Jane
Fashion Week is known for its daring and glamorous hairstyles, but the real secret lies in the styling hacks that elevate every look. Whether aiming for a sleek, polished finish or experimenting with bold, avant-garde styles, fashion week hair hacks are the key to unlocking your hair’s true potential. From layering accessories to playing with textures and placements, these expert tips will help you master the art of accessorizing and create runway-worthy looks daily. Get ready to experiment and transform your style with these must-know hacks!
Fashion Week Hair Hacks for Instant Glam Looks
1. Combine Clips and Pins for an Editorial Effect
One of the biggest trends on the runway is layering hair accessories to create a styled, editorial look. Rather than just using one clip or pin, layering different pieces adds dimension and interest to your hairstyle.
- How to Do It: Start with a base clip, such as a simple barrette or a sleek metal pin, and then layer a few more decorative pieces. This could include a pearl-encrusted barrette, a crystal clip, or a statement pin that draws attention.
Styling Tip: Place the clips in varying positions (e.g., at the crown, on the sides, or just above the ear) to add texture and style while ensuring the layers don’t feel too heavy or bulky. This technique works well for everything from casual ponytails to elegant updos, offering an instantly elevated vibe.
2. Play with Placement
Placement is just as important as the pieces themselves when it comes to hair accessories. Fashion Week stylists often advise breaking traditional styling rules and experimenting with placement to achieve unique looks.
- How to Do It: While side placement is a classic, try positioning your accessories in unexpected places. Consider adding a decorative clip or comb to the middle of your part for a fresh, fashion-forward look. Alternatively, try placing accessories at the crown or nape of your neck to add interest and balance to your hairstyle.
Styling Tip: The crown area is an excellent place for statement clips, while the nape of the neck works well with delicate pins or hair combs that highlight the elegance of an updo or low bun.
3. Bobby Pins for Added Support
Fashion Week often incorporates accessories that seem effortless, but behind the scenes, stylists rely on small tricks to ensure everything stays in place. One of the best-kept secrets is the use of invisible anchors—plain bobby pins hidden beneath your accessories for added security.
- How to Do It: If using a barrette or a large clip, insert a few small, invisible bobby pins underneath to keep the accessory in place without adding visible bulk. This technique ensures that your hair stays styled all day (or night) without worrying about things slipping out of place.
Styling Tip: Match the bobby pins to your hair color for maximum invisibility, or opt for clear or matte pins for a more discreet effect. This ensures your accessories stay in place while the pins remain entirely undetectable.
4. Velvet, Metal, and Resin for Visual Interest
Texture is a key element in fashion and equally important when choosing the right hair accessories. Mixing different textures can add depth and dimension to your hairstyle, making even the most straightforward looks stand out.
- How to Do It: Combine materials like velvet, metal, and resin to create a layered, multi-dimensional look. For instance, pair a soft velvet scrunchie with a sleek, metallic barrette or clip it with a resin-based pin for a polished but unique effect.
Styling Tip: Balance the textures. If one accessory is bold, like a significant metal clip, pair it with something subtler, like a velvet or silk scrunchie, to maintain harmony. This contrast of textures adds richness and sophistication to your hairstyle.
5. Keep It Balanced
One of the golden rules of Fashion Week stylists is balance. While accessories are a great way to enhance your look, overloading on too many can lead to a chaotic or cluttered appearance. Instead, focus on making one bold statement with your accessories and keep the rest subtle and complementary.
- How to Do It: If you’re using a large statement piece, like a jeweled headband or oversized clip, pair it with simple pins or a minimalist headband to avoid overwhelming the look. Think of accessories as punctuation marks—too many can disrupt the flow of your hairstyle.
Styling Tip: Consider letting your accessories do the talking for a chic, balanced look. If you choose a dramatic hairpin or comb, skip the additional decorative elements and keep the rest of your hairstyle simple. A sleek low ponytail or tousled waves paired with a single dramatic accessory will always look sophisticated and polished.
6. Fashion Week Hair Hacks: Go Vintage
Vintage accessories can add a sense of personality and character to your look that modern pieces can’t match. Fashion Week stylists often draw inspiration from the past, using rare or unique finds to create memorable, stand-out moments on the runway.
- How to Do It: Visit thrift stores, vintage boutiques, or online shops specializing in retro accessories. Look for vintage pins, combs, or headbands with intricate details, such as Art Deco designs, floral motifs, or antique metal finishes. These accessories add a timeless, curated feel to your style.
Styling Tip: Pair a vintage accessory with a modern hairstyle to create a fresh and nostalgic contrast. For example, a 1950s-style rhinestone comb can instantly elevate a modern messy bun, or a vintage floral barrette can add charm to sleek, straight hair.
