Step into the Bridgerton magic as we show you 15 classy hairstyles that will pull you right into the Regency era as if you were part of the Ton.
When I got my first Bridgerton request, I thought it was going to be a one-off request like when the finger waves were all the rage because of Downton Abbey. But now, there are Bridgerton requests in every salon across the country. Just last week, I had a client who, for the third time, referenced the show. It’s so true how Regency hairstyles suit modern faces. I would never have thought. Maybe it’s because they have a more ‘crafted’ approach and don’t just flatten everything like a 40s look.
Most of these styles do not require you to pretend you are living in a different time. In fact, you will be able to use these styles in your everyday life as they are just more polished versions of a classic half up, braid, and curly up do type of styles. To be honest, some of them will need a second pair of hands and a lot of effort but don’t worry, I’ll be clear about which ones.
#1: Brunette Bouffant Pony with Soft Curled Ends
This looks polished and professional, I respect just doing a ponytail. This works best with thin hair. Just backcomb and use some volumizing powder at the root and height will look intentional. The curls on the ponytail are loose which give an overall romantic feel. If you’re moving a lot, you may want to check on them more often as the curls will lose their bounciness. The nice thing about this style is the impact is in your favour, but the effort is low.
#2: Sculpted Rosette Updo
The artistry of this style is what updos are all about. The tiny little rosettes are all done by hand and add incredible texture and density to medium and thick hair. It’s no wonder this style is so popular. It also photographs really well. It pulls the hair off the face in a super clean way that is soft and not harsh, which is a hard balance to find. I won’t sugar coat it — this is not a follow-a-YouTube-tutorial-on-your-lunch-break type of style. To get this updo done right, book in with a formal stylist, and be sure to give them lots of time. It’s worth it, this is the type of updo that people remember.
#3: Ribbon-Threaded Regency Curls with Crystal Details
I appreciate how this production is fully realized. The ribbons in the curls evoke a strong Regency period look and the crystals really catch the light and reflect it almost in a theatrical way. (in a good way!) If this is for an event, especially summer outdoor events, you may need to speak with your stylist about humidity as it will ruin your hairdo. You will want to put in a lot of time, especially in order to maintain that breathtaking look. This will likely be best for medium to thick hair as you want enough hair to support the shape without looking sparse.
#4: Tousled Waves with a Fresh Floral Crown
You can see at every wedding a person with flowers in their hair and you think to yourself, oh, how cute. But this is a whole different story. The waves are intentionally relaxed as in you want it to look like you didn’t put in a lot of effort, but you definitely did. The flower crown adds height and color, but without clashing with the texture of the hair, which most people get wrong when trying to achieve this. I’ll be honest, I love this on thicker hair because you really get that beautiful slinky weighted movement through the lengths and it really does frame the face beautifully. Just so you know, this is a one-off look so if you are thinking about wearing it to brunch tomorrow, that won’t be possible because you’ll need a serious amount of time to set everything up and the waves and flowers do take a lot of time.
#5: Soft Curls with a Lavender Fascinator
The design is modern but also draws on inspiration that is over 200 years old, which makes it really interesting. I love the medium-long curls and the lavender fascinator. The curls are soft, and create lovely movement. The little lavender headpiece really changes the look from nice curls to “who is that, and where did she get that?” I really love that it works for such a wide age range! If you have thick hair like the model, then you’re in luck. The only thing I would say is to bring a strong hold hairspray with you for warmer venues.
#6: Golden-Accented Braided Updo
This one came into the room without saying hi. The gold detail is huge— and depending on the person and the occasion, really nice! A lot of hair is needed for this because the braids can’t be thin, and the weight of the piece will need a lot of hair to support it. Also, if you’re going to wear this for a few hours, you might want to be mindful of how your head is feeling, because even though this piece looks fancy, it is definitely not light. For weddings, galas, and any other event where you want to stand out when you walk in, this is the hairstyle for you. Just give your stylist at least 1.5 hours and don’t rush the braiding, that is what holds the whole style together.
#7: S-Wave Layers with Warm Natural Highlights
While standing next to this person, I thought their hair was really nice, and I feel like that’s the vibe here. The S-waves look polished enough and effortless at the same time, and the highlights are spot on. From the lengths, the highlights are light-catching in a beautiful, non-Stripey way. This hairstyle is so recommended if you want to channel some Bridgerton energy because it’s that versatile. For the wave pattern, you’ll need to use hot rollers or a curling iron. Also, stay on top of your moisture treatments because dry hair won’t get those waves like this.
