Elegant May Hairstyles: Braids, Waves, & Updos for Stylish Spring Looks

Have you ever woken up with the desire to shake up your style, starting with your hair? The month of May is the perfect canvas for hair artistry, with its promise of summer and its fresh spirit. Ever pondered which hairstyle would crown you queen of the May festivities, or how to turn heads at the season’s first pool party? Or perhaps you’re wondering which cut will keep you cool when the heat turns up? Let’s unlock a treasure trove of May hairstyle ideas that are sure to inspire your next salon visit.

Effortless Waves and Sleek Glamour

Our first look is all about the sleek sophistication of straight hair. This style screams glamour with its glossy, cascading waves that add just the right amount of drama to any evening look. Perfect for those who want to make a bold statement, it’s a timeless style that exudes confidence.

Who’s It For?

Ideal for the lady with long, thick locks, this style might be a challenge for those with short or fine hair. Yet, don’t despair if you’re not blessed with naturally voluptuous tresses, as this look can be recreated with extensions and a bit of styling prowess.

Care and Keeping

To maintain the mirror-like shine, a keratin-infused serum is key. Brands like Tresemmé Keratin Smooth can keep flyaways at bay and add that red-carpet gloss. Remember, heat protection is a must before you straighten to keep your hair as healthy as it is stylish.

Stylist’s Secret

For an extra touch of glam, why not tuck one side behind your ear and adorn it with a statement earring? This asymmetric tweak can elevate the whole look, giving you the allure of Hollywood’s golden era with a modern twist.

Romantic Braids and Bridal Elegance

Transitioning to a more whimsical realm, the second vision of elegance is this intricately braided updo. This style is a poetic nod to romance, perfect for brides or anyone attending a special occasion where grace is key.

Suitability and Style

This updo marvel works wonders for those with medium to long hair. It might not be the go-to for short 4c natural hair, but it’s a versatile choice for those with enough length to weave magic.

Maintaining the Magic

To keep your braided crown pristine, consider a lightweight hairspray like L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin. It’s crucial to keep those flyaways at bay while maintaining the softness of the braids.

A Personal Touch

Don’t hesitate to personalize with accessories like pearl pins or subtle flowers that resonate with your event’s theme. It’s your hair, make it your story.

Floral Accents and Whimsical Curls

Stepping into a fairytale, our next style is perfect for prom—a waterfall of curls adorned with vibrant blue flowers, blending the enchantment of nature with the excitement of a night to remember.

Who Will Blossom?

Curls like these are a dream for anyone with volume to spare, but those with finer or straight hair can still achieve this look with a little help from a curling wand and some patience.

Caring for Your Curls

Curls need care, so don’t skimp on a deep-conditioning treatment. Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask will ensure your curls stay bouncy and lively, just like your spirit on prom night.

Stylist’s Whisper

To keep the look as fresh as the May breeze, pick faux flowers or high-quality silk blooms—they won’t wilt and will keep their luster all night long.

Whimsical Waves and Floral Touches

Gently woven through with delicate florals, this style is a testament to the charm of natural hair embellished with a touch of nature’s beauty. Perfect for a garden party or a whimsical outdoor wedding, the flowers bring a pop of color to the flowing waves.

Finding Your Blooms

This enchanting look works best with hair that has some length and texture, allowing the florals to nestle charmingly amongst the waves. Those with short cuts might struggle to incorporate the flowers, but extensions could be a playful workaround.

Blossoming Beauty Care

To ensure your waves hold their shape amidst the blooms, a texturizing spray like Bumble and bumble’s Surf Spray can be your best friend. Remember to nourish your hair after the event with a deep conditioning treatment, especially if you’ve used products or heat to enhance your waves.

Secrets from the Stylist’s Chair

Keep the flowers light and proportional to your hair’s volume to avoid overwhelming your look. It’s about complementing, not competing.

Beachy Blonde Ambition

These sun-kissed, beachy waves are a bold statement of ease and freedom, ideal for the gal who loves to turn heads with a look that’s both effortless and edgy. This hairstyle is your answer to a baddie vibe that’s still breezy.

