An elegant, soft updo paired with delicate, romantic waves offers a timeless aesthetic for special outdoor events, weddings, or summer celebrations. When adorned with fresh blossoms, this natural styling captures a serene, tasteful beauty that feels both effortless and sophisticated. Harmonising your hairstyle with a floral crown or individual blooms requires a thoughtful approach to texture, structure, and hold. By preparing the hair correctly, you can create a picturesque look that remains intact from the morning light until the evening breeze.
The Perfect Foundation: Preparing the Hair and Creating Waves
The key to any successful hairstyle featuring flowers is texture. Straight, slippery hair can make it difficult for pins and floral stems to stay in place. Creating a base of soft waves or curls adds the necessary grip and volume, ensuring the floral crown sits comfortably without sliding.
Washing and Prepping
For the best results, it is often recommended to wash your hair the day before the event rather than on the day itself. Freshly washed hair can be too soft and smooth, which makes securing hairpins more challenging. If you must wash it on the day, consider using a lightweight volumising mousse or a texturising spray before blow-drying to give the strands more substance.
Creating Romantic Waves
To achieve those coveted, loose waves, use a medium-to-large barrel curling wand or heatless rollers. Wrap sections of hair away from your face to open up your features. Once the curls have cooled completely, gently brush them out with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. This softens the curls into flowing, natural-looking waves that beautifully complement the organic structure of flowers.
Delicate Updos: Balancing Elegance and Practicality
Updos are an excellent choice when wearing a flower crown because they provide a stable anchor for the floral elements. Whether you prefer a loose low bun, a braided crown, or a half-up style, the goal is to keep the look soft and touchable.
- The Low Chignon: A classic low chignon at the nape of the neck offers an elegant base. You can leave a few loose tendrils framing the face to maintain a soft, romantic feel. The bulk of the chignon provides a sturdy foundation where the back of the flower crown can be pinned securely.
- Braided Details: Incorporating loose Dutch or French braids along the sides of the head adds texture and visual interest. Braids are incredibly functional for floral styles, as stem ends can be easily woven and tucked into the plaits.
- The Half-Up, Half-Down Style: If you wish to showcase the length of your hair while keeping it out of your face, a half-up style is the perfect compromise. Twist or braid the top section of your hair and secure it at the back, leaving the rest to cascade in soft waves. This creates a natural shelf for the flower crown to rest upon.
Securing Flower Crowns and Individual Blooms
Fresh flowers are delicate and can be heavy, making proper securement vital for comfort and durability. Whether you are wearing a full crown or a few scattered blossoms, certain techniques will ensure they stay fresh and firmly in place.
Securing a Full Flower Crown
A full wreath or crown usually comes with a ribbon tie at the back. Position the crown on your head, ensuring it sits comfortably across your forehead or slightly further back on the crown of your head, depending on your preference. Tie the ribbon securely beneath the bulk of your hair at the back. To prevent any shifting, slide bobby pins diagonally across the wire frame of the crown, anchoring them into your styled hair. Crossing two pins in an "X" shape provides the maximum hold.
Placing Individual Blossoms
If you prefer a more subtle look, placing individual small blossoms throughout an updo or braid is a beautiful alternative. To secure single stems, you can wrap a small piece of green floral wire or a tiny hair elastic around the stem to create a secure anchor point. Slip a hairpin through the loop or wire and insert it directly into your braids or bun, pointing the pin downwards so it remains hidden from view.
Maintaining Freshness and Longevity
Because live flowers are sensitive to heat and movement, keeping them looking vibrant throughout your event requires a few simple precautions. Preparing both your hair and the blooms beforehand will make a significant difference.
Protecting the Flowers
Keep your flower crown or individual blossoms in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator, until the very last moment before styling. You can also lightly mist them with water to keep the petals hydrated. Avoid spraying hairspray directly onto fresh flowers, as the alcohol content in styling products can dry out the petals, causing them to discolour or wilt prematurely.
Ensuring All-Day Hold
Apply all of your finishing sprays and styling products to your hair before placing the flowers. Once your hairstyle is fully set and dry, gently position and pin the blossoms in place. This protects the delicate petals while ensuring your locks remain perfectly styled throughout the day.
