The best hair accessories of 2020 (so far) & how to wear them
Check out the most dazzling hair accessories of the year!
Are you looking to spruce up your everyday style with one of the latest hair trends but don’t know where to begin looking? From catwalk trends to blogger faves, we have rounded up the need-to-know hair accessories that are sure to jazz up any hairstyle – not to mention you will look totally chic!
So, are you dying to see which dazzling looks we’re currently crushing on? Then have a scroll through our gallery above, or simply read on to see the ATH 2020 hair accessories report.
Diamante hair clips
The hair accessory:
Rhinestone hair clips.
How to wear it:
The nineties throwback trends continue! For a touch of easy everyday sparkle, style it out like the fash pack with a simple low bun and some diamante hair clips– you’ll be an instant hit in the office.
’90s hair slides
The hair accessory:
’90s hair slides.
How to wear it:
Depending on the occasion, you can team these simple hair slides with any hairstyle! But if you really want to channel Versace supermodel vibes, you’ll need to grab your favourite straighteners and recreate this sleek, polished look, above.
Editor’s tip: We suggest you prep your hair with a heat protectant, like the TRESemmé Biotin + Repair 7 Primer Spray, to help avoid heat damage.
This mane-saviour protects you against 7 types of styling damage, including damage done through heated tools, leaving with you frizz-free and shiny tresses that are ready to be shown off.
Clear headbands
The hair accessory:
From the catwalks to the street style stars, last season’s hottest accessory was clear handbags. And, guess what? This trend has filtered up into the hair world (via the runway), meaning its one to watch.
How to wear it:
If you want to give any of your updo hairstyles an edgy, unique makeover, just wear them with a clear Alice headband, like this.
Shell hair accessories
The hair accessory:
Reminiscent of the beach-y bits you pick on holiday, shell hair accessories are the unexpected trend we can’t get enough of (just imagine how they’ll cool they look with your bikini!).
How to wear it:
Take a page right out of Joanna Newsom’s and wear this delicate hair accessory on your preferred side. Honestly, its exactly what you need to take your hair game to mermaid-worthy heights.
If you’ve got box braids, try attaching cowrie shells to your protective style to instantly give them a tropical Island feel.
Neon hair ties
The hair accessory:
After hair accessory that’s been inspired by fashion? Neon hairbands, of course! With neon tooted to be one of 2019’s hottest colours to covet, you can easily work it into your mane life.
How to wear it:
Heading to the gym? Or, do you just want to make your work hairstyles stand out more? Instead of opting for clear hair ties, take inspo from your sharpie and go for something vibrant.
Tiaras
The hair accessory:
A tiara.
How to wear it:
With festivals and spring events coming up, you can certainly give your mane royal touch with a tiara. Try one with a braided updo, like Amandla Stenberg has done, and you’ll get all the likes.
Sustainable hair accessories
The hair accessory: Eco-friendly hair accessories.
How to wear it:
With fast fashion and zero waste such a hot topic, this year look out for hair pins and slides made from biodegradable and recycled materials like bamboo and root wood. That way you can look good knowing your accessories aren’t hurting the planet. We love an eco-conscious fashionista! Accessory credit: SAYA Designs
Pearl hair clips
The hair accessory: Pearl hair slides.
How to wear it:
Take inspiration from this street style star and wear yours with either super straight hair or very bouncy curls, depending on how you’re wearing your hair on the day. Doing so will make you feel like true fashionista, especially if you pair the look with your best outfit.
The fun doesn’t have to end there, keep scrolling to see the hair accessories that took over 2018.
The ATH hair accessories 2018 report
Snap clips
Trendsetter and hair icon Solange Knowles rebooted this trend way back in 2016 and we have to be honest, when we first saw it, we weren’t quite sure. Being a kid growing up in the ’90s we witnessed this look the first time and while we may have thought we looked cool back then, quite frankly we didn’t.
Fast forward to 2018, however, and snap clips are everywhere – and needless to say our opinion on the style has changed massively! What we love most about this ’90s trend revival is the versatility. Whether you want to go for Solange’s full line-up or Elsa Hosk’s simple clip on each side of your style, it’s a simple yet effective way to up your ‘do in a pinch.
Try it in the gym (the ultimate way to pin back unruly short strands), for a summer festival (mix and match your colours for extra style points) or a sassy date night look. We’ll race you to the shops…
The headband
Leave it to Tom Ford to bring back a forgotten look and make it feel new again. In general, headbands are often reserved for our at-home spa treatments (AKA Sunday pamper sessions with a fluffy white robe), but that certainly wasn’t the case on the New York runway.
