Diwali 2020: 5 Bollywood celebrity-approved hairstyles you can try this year

Diwali might be celebrated at a smaller scale this year, but if there's any time of the year where experimental hairstyles are welcome, it is during the festive season. Zeroing in on the perfect look for every occasion—a cards party, a puja with family or a virtual family catch-up—can be overwhelming, especially if you're attempting to put together a fun hair look for each event. Ahead, we round up of our favourite Bollywood hairstyle looks from the last few months, so you can bookmark and replicate them easily.

1. Sweep your hair into a sleek updo 

Updos, like chignons and braided buns, may look sophisticated and refined, but can difficult hairstyles to do if you're a newbie. Instead, try a deep side-parted bun (Deepika Padukone's signature). It looks professional if you have a Diwali party with colleagues, and works just as well if you're going out for the evening too. The sleek low bun is particularly great if you're wearing a backless blouse or lehenga—and allows the makeup, jewellery and cut of the outfit to shine. Need a hairstyle to cover up slightly greasy strands? Slick second-day hair with a gel, oil or cream to tap down any flyaways or frizzy bits. Straighten strands, and then gather at the centre of the back of your head or nape of your deck, securing with a band or ponytail holder. 

2. Add a hair accessory 

Keeping it simple with your makeup and outfit instead? Accentuate your hairstyle with a hair accessory that'll work with your festive-wear. Fresh flowers are the most traditional approach—try weaving baby's breath or hydrangeas in your braid, bun or ponytail for a fresh (and sweet-smelling) take. If you'd like to try something more modern, look for headbands, hair pins and clips in gold and silver shades—they'll go with most of your outfits and match with your jewellery too. 

3. Try a loose, voluminous ponytail

A textured ponytail with all-out volume can be cooler than a stuffy, prim updo, especially if you're going to a card party or a get-together with cousins. The style is versatile, and is also easy to create and maintain—you won't have to keep moving the hair out of your place while you play an intense game. If you have thin, fine hair that is lacking thickness in the front, adding a pouf like Kapoor Ahuja's is key. To do so, leave a piece of hair from the temple out, and scrape the rest of the hair into a loose, low ponytail. Unclip the front and back-comb it to create texture, and then secure with bobby pins on top. To add even more texture, use a curling iron to add random waves through the ponytail to zhush it up. 

4. Rely on cool-girl waves

Beach waves are the best summer hairstyle. But when you're going to a Diwali party or hosting a dinner at home, you'll want a more polished take on the wave. Plus, you want it to stay all night long, and look great (and frizz-free) for all the photos. Experts say that the secret is to let your tonged-curls cool, and then brush them out using a detangling comb. Some also like to soften the curl by pulling each section down to create a looser shape, and straightening the very end for a more modern approach. 

5. Go for flipped-out waves

For the most modern approach, look back and take a cue from the ’90s. Straightened hair with out flips like Anushka Sharma’s works well with kurtas and more contemporary Indian wear, and can work if you're going to a party or even having a Zoom get-together. To get the look, section your strands and straighten them totally flat. Then use a curling iron to gently flip out the ends, working piece by piece. 

Also read:

3 celebrity hairstylists share the top hair trends for 2020

Vogue’s Diwali 2020 gift guide: The most luxe beauty and wellness products you can buy for your loved ones

20 Bollywood makeup looks that will inspire yours for all the Diwali parties