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The Beauty Breakdown: 20 Wedding-Ready Hairstyles for the Bride (and Beyond!)

The Beauty Breakdown: 20 Wedding-Ready Hairstyles for the Bride (and Beyond!)

These black tie-ready looks are easier than you think

By Jillian Ruffo

Updated April 20, 2017 05:39 PM

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LOOSE KNOT

Credit: C Flanigan/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

To create a loose, effortless style like Reese Witherspoon's, spray salt spray all over and tousle your strands, before parting your hair to the side and securing everything together in a loose chignon below the nape of your neck.

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BOHO BRAID

Credit: Todd Williamson/Getty; SplashNews

Freida Pinto’s braid might look crazy complicated, but all you need to know how to do is curl your hair and create a three-strand braid in order to create it. Simply wave the hair near your roots, pull it back and braid everything together at the nape of your neck, according to Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist Marcus Francis.

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STRUCTURED UPDO

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Go for an elegant style like Emma Watson’s by brushing all of your hair back into three sections and creating a French braid, before tucking the ends of the braid under to hide them.

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

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Embrace your natural texture in the chicest way — just part your strands down the middle and slick your hair into a super tight ponytail. Then, pump up the volume in your pony by misting texturizing spray all over and tousling with your hands to score a look like Zendaya’s.

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BOLD BRAID DUO

Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage

Kate Mara's crown-and-side-braid combo is the secret to taming frizz. After parting hair to one side, create a French crown braid with the larger section and a diagonal French braid with the smaller section.

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WHIMSICAL TWISTS

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A summer wedding is not the time to have your hair on your face — so avoid sweaty strands by simply twisting two front sections just above your ears and securing them together at the back of your head. And for an ethereal vibe like Keira Knightley's, leave two tiny tendrils loose in the front, then top off your twists with fresh flowers or leaves.

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NONCHALANT KNOT

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Running out the door? Smooth your hair into a low ponytail and wrap it into a gym-style knot before pinning rogue hairs into place and hiding the elastic for an effortless-yet-polished look like Taylor Schilling's.

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DAINTY DETAILS

Credit: Zuma

Give your natural texture an unexpected update with Paula Patton's tiny French braids. Just create a deep side part and French braid two small sections with all of the hair on the opposite side, continuing them back behind your ear.

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BLOWOUT UPGRADE

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A bouncy blowout works for every event— but Jennifer Lopez upped the glam factor of hers by pulling back just the front few inches.

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BRAIDED TOPKNOT

Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Take your go-to topknot into red carpet territory by taking a cue from Kerry Washington, who simply braided her pony before wrapping it into a bun.

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POLISHED WAVES

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An old Hollywood vibe like Sophie Turner's is easy: Using a 2-in. barrel curling iron, wrap small sections of hair away from your face. Once your strands cool, gently brush through them, allowing them to fall together into place.

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TEXTURED TWISTS

Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; AKM-GSI

If you're working with short strands, texturizing spray and a few bobby pins are all you need to create a faux updo like Nicole Richie's. After misting the spray all over, twist strands to create volume and texture, and pin them back.

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PRETTY PLAIT

Credit: Splash News Online

Even braid beginners can master a version of Lily Donaldson's effortless look. A thick fishtail is cool, but if you're not at that level, a basic braid will look equally chic — just don't forget to let a few front pieces fly.

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THE WET LOOK

Credit: Foc Kan/FilmMagic

If down dos are your thing but having your hair in your face is not, give Kendall Jenner's so-easy style a try. Simply rake a quarter-size amount of gel through your dry, straight strands, and repeat until your hair stays in place.

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FUN BUN

Credit: Getty (2)

Not in the mood to fight your texture? Go for Zendaya's bun by creating a dramatic diagonal part before slicking your strands into a super-tight low knot.

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HALFWAY SLICKED

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Let your makeup and accessories steal the spotlight like Bella Hadid by pulling the top half of your hair into a slicked ponytail, which will add a modern twist to a classic half-up style.

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EFFORTLESS CHIGNON

Credit: Everett; Startraks

The key to a chignon as chic as Julia Roberts's: Mist dry shampoo all over your hair to add airy texture before twisting and pinning your strands in place at the nape of your neck.

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MAJOR CURLS

Credit: Mike Pont/WireImage

Whether you're amping up a naturally curly texture or switching up your straight look, reach for a 1/2-in. curling iron, which will give you tight spirals like Laverne Cox's. Bonus: Bigger is better with this look, so consider frizz your friend.

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SUPER-GLAM PONY

Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty

Score Gabrielle Union's cascading pony by teasing the hair at the crown of your head before parting everything to one side and letting your front layers sweep across your forehead to create a faux bang. Secure your strands into high ponytail at the crown of your head, and pull a few tendrils out for an on-trend '90s touch.

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STRAIGHT AND SLEEK

Credit: Michael Stewart/WireImage

Don't want to stray from your stick-straight locks? Make them black tie-appropriate in seconds with Reese's look — just create a middle part and pin a 2-in. section behind each ear before spraying with hairspray.

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By Jillian Ruffo

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The Beauty Breakdown: 20 Wedding-Ready Hairstyles for the Bride (and Beyond!)

1 of 20

LOOSE KNOT

1 of 20

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BOHO BRAID

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STRUCTURED UPDO

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

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BOLD BRAID DUO

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WHIMSICAL TWISTS

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NONCHALANT KNOT

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DAINTY DETAILS

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BLOWOUT UPGRADE

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BRAIDED TOPKNOT

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POLISHED WAVES

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TEXTURED TWISTS

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PRETTY PLAIT

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THE WET LOOK

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FUN BUN

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HALFWAY SLICKED

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EFFORTLESS CHIGNON

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MAJOR CURLS

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SUPER-GLAM PONY

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STRAIGHT AND SLEEK

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