By Ricky Barnett (@Rickyyyraptor @Styledbyglitz)
For most festival-goers, getting ready is half the fun. Of course, your rave outfit is always the most important foundation. However, if cash is tight or you want to elevate something you already own, an easy and creative way to transform basic festival tops or festival clothing into a complete statement look is going all out with a show-stopping hairstyle. I've put together some of my favorite festival hairstyles for inspiration—techniques that have been tested under the lights at EDC, Coachella, and countless underground shows. Now, I'll admit that braiding can be challenging if you haven't practiced, but there are countless fun ways to create a festival fashion-forward hairstyle that'll have everyone asking, "Who did your hair?"
1. Braids That Would Make Khaleesi Proud
Braids are the ultimate festival hair hack—they keep your hair out of your face while you dance, they photograph beautifully under blacklights, and they give you that warrior-goddess vibe that festival culture celebrates. There are so many ways to approach braids, from simple to intricate.
Adding yarn or feed-in braid hair to regular French or boxer braids can instantly add a festie vibe to your look. I personally get my yarn from any craft store—look for the thicker yarn to add volume and visual impact. To create yarn braids, take up to 6 pieces for each braid (no less than 3 pieces) of yarn the length of your wingspan. At the middle of the pieces, tie a knot to the front section of your hair where each desired braid starts. Braid your natural hair in even sections with the yarn to your desired length, keeping tension consistent for a polished finish.
Feed-in braids follow the same concept but create a more seamless, natural appearance since there's no knotting involved. Simply add in extension hair using your thumb, index, and pointer fingers, feeding in small sections of hair as you braid until you reach the desired length. This technique takes practice but creates that sleek, professional look you see on Instagram.
Other Braiding Styles to Try
Beyond yarn braids, consider these festival-perfect options:
- Box braids: Individual plaits that can last multiple days, perfect for multi-day festivals
- Fishtail braids: Creates an intricate, textured look that catches light beautifully
- Cornrows: Close-to-the-scalp braiding that keeps you cool while dancing for hours
- Dutch braids: Reverse French braids that sit on top of your head for maximum visibility
There are plenty of YouTube tutorials at your disposal that are informative and easy to follow. Practice on a friend first if you're nervous about doing your own hair!
2. Homemade Hair Glitter That Actually Stays
Let's be real—festival hair needs to survive hours of dancing, heat, and pure chaotic energy. Two of my favorite techniques for keeping glitter in your hair for the long haul are super easy and take little to no time at all.
The Gel Method
Mix your desired amount of glitter with about a quarter-size amount of hair gel. This creates a paste that adheres directly to your hair and won't budge. The downside? It can look slightly wet or heavy, so use sparingly and strategically.
The Hairspray Method
This technique doesn't leave your hair looking greasy and is my personal favorite. First, get a good handful of glitter in your palm. Apply hairspray generously to the desired location, then immediately dump or pat the glitter onto the wet hairspray. For extra hold and to seal in the sparkle, spray again over the glittered area. The key is working quickly before the hairspray dries.
I love applying glitter to my hair part, space buns, or over braids for maximum sparkle. Because let's be honest—you can never have too much glitter at a festival. The lights will catch it from every angle, and you'll look like you're literally glowing.
DIY Glitter Formula
You can easily create your own signature glitter mixture at home. I like to follow this formula for a consistent and eye-catching result every time:
Equal parts: Holographic Glitter (gold or silver) + Warm or Cool Color Chunky Glitter + Warm or Cool Color Extra Fine Glitter = TOTALLY GLITTER-TASTIC MIXTURE
The holographic adds dimension, the chunky adds visual impact, and the fine glitter fills in gaps for full coverage. Mix these in a small container you can bring with you for touch-ups throughout the night.
3. Out of This World Buns
Space buns are a festival classic for a reason—they're cute, practical, and endlessly customizable. But let's take them from basic to "wait, I need a photo of your hair."
Classic Space Buns with a Twist
Start with the foundation of two high pigtails. But before you twist them into buns, add gems or glitter to your hair part, or throw on a fun headband with cat ears or alien antennas. These small additions completely transform the vibe—suddenly you're not just wearing space buns, you're making a statement.