Who Can Ride the Wave?

While this look is a natural fit for those with long, straight hair, it’s not out of reach for the short-haired beauties; a mid-length cut with some layering can also embrace these tousled waves.

Wave Aftercare

Keeping your hair hydrated is crucial, especially when styling for that beachy texture. Use a salt-free wave spray like Ouai Wave Spray to avoid dryness, and always follow up with a moisture-rich hair oil.

The Stylist’s Angle

A deep side part can add drama to this voluminous look and frame the face beautifully. Consider this the perfect canvas for those summer nights out or a spontaneous road trip.

Braided Sophistication

This hairstyle is a sophisticated twist on the classic braid, transforming an everyday look into something that’s both polished and ready for any upscale event. With its intricate patterns and luxurious volume, it’s a work of art.

Tailoring the Twist

Perfect for medium to long hair, this braided updo might pose a challenge for those with short 4c natural hair. However, with the right extensions, anyone can enjoy this elevated style.

Braid Care Essentials

Maintaining this styled braid means relying on products that provide hold without stiffness. Aveda’s Flax Seed Aloe Strong Hold Sculpturing Gel can keep things in place while treating your hair with care.

Stylist’s Touch

Consider personalizing your braid with subtle highlights or balayage to add dimension and depth to the overall look, making the braid patterns stand out even more.

Cascading Elegance

This style is a cascade of soft curls, each adorned with pearls and golden accents, flowing down like a gentle stream. It’s a graceful combination of loose waves and decorative braided elements, perfect for a day when you want your hair to whisper of elegance.

Whom Does It Grace?

Long, luscious locks can carry this style with ease, allowing each curl to play its part in the symphony. It’s not the ideal style for the short-haired, but where there’s a will—and perhaps some clip-ins—there’s a way.

Pampering Your Waves

Curl-friendly products, such as MoroccanOil Curl Defining Cream, can keep your locks supple and defined. For the accents, choose lightweight embellishments to avoid pulling down the curls.

From the Stylist’s Heart

Remember, the secret is in the balance—let the accents enhance the curls, not overwhelm them. And why not match these hair jewels with your earrings for a look that’s pulled together from head to toe?

Tailored Braid for the Minimalist

This image celebrates the minimalist’s dream: a sleek ponytail with a braided touch that adds texture and interest. It’s for the woman who loves simplicity with a twist, paired with an understated hair accessory for a polished finish.

A Style for Every Strand

While those with long, smooth hair will find this style a breeze, those with bangs or layers can also adapt it, taming their strands with a bit of product and finesse.

Sleek Care

A lightweight smoothing product, like Living Proof’s No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream, will ensure every hair is in place, giving you that sleek look that lasts all day.

A Note from Your Stylist

Consider the hair accessory as the centerpiece—it’s like the cherry on top of your style sundae, so choose something that truly reflects your taste.

Modern Elegance in an Updo

Here we have the epitome of chic—a smooth, modern chignon that’s all about sophistication and grace. It’s an updo that speaks volumes with its simplicity and is the perfect choice for a formal event or when you want your style to say “understated elegance.”

Universal Appeal

This look is versatile, embracing all hair types. Even those with short 4c natural hair can achieve this with the right styling tools and techniques.

Maintaining the Look

A strong hold hair spray, like TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray, will ensure your chignon stays in place without a strand out of line.

From the Salon to You

The beauty of this style is in its smoothness, so take the time to get each twist just right. And remember, a silk scarf as an accessory can add a touch of luxury and protect your hair from the elements.

Pearlescent Twists and Turns

An ethereal updo graced with pearlescent beads, this style exudes an air of sophistication and delicate charm. The gentle twist of the hair creates a soft, romantic look that’s perfect for both a bridal moment and an elegant evening affair.

Who Wears It Well?