#8: Braided Crown into Flowing Golden Curls
I’ll be honest, I appreciate this style the most, and I’ll try not to be subjective about it. The way the cascading curls movement and hair show off how thick and wavy it is, is just amazing. I heard this style is very skilled, and it looks like a two-person job, so good luck getting someone to help you. The braid also needs to be tight enough to stay in place, but not be tight enough to look like a tight braid. The curls also need to look relaxed, like they fell into place. For finer hair, a little texturizing spray before braiding will give you more to work with. The fact that this goes from a farmers market to a formal dinner without changing a single pin is the highest compliment I can give a hairstyle.
#9: Tousled Twisted Updo with Hidden Braids
It’s nice to see braids in this updo that are not only functional, but also add an element of surprise. From the front, it appears to be a romantic, slightly messy twist. But from the back there are beautiful details that show a weave. This is perfect for people who want a special hairstyle, but don’t want to be noticed from across the room. This hairstyle is best for medium to long hair. If your hair is fine, this is an especially good option since all the twisting and braiding will give the appearance of a lot more volume than you started with. Personally, I would say this is a very difficult style to do solo, especially if you’re trying to do it without a second mirror or a lot of patience. If you want to enjoy the compliments, I recommend going to a professional to do it!
#10: Deep Brunette Waves, Long and Loose
I think I’ll always appreciate the appearance of deep brown flowing hair. It’s an ageless look where both color and movement shine without needing any accessories. This style is great on medium and thick hair because it adds balanced volume around the face without being overly big. It’s super versatile and will go from day to night without any restyling, and it’s super convenient because I don’t have time for a restyle. On the other hand, it’s therapeutic to get to know your anti-frizz serum and embrace the occasional curl refesh.
#11: Tightly Coiled Cinnamon Updo
This hairstyle is amazing! If you have natural curls, this style showcases your natural beauty by using your natural coils to make a stunning sculptural effect. The warm cinnamon color looks beautiful in these coils and compliments cooler skin tones. The height in this style draws the eye up, making it fabulous for round or heart shaped faces. Honestlly, this style does take time, and I would suggest going to a stylist who specializes in natural hair. If you have a special event coming up and want your hair to stand out, this is the hairstyle for you!
#12: Brunette Textured Loop Updo
The loops in this updo are cheerful, which I think a lot of formal styles are lacking. It has enough structure to hold the style, but not stiff. There is a lot of skill that goes into achieving that balance. It is best suited for medium to thick hair. For each of the loops to appear intentional rather than wispy, you need enough hair in each loop, and thicker hair will hold the shape better without needing to pin the loops a million times. I think this is ideal for occasions where you want to look polished without the hassle of having to touch up your hair throughout the night. Once the loops are set in place, they tend to stay like that. The design is great but maybe avoid wearing it on a boat or a roof where it is windy because it is not aerodynamic.
#13: Swept Blonde Half-Updo with Loose Cascading Curls
Half updos are a great hairstyle option for all sorts of occasions. You can do everything from simple styles of just pulling half your hair back, to more complex hairstyles. I’ve thought of a couple of more intricate styles. This one is really soft and has lots of volume. I curled all the pieces in the front, and did more of a tighter curl for the back. As you move, the relaxed curls move with you. The blonde strands in the curls provide great contrast against darker shades of hair. They help the curls stand out and add more dimension. This hairstyle is formal enough for events, but can also work for a nice dinner if you want to look a little more dressed up. Maintaining the bounciness in the curls throughout the day can be difficult, so I recommend bringing a few pins. Also, keep in mind that the hairstyle will look better after some wear.
#14: Tawny Spirals with Full Natural Volume
I feel like I should say something about natural texture like it’s an issue that needs to be solved. Volume here is about letting those curls be! for high density hair with a strong curl pattern, low maintenance is totally achievable once you have a good routine. Hair will appreciate you for not using heat or for not restyling to maintain a certain shape all day. I see this as a more relaxed option, so if you want something really polished for a formal occasion, you might want to check out some updos on this list. Otherwise, this is gorgeous, effortless and completely yours!
#15 Auburn Curls to Elegant High Bun
This is the last one I’m sharing because it is probably my favorite, as it is actually two styles in one and I love versatility. Auburn is such a rich and warm color and looks beautiful with the hair down and loose, or swept up into that high bun. The first version is your daytime look; approachable and textured, with just the right amount of polish so that it looks like you intended to do it. Then you gather it all up into that bun for the evening, and just like that the whole energy shifts. It lifts the face, elongates the neck, and you basically have a completely new style without having to wash, recurl, or start all over. For medium to high density curls, a curl enhancer applied at the time of styling will keep the definition in both versions, and a couple of well-placed pins will keep the bun secure without flattening the texture that you worked to create.
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