17 Bridgerton Hairstyles That Bring Regency Romance to Real Life
If you’ve been searching for Bridgerton hairstyles that actually work outside a period drama set, you’re in the right spot. I’ve spent hours studying every ringlet, braid, and updo from the show’s hair department, then tested which ones translate to real hair, real time constraints, and real face shapes.
So what are the best Bridgerton hairstyles? The best Bridgerton hairstyles combine soft curls, braided crowns, and low buns styled with face-framing tendrils. Think romantic, slightly undone updos rather than stiff, sprayed styles — that’s the secret to nailing the Regency-era look without looking costumey.
Stick around, because I’m breaking down 17 different looks, telling you exactly which face shapes and hair types they flatter, and giving you real styling tips you can try tonight — not just pretty pictures with no instructions.
What Makes a Hairstyle “Bridgerton” Anyway?
Okay, real talk. Bridgerton hair isn’t just “curly updo.” It’s a whole vibe. The show’s stylists lean on soft volume, loose curls, and updos that look elegant but never too tight or severe. There’s usually height at the crown, some kind of braid or twist woven in, and little wisps of hair left loose around the face. It’s romantic without trying too hard — like you woke up looking like a duchess by accident.
Most of these styles work best on medium to long hair, but I’ll point out where shorter hair or fine hair needs a little extra help (hello, extensions and texturizing spray). Let’s get into it.
1. The Regency Low Bun with Curls
This one’s the workhorse of Bridgerton hairstyles. You gather the hair low at the nape, twist it into a soft bun, then pull a few pieces loose to curl around the face. It works on nearly every face shape because the loose curls soften sharp angles.
Best for straight or wavy hair, medium to long length. Use a curling wand for face-framing pieces and a light-hold pomade to keep the bun neat without looking stiff. This style is perfect for weddings, formal dinners, or honestly, a Tuesday when you want to feel fancy. Once you’ve mastered the low bun, the next step up in drama is adding braids into the mix.
2. Braided Crown Updo
The braided crown is basically royalty energy. You braid two sections from each side of your head and cross them over the crown, pinning them into a low bun or leaving the rest down in curls. It’s a showstopper for oval and heart-shaped faces since it draws the eye upward and outward.
This style suits thick or medium-density hair the best — thin hair may need a bit of backcombing for volume. A texturizing spray before braiding gives you grip and prevents slipping. It’s a fantastic pick for outdoor weddings or garden parties where you need something secure but still soft. Speaking of secure styles, let’s talk about a half-up option that’s a little more low-key.
3. Half-Up Victorian Twist
Not everyone wants a full updo, and that’s fine. The half-up Victorian twist takes the top section of your hair, twists it back, and pins it while leaving the rest down in loose waves. It’s a great in-between look for round or square faces because it adds height without covering the jaw.
Works on almost any hair type, though curly hair will need extra pins to keep the twist smooth. A shine serum helps tame frizz on the twisted section. This is an ideal work-to-dinner transition style — professional during the day, romantic by night. Next, let’s go full ringlet with a look inspired by the Queen herself.
4. Cascading Ringlets
If you’ve seen Queen Charlotte’s hair in the show, you know cascading ringlets are the definition of drama. This look uses a curling iron with a small barrel to create tight, defined ringlets that fall past the shoulders, often paired with a few pinned-back pieces at the crown.
Best suited for long hair, though clip-in extensions can help fake the length. Curly and coily hair types actually have a head start here — a curl-defining cream and diffuser can enhance natural ringlets instead of fighting them. This style shines at black-tie events, proms, or costume parties. If ringlets feel like too much upkeep, a sleek chignon might be your speed.
5. Sleek Chignon with Face-Framing Curls
The chignon is elegant, simple, and forgiving on almost every face shape. Hair is smoothed back into a low, twisted knot at the nape, while two curled pieces frame the face for softness. It’s the perfect balance of “put together” and “romantic.”
This works beautifully on fine or straight hair since sleekness is easy to achieve without added volume. A flat iron smooths the base, and a small curling wand handles the face-framing pieces. Great for job interviews, formal events, or anytime you want minimal fuss but maximum polish. Now let’s add texture with a braided halo.
6. Braided Halo
The braided halo wraps a single braid around the head like a crown, creating a soft, almost angelic effect. It’s especially flattering on oblong or heart-shaped faces since the horizontal line balances length.
Best for medium to long hair with some texture — a beachy wave spray helps the braid look fuller. This is a favorite for summer weddings or festival-style events where you want something bohemian yet historically inspired. Once your halo braid is secure, you can leave the rest of your hair down or pull it into a bun underneath for extra formality. Speaking of formal, let’s go bigger with a pompadour.
