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We all have our go-to hairstyles: a quick, loose braid, a sassy high pony, or maybe even a sleek bun now and then. But after a few repeat wears, you may start to grow tired of the look and feel inspired to try something new. In these situations, might we suggest a bow or ribbon?
Bows—an accessory we've seen dominate high fashion runways and social media for the past couple of years—can help add new life to a tried-and-true favorite and can be incorporated into almost any style, from a simple knot around a ponytail or bun to a full-blown ribbon braid. For advice on achieving bow hairstyles at home, we turned to hairstylists Millie Morales and Sky Kim for their expert tips.
Read on for our favorite ribbon hairstyles and how to get the looks.
Meet the Experts
- Millie Morales is a celebrity hairstylist and Garnier beauty consultant.
- Sky Kim is a hairstylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda and a member of Byrdie’s Beauty & Wellness Review Board.
01 of 24
Old Hollywood
@cherishbrookehill / Instgram
This voluminous, blown-out look exudes "Old Hollywood" glamour. That's why a sophisticated black ribbon is the perfect accessory.
02 of 24
The Classic Bow
@kristin_ess
You cannot go wrong with a simple, classic bow. This look is perfect for curly or textured hair: Secure your hair in a curly-safe pineapple and add your ribbon accent to elevate your protective style.
03 of 24
Double Braids
@lele_sadoughi / Instagram
What's better than one braid? Two braids. Specifically, ones that are adorned with a trio of mismatched bows. Tie the ribbons around each hair tie, or, as seen above, clip on some bow barrettes.
04 of 24
Frida Kahlo-Inspired Crown
Craig Barritt / Getty Images
Frida Kahlo—one of the original braid crown icons—was famously pictured with ribbons incorporated into her intricately braided updos. Morales credits Kahlo as an originator of the trend. "I am sure Frida Kahlo has to do something with it," she says. "She had fun with her beautiful hair and created this trademark over the years. I am almost sure this trend comes from her."
A proper crown braid can be tough to master on your own, so an easy dupe is to form two separate braids and pin them to the crown of your head. You can emulate Frida by integrating a ribbon throughout your braids before pulling them into a crown.
05 of 24
Supersized Bow
@makeupvincent
We love the drama of this oversized bow, which offers a fresh take on the bow hairstyle. A monochrome and muted color palette (like this all-black take) will help keep the oversized style from looking costumey. Follow Kiernan Shipka's lead and pair this style with a dramatic winged eyeshadow look for maximum impact.
06 of 24
Quadruple the Ribbons
@haileybieber
Why stop at just one ribbon? Multiple small ribbons are an easy way to incorporate the accessory throughout a hairstyle with ease. This quadruple ribbon look on Hailey Bieber is a great way to accent standard braids with multiple mini bows.
07 of 24
Double Up
@justinemarjan / Instagram
Layering is the name of the game with this bow hairstyle. The two bows add such a dramatic, voluminous effect to a slicked-back bun.
08 of 24
Retro Mini Bows
@rpzlrpzl / Instagram
For a flirty updo, try pairing a retro-curled high ponytail with strategically placed satin micro bows.
09 of 24
High Ponytail
Marc Piasecki / Getty Images
Take your ponytail to the next level with an elegant satin ribbon. Once your hair is up in a high ponytail, tie a piece of ribbon into a bow around the base. “I like to incorporate ribbons into the hair [with] braids, buns, and ponytails,” Morales says. “I love the way it changes the look and makes it more fun.”
10 of 24
Long and Dramatic
Jackson Lee / Getty Images
One surefire way to add drama to an everyday hairstyle is an extra-long ribbon. A cascade of ribbon extending past the length of your hair is sure to turn heads and give off an almost Rapunzel vibe.
When selecting a ribbon for this style, longer is better—especially if you're creating a bow. We love Ariana's use of transparent ribbon in this look, which adds to the ethereal nature of the whole ensemble.
