When it comes to trying new hairstyles and becoming comfortable with them, it’s all about embracing accessories. As someone that’s cut my hair short and near bald on different occasions, I understand the need to always dress up my sparse locks. Fun, quirky earrings, large wrap scarves full of color, oversized shades and bold hats that play peek-a-boo: accessorize how chic your hair is during fierce hair days and funky ones–cause you know you spend too much time and money on that head to not only love it, but have fun with it.
Try Bold Makeup
Let’s be clear, don’t rely heavily on makeup to make your facial features stand out alongside your short or big hair. Nothing should be caked on, as in, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” makeup. But for edgy ‘dos, don’t be afraid to play with your eye makeup for sure. Big pouty eyes or Hot cat-like peepers are uber-feminine, so accentuate them with glittery eyeliners, bright lids and colorful mascara you would never classify as conventional when you’ve taken the jump into a shaved Caesar, have a Hot asymmetrical cut long in the front or decided to try the above Grace Jones-eque fade.
Jewelry from Zayunu by Design
Brass hair cuff made by Peaceimagesjewelry on Etsy
Try Jewelry on Your Dreads
When it comes to actually accessorizing dreads (not putting on accessories alone), a lot less is more. Not too many beads or colorful strings wrapped around your locks, or you could wind up looking like that child in the grocery store with three shades of pink beads weighing down your head. But a few cool cuffs to wrap around growing dreads and some precious cowrie shells, and your locks, already fresh to the nines, will be even more of a decorated work of art.
Rachel Stewart
Try Enormous Earrings Out for Size
For women with big, beautiful natural curls and ‘fros out to “here,” don’t be afraid to go just as big with your earrings as you would with your hair. Thin and oversized hoops and doorknocker earrings are a bit dull for this new decade. Instead, check out ear jewelry made with spunky shades and materials such as feathers, beads, coppers and even cloth, and let them hang low, peeking out under a head full of hair, or accenting a fun puff.
Try Being a Mad Hatter
Hats don’t have to fully cover your entire head, and they can be a nice accessory for even your best hair days. For ladies with new choppy bangs, bumped ones or curly versions of the forehead covers, a cute hat propped correctly on the back of your head can set off your bangs. Take the above ladies for instance, a hat brings a lot of attention to a new cut, often times more than going out with your head bare for all to see. Try a hat to prevent too much maintenance for a sweaty night at the club, and flip, curl, roll or slick straighten your bangs to make sure they hang out for all to compliment.
Try Making a Statement with Heavy Neckwear
For ladies with longer locks, or those who love to prop their mane of hair on top of their heads because they have awesome options, know this–big, bulky and bad (the good bad) neckpieces look best when hair is worn up. Hair that covers a fine piece of neckwear is a waste of time. When seen, not only can it show off a lean neck, but put freshly done hair on full view. And while an ornate necklace stands out with hair up, it also puts attention on hair that’s equally ornate: braided backs with a curly top, ladies bringing back the french roll, a wavy bun up top. A good statement necklace should never overpower, but empower.
Try Glitter for Straight & Dark Hair
I tried this before when I cut my hair above my ears and dyed it blue-black. Glitter on dark hair is fascinating up close as it glimmers and plays tricks on folks nearby, but is equally alluring from far away when caught outside in the sun. Never put too much glitter in your hair though, that just looks crazy, and make sure you practice with the spray on paper before you apply it to hair. Too much pressure behind a first spray can leave too much glitter on one spot. Play with multi-colored glitter, as the effect is even cooler than a one tone silver or gold. I recommend putting the glitter solely on a flipped bang or specific section and leaving the rest black to also show off new bangs and to of course prevent too much mess around the house and on your pillow later. Temporary hair color in bright shades are also a great idea for small sections of your hair. Go for bright red or even blonde.
Photo courtesy of Black Girl with Long Hair Online
Try a New-School Headband
Remember back in the day when headbands were made out of either one solid piece of cotton, plastic or that weird comb thing? By the time you pulled the boring things off they took a strip of hair with ‘em. But nowadays headbands are bejeweled and covered in beads, feathers and organza material, that can often be more dressed up than the outfit you have on. Plus they’re less damaging to your hair. For people with extra short hair, a headband can be a piece of jewelry for your ‘do, whether it’s stretched around your forehead or sitting in the middle of your head in front of bumped hair. They dress up your hair and can be a simple solution to picking up a curling iron and applying drying heat for special occasions. Who knew something so small and skinny could do so much?
What are your fav hair accessories?
