Brides who want their hair down usually expect it to be the easy option. In my experience it’s the opposite. An updo is locked in with pins; hair worn down has nothing holding it except the way it was set, and it has to survive a veil, a long day, and probably some tears. Medium length is a good length for it, because there’s enough hair to move but not so much weight that curls drop by lunchtime. Below are twenty down styles, from Hollywood waves to a floral crown, with what each one needs to last.
Why Hair Worn Down Needs More Prep Than an Updo
With an updo, pins do most of the work. Down styles rely on how well the curl was set, and on the hair underneath them. There are three things I always do for a bride wearing her hair down.
- Prep the hair for hold. A volumizing mousse at the root and a heat protectant with some grip through the lengths before any heat. Silky, freshly conditioned hair can release a curl within an hour.
- Let every curl cool in a pin curl. A curl takes its shape as it cools, not as it heats. Brushing curls while warm is the most common reason waves fall flat by the first dance.
- Build hidden anchors. A few crossed pins behind the ears and at the crown, under the top layer. They hold accessories and veils, and keep the hair from creeping forward.
Humidity is the other thing to plan for. If your ceremony is outdoors in summer, I’d choose a looser wave that won’t look ruined when it relaxes, rather than defined curls that will.
1. Loose Hollywood Waves for Medium Hair
Hollywood waves are curls set in one direction and brushed until they join into smooth S shapes. The brushing is where most of the skill lies. Brush too early and the wave collapses; brush too little and you get separate curls instead of one shape. I let every curl cool pinned, brush with a boar bristle brush, then use a little smoothing serum on the surface. A classic gown and a simple veil are a natural match.
2. Beachy Waves With a Middle Part
Beach waves with a middle part feel relaxed and modern. I curl in alternating directions, leaving an inch at the ends straight, then break the curls up with my fingers. The middle part needs to be exactly in the center; a part that drifts looks careless in close-up photos. Coastal and garden weddings suit this best, and a small floral pin behind one ear is all it needs.
3. Sleek Straight Wedding Hair Down
Sleek, straight hair is the most honest of the down styles: every split end and kink shows. I flat iron in thin sections and finish with shine serum, then decide between a center or deep side part based on the shape of the face. It goes well with a structured, modern gown. If your hair has natural wave, humidity will bring it back by evening, so I’d only choose this for an indoor or dry day.
4. Soft Curls With a Side Part
This look gathers bouncy, voluminous curls toward a deep side part. The deep part gives lift at the root, and I curl the lighter side away from the face so it doesn’t fall forward. The heavy side needs a couple of hidden pins behind the ear, or the curls creep back to center. A jeweled clip sits nicely at the edge of the part.
5. Half Crown Braid With Hair Down
A half crown braid runs across the top of the head and holds the front back like a headband. The rest stays loose in waves. I braid it from one temple to the other and pin it at both ends, pulling the edges out so it’s visible from the front in photos. Medium hair with lots of layers can be tricky here, as the short pieces escape the braid, so a little wax helps. Tiny flowers tucked into the braid suit a garden wedding.
6. Curtain Bangs With Wavy Bridal Hair
Curtain bangs suit a lot of faces because they frame the eyes and soften the cheekbones. Paired with medium length wavy bridal hair worn down, they make a soft, face-framing look. I blow-dry the bangs with a round brush first, rolling them away from the face, so they blend into the waves. If you’re cutting them for the wedding, do it about two weeks before, not the week of, so they’ve had time to settle.
7. Tousled Waves With a Floral Hairpiece
Tousled waves with a floral piece tucked to one side make hair feel like part of the garden. I attach the flowers to a comb or a wire base so they sit firmly rather than pinning stems directly into the hair. Fresh flowers wilt in heat, so for an afternoon outside I’d ask your florist for sturdy blooms, conditioned overnight. It pairs well with flowy, romantic gowns and an outdoor ceremony.
8. Deep Side Part With Glam Waves
Deep side part, full glossy waves: this is the glamorous end of the list. The part lifts the crown and the hair falls heavily to one side, so I pin the underside of that side with a few criss-crossed pins to carry the weight. A ballroom or black-tie wedding is the right setting. Statement earrings on the open side complete it.
9. Boho Waves With a Twisted Accent
Small twists from the temples meeting at the back give boho waves a little structure. I keep the twists loose and pin them beneath the waves so the pins don’t show. They hold the front back without making the style look done-up. Lace gowns and simple gold accessories go well with it, and it suits meadow, vineyard or beach weddings.
10. Voluminous Curls With a Veil
Full curls under a veil look romantic, but tulle presses the crown flat over a few hours. I add extra lift there before the veil goes on, with root mousse and a little back-combing under the top layer, so the shape survives. When the veil comes off for the reception, the curls carry on by themselves. A texturizing spray on the lengths keeps them from separating into strands.
