Royal Ascot Glam: Elegant Hairstyles to Do at Home

As the Royal Ascot approaches, the question on everyone’s mind—now that they’ve got their hat—is what hairstyle to wear for the big day! We asked our Creative Master Stylist, Matt Hawes, to give us some advice on hairstyles you can easily achieve at home for Race Day.

First things first. Before we move onto styling your hair, we have to start from the night before. Matt recommends that you turn up to your appointment—or begin your at-home prep—with pre-washed hair. This doesn’t mean washed on the day, but ideally the day before. “I would say you could use a mousse on the hair to pre-prep the hair,” says Matt.

You can do this by shampooing and conditioning your hair with the Josh Wood Colour Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Dry and Damaged Hair. The Miracle Care Set contains sulphate-free cleansing and conditioning products with natural active ingredients and our signature Colour Shine Complex of Quinoa Extract, Green Walnut, and UV Filters to protect and deeply condition your hair.

How to Match Your Hairstyle to a Royal Ascot Hat

Our general rule of thumb for Royal Ascot hairstyles? Let your hat dictate your hair.

• Wearing a larger hat? Keep your hairstyle simple and sleek. Think an elegant low bun or neat ponytail—this allows your hat to truly shine.

• Wearing a smaller fascinator or clip? A bouncy blow-dry or voluminous curls will add glamour and movement to your overall look.

For inspiration, look online to see what others with similar headwear have chosen. And don’t forget to check the weather—there’s nothing worse than wind or rain undoing your styling efforts.

“Think about what you are wearing,” says Matt. “Often simpler updos that are executed well can make the most impact.”

Race Day Hairstyles for Long Hair You Can Do at Home

“If you are doing your own hair, a bun can be very easy to achieve,” says Matt. “Make a ponytail where you want the bun to sit, then wrap the rest of the ponytail around the base and pin into place with bobby pins.”

You could also opt for a romantic braided ponytail. Simply braid the length of your ponytail and wrap a strand of hair around the band to hide it. Finish with a glossing serum or shine spray for that extra polish.

Chic and Simple Race Day Hairstyles for Short Hair

Short hair? No problem. A sleek side part with tucked-in ends behind the ears creates a modern, sophisticated silhouette, perfect under a fascinator.

Alternatively, add texture with a curling wand for soft, face-framing waves. Set with a flexible hairspray to keep things in place while still looking effortlessly chic.

Royal Ascot Hairstyles for Curly Hair You Can Do at Home

Curly hair can be a stunning feature—don’t feel like you have to tame it too much. Define your natural curls with a curl cream or gel, and use a diffuser when drying to enhance volume.

For a regal touch, try a half-up twist: take small sections from each side, twist them back and secure with pins or a decorative clip. It keeps curls off your face while still celebrating their natural bounce.

Volume-Boosting Race Day Hairstyles for Thin Hair

Thin hair? Create the illusion of fullness with these tips from Matt:

• Prep with a volumising mousse or root-lifting spray before blow-drying.

• Use a round brush to lift at the roots as you dry.

• Opt for soft waves or a textured low ponytail with a slight tease at the crown to add body.

“A great trick is to lightly backcomb the crown area before smoothing over,” Matt adds. “It gives you that little boost of volume without looking too styled.”

Final Touches:

Finish any look with a spritz of shine spray and a few pins in your clutch for emergencies. Remember, the best hairstyle is one that stays in place and makes you feel confident all day long. Whether you’re styling long waves, mastering a sleek bun, or embracing your natural texture, Royal Ascot is the perfect time to shine—hat and all!