These Natural Wedding Hairstyles Will Last Long After the Dance Floor (2024)

To recreate Solange's full curly 'do, it's all about stretching out your hair, according to NYC stylist Chereen Monet. "Use your fingers or wide tooth comb to fluff at the roots. You do not want to disrupt the curls and make it too frizzy."

On your big day—or your friend's—why not embrace your natural afro like Viola Davis? Jasmine "Jazz" Bethea, master barber and stylist at Headquartz Salon in Jamaica, Queens, says that first, it's important to use scissors or clippers to shape it, then moisturize the hair to give it shine and hold.

To achieve free curls like Tori Kelly, start with freshly washed hair. Then, apply a curl defining product from roots to ends, recommends Terri Alexander Ford, owner of the Philadelphia-based salon Hello Gorgeous Hair Studio. "Using a blow drying diffuser, squeeze hair up towards your scalp and concentrate on the ends without moving the hair too much," she adds. Apply a texture spray, and you're ready to go.

If you're looking to emulate Jill Scott's afro, make sure to have a wooden or plastic wide tooth pick handy. Then use the pick to brush the hair in an upward and outward direction says Miko Branch, CEO and founder of Miss Jessie’s natural hair-care products. "For added length, use a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment and stretch the hair in a downward motion."

To achieve Kimberly Elise's updo, use a coiling cream or product similar to Miss Jessie's Coily Custard before individually curling each section of the hair using your fingers, Branch suggests. "After the hair is completely dried, you can pull it up in an upward direction. Secure the halo curls with bobby pins," she says.

On freshly washed hair, apply a bit of Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls and let it air dry. "Once the hair is fully dry, take a large barrel curling iron and wrap it around in a downward motion, avoiding curling the ends," says Branch. "Run your fingers through your hair to achieve this informal-yet-formal style."

You'll need to comb out your hair for maximum length if you want to recreate Janelle Monáe's glamorous top knot. "Create a French Roll tucked in the back of your head while leaving out hair on top," Branch says. Then, secure any loose hair with an elastic band and wrap it until you can tuck it underneath the band. Secure your hair with bobby pins to create a full top knot. Once that's done, add as many accessories to it as you like.

Create a side part before styling your hair into jumbo double strand twists like Brandy's. "For this variation of flat and freeform double strand twist, gather the back portion of the twists and roll it into a bun," Branch says. "Then, secure it with bobby pins and leave the front to cascade on the side of your face."

To create Diana Ross's signature free fall look, use a paddle brush to deconstruct existing curls by brushing them out until you're happy with the volume and shape, Branch says.

Before cornrowing, moisturize your hair using something like Miss Jessie's Invigorating Curly Buttercreme, then braid in a backward motion, says Branch. "Make sure to neatly part the hair in both thick and thin sections, then alternate between thicker and thinner cornrows."

If your hair is already short, you can use Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream to moisturize. Then air dry before applying a shine spray to achieve Lupita Nyong'o's simple look.

Monet says for this look, simply tie your curls up, pineapple-style, with a hair tie, then use bobby pins to help your curls frame your face, like Kerry Washington did here.

Bethea says the best way to achieve Uzo Aduba's low buns is to braid the hair the night before and let it air dry for more volume. Then, part it down the middle and secure each low bun with a hair tie. Use any hair gel to brush down flyaways.

Branch recommends applying Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls or something similar to hair that has been towel dried like Sandra Oh's. "Use a diffuser attachment to dry and scrunch the hair in an upward motion to create more volume," Branch says.

The key to achieving Samira Wiley's slicked down look is applying a generous amount of maximum hold gel from roots to end while the hair is still wet, Ford says. "With a fine tooth comb, gently comb hair in a downward motion while smoothing it with your hand," she adds. "Tie a scarf around your head and leave it on until your hair is dry."

Distributing a product similar to Miss Jessie's Coily Custard on wet or damp hair, use your fingers to create individual coils all over like Sanaa Lathan's, Branch says. "Get under the hood of a dryer or air dry your hair. Once it's fully dry, separate the coils into four sections, creating an expanded, fuller coiled out style," she adds.

The first step to Issa Rae's flawless look is to create tight, coiled curls. "Making parts on each side of your head, gather the hair to create a French braid in the back—from the crown down to the nape of the neck," Branch says. "Pull hair back to accentuate the top round of curls."

Using a product like Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls hair lotion, run your fingers through the hair first, Branch suggests. "Once the hair is fully dry, lay down the edges with a toothbrush," she says. "Then, use a flat bristle hair paddle brush to brush the hair in an upward direction, then secure it with an expendable elastic band to create a ponytail with puffed out curls."

With freshly washed hair, use a product like Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls hair lotion. Once your hair is dry, create a side part and section off the portion where the cornrow will be created. Braid it, then leave the rest of the curls out. For maximum shine like Yara Shahidi, add Miss Jessie's Gloss So Good Glossing Spray.

Ford recommends starting with clean hair to achieve this voluminous look. "With maximum hold hair gel, comb hair back into a low ponytail," she says. "Use a ponytail holder to secure the hair in your desired position. Add hair spray for shine."