This dreamy updo is ideal for those with medium to long hair, providing enough canvas for the style’s full effect. It might be a stretch for short hair without the aid of extensions, but the effort would be well worth it for the final stunning result.

Maintaining the Mystique

To keep this look heavenly, opt for a strong but flexible hold hairspray—think Aveda Air Control. It allows movement without sacrificing the style’s integrity, keeping those pearls in place.

Styling Pro Tip

The key to nailing this look? Don’t overdo it. Allow some strands to fall freely for a natural, unforced elegance, and match your hair pearls with your jewelry to complete the theme.

Braided Cascade with a Golden Touch

Here’s a regal braid that cascades down the back, interspersed with golden beads that add a touch of opulence. It’s a style that’s at once commanding and enchanting, perfect for a woman who’s not afraid to let her hair reflect her inner queen.

Crafting the Crown

This braid is a fantastic choice for those with thick, long locks, but even those with thinner hair can achieve this look with the right volumizing products and perhaps some cleverly placed extensions.

Royal Care

Maintain this majestic braid with nourishing oils like argan or jojoba, which add shine and strength to your hair. And when adding the beads, be gentle to avoid any hair breakage.

Insider’s Secret

Use a clear elastic to secure the braid for an invisible hold, and let the beads steal the spotlight. The goal is to create a seamless flow of hair and jewels.

Floral Fantasy

A fantastical fusion of flowers and braids, this style is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s a bouquet brought to life in hair form, with each braid and curl a petal and stem, culminating in a display that’s as breathtaking as a sunset garden.

Suitability and Style

This lavish look requires length and volume, making it ideal for long-haired individuals or those with extensions. It’s an intricate style, so patience and skill are must-haves, or a talented stylist at your side.

Special Care for a Special Style

A style this elaborate needs extra care. Use a hydrating mist to keep the hair supple and radiant throughout the day, and consider using silk flowers to avoid wilting.

Stylist’s Tip

To achieve this level of artistry, work with a color palette that complements your natural hair shade. The flowers and accessories should enhance, not overshadow, the natural beauty of your curls and braids.

Undulating Waves

Imagine the soft, rhythmic waves of the sea, and you have this hairstyle: a cascade of undulating waves that create a mesmerizing effect. It’s a style that’s both serene and powerful, perfect for making a statement without uttering a word.

Who Can Make Waves?

This look is a dream for those with long, straight hair that can be sculpted into these flowing ridges. It’s not as easily achieved with short hair but don’t let that dampen your spirit; a good set of extensions can work wonders.

Wave Care

To maintain these waves, a heat protectant is essential before styling, and a light hold hairspray afterward will keep them in place. Try ghd’s Heat Protect Spray for optimal protection.

Stylist’s Secret

The trick to these waves is consistency. Use a curling iron with a uniform barrel and take your time ensuring each wave is as perfect as the next.

Sleek Ponytail with a Twist

Here we see the quintessence of sleekness: a polished ponytail that flows down with a soft twist, imbued with a satiny sheen. It’s sophistication in a style, embodying grace and strength in equal measure.

Who’s It For?

This ponytail works best on medium to long hair, preferably straight hair to showcase the style’s sleek nature. Those with curls can achieve this look as well with a bit of straightening.

Keeping It Sleek

A serum like Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum will not only add shine but also tame any flyaways, giving you that glass-like finish.

Expert Advice

For that extra sleek look, make sure to wrap a small section of hair around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic—it’s all about the details.

Voluminous Ponytail with Playful Bow

This hairstyle takes the classic ponytail and turns the volume up to ten with a playful bow adding a whimsical touch. It’s fun, it’s flirty, and it’s fabulously feminine.

Tailoring the Pony

Thick, voluminous hair is the ideal type for this style, allowing for that beautiful puffiness and bounce. However, those with thinner hair can still achieve this look with the right volumizing products.

Caring for the Bounce

Keep your pony bouncy with a volumizing mousse, like Kenra Volume Mousse Extra 17, applied to the roots. It’s all about that lift and fullness.

