Hair Accessory 101: The Most Popular Options And How To Wear Them
So many options, so little time…where do you even start when it comes wedding hair accessories?
I get asked a lot about the options that are available, so I’ve put together this handy guide to give you the ins and outs of the most popular bridal hair accessory options, how to wear them and find out whether they’re a good fit for you!
Want to narrow down your search right now and search by your hair type? Click here for some tailored advice!
Hi! I’m Sarah…
An accessory designer who creates timeless headpieces for whimsical brides who celebrate style over trends.
I help you to find accessories you'll fall in love with, taking you behind the scenes with me to see every detail coming together, from design to final piece, with an experience that keeps you at the heart of the process.
The Queen Bee: Hair Vines
Chances are you’ve probably pinned a few vines on your Pinterest board or saved them on Instagram. These creations add wow factor to any hair style and are the top choice for many brides for so many reasons!
What’s so great about them?
First of all, they’re lightweight and feel comfortable to wear, a bonus in my book every day! They don’t pull on your hair or pinch, like headbands and tiaras can do after a day’s wear.
Secondly, they are incredibly versatile. Wrap them around an up do, wear them in loose hair or weave them through plaits…you aren’t limited to any type of style with a vine.
This is great because you don’t need to worry about what you’re doing with your hair before you choose your accessory. Your hair vine will work however you need it to (and your hairdresser will know exactly what to do too!).
Just as they work for all hair styles, they also work for all hair types too! And yes, that includes short or fine hair.
For fine hair worn loose, opt for vines with details that are more delicate as heavy metallic details are likely to pull your hair and feel uncomfortable.
The other secret bonus to hair vines is they can be transformed in to far more than a hair accessory. They can be worn as a necklace or belt by attaching ribbons through the loops at either end, or could be stitched on to a handbag or even cut in half and stitched on to your shoes with clear thread.
In other words, a hair vine will always be worth the investment!
Suggestions for you…
Going steady: Tiaras and Headbands
Something Blue tiara
Headbands had a bit of a revival last year, when we saw huge bauble-encrusted bands and turban-style headbands gracing images in bridal magazines, blogs and our Instagram feeds.
What’s so great about them?
Headbands and tiaras are great options if you tend to fiddle with your hair or have fine hair that you’re planning to wear loose and want an accessory with heavier detail - the band will distribute the weight across your head, rather than pulling and damaging your delicate tresses.
Their one downside though is that after a day’s wear, they can start to pinch behind your ears. Choose a thin band to reduce pinching or sometimes I suggest that I create a wire band made to your head measurements that can be pinned behind your ears with hair grips. Something like this will have a bit more flexibility in the base, making it feel as light as a vine, but still feel secure in your hair.
Thinner bands pinch less, or I can make a custom flexible band for you that will feel as light as a feather!
Suggestions for you…
A Classic: Hair Combs
Bridal hair combs have always been very popular, but they can put some brides off because they’re worried about them slipping out of their hair.
Combs work best when they have something to grip in to, like a plait, bun or any half-up do.
The holy trinity for keeping a hair comb in: Volumising powder, backcombing and a handful of hair grips!
The trick to making them work in loose hair is threefold: Hair spray or volumising powder, gentle backcombing and hair grips.
The spray and volumising powder give your hair more texture, allowing some friction between your hair and the comb. Backcombing (don’t worry, I’m not talking big 80’s hair!) gives a little more volume and staying power to your hair and hair grips will secure your comb in place so you can feel comfortable wearing it all day.
Curly girls may not need this though, as you’re likely blessed with a mane that can easily hold the weight of a comb with little effort. Fine haired brides may find delicate combs sit more comfortably in their hair, as they won’t pull too much on your fine strands.
Helpful tip:
Combs can come in different lengths and can have flat or looped teeth. I personally prefer flat-toothed combs in my own fine hair as I feel they grip better and I can slide a hair grip over their teeth, but you can equally slide hair grips through looped-tooth combs too if you prefer that style.
Suggestions for you…
Best for up dos: Hair pins
The long legs on hair pins make them ideal for pinning in to plaits, buns and ponytails. In fact, as long as you have a small braid or twist in your style , you can easily hold a few hair pins.
Hair pins also offer some flexibility which makes them so popular. They can have a minimal design or be more elaborate, with trailing details that can give the illusion of a hair vine.
They can be worn spread through your hair or clustered together to give the effect of a comb.
While they tend to be trickier in shorter hair, they can always be pinned in place with hair grips, so all hope is not lost if you’ve fallen for a set of pins!
Hair pins are great alternatives to vines for plaits...the same detail, with fewer tangles.
Suggestions for you…
How a consultation with me can help you
As bespoke designs are my speciality, I work with you to design something that not only looks beautiful, but feels comfortable to wear and stays true to you.
It doesn’t matter what’s trending at the time, my attention is on you and making sure that you fall in love with your accessory because you know instantly that it belongs with you.
The best thing is that you can book a consultation with me to ask any questions and get some advice, with no commitment to work with me unless you love the ideas I share with you and you feel we’re a good fit.
You really have nothing to lose! Book your free consultation here and I’ll help you discover what’s going to be your best fit.