7. Voluminous Pompadour Updo
Big hair, don’t care. The pompadour updo lifts the front section high off the forehead, then smooths the rest back into a bun or twist. It’s a fantastic choice for those with rounder faces since the height elongates the face shape.
This style needs some backcombing or a volumizing mousse to hold the lift, especially on fine hair. Thick hair holds the pompadour shape more naturally but may need extra pins. It works well for red carpet–style events or bold evening looks. If height isn’t your thing, loose romantic waves offer a softer alternative.
8. Loose Romantic Waves
Sometimes simple is best. Loose waves styled with a curling iron and brushed out gently create that “effortless duchess” look. No updo required — just soft movement throughout.
Great for all face shapes, especially those wanting to avoid anything too structured. Works on straight, wavy, and loosely curly hair. A light hairspray keeps the wave pattern without stiffness. Perfect for casual outings, brunch dates, or even a laid-back rehearsal dinner. If you want a bit more structure, try pairing waves with a twisted updo and floral details.
9. Twisted Updo with Floral Accessories
Adding small flowers or pearl pins to a twisted updo instantly gives major Bridgerton energy. Two sections are twisted back from each temple and pinned at the crown, with flowers tucked into the twist for detail.
This style flatters most face shapes and works on medium to long hair. Fine hair may need a volumizing spray at the roots first. It’s ideal for garden weddings, tea parties, or springtime events. If flowers aren’t your style, ribbons offer a similar Regency touch with side-swept curls.
10. Side-Swept Curls with Ribbon
This one’s a personal favorite for date nights. Hair is curled, swept over one shoulder, and tied loosely with a satin ribbon near the ends. It’s asymmetrical, which makes it especially flattering for square or diamond face shapes since it softens strong jawlines.
Works best on wavy or curled hair with some length. A shine spray keeps the color of the ribbon and hair looking cohesive and glossy. This look transitions well from daytime events to evening dinners. Next, let’s go upward with a high bun.
11. High Bun with Soft Tendrils
A high bun sounds simple, but the Bridgerton version adds loose tendrils around the face and a slight bump at the crown for volume. It’s a great choice for oval and heart-shaped faces since it opens up the face without adding bulk.
Best for medium to long hair; thin hair benefits from a hair donut for shape. A strong-hold gel keeps the bun smooth while a small curling iron handles the tendrils. This works for formal events, dance recitals, or graduation photos. If a bun feels too formal, a double braid softens things up.
12. Double Braided Updo
Two braids, crossed and pinned into an updo, create texture without heaviness. This look works particularly well on thick or curly hair, since the braids help control volume while still looking intentional.
A light styling cream before braiding reduces frizz and keeps each strand defined. This style suits square and round faces by adding vertical lines that elongate the face. It’s a solid pick for outdoor events, festivals, or anytime you want a low-maintenance but eye-catching updo. From braids, let’s move to something breezier — the textured low ponytail.
13. Textured Low Ponytail with Curls
This one’s deceptively simple. Hair is gathered into a low ponytail, then the ponytail itself is curled in sections for texture. A small piece of hair wraps around the elastic to hide it, giving a polished finish.
Works well on straight or wavy hair of medium to long length. A texturizing spray adds grip before curling. This look is versatile — dress it up with jewelry for a formal event or keep it casual for daytime errands. Fine hair benefits from teasing the crown slightly before pulling into the ponytail for added body. Next, let’s step back in time even further with finger waves.
14. Vintage Finger Waves
Borrowing more from the 1920s but still fitting the Bridgerton aesthetic, finger waves create a sculpted, wavy pattern close to the scalp. This works exceptionally well on shorter hair or bobs, giving those with less length a way to join the trend.
Best suited for straight or slightly wavy hair; a strong-hold gel is essential to shape the waves before they dry. This style flatters oval and square faces by softening angles near the temples. It’s a striking choice for costume parties or vintage-themed events. If you want something with a bit of sparkle, pearl-embellished updos are next.
15. Pearl-Embellished Updo
Because nothing says Regency era quite like pearls. This updo takes a simple twisted bun and adds small pearl pins scattered throughout for texture and shine. It’s an easy way to elevate a basic hairstyle into something event-ready.
Works on any hair type, though thin hair may need a bump-it insert for volume before twisting. This style suits round and oval faces particularly well. It’s perfect for weddings, proms, or holiday parties where a little sparkle goes a long way. If pins and pearls feel like too much effort, a messy bun offers a lower-maintenance alternative.
16. Messy Bun with Curled Strands
Not every day calls for perfection, and that’s okay. This messy bun takes curled hair and loosely twists it into a bun, letting pieces fall out naturally for that “I woke up like this” romantic look.
Best for wavy or curly hair textures, medium to long length. A light texturizing paste helps strands hold their shape without looking greasy. This works for casual outings, coffee dates, or lazy weekends when you still want to look put together. Finally, let’s end with the most dramatic option on this list.