From Your Stylist

The bow is your chance to add a personal touch—choose a color or pattern that expresses your mood or matches your outfit to tie the whole look together.

Blonde Ambition Half-Up

This hairstyle exudes a quiet confidence with its smooth, half-up style, anchored by a simple yet chic barrette. It’s a testament to the beauty of understated elegance and the power of a perfectly placed accessory.

Who Can Achieve This Look?

Anyone with length enough to pull back the top section can embrace this style, making it versatile across hair types. It’s particularly flattering for those with straight hair or gentle waves.

Maintaining the Sleek Look

To keep your hair smooth and in place, a light touch of smoothing serum like Kérastase’s Elixir Ultime can work wonders, providing sheen and control.

Stylist’s Insight

When choosing your accessory, think of it as the centerpiece. Whether you opt for a minimalist clip or something more ornate, make sure it reflects your personal style.

Twisted Elegance with Floral Accents

A cascading braid interwoven with delicate floral accents offers a harmonious blend of nature and artistry. It’s a style that captures the essence of springtime, ideal for those who wish to add a touch of romantic flair to their ensemble.

Who’s It For?

This style shines on long, straight hair or curls that can be braided to provide the perfect canvas for the florals. It may be a challenge for very short hair, but with creativity, anything is possible.

Caring for Your Braids

A flexible hold hairspray will keep everything in place while maintaining the braid’s natural movement. Oribe’s Superfine Hair Spray is a great option that offers hold without stiffness.

Floral Selection Tip

Choose flowers that complement your hair color to create a cohesive look. Whether they’re fresh or faux, make sure they’re secure but not too tight to avoid damaging your locks.

Sculpted Waves with a Bow

This style takes a cue from classic Hollywood with voluminous, sculpted waves tied together with a chic bow. It’s the perfect combination of vintage glamour and contemporary fashion, making a statement that’s both bold and playful.

Ideal Candidates for the Style

Thick, long hair is the best fit for these voluminous waves, giving the bow something substantial to rest upon. Those with lighter hair can still rock this style with the help of texturizing products.

Wave Care

To keep your waves defined, use a high-quality mousse like Bumble and Bumble’s Thickening Full Form Mousse, then finish with a shine spray for that star-quality sheen.

Bow Placement and Choice

The bow is your chance to inject personality into your style. Whether you go for a subdued hue or a bright pop of color, place it just right to balance the volume of your waves.

Playful Elegance with Bows

This hairstyle brings out a playfulness with layered bows, adding a youthful twist to a classic half-up, half-down style. It’s perfect for those sunny days when your mood is as light as your hair.

Perfect For Whom?

This charming look is best for medium to long hair, where the bows can sit pretty against the backdrop of flowing locks. It’s a style that anyone can pull off, regardless of hair texture.

Care and Styling

Keeping your hair smooth and frizz-free is key, so apply a light anti-frizz product before styling. The bows should be snug but not tight, to avoid any creases in your hair.

Stylist’s Note

The bows are not just accessories; they’re part of the style. Choose them well—they can be subtle or bold, depending on your outfit and the occasion.

Classic Bun with a Pearl Cascade

A timeless bun accented with a trail of pearls gives off a vibe of refined elegance. This updo is not just a hairstyle; it’s a statement piece that speaks to a polished aesthetic.

Who Can Shine with This Style?

While this bun suits all hair types, it’s particularly striking on those with sleek, straight hair that can be smoothed into a flawless round shape. Even those with shorter lengths can incorporate extensions for added fullness.

Maintaining the Bun

A stronghold gel or mousse can keep the bun in place, while a light hairspray adds extra security for the pearls. Consider L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray for a lasting hold.

Pearl Placement

The cascade of pearls should fall in a natural line, like a string of beads. They add a touch of luxury and are sure to turn heads, so align them with grace.

Conclusion

These are just a few ideas to inspire your May makeover. Each hairstyle has its own character, perfect for different occasions and personal styles. What’s your next hair adventure going to be? Share your thoughts and let us know which style caught your eye!