This popular ’90s and ’00s hair accessory was given a ’60s punk makeover with wide black leather headbands teamed with mussed-up hair. The best way to wear this trend? Sweep your hair back and up using your fingers, before adding the pièce de résistance: the biggest headband you can find.
Try leaving a few strands out for a modern mullet finish if you’re feeling daring or, alternatively, draw from Bella Hadid (who only weeks after the show was already championing the style at the Dior Addict Lacquer Plump event!) and wear your hair with a loose wave, swept back with a simple black headband.
The hair claw
Alexander Wang is bringing back the much-loved hair claw and we are so here for it. No longer just reserved for keeping our tresses pinned back when washing our face, the nostalgic hair claw – which has been on hiatus since the ’80s and ’90s – is now a totally acceptable hair accessory to be spotted wearing.
Along with chokers and the scrunchie, we expect the hair claw to be one of the biggest accessory trends for 2018. So what are you waiting for? Grab yours and wear it with pride.
Accordion headband
Another ’90s trend making a comeback is the accordion headband, as seen at the Prabal Gurung catwalk show. Whether you were a fan of this style the first time around or not, there is no denying just how practical the accordion headband can be.
Need to keep pesky flyaways or bangs secured for a high-intensity class? Why not add an accordion headband to your gym ‘do, as Bella Hadid shows with her messy bun.
And calling all curly-haired ladies, this is also the perfect hair hack to make your curls pop. Slide on an accordion headband and it will push your curls back, making them appear fuller and extra bouncy – yes, really!
Editor’s tip: Get Bella’s smooth and sleek finish with the TONI&GUY Sleek Definition Cream. Simply apply a small amount through the lengths of damp or dry hair for a sleek and shiny finish.
Jewelled hair slides
Jazz up your everyday style while turning heads on your daily commute with jewelled hair slides. Hailey Baldwin strutted her stuff on the Zadig & Voltaire catwalk show with her wavy tresses pinned back with crystal embellished hair slides.
The ATH hair accessories 2017 report
Pearls
Not just reserved for weddings and high-fashion affairs, 2017 was the year that pearl hair accessories became one of the hottest styles around.
Now if you loved the pearl hair colour trend (that was also huge in 2017), but want something with a little less commitment, pearl hair accessories are for you. See how the All Things Hair editor’s tried the trend. Credit: @leletny
Editor’s tip: For a super shiny look, like this pearly updo, be sure to spritz your mane with the VO5 Tame & Shine Spray.
Baker boy hats
Need a new way to tame your windswept hair while looking good at the same time? Then you’re in luck, as the super stylish baker boy hat trend is the best way to stay warm and cosy, while looking super stylish ofc! Credit: @londonblogger_
Butterflies
Back and better than ever, butterfly hair accessories have been fluttering across all our social media feeds and at all our favourite events. Perfect for a festival or wedding, once you see just how pretty they look you’ll be sure to try the trend next. Credit: @treasure_am
Ribbon
Looking for last-minute festive hair inspiration? Then use the one thing you always have lying around: a pretty ribbon.
Effortless and simple, adding a strip of ribbon to your tresses has become one of the chicest hair accessories of 2017. So why not make your tresses the best gift this year by unwrapping the ribbon hair trend with some of our inspirational styling ideas. Credit: @moderosiee
Stars
Show off your festive spirit with some seriously sparkly star hair accessories. Give this Instagram-worthy hair trend a whirl by adding star hair rings to braids or by adding a scattering of stars on your hair, like this Instagrammer above. Credit: @sohohairco
Scrunchies
’90s hair scrunchies are back with a bang this year and we mean it when we say, we couldn’t be happier!
If you have ’90s fever and the ‘mom cut’ and crimped hair trends weren’t enough for you, scrunchies will certainly give you that sense of nostalgia – especially if worn with retro space buns. Credit: @0885thelabel
Berets
The beret is back and cooler than ever! Spotted on Sofia Richie and Rihanna (and all our fave bloggers), berets are fast becoming the hottest hair accessory to be wearing, giving you ultimate cool-girl style points.
Not sure how to wear it? Then you’re in luck, as we have all the beret styling inspiration you need. Credit: @cheraleelyle
Editor’s tip: Thinking of styling your tresses with chic waves? If so, be sure to set them with a generous spritz of the natural-looking VO5 Flexible Hold Hairspray.
Gold leaf
Go heavy with the glitz and glamour next year with the gold leaf hair foil trend.
