Style Preppy Hair
Preppy hair tends to be sleek, natural, and understated. To make your hair preppy, try the following styles, varying them throughout the week to keep your look interesting.
Steps
- Wear it straight. Except on formal occasions, long, straight hair is a trademark preppy look. Try to fix those split ends. To make straight hair more interesting, accessorize:
- Wear headbands. In Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf has a signature look: headbands. An athlete's alternative to headbands are headwraps - slip one around your head and tie your hair in a ponytail.
- Wear barrettes. Mix and match different colors to keep it interesting and accentuate your girliness.
- Wear it in a ponytail. Adding ribbons can bring a personal touch, and can even gain you a signature look. Make sure that the ponytail goes well with your face shape.
- Wear long waves. Do this if your hair is naturally wavy and/or to break up the monotony of wearing it straight. Apply some frizz serum or a little mousse to your hair if it's frizzing up. If you use too much product, however, you'll lose the natural look that is characteristic of a preppy ‘do.
- Wear pigtails. These should be loose and low under your ears. Tie them with either ribbons that match your outfit or everyday elastics.
- Braid it. This is a good look for bad hair days. If you feel your outfit is looking a little bland or your hair is being unruly, apply braids liberally. Don't do this if your hair is cut into layers; hair strands sticking out of your braids makes it look more messed up than preppy.
- Wear a ballerina bun. This is a classic and never goes out of style. Avoid wearing it too high on the head, as this look is not flattering on everyone.
- Braid a bit of your bangs or the hair near your face. This adds a bit of a boho-chic look to your preppy style.
- Wear it curly. Wear loose or in tight spiral curls for special occasions.
Tips
- Wearing your hair the same way all the time is dull. Change your hair styles every once in a while. However, if no one else wears it that way, your hair can be your signature.
- High ponytails can work your cheekbones, but never place a ponytail all the way on the top of your head; that look is ‘80s, not preppy.
- Although trends like bangs can be tempting, try to stay away from them. Preppy looks withstand the test of time. Long jaw-length bangs don't go out of style though, opposed to side-swept fringes. A classic, eye-brow long bang is fine, too.
- Middle parts are a prep girl classic, but not a must-have. They don't look good on everyone and sometimes they are hard to pull off.
- If you have dark hair, tie a bow before sliding it around your ponytail, and then use bobby pins to attach it on the undersides. (The bobby pins will be very visible on light hair.)
- Change your part periodically. Moving it over a few centimeters or switching sides can instantly transform your look. A strong side part is pretty cool and can add awesome volume to your hair if that isn't the side you part your hair on.
Warnings
- Don't go overboard with the ribbons. Preppy style is understated – plus, nobody wants to look like an overexcited four-year-old.
- Don't burn yourself with an iron! Many irons come with safety instructions: read them.
Things You'll Need
- Hairspray
- Hair straightening iron
- Hair bands
- Hair wraps
- Hair ties/ponytails
- Colorful barrettes
- Ribbons
- Mousse
- Bobby pins
- Heat spray
- Frizz serum
- Curling iron
- Curling wand
Related Articles
- Style Curly Hair
- Scrunch Hair
- Curl Hair
- Braid a Woman's Hair on a Date
- Choose a Hairstyle
- Tease Your Hair
- Use a Bobby Pin
- Make a Messy Bun
- Be Like a Preppy Girl on a Long Car Ride
