Celebs Are Bringing the Bling to Their Hair

If recent runways are to be believed, maximalists can rejoice. That’s because countless designers decided to bring the 80s back for Fall 2018, from the strong shoulders at Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Gareth Pugh to the glitzy animal prints at Tom Ford and Halpern. And you can forget that whole no-makeup makeup trend — eyes were outlined in a rainbow of shades (especially blue) with Gigi Hadid even decked out in a beauty look at Anna Sui inspired by a picture of the designer in the 80s. Red lips and glitter were also popular, making us flash back to the decade of excess.

The Fall 2018 runways were glitz central. — Michael Kors Fall 2018, Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2018, Simone Rocha Fall 2018; Images: Imaxtree

When it came to hair, it was all about statement hair accessories. While Alexander Wang pushed to resurrect the claw clip and Prabal Gurung advocated for those zigzag headbands, the majority of hair accents were all about the bling. Michael Kors relied on sparkling versions of the bow barrettes we sported as kids. (Simone Rocha also embraced bold bows in red and black.) No one does maximalism better than Dolce & Gabbana and this season the brand favored barrettes with one model’s head literally covered in the bedazzled accents.

Sparkling locks were also popular for Spring 2018. — Dries Van Noten Spring 2018, Thom Browne Spring 2018, Gucci Spring 2018; Images: Imaxtree

Despite their newfound ubiquitousness, OTT hair accents aren’t a new trend. During the Spring 2018 season, hairstylists went super luxe decorating manes with everything from diamantés along part lines (Dries Van Noten) to dousing heads in glitter (Thom Browne) and even a parade of brooch-like glitzy bows (Gucci).

Fall 2017 was also full of flashy hair accessories. — N°21 Fall 2017, Miu Miu Fall 2017, La Perla Fall 2017; Images: Imaxtree

And blingy hair accessories also popped up back in Fall 2017. N°21 was relatively low key, simply tucking back models’ strands with rhinestone barrettes, while La Perla nestled a few clips into models’ voluminous tresses. But Miu Miu outdid everyone by topping off its models with beaded bands, one even featured dripping diamonds down the back of the head. The first stop off the runways is usually the red carpet and the glitzy hair accessories movement was no exception. The Oscars saw stars like Lupita Nyong’o and Tiffany Haddish honoring their heritage with glistening updos. Saoirse Ronan took a chain mail approach to the top knot at a film festival and Anya Taylor-Joy actually rocked one of Dolce & Gabbana’s crowns at this year’s BAFTAs. See how celebs are going luxe when it comes to their hair in the slideshow above.

Bling Hairstyles

Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried went super curly for the Los Angeles premiere of Gringo. As if her bouncy spirals weren’t eye-catching enough, the actress added in a glitzy barrette on each side of her middle-parted style.

Image: JB Lacroix/WireImage/Getty Images
Lupita Nyong'o

While her metallic Atelier Versace gown at the Oscars was pretty enchanting, we couldn’t stop staring at Lupita Nyong'o’s elegant updo. Her three thick braids were woven with gold thread, which was inspired by traditional Rwandan Amasunzu hairstyles.

Image: Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images
Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish also kept things traditional by wearing an authentic Eritrean dress in honor of her late father. She topped off the scene-stealing ensemble with golden jewelry decorating her structured updo.

Image: Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images
Anya Taylor-Joy

Dolce & Gabbana has been pushing ornate crowns for a while now and Anya Taylor-Joy decided to take one out for a red carpet test run. The rising star showed up at this year’s BAFTAs decked out in a golden version encrusted with multicolored stones teamed with a black seriously see-through dress also by the brand.

Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images
Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan elevated her top knot at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival by wrapping it up with draped "liquid" chains. Keep this look in mind for festival season.

Image: Matthew Simmons/Getty Images for SBIFF
Janelle Monáe

Although Janelle Monáe’s two-tone hair color and colorful underliner probably caught your attention first at the Grammys, it was her delicate, glistening floral mini clips that left a lasting impression. 

Image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey’s hair accent was less subtle. The singer sported a starry crown affixed to the back of her center-parted locks that coordinated rather seamlessly with her flashy Gucci gown.

Image: Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi rocked a gothic Vera Wang dress to the NAACP Image Awards, but she finished off her braids with a thoroughly modern golden hair pin.

Image: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Katherine Langford

Katherine Langford really shined at the Golden Globes with this celestial barrette arrangement securing her sideswept locks.

Image: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown’s low bun at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards was decorated with several mini floral barrettes boasting pearl centers.

Image: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Cara Delevingne

For the Vogue Paris Foundation Dinner during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, Cara Delevingne accented her then still blond pixie with a dazzling Chanel firework hairpiece.

Image: Marc Piasecki/WireImage/Getty Images
Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning repped Miu Miu over in Paris by stepping out in the brand’s pink paillette minidress and embellished double banded headband.

Image: Pierre Suu/GC Images/Getty Images
Haley Bennett

Taking in the Christian Dior Cruise 2018 show, we’re betting the people sitting to the left of Haley Bennett were taking in her cluster of gleaming barrettes and hair combs.

Image: @jennychohair