While Coachella and Stagecoach may have already come and gone, festival season is only just getting started. With so many iconic festivals right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what cool hairstyles you’ll be sporting while dancing around a field listening to your favorite artists. Because as much as events like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Governors Ball are about the actual music, for daring hair lovers like us, they are also an excuse to be as experimental with your hair as you want.
If you’re planning to make beautiful curls, twists, or braids a part of your festival hair vibe, we’ve totally got you covered when it comes to hair inspiration. We’ve tapped our friends over at Donna’s Recipe, which was founded by viral sensation Tabitha Brown, and SLAYYY Hair to share a variety of eye-catching hairstyles that you’ll surely love, regardless of which festival you plan to attend this summer. From halo braids and twisted bantu knots to afro puff bubble pigtails, Brown’s go-to hairstylist, Shaylin Jones dreamed up a few hair ideas that you’ll want to recreate ASAP. We also asked SLAYYY Hair owner Diann Valentine how to recreate a few of these looks using SLAYYY Hair, too. And the best part? All of these stunning hair looks can easily be achieved using some of your favorite Donna’s Recipe and SLAYYY products.
Keep scrolling for step-by-step tutorials on seven hair looks that will definitely turn heads this festival season.
Natural Curls with Side Cornrows and Embellished Braided Tendrils
Some side accent cornrows are a great way to elevate your natural curls. To create even more of a dynamic look, don’t be afraid to decorate your accent braids with beads, jewels, and other interesting accessories.
Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones:
- Start with a wash-and-go, using Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Moisturizing Shampoo ($15.00) followed by Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Moisturizing Conditioner ($15.00).
- Set the natural curls using the LOC method with Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Leave-In Conditioner ($15.00), Strength Hair Oil ($25.00), and Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Hair Cream ($15.00).
- Once the wash-and-go is set, add three cornrows on either side. For the cornrow over the ear, braid forward. Finish by embellishing with beads and jewels.
- To finish the look, use a hair pick to get the volume seen on Donna.
Twisted Bantu Knots with Cornrows
Bantu knots are always a vibe and the perfect low-key hairstyle to rock during festival season. To take this simple style up a few notches, add some cornrows to the side of your head.
Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones:
- For this look, use Donna’s Recipe Hydration Mist Spray Bottle ($10.00) to refresh the hair texture. Then use Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Leave-in Conditioner ($15.00) to add moisture, part, and twist the hair easily.
- Once all the sections are parted, including two sections for cornrows, use no breakage elastic bands to ponytail each section.
- Then twist all the hair in the ponytails and wrap it in a bun/knot. For added fullness, also wrap kinky twisted hair and bobby pin it in to make each knot a little bigger.
- Finish using Donna’s Recipe Strength Hair Oil ($25.00) on the parts to ensure extra shine.
Double Afro Puffs with Braided Bangs
You can never go wrong with space buns for a music festival. This afro puff version offers a more textured-friendly take on the popular trend, especially with the addition of the braided bangs.
Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones:
- First, use Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Leave-In Conditioner ($15.00) and the Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Hair Cream ($15.00) to moisturize the hair. Then, section the hair in two sections for the ponytails and one bang section for the braids.
- Then, add six braids in the front for the bangs. Use Donna’s Recipe Strength Hair Oil ($25.00) between each braid and down to the end of the braids.
- Use a crochet hook to loop the braids flat to make a bang look.
- Brush the moisturized pre-sectioned hair into two sleek ponytails adding kinky curly hair for volume. Use a hair pick to get your desired shape.
Low Afro Puffs with Embellished Cornrows
Cornrows can totally add a bit of flare to a low afro puff. To up the ante on this look, add in a few gold jewels and clips to adorn your braids.
Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones:
- Start by moisturizing the hair using Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Leave-In Conditioner ($15.00) before sectioning into 4 sections for cornrows.
- Use Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Hair Cream ($15.00) on each strand for extra moisture and shine. Then, braid each section into 4 cornrows.
- Ponytail the ends of two cornrows together on each side and add kinky curly hair for the puffs (previously set the hair with curl cream). Pick the puffs until you achieve the desired shape.
- Embellish the cornrows with jewels and clips and finish with Donna’s Recipe Strength Hair Oil ($25.00) for shine.
Braided High Ponytail with Afro Puffs
A fierce braided high ponytail is guaranteed to keep your hair out of your face all day and keep you looking good on the festival grounds. To give your pony a more relaxed feel, opt for leaving some hair out at the ends to create some fun afro puffs.
Diann Valentine Shows Us How to Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones with SLAYYY Hair:
- Brush and sleek the hair into a high-center ponytail. Part the ponytail into two sections for braiding.
- Braid each section individually and weave two packs of SLAYYY hair (in the desired color) into each braid to obtain fullness. Once the desired length is braided to the end, secure the braids with no breakage elastic brands to avoid unraveling.
- Dramatically tease and spray with hairspray the remaining hair left out at the ends to form and maintain the afro puffs.
Afro Puff Bubble Pigtails
If a single afro puff bubble ponytail isn’t enough for you, you can always opt for two for a playful pigtail look. Make a point to go for higher ponytails to make more of a stylist impact!
Diann Valentine Shows Us How to Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones with SLAYYY Hair:
- Part the hair in the middle. Brush and sleek hair into 2 high ponytails.
- Insert a ponytail foam between each break in the ponytail. The foam form helps to develop the shape of the ponytails.
- Begin to weave 5 packs of SLAYYY Hair (in the desired color) into each ponytail. Be sure to cover each foam form so that it is hidden in the hairstyle. After it’s covered, that section must be secured with no breakage elastic bands.
- Continue this process until achieving the desired length. Tuck the remaining hair at the bottom of the style.
Halo Braid with Braided Tendrils
While a halo braid definitely looks beautiful on its own, adding some braided tendrils to each side can really help take this look to the next level—especially if you adorn each braid with some pretty beads.
Diann Valentine Shows Us How to Get the Look from Hairstylist and Educator Shaylin Jones with SLAYYY Hair:
- Begin with brushing, and parting the hair for braiding.
- Begin braiding the hair around the crown.
- Loosely weave in 2 packs of SLAYYY Hair (in the desired color) into the braid.
- Secure the braid as needed with bobby pins.
For more from Donna’s Recipe and SLAYYY Hair, be sure to follow @donnasrecipe and @slayyy_hair_ on Instagram.