7. Contrast with Hair Color
One styling secret that many Fashion Week insiders use is ensuring the color of the accessory contrasts beautifully with your hair color. This makes the accessory pop and adds more intrigue to your look.
- How to Do It: If you have darker hair, add metallic or light-colored accessories such as gold, silver, or pearl barrettes to create a striking contrast. For lighter hair, deep-toned accessories, like rich emeralds or burgundy, can stand out beautifully. Experiment with bold or complementary colors to make your accessories more impactful.
Styling Tip: Choose colors that complement or stand out from your hair for visual contrast. A bold contrast draws attention to your hairstyle and the accessory, creating a statement look without overdoing it.
8. Opt for Multifunctional Pieces
Fashion Week stylists often opt for accessories that offer both function and style. Whether it’s a headband that also serves as a hairband or a clip that secures your hair while adding decoration, multifunctional pieces are key for a practical yet chic look.
- How to Achieve It: Seek accessories that offer functionality and style in one. For instance, a wide headband with an integrated comb keeps your hair secure while adding a touch of flair. Likewise, fabric-wrapped hair ties or satin scrunchies protect your hair from damage and create a chic, polished look.
Styling Tip: Prioritize accessories that combine style and practicality. A beautiful silk scrunchie, for instance, can keep hair neatly tied while adding a luxurious touch. This functionality ensures that your accessories are fashionable but also comfortable and practical.
9. Highlight Your Facial Features
A clever technique often employed by Fashion Week stylists is choosing accessories that highlight the face, accentuating key features. This elevates your hairstyle and complements and enhances your facial structure.
- How to Do It: Consider accessories that sit around the face, such as small clips or headbands, to add focus to your eyes, cheekbones, or jawline. If you aim for a more symmetrical look, choose balanced accessories on both sides of your face.
Styling Tip: If you have a strong jawline, try placing accessories like clips near the temples to draw attention to your face’s natural shape. If you have soft features, opt for more delicate accessories that frame your face gently without overwhelming it.
10. Play with Scale
Stylistically, Fashion Week often leans toward bold contrasts, and the same principle applies to mixing accessories. Playing with the scale of your accessories can add dimension and help you create a more visually engaging style.
- How to Do It: Mix larger, bold accessories, such as oversized barrettes or chunky hairpins, with more delicate pieces. For example, a chunky headband paired with dainty clips adds an eclectic touch, making your hair look more dynamic.
Styling Tip: If you’re going for a dramatic effect, keep one accessory larger and more noticeable while the others are smaller and subtler. This combination of scales will ensure your accessories are well-coordinated but stand out individually.
11. Go for the Unexpected
Fashion Week is about pushing boundaries, which extends to hair accessories. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected materials like leather, wood, or feathers, which can add an avant-garde feel to your hairstyle.
- How to Achieve It: Explore unique materials or add handcrafted, artisanal pieces to your accessory lineup. For instance, a leather headband adorned with metal studs or a wooden hairpin can introduce a rustic or bold edge to your ensemble, making it ideal for high-fashion moments or more adventurous styles.
Styling Tip: When using unconventional materials, ensure the rest of your hairstyle remains relatively simple so the focus is on the unique accessory. If you’re using a wooden or leather piece, let it be the statement while keeping the hair sleek or loosely styled.
12. Recycle and Repurpose Old Pieces
Another stylist trick is reinventing old or unused accessories. Vintage items or forgotten pieces can be revived and transformed into something new, giving them a second life while saving money and adding character to your style.
- How to Do It: Review your accessory collection and repurpose older pieces. You might transform a vintage brooch into a hairpin or attach a ribbon to an old pin to create a fresh headband. You can even mix and match different accessories from the past to create new combinations.
Styling Tip: Play with old pieces, turning them fresh and modern. For example, a vintage brooch pinned into the side of a sleek bun can add a charming, unexpected twist to an otherwise polished look.
Confidence and Creativity with Hair Accessories
When styling your hair with accessories, there are no hard and fast rules—only the freedom to express yourself. By layering, mixing textures, and playing with placement, you can unlock the potential of every hair accessory in your collection. Fashion Week stylists are experts in making the unexpected work. With these additional tips, you can confidently experiment with your hair accessories to create runway-worthy styles daily.
Remember that confidence is key, whether you’re trying out bold textures, adding vintage charm, or mixing materials in unexpected ways. The right accessory can completely transform your look, so have fun, play with different combinations, and, most importantly, wear your accessories proudly!