Colorful Volume Buns
One of the coolest ways to take your space buns to another galaxy is adding colored hair extensions or yarn directly into the bun. This not only adds serious volume but gives you a pop of color without the commitment of hair dye. Wrap the colored extensions around your natural hair as you twist it into a bun, letting some pieces stick out strategically for a wild, textured look.
Textured Braided Buns
To add dimension to your buns, start with two pigtails and create 2-3 small braids within each pigtail before rolling the hair into buns. This adds texture and visual interest to otherwise standard space buns. The braids will peek through, creating an intricate look that photographs beautifully.
The Festival Fauxhawk
For the bold ravers who want an edgier look, try the bun fauxhawk. This can be done with or without teasing the front section for added volume. This look works best with 4-5 buns running down the center of your head. Simply divide your hair evenly into sections and use hair ties to create a line of messy buns down the middle of your scalp, from your hairline to the nape of your neck. Hairspray can help texturize this look—and trust me, the messier the better. Pull out a few face-framing pieces for a softer finish.
*Pro tip: Don't be afraid to mix and match some of these suggestions! Braided space buns with glitter? Yes. Fauxhawk with colored yarn? Absolutely. Festival fashion is about expressing your authentic self, so experiment and find what makes you feel incredible.
4. Color Crazy Without the Commitment
Want to rock pink hair for EDC Las Vegas but go back to your natural color for work on Monday? There are plenty of alternatives to permanent or semi-permanent hair dye that let you experiment without the long-term commitment.
Temporary Color Options
Colored hair spray exists, but it tends to leave hair feeling sticky and can transfer onto your rave clothing or someone's white outfit during a hug. Not ideal when you're wearing your favorite festival bodysuit.
Color Depositing Products
One of my favorite recent discoveries is color depositing shampoo and conditioner. The brand I recommend is Overtone. It doesn't damage your hair and leaves a vibrant, fun color that only lasts a few days to a week, depending on how often you wash it. The color gradually fades with each wash, so you won't have harsh lines or awkward grow-out phases. They offer everything from pastels to vibrant neons, and you can layer colors to create custom shades.
DIY Kool-Aid Hair Color
Want to go completely DIY and save some cash? You can create your own temporary hair color at home using Kool-Aid powder—yes, the drink mix. Here's how:
- Get the color you want of unsweetened Kool-Aid powder
- Mix a generous amount (2-3 packets) into about 1/4 cup of white conditioner
- Wash your hair as normal with your regular shampoo
- Apply the Kool-Aid mixture to damp hair, focusing on the sections you want colored
- Leave it in for 30 minutes to an hour (longer for more vibrant color)
- Rinse with cool water until the water runs clear
This method not only deep conditions your hair but also deposits color that will last until your next 2-3 washes. If they don't have the exact color you want in powder form, you can mix flavors to create custom shades. Cherry + Grape = magenta. Lemon + Berry = coral. Get creative!
Pro Tips for Temporary Color
- Always do a strand test first to see how your hair takes the color
- Lighter hair will show color more vibrantly; darker hair may need bleaching for pastels
- Wear gloves during application to avoid stained hands
- Use cool water when rinsing to help seal the color
- Apply to damp (not soaking wet) hair for best results
Bringing It All Together
Your festival look is about more than just your outfit—though a killer rave bodysuit or perfectly styled festival top is definitely the foundation. Your hair is an extension of your self-expression, another canvas for creativity under the lights. Whether you're rocking intricate braids, glitter-covered space buns, or temporary rainbow hair, the goal is the same: feel like the most authentic version of yourself.
These hairstyles aren't just Instagram-worthy—they're practical for hours of dancing, they help you stay cool, and they make you feel like the main character in your own festival story. And isn't that what it's all about?
I hope this hair inspiration guide was useful to you! I know that sometimes it's hard to figure out what you want to do with your hair to look incredible and stay comfortable while doing it. Remember, there are no rules in festival fashion—only opportunities to express who you truly are. Until next time, be you, be free, and don't forget the glitter!
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