11. Straight Hair With a Sleek Center Part
A sharp center part and straight hair is the most minimal look here. I check the part line carefully at the trial, because many people’s natural part sits slightly off-center and forcing it can leave a gap. It works with sleek satin gowns and modern venues. A couple of tiny crystal pins or a thin headband add some sparkle if you want it.
12. Wavy Lob Worn Down for the Bride
The lob is one of the most popular cuts I see in the chair right now, and it’s great worn down for a wedding. With less weight than longer hair, waves stay bouncy and hold for longer. I curl with a medium iron and keep the waves loose. It pairs well with a minimalist gown and a sparkly clip, and you don’t need long hair for a romantic down style.
13. Romantic Curls With Babys Breath
Sprigs of delicate babys breath tucked into soft curls keep the flowers light. I push small sprigs into the curls and hold each with a bobby pin, rather than spraying hairspray directly on them, which can make the tiny flowers look dull. Baby’s breath holds up better than most fresh flowers in warm weather, which makes it good for spring and summer weddings. It goes well with lace gowns.
14. Side Swept Waves Over One Shoulder
Side swept waves over one shoulder show off the neckline on the other side. I pin the hair behind one ear and sweep the rest across, brushing it smooth. An open-back gown or statement earrings benefit most from the bare side. Tuck a decorative comb behind the swept side, which also helps hold the hair in place.
15. Textured Waves With a Headband
An embellished headband over textured waves frames the face neatly. The trouble with headbands is that they can press into the scalp and cause a headache after a few hours. I try them on at the trial for at least an hour to check, and pin them in at both ends so they don’t slide forward. Crystal, pearl or floral bands all work, depending on the theme.
16. Loose Curls With a Deep Center Part
Loose curls with a deep center part fall evenly on both sides, which suits oval and heart-shaped faces well. I curl each side away from the face so it frames symmetrically. Pins hidden behind each ear stop the curls falling forward. It works with both boho and classic gowns.
17. Beach Waves With a Sparkly Hair Clip
One accessory can change the whole look. Beach waves with a crystal or pearl clip pinning back one side keep the hair off your face. I slide a bobby pin underneath the clip so it grips; decorative clips alone often slip in silky hair. Pair it with a flowy or minimalist gown. These beachy waves with a chic clip are among the easiest styles here to maintain.
18. Sleek Straight Hair With a Bridal Comb
Sleek, straight hair with a jeweled or pearl comb near the crown suits a contemporary bride. Combs need hair to grip, and straight, silky hair gives them very little, so I make a small hidden base of crossed pins first and slide the comb into it. Finish with shine serum. A structured gown and a modern venue fit this best.
19. Wavy Hair With Twisted Side Pieces
Small twists pulled back from each side give wavy hair a little structure while the rest falls free. I twist from each temple and pin at the back, hiding pins under the waves. It’s an easy, practical style for boho, garden or vineyard weddings. Tiny flowers or pearl pins along the twists finish it.
20. Glossy Curls With a Floral Crown
Glossy curls worn down under a floral crown are the most romantic look here. I set the crown after curling, pinning it in at several points around the head so it doesn’t move when you hug people. Fresh flower crowns wilt, so ask your florist for hardy blooms and keep the crown cool until it goes on. For a bride who wants to feel like a flower-adorned goddess, it’s hard to beat at an outdoor wedding.
Getting the Ends Ready for Close-Up Photos
Hair worn down shows its condition in a way an updo hides. Dry, split ends catch the light and look fuzzy in close-ups. I’d book a trim about three to four weeks before the wedding, enough to clean up the ends but with time for the cut to soften.
A gloss or glaze treatment at the salon a week or so before adds shine without changing the color. Be careful with deep conditioning treatments in the last two days, though. They’re good for the hair but can leave it too soft and slippery to hold a curl.
Wearing a Veil With Nothing Pinned Up
This is the question I’m asked most by brides wearing their hair down. A veil comb needs something to grip. I build a small base at the crown from a few crossed pins, tucked under the top layer, then slide the comb in at an angle with its teeth facing the hair. For a long or cathedral veil, I’d place the comb lower, toward the back of the head, so the weight pulls straight down rather than tugging the crown backward.
Ask your stylist to show your maid of honor how to remove the veil without pulling the comb straight out. Gentle wiggling, then lifting, keeps the curls intact for the reception.
Bring Your Favorites to a Trial at Ceremony Time
Wearing your medium length hair down lets you look most like yourself on the day, whether that’s glossy Hollywood waves or boho curls under flowers. Any of these styles can take a veil, a clip or a few flowers. The difference between hair that lasts and hair that drops is the prep and the setting, so ask your stylist what she’ll do to hold it. Take photos of your favorites to your trial, and test it at the same time of day as your ceremony if you can.
You'll Like These Ideas:
Leave a Reply