11 of 24
Solid Statement
Mike Marsland / Getty Images
Ribbons in solid statement colors are a great complement to pattern-heavy looks. You can use this method to bring out more subtle colors in a busy design: The key is choosing one color from the pattern and playing off its tones. For example, this gorgeous gold ribbon brings out the neutral tones in the cheetah print dress and helps to brighten the whole look despite the darker colors being more prominent.
12 of 24
Tons of Texture
Theo Wargo / Getty Images
This now-iconic Met Gala look relied on a ribbon to raise a basic ponytail to red-carpet-ready glamour. Ribbon fabrics vary, so try using something with texture to add intrigue and definition to your look.
13 of 24
Color Coordination
@jackiegiardina / Instagram
Finding a similarly patterned ribbon is a great way to tie your hair into your outfit. Here, a simple low ponytail is instantly elevated by a hair ribbon that coordinates with the striped pants. Keeping a neutral color, like a white top, in between will help you avoid looking too matchy-matchy.
14 of 24
Accessorized Ribbon
Christian Vierig / Getty Images
Ribbon hairstyles can be further elevated when paired with other clips and accessories. In this look, the bow is smack dab in the middle of a sea of bejeweled barrettes. You can replicate this with any hair clips (or even brooches) you have on hand.
15 of 24
Braid With a Bow
Karwai Tang / Getty Images
“There are so many ways you can incorporate a ribbon into your hair, but some of my favorite ways to do it are weaving it into a loose braid or tying it at the end of your braid,” Kim says. “The fun part is choosing [from] the different materials you can use, from thick satin ribbons to printed scarves.”
16 of 24
Bow-Back Bangs
@emijay / Instagram
Pull back your bangs with a bow for a super easy style that still appears put-together. This hairstyle is also great for those growing out their hair and don't know what to do with an in-between length.
17 of 24
Serious Sparkle
Edward Berthelot / Getty Images
If a simple ribbon isn't delivering your desired effect, consider swapping in a bedazzled bow. We love how the sparkles on this dark-colored bow accentuate the center and create a starburst effect.
18 of 24
Low Pony
Christian Vierig / Getty Images
Short hair looks great when pulled back into a low pony at the nape of the neck—especially when you swap your elastic for a small, chic bow. The black bow beautifully complements the black coat and light hair in this look. Kim suggests beginners "start with a messier look so that imperfections are less noticeable and actually look good with them."
19 of 24
Braided Bun
@emijay / Instagram
For a braided bun, start by braiding your hair. Once finished, wrap the braid into a bun and secure it in place with a bow. You could also incorporate a ribbon into the weaving of the braid.
20 of 24
Bow Bubble Braid
Christian Vierig / Getty Images
With the rise in Y2K hairstyles, why not combine the bow trend with one of the easiest early aughts styles to recreate, the bubble braid? Start by pulling your hair into a low ponytail, then use small pieces of ribbon to create the bubble braid sections. Feel free to alternate colors or even span the whole rainbow with your ribbon color choices.
21 of 24
Half-Up Hairdo
@justinemarjan / Instagram
A half-up hairdo is an effortless style that can take you from work to happy hour. Adding a black satin ribbon makes this half-up look even more chic.
22 of 24
Bow Headband
Theo Wargo / Getty Images
Whether you’re leaving your hair down or whipping up a quick messy bun, a ribbon headband is a great way to make a last-minute hairstyle look more intentional. As a bonus, ribbon headbands may be more comfortable than traditional headbands, as you can customize how tightly they fit.
23 of 24
Scattered Throughout
@sandyliang / Instagram
Why wear one bow when you can wear many? This maximalist approach to incorporating bows requires minimal effort to execute. To try this runway look at home, we recommend using mini clip-in bows and staggering them throughout the length of your hair.
24 of 24
Sophisticated Sections
@sabrinacarpenter / instagram
Sabrina Carpenter is known for her chic hairstyles, and this is definitely one of our favorites. We love how she created a subtle half-up, half-down look with a sleek black ribbon.