17. Full Ringlet Updo (Queen Charlotte–Inspired)
This is the showstopper — tight ringlets pinned up into a voluminous updo with height at the crown and curls cascading from the back. It’s bold, it’s dramatic, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
Best for long, thick hair, though extensions can help thinner hair achieve the volume needed. A strong-hold hairspray and plenty of bobby pins are non-negotiable here. This style is reserved for the biggest events — think galas, weddings, or costume balls where you want to fully commit to the Regency fantasy.
Bridgerton Hairstyles by Face Shape and Hair Type
| Hairstyle | Best Face Shape | Best Hair Type | Hair Length Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regency Low Bun with Curls | All shapes | Straight, wavy | Medium–Long |
| Braided Crown Updo | Oval, Heart | Thick, medium | Medium–Long |
| Half-Up Victorian Twist | Round, Square | All types | Medium–Long |
| Cascading Ringlets | Oval, Long | Curly, coily | Long |
| Sleek Chignon | All shapes | Fine, straight | Medium–Long |
| Braided Halo | Oblong, Heart | Textured, wavy | Medium–Long |
| Voluminous Pompadour | Round | Fine, thick | Medium–Long |
| Loose Romantic Waves | All shapes | Straight, wavy | Medium–Long |
| Twisted Updo with Flowers | All shapes | Fine, medium | Medium–Long |
| Side-Swept Curls with Ribbon | Square, Diamond | Wavy, curly | Medium–Long |
| High Bun with Tendrils | Oval, Heart | All types | Medium–Long |
| Double Braided Updo | Square, Round | Thick, curly | Medium–Long |
| Textured Low Ponytail | All shapes | Straight, wavy | Medium–Long |
| Vintage Finger Waves | Oval, Square | Straight | Short–Medium |
| Pearl-Embellished Updo | Round, Oval | All types | Medium–Long |
| Messy Bun with Curls | All shapes | Wavy, curly | Medium–Long |
| Full Ringlet Updo | Oval, Long | Thick | Long |
Styling Time and Maintenance Level
| Hairstyle | Styling Time | Maintenance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Regency Low Bun with Curls | 20–25 min | Low |
| Braided Crown Updo | 30–40 min | Medium |
| Half-Up Victorian Twist | 10–15 min | Low |
| Cascading Ringlets | 40–50 min | High |
| Sleek Chignon | 15–20 min | Low |
| Braided Halo | 25–30 min | Medium |
| Voluminous Pompadour | 25–35 min | Medium |
| Loose Romantic Waves | 15–20 min | Low |
| Twisted Updo with Flowers | 20–25 min | Medium |
| Side-Swept Curls with Ribbon | 15–20 min | Low |
| High Bun with Tendrils | 20 min | Low |
| Double Braided Updo | 25–30 min | Medium |
| Textured Low Ponytail | 15 min | Low |
| Vintage Finger Waves | 30 min | High |
| Pearl-Embellished Updo | 25–30 min | Medium |
| Messy Bun with Curls | 10 min | Low |
| Full Ringlet Updo | 50–60 min | High |
Tips for Success
- Prep your hair the night before with a light leave-in conditioner — dirty-ish, second-day hair actually holds curls and updos better than freshly washed hair.
- Always curl in sections. Trying to curl big chunks at once leads to loose, fading waves within an hour.
- Use bobby pins that match your hair color so they blend in instead of standing out.
- Invest in a good heat protectant, especially if you’re combining curling irons and flat irons in the same style.
- Practice the updo once or twice before the actual event. Trust me, you don’t want to be pinning your hair for the first time while running late.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Skipping texture spray before braiding. Slippery hair makes braids fall apart fast. A texturizing spray gives your fingers something to grip.
- Curling hair too close to the roots. This creates frizz instead of defined curls. Start your curling iron about an inch away from the scalp.
- Using too much product on fine hair. Heavy pomades weigh fine hair down, making updos look flat instead of voluminous.
- Ignoring face shape. Not every Bridgerton hairstyle suits every face. Check the table above before committing to a big event look.
- Rushing the pinning process. A hairstyle that took 30 minutes to curl deserves 10 extra minutes of careful pinning. Rushed pins slip out mid-event.
Wrapping It Up
Bridgerton hairstyles aren’t just for costume parties — they’re proof that soft curls, braided crowns, and romantic updos never really go out of style. Whether you’re recreating a Queen Charlotte moment or keeping things simple with loose waves, there’s a look here for every hair type and every occasion.
At the end of the day, the best Bridgerton hairstyles are the ones that make you feel like you stepped out of a ballroom scene — polished, romantic, and just a little bit dramatic in the best way possible.
