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The first Monday in May has come and gone, but there was one trend on the Met Gala red carpet that remained timeless: hair jewelry. From Venus Williams' bejeweled bun to Taraji P. Henson's gorgeous, flower-adorned updo, the hairstyles on the carpet sparkled just as much as the dresses.
Since then, hair jewelry has continued to be a hot topic on the red carpet and among street style enthusiasts alike, and its popularity is expected to only grow as people continue to find ways to embrace the maximalist aesthetic.
“Hair jewelry is a different category of accessory, which includes headbands, scrunchies, bows, and more,” accessories designer Jennifer Baer tells PS. “Hair jewelry gives a bejeweled look to a hairstyle,” she says, adding that the focus should be on complementing the hairstyle, rather than just adding an accessory.
If you're interested in delving a little deeper into the world of hair jewelry, Behr offers detailed information on how to incorporate hair jewelry into your everyday look, as well as perfect hairstyles for upcoming trends.
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Jennifer Baer is a New York-based accessories designer and founder of her eponymous brand.
What is hair jewelry?
Hair jewelry serves the same purpose that necklaces, earrings, rings, and the like do for the body: adding a little sparkle to your overall look. “Think of hair jewelry as bobby pins, barrettes, or clips made of crystals, pearls, or metals,” says Baer. “It's similar to thinking of jewelry you wear around your ears or neck.”
We've all seen hair jewelry before: It was all the rage with flashy hairstyles in the '90s and 2000s, and is now making a huge comeback. Metallic cuffs, for example, are often used to jazz up box braids or lox.
Hair jewelry also carries cultural significance. “For example, Japanese hairpins have an incredibly rich history, Indian hair jewelry is gorgeous and often made with real gemstones and gold, and there are cultural headpieces that are considered ceremonial and reserved for royalty,” Baer says. “There's something a little magical about hair jewelry; it's unexpected and very special.”
Best hairstyles for hair jewelry
Hair jewelry can complement virtually any hairstyle. It can be as simple as using a single hair pin to hold your bangs in place or adding a dozen pieces of jewelry to your braids. But some styles are better suited to hair jewelry than others, depending on the type of hair jewelry you have. “Hair pins work really well with braids, depending on the thickness and overall length of your hair,” Behr says. “Plus, hair jewelry is super versatile because if you don't want to add jewelry along the length of your braid, you can wrap it in a bun and add pearls or crystals to that style.”
Bobs are on trend, but people with short hair can also have fun with hair jewelry. “If your hair is short, secure one side with a Taylor Swift-favorite Krystle bobble ($298),” says Baer. “You can also layer hair jewelry to add a little variety to your look.” Hair jewelry can be in the form of charms, like Melanin Rock Jewelry's Gold Hair Charm ($18), or jewelry extensions, like the RPZL Grey Bandit Seashell Chain ($39).
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Hair jewelry is a fun way to stand out from the crowd. Whether you're dressing up for a formal occasion or adding a little sparkle to your daily beauty routine, hair jewelry will make you stand out. Now you can live your best life, the way you deserve.
Ariel Baker is the Deputy Editor of PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has also contributed to Essence and Forbes Vetted.
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