7 Ways To Wear The Pearl Hair Trend Like An It Girl
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It seems no matter where you look, pearls are everywhere these days, but mostly on our heads. First on romantic headbands in clusters, and now they’ve made their way into the actual strands themselves. Whether it’s a chic chignon with one pearl comb tucked in, stitched into braids, a tousled head of waves with pearl pins lined up on the side, or a messy topknot with pearl clips large and in charge up the back – pearl hair is hot right now.
And to prove it, we asked a few of the celebrity stylists leading the charge what their favorite looks are, and how to recreate them. No longer reserved for a formal moment – or a jewelry statement around the neck, lobes, or fingers – the 2020 way to rock pearls is woven into your mane.
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Celebrity stylist and R+Co collective member Ashely Streicher was so smitten with the pearl accessory trend, she decided to design her own. And we’re just as taken with this scrunchied topknot with oversized R+Co x Ashley Streicher Pearl Hair Pins, $50, holding up the back wispies. (FYI, you get one pearl bobby pin and one pearl snap pin in her set.)
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“I’m obsessed with putting short hair in an easy, messy Frenchie bun and securing it with a few of the pearl hairpins,” says Streicher. Here she used four in a row, but we think this ‘do would look just as fierce with them haphazardly stuck all over.
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According to hairstylist LEGEND Sally Hershberger, the pearl hair trend can add a bit of a wow factor to a traditional style without being too much. “I’m particularly into this half-up half-down look with scattered pearls throughout, rather than just including one clip,” she says. “It’s like having a work of art in your hair.”
How to recreate the look:
1. Apply a little Sally Hershberger 24K Supreme Stylist Voluminous Dry Shampoo, $32, to add volume and texture, then put your hair in a half-up half-down style with a small, clear rubber band.
2. Next, take bobby pins with a variety of pearl sizes and place them sporadically in your hair.
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Stylist to The Kardashians and TIGI COPYRIGHT ambassador Andrew Fitzsimons is feeling the playfulness that comes with pearl hair territory. “There are no rules anymore, which is fun,” he says. “You can experiment with pearl clips that are totally different sizes and may not seem like they go together, for an effortless style.” Another bonus to this trend? It’s cheap AF to pull off. Fitzsimons recommends sourcing your pearl accessories from affordable retailers like Target, Primark and even Claire’s. “Before putting the clip in, spray the hair with a strong-hold hairspray, like TIGI’s Copyright Maximum Hold Hairspray, $19, which gives long-lasting grip so your clips won’t slide out of place,” he adds.
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“I like using unexpected accessories and materials in a look, so a chain of pearls like you see here can add really interesting dimension and character to a style,” Fitzsimons says. And although he admits there are no rules when it comes to this trend, he still prefers to place the pearls in surprising ways, like weaving them into a braid, or wrapping a bun with them.
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For a more runway-ready vibe, go the slicked-back route with a simple row of pearls. “I love that the pearls continue down the back of this sleek style, which looks so cool,” says master colorist/stylist and owner of Artistex Salon and Spa in Westport, CT, Odete DaSilva. To get the hair really taught against the head, she suggests applying Goldwell Lagoom Jam, $14, or Goldwell Style Sign 4 Unlimitor Wax Spray, $16.
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“The idea of a little sparkle floating through a beautiful style is dreamy,” says Nine Zero One Salon senior stylist Jill Buck. “I get my pearls from a craft store such as Michael’s, because if you look in the scrapbook section you’ll find all sorts of stickers that can be added to hair.” Buck’s hack for making them stick is using a strong gel, such as Joico JoiGel Firm Styling Gel 08, $15. “It’s safe to use on hair and is easily removed with warm water.”
What’s your fave way to wear the pearl hair trend? Let us know in the comments below.
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