in the mood for rocking out at a festival this summer, why not try the curly Mohawk? This bold, statement style is all about embracing volume and frizz letting your curls take center stage while the sides are slicked back. It’s an edgy curly festival style that’s guaranteed to help you stand out from the crowd. For an extra touch, you can add metallic clips on the sides along the or a pop of color thorough the center curls.
How to Get the Curly Mohawk Look
- Shampoo with our Full Body Weightless Shampoo and Full Body Milk Conditioner
- While the hair is soaking wet, apply a leave-in conditioner such as our Weightless Air Dry Cream.
- Follow with a styler like our medium hold Hydro Flexi Jelly, which offers excellent definition
- Use the Praying Hands method to distribute the products evenly and smooth the hair
- Follow with the finger curling method to form medium-defined curls
- Remove excess water with a microfiber towel
- Pixie diffuse to enhance the curl and encourage volume until the hair is 100% dry
- Make a triangular section at the front of your hair using the end of both brows as a reference; the deeper back the parting, the more curls you have in the fringe area
- Take your next section from ear to ear and secure it with a slim satin hair tie.
- Split the remaining hair into 2 or 3 horizontal sections, depending on the density of your hair
- Apply our Curl Defining Souffle to the base for that extra sleek look, smooth into a ponytail, and secure with a satin scrunchie
4. Tendrils
Fancy taking it back to the 90s? Try styling your hair with Tendrils to complete your festival look. This throwback style is all about elevating a classic half up half down look with soft, face framing pieces, while letting the rest of your curls pop.
How to Get the Tendrils Look
- Cleanse the hair with our Frizz Control Shampoo and follow with our Conditioner which also doubles up as a leave-in conditioner.
- Follow with a volume styler such as our Invincible Volume Mousse
- Rake and scrunch to evenly distribute the product, detangle and enhance curl
- Remove excess water with a microfiber towel
- Pixie diffuse until the hair is 100% dry
- Split the hair from ear to ear and then split the top section down the middle
- Pull two curls forward (these are your Tendrils) on either side of your parting and secure the remaining hair in ponytails using satin scrunchies
5. Braided Up-Do
Festival hairstyle braids are super versatile and great for adding personality to your look. They’re especially ideal for festivals as they keep up style secure from day through to night, no matter how much dancing you have planned. Whether you opt for bold or subtle, braids are a great way to make your hairstyle feel more unique. For the finishing touches, try adding rings, cuffs, beads, or even a pop of color to make your braids really stand out.
How to Get the Braided Up Do Look
- Mist hair with a water spray and add our Shake & Shine to moisturize and revive your existing curls.
- Section the hair at the front, braid, and secure with a small band
- Use a strong-hold styler such as our In-Shower Style Fixer to smooth the hair into a ponytail and secure it with a satin scrunchie
- Fluff out the ponytail for extra volume
6. Temporary Color
It's almost in the bag with a selection of curly festival hairstyles, so let's talk color. If you’re looking to create the ultimate showstopper, adding a pop of temporary color is the perfect way to elevate your look. While achieving vibrant shades oft requires bleach (especially on darker hair), that’s not always ideal, particularly for curls. Don't worry; there’s no need to miss out or compromise your curls to get that vibrant pop of color.
With a choice of turquoise, rose gold, ruby red, or copper, the world is your oyster with Curlsmith Temporary Hair Color. Its quick, easy and instantly transforms your style, giving you that fun festival wow-factor.
This innovative formula works both as a color and a styling gel in one. coating the hair with intense pigment that sits on top of the cuticle, meaning no damage and no long-term commitment.
Even those with dark hair can enjoy vibrant pops. The no-commitment color rinses out in just one wash, so you can switch it up as often as you like. Plus, it won't stain your clothes, hands, or hair, even if it's grey or bleached.
How to Apply Temporary Color
- Cleanse the hair with our Essential Moisture Shampoo, then follow with the Essential Moisture Conditioner
- Apply a leave-in conditioner to moisturize and prime the hair, such as our Curl Conditioning Oil-in cream
- Section the hair, then squeeze a dollop of color into your hands and work it between your palms
- Rake the temporary color through each section, making sure all strands are evenly coated
- Choose your desired styling technique, then repeat the process on each section throughout your hair.
- Air dry or diffuse.
How to Maintain your Festival Hairstyles
By now, you should have an idea of which festival hairstyle you’re going to try so let’s dive into how to maintain and protect your curls throughout the festival. If you’re lucky enough to be out in the sun, shielding your hair from UV rays is a must. Our Miracle Shield is a lightweight mist designed to do exactly that, and you can reapply it throughout the day as often as you would sunblock. This fine weightless formula makes it ideal for spritzing over any style without disrupting your look.
For more expert tips on keeping your curl healthy, hydrated, and protected during the warmer months, take a look at our summer curls guide.
Turquoise
Rose Gold
Ruby Red
Gold
Copper
Multi-colored
Festival season is the perfect time to have fun with your curls and try something different. Whether you opt for space buns, braids, or bold pops of color, curly festival hairstyles are all about expressing your individuality. With the right products and care, your curls will stay protected from the start of the festival straight through to the night. So, pick your favorite style, experiment with accessories and color, and fully embrace those festival good vibes.
