After a two year long hiatus, Coachella is finally back, bringing with it the long-awaited return of festival hair. If you’ve missed the wild hair transformations, experimental hair colors and dare we say it, even the flower crowns—you’re not alone. As much as Coachella is about the music and epic performances, at this point, we all know that it’s definitely the next-level hair looks that often take center stage each year.
While the first weekend of fashion’s favorite music festival has already brought us plenty of incredible hairstyles to obsess over, you might be wondering what hair trends are still expected to make an appearance during the second weekend and the rest of festival season. As it turns out, we had the pleasure of speaking to LA-based hairstylist Anastasiia Terebova who answered all of our burning festival-related hair questions.
Ahead, Terebova shares her insight on festival hair predictions, desert-proof hair tips, and how she preps for styling Coachella hair.
The Tease: How do you think the two-year hiatus will impact the hairstyles and looks that we see this year at Coachella?
Anastasiia Terebova: Overall, I’d say the style won’t change much—various braids are still in, beach waves, curls, flower accessories and a lot of glitter. But, my guess is we’re gonna see trendsetters with Y2K hairstyles this year as well.
Braids and space buns have always been festival go-to for hair. This year, what styles do you predict will be popular?
Terebova: I think braids will always be relevant, since not only is it a tradition for music festivals, but it’s also convenient for the hot desert weather. I’d say, this year baby braids, beach waves, pigtails (and sky-high pigtails), and straight shiny hair will be among popular choices.
We’ve seen such a huge Y2K revival recently in the hair and beauty space. How do you think this will influence festival hair?
Terebova: I noticed how this trend took over TikTok and Instagram partly, and some celebrities and bloggers have adopted this trend too. So, I think we will be seeing a lot of hairstyles with colorful scrunchies, butterfly and flower hair clips, crimped hair, chunky highlights, side-swept bangs, and zig-zag parting in the next two years, and not only in the festival realm.
What hair accessories do you expect to be making an appearance this year at Coachella? Can we finally retire the flower crown or are they just nostalgic enough to be cool again?
Terebova: Since we are spotting a lot of Y2K influence on fashion, I think we are going to see rubber bands, butterfly and flower hair clips, colorful extensions, and maybe some hair brands. There is also some sort of tradition to choose outfits and/or hairstyles inspired by a headliner artist. Last time many showed up with a high ponytail—one of Ariana Grande’s signature looks. This year, I guess we will be seeing sunflower accessories— as a tribute to a Harry Styles’ song.
A flower crown is one of the most recognizable trademarks of open-air music festivals. So, this style seems to be always staying around, it’s just going to adjust according to current trends.
How early do you typically start preparing for Coachella and what does your prep really look like?
Terebova: Hairstylist’s prep usually begins from the moment they are booked. For some, it might be up to six months before the festival, for some just a couple of days prior. Here’s what the process looks like: first,the whole team of a hairstylist, makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist collect references to their taste, send it to a group chat, and then a celebrity/artist chooses what they love most. Then, everyone discusses how to put together three different looks for three festival days out of all the choices. After celebrity/artist’s approval of all the looks, I purchase accessories and hair, if needed. Sometimes, I would do the hairstyle on a mannequin head to demonstrate the final result of the hairstyle and accessories, and send photo/video to the entire team.
What are some of your hair product essentials for Coachella and festival season? What products do you stock up on? What can you never have enough of?
Terebova: My essentials are heat protectant hairspray, strong hairspray (Got2b Glued Blasting Freezing Spray or L’Oreal Paris Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray), hair gel (Ampro Shine ‘n Jam Gel and Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel), and Bed Head After Party Super Smoothing Cream.
Usually, when I work out of town, I stock up on everything, especially hair extensions and accessories. At a new location, it can be tricky to find one’s way around and hunt down everything on the spot—sometimes there’s no time for that either. I also buy glitter, rhinestones, pearls, and kanekalon (synthetic hair) in time for the festival season.
I’m a big fan of spray-wax. It’s multifunctional and a staple in my kit (my favorites are Redken Wax Blast 10 Finishing Hairspray Wax and Kevin Murphy Touchable Spray Wax). Also, R+Co Continental Glossing Wax, texturizing sprays (Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray and R +Co Trophy Shine Texture Spray), thickening sprays (Bed Head Maxxed-Out Massive Hold Hairspray), moisturizing cream (Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream and R+Co High Dive Moisture and Shine Cream), Kiss Colors & Care Edge Fixer Glued Hair Gel, and Kevin Murphy Shimmer.Shine.
Lastly, what hair tips do you have for surviving the desert heat?
Terebova: The easiest and most effective protection would be headwear. It shields your hair from UVA and also prevents heat stroke. I also recommend using thermal protection hair products, since sun damage can be as serious as one from hot tools. Dry shampoo is super helpful, I recommend applying it before styling your hair, then it will be absorbing the oil throughout the day and the style will last longer.
To see more of Terebova’s work, be sure to follow @anastasiia.terebova on Instagram.
