Durga Puja! A time when our City of Joy will look to find — with safety protocols in place, of course — full celebratory expression, during both, the series of meaningful observances and the robust festivities that are intrinsic to its ethos. Don’t let following caution norms dampen your enthusiasm. Instead, help articulate the spirit of festivity surging through you by creating a hair gala mood board for all five days of the Puja! So from sizzling at Shasthi to dazzling at Dashami, here is your style guide for that once-in-a-year fashion fiesta you must treat your hair to. Have a fun-filled Durga Puja and remember what they say, your hair is 90 per cent of your selfie!
Miranda Kerr
Shasthi sass DIY
Let the festive spirit make its larger-than-life entry into your hairstyle board with a volume blow-dry that’s both sassy and chic.
Step 1:
Wash and condition
Step 2:
Apply a mix of styling cream and mousse for a longer-lasting style
*Thinner hair types can skip the cream
Step 3:
Use a large round brush, lifting at
90-degrees to the shape of the head, to blow-dry your hair
Step 4:
Section in three, then use large rollers on the crown area
Step 5:
Open out the rollers and brush through with a flat brush
Step 6:
Spray with a light hold shine spray for a glossy effect
Beyonce
DIY Saptami accent waves
Riding the waves of the Puja into its second day with a sensual contemporary cool vibe.
Step 1:
Wash and condition the hair with a leave-in conditioner
Step 2:
Dry the hair
Step 3:
Section the hair into eight equal parts
Step 4:
Twist each of the eight sections
*For tight waves, braid hair tightly and for a loose wave effect, braid loosely
Step 5:
Apply a heat protectant and run a straight iron over each twist
Step 6:
Wait till the hair cools
Step 7:
Open each twist
Step 8
Brush through for a gentle accent waves
Natalie Portman
Ashtami textured messy low bun
Decking a low twist with blooms can take on an auspicious aspect on this day of flowery significance.
Step 1:
Curl hair using curling tongs on large sections of hair
Step 2:
Brush out hair loosely
Step 3:
Flip hair over and spray gently
Step 4:
Arrange hair to a side parting
Step 5:
Smooth over with a flat brush and grasp with a band into a low ponytail
Step 6:
Slip the lower part of the hair through the top of the band, stopping with only half the ponytail through.
*Should have a messy-bun effect at this stage
Step 7:
Fluff out the structure with strategic tugs around the twist, pin hair around bun onto scalp for stability
Step 8:
Bedeck with flower of your choice or use a crystal-encrusted scrunchie for the ponytail or leave unadorned
Alicia Keys’s Met Gala 2021 crystal-studded elegantly sleeked-down hairdo was a perfect offset for her understated no-make-up look and ideal for an embellished Navami look
K-pop inspired embellished Navami
Sleek may be chic but an embellishment can give it just the level l-up accent your hair needs
Step 1:
Apply a light-hold styling lotion to washed and conditioned hair
Step 2:
Section the hair into 10 strands
Step 3:
Straight iron each section
Step 4:
Apply serum and then smooth down with a flat brush, directing the hair on the ends inwards
Step 5:
Use an embellished pin creatively as you fancy
Karlie Kloss
Dazzling Dashami
All good things come to an end but when they come with the promise to come back bigger, better and more beautiful the next time around, it’s time to tendril!
Step 1:
Curl the hair loosely
Step 2:
Ponytail the hair on top/at the middle /or pony twist at the nape. Back-comb the ponytail in sections
Step 3:
Spray lightly
Step 4:
Pile the hair in firmly at the area of choice
Step 5:
Slowly extricate from the tied hair, wisps or larger chunks of hair from the sides/forehead/
nape
Step 6:
Tong the wisps with a large barrel tool
Step 7:
Indulge in sindoor khela with blissful abandon
Priscilla Corner is a senior hairstylist with the UK Hair Council and co-owner of the June Tomkyns chain of salons. She can be reached at @junetomkynshair on Twitter and @priscilla_corner on Instagram
Megan Fox
Fringe Up
Met Gala 2021 was hot on fringes and vintage Hollywood looks given a contemporary twist. So if doing your eyes up on point is your go-to for feeling festive, fringe and mask up and bring them into focus.
Blunt bangs/Fringe
Blunt bangs is an all-time classic that still works for those that like a simple yet dramatic change. Offset it with a structured braid. Clip on faux fringes... works just as well!