How to Apply Hair Tinsel, According to Hairstylists

Hair tinsel is yet another Y2K beauty trend that's making a comeback, but honestly, we're here for it. Also dubbed "fairy hair" on TikTok, the returning fad instantly adds a fun flair to any hair look. If you want to experiment with glittery tinsel this holiday season and beyond, we've got you covered with all the tips. Ahead, hairstylist Matt Newman and beauty content creator Ash Walker break down everything you need to know about applying and styling hair tinsel.

Meet Our Expert

• Matt Newman is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and content creator. His TikTok and Instagram are home to countless how-to hair tutorials.

• Ash Walker is a model and beauty-focused content creator.

The Benefits of Hair Tinsel

Unsurprisingly, the main benefit of hair tinsel is that it makes for a totally unique and fun hair moment. Whether you want to add a bit of shine to your holiday looks or create an eye-catching festival look, hair tinsel is perfect for all of it.

Another plus? You can control how bold you want to go. Since you're applying it yourself, you can add clumps of tinsel together to make the glittery strands stand out or just a few pieces so your hair subtly sparkles when it hits the light.

Hair tinsel is also a simple enhancement to install and take out. If you only want to wear hair tinsel for one evening, you can simply take it out in the morning, as opposed to semi-permanent or permanent hair dye, which requires more maintenance.

How to Apply Hair Tinsel

There are a few different ways to apply hair tinsel, and our two experts each use distinct methods. While Newman applies his hair tinsel with elastics, Walker opts for microbeads to attach her hair tinsel with. Newman's method works well if you want to add a few scattered pieces, and Walker's is best for applying in large clumps.

With Elastics

1. Start by gathering clear mini elastics and your hair tinsel.

2. Loop the tinsel around your small elastic so it's securely attached.

3. Tie the elastic with the tinsel into your hair and trim the tinsel as necessary.
   

With Microbeads

1. Start by gathering hair tinsel, microbeads, and a tool to compress the bead flat. Walker says all these materials can easily be found on sites like Amazon or beauty supply stores.

2. Section off small pieces of your hair. "The amount of hair you want to take into the bead is smaller than your pinky nail," Walker says. "You don't want a lot of hair—just enough to be sturdy."

3. Take the sectioned portion of hair through the bead with your hair tinsel. Ensure the bead is positioned a decent length away from your scalp so you can't see it since they are a bit thicker.

4. Use a tool to compress the bead flat around your hair and tinsel.

5. Trim and style to your liking.
   

How to Style Hair Tinsel

Experimenting with different hair tinsel styles is half the fun, and the hairdo possibilities are endless. You can try weaving it into a braided look or keep it simple with a straight style. "Half up, half-down is a great way to expose the layers of tinsel," Newman suggests.

There are some things to take into consideration, though. "If you're using the microbead technique, you want to wear styles that won't show the beads," Walker says. "I love to wear my hair down and let the tinsel peak through."

One considerable downside to hair tinsel is that it may not work for all hair types. "I think someone should invent curly hair tinsel because you can't curl tinsel with styling tools or products, so if you have curly hair, that's something to consider," Walker adds.

How to Remove Hair Tinsel

One of the most appealing parts of hair tinsel is how easy it is to remove. While you can keep you're hair tinsel in for as long as you want, you can also remove it whenever. If you used Newman's method with elastics to apply your hair tinsel, he recommends gently sliding the elastic out of your hair or carefully snipping it out. If you used microbeads, Walker says to use the same compression tool to open the bead back up and slide it off your hair.

Tips

If you want to keep your hair tinsel in for multiple days, you can shower with it, no matter how you apply it. However, Newman points out that washing your hair may cause the tinsel's shininess to dull.

The Final Takeaway

Hair tinsel is a fun way to spice up your hair for a special occasion. Plus, it's easy to DIY, as you can add it in using elastics or microbeads. While the glittery look dates back to the 2000s, celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion and Kacey Musgraves have proven why hair tinsel deserves to remain in the beauty trend conversation today. The one downside? Hair tinsel may not work for some hair types, but with its growing popularity, hopefully, diversified hair tinsel options are on the horizon.

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Read the original article on Byrdie.