The best hairstyles to go with every kind of Indian ethnic wear neckline
Allow your favourite Bollywood stars to show you the way

With the onslaught of weddings—celebrity and otherwise, you are absolutely forgiven for obsessively bookmarking twirl-ready lehengas and shimmery, Kira Kira-approved blouses. But once you find the outfit of your dreams, comes the next big question: what beauty look do you pair it with? This is where your hairstyle plays the MVP, effortlessly elevating an outfit to a complete ensemble. And while there is no denying the wonders that the right hairdo can do for your confidence, landing on a winner is not an easy process. To simplify matters, look to your neckline for cues. You wouldn’t want to drown a sultry backless choli behind a curtain of hair, nor would you want to overcrowd a stuffy, high neckline with voluminous waves. Here, Bollywood’s best show you how to find the perfect hairstyle for every kind of ethnic neckline.
One shoulder + Swept back hair
We won’t pretend that we haven’t been itching to pair this duo together ever since Deepika Padukone sashayed down the Met Gala red carpet earlier this year in a siren red Prabal Gurung and her signature wet hair look. If you’ve been wondering how this duet can be adapted for your ethnic wear, allow Shilpa Shetty Kundra to take the lead. Her hybrid sari dress from Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna called for some out-of-the-box choices with her hair, and she found a winner in artfully pinned back hair and soft, smoky makeup to complement the monochrome colour palette.
Halter neck + Messy braid
While it may be easy to rock a halter two-piece at the beach, this neckline poses some challenges when it comes to festive wear. Not only will you have to go against the grain and leave your necklaces at home, leaving your tresses loose isn’t an option either. To avoid eclipsing this innovative neckline, take notes from Janhvi Kapoor—the promotions run of Dhadak had her opting for dhoti pants and a halter kurta from Nikasha. In keeping with the fuss-free vibe, the young debutante swept her glossy mane into a messy braid hairstyle that did justice to the neckline.
Cape + High ponytail
Modern, chic and hassle-free—you won’t run out of reasons to love capes anytime soon. This ethnic staple also bodes good news for your beauty choices. While traditional necklines might have you reaching for your tried-and-tested poker straight locks, this fusion neckline allows you to push the envelope of possibilities. Karisma Kapoor’s monochrome lehenga was served with a no-frills high ponytail that allowed her webbed cape to remain the star of the show.
Backless + Updo
This one’s a no-brainer. If you are going to experiment with a bold silhouette, the diktat is strictly to go bold or go home. While an updo hairstyle is de rigueur to help you flaunt the hours you’ve been clocking in at the gym, your options are open when it comes to the texture. Padukone gave her staple slicked back look a rest and wore her backless Sabyasachi kurta set with a centre-parted bun, which looked chic and is easy to whip up.
Strapless + Loose waves
The year is 2018, and if you thought that sexy strapless numbers were best reserved for girls’ night outs, Jacqueline Fernandez would like you to reconsider. Sonam K Ahuja’s wedding earlier this year had her guests stepping out in their finest threads, and her Fernandez kept with the memo in a show-stopping Manish Malhotra sari and a strapless blouse. To avoid stepping into the trying-too-hard territory, follow her lead and pair yours with loose, undefined waves. And don’t forget fluff your hair at the roots to turn up the drama.
Also read:
Your step-by-step guide to Priyanka Chopra’s mehandi makeup and hairstyle
Karisma Kapoor’s braided hairstyle is perfect for the wedding season
The best bridal hairstyles for Indian weddings
Deepika Padukone’s bridal hairstylist: “She looked beyond royalty”
17 times Deepika Padukone served us with perfect bridal beauty looks