Drawing inspiration from the glitter roots trend, hair foiling (as it has become known) quite simply involves applying small pieces of metallic foil onto your tresses. Honestly, no Christmas outfit is complete without a dusting of gold foil. Credit: @metallixuae
Hair rings
While many hair trends require their fair share of maintenance, the hair rings trend is simple and boy does it pack a punch!
No matter your hair type or length, hair rings are one of the best ways to give your style a bit of edge, and you can even merge it with the star or pearl hair trend, to really up your mane game. Credit: @glambyshelby
Hair cuffs
Does your everyday ponytail need an update? Then hair cuffs are the most effective way to ensure your tresses never look dull. Wear in a plain ponytail or messy bun and you’ll take your everyday style to stylish new heights! Credit: @vanidayaustralia
If this wasn’t enough hair accessory inspiration, then see how the celebrities adorned their tresses with hair accessories in 2016 with our A-list loved hair accessories round-up, below.
2016 hair accessories report
Vanessa Hudgens
Queen of the boho chic aesthetic (and our favourite milkmaid braid wearer) Vanessa Hudgens stepped out with this floral updo, and made us all swoon with hair envy! Her balayage brown braid was peppered with delicate, dainty red flowers, which made for a truly stunning, festival-worthy look.
Editor’s tip: To recreate this style at home, get your flowers and TIGI Catwalk Firm Hold Hairspray at the ready, and check out our tutorial on how to create the milkmaid braid.
Andra Day
American singer Andra Day never makes an appearance without a quirky, eccentric hair accessory pinned to her mane.
And for one of her most memorable red carpet looks, the star styled her bob into gorgeous vintage waves, and affixed a very colourful, bejewelled hair accessory to the right side of her head. After all, she never was one to shy away from the spotlight!
Brie Larson
If you’re concerned that your hair brooch will overpower the rest of your look, then take a leaf out of Brie Larson’s book and interweave your strands around a hair accessory. By looping your tresses around a brooch, you’ll create a beautifully unique and detailed look that’s ideal for any formal event!
Allison Williams
Allison Williams, who is known for her role as Marnie Michaels in the hit TV show Girls, sported this utterly stunning braided updo on the red carpet, which came complete with pearl and diamante embellished hair clips.
To tie her evening look together, Allison accessorised it with some droplet earrings and a deep red lip – if this isn’t the most dazzling ‘do you’ve ever seen, we don’t know what is!
Kelly Osbourne
Who said that you have to be a real princess to be able to rock a tiara? Not Kelly Osbourne, that’s for sure!
With her violet locks and edgy undercut, you may think that a tiara would seem a little out of place, but in fact, the contrast in her look totally works in her favour. After all, she wasn’t a member of the Fashion Police for nothing!
Lupita Nyong’o
Thought that mega-babe Lupita Nyong’o had exhausted all of her best styling ideas? Well, you’d be wrong, because her simple and classy headband choice has instantly elevated her look from everyday afro to evening elegance!
By wrapping a tight-fitting headband around the front section of her hair, the back of Lupita’s ‘fro is free to be as bold and voluminous as it wants – just what we like to see!
Editor’s tip: If you have a tightly-coiled mane like Lupita’s, make sure to give it a few sprays of the TIGI Papaya Leave-in Moisture Spray, as this will help keep your ‘fro fully hydrated!
Sia Furler
Chandelier singer Sia Furler has been hiding her face for years under an ultra long, blunt haircut.
But it’s not her monochrome ‘do that has the All Things Hair team interested: it’s her choice of extravagant, oversized hair bows that have! Come on, she has to be the only person brave enough to rock such a massive white hair accessory.
Simone Missick (née) Cook
If anyone can rock hair cuffs like a pro, it’s Simone Missick. While she may wear her hair into an afro when filming for Luke Cage, she certainly isn’t afraid to experiment with her locks off-screen.
For a red carpet event, Simone’s hair was styled into long box braids, which had been adorned with silver hair cuffs (AKA one of the most popular hair accessories of the year!).
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys made waves in the beauty industry when she made the declaration that she would be stepping out sans make-up. And seeing as she wouldn’t have the assistance of make-up to enhance her look, she opted to do it with hair accessories, instead!
Our favourite Alicia hair accessory of the year has to be this metallic head-wrap, which has been tied into an oversized knot.
Denise van Outen
British presenter Denise van Outen rocked up to a red carpet event this year working a pretty braided updo, that had been made ultra edgy thanks to the addition of several silver hair rings.
We know, you may not have thought about wearing rings in your hair, but as Denise has proved: they look utterly stunning!
We’ve got more hair inspo for you!
