Coachella isn’t just a music festival; it’s a vibrant canvas where artistry and self-expression are encouraged and celebrated with enthusiasm—and nowhere is this more evident than in the spectacular array of hairstyles that unfold under the California sun. This cultural phenomenon has become a haven for hair enthusiasts, where the desert becomes a runway for the most daring dos, from the sleek Type 1s that shimmer in the sunlight to the voluptuous Type 4s that speak volumes of heritage and pride.
Image Source: @ashleeswest
As we explore 18 standout Coachella hair moments, we pay homage to the creativity and diversity of styles gracing the festival grounds. Braids aren’t just a style; they’re statements woven with stories. Sleek ponytails rise to the occasion with gravity-defying grace, and colors meld into the strands as if painted by the sunset.
Join us as we explore the chronicles of Coachella’s hair history, where every coil, curve, and color is a melody in the symphony of style.
Type 1 Straight Hair
1. Gwen Stefani’s ‘90s Revival
Image Source: @gwenstefani / Instagram
Gwen Stefani’s Coachella look channeled her ’90s roots with a sleek, straight blonde ponytail that added a polished and nostalgic touch to her ensemble, perfectly embodying her iconic style with a modern twist.
2. Space Buns
Image Source: Photographed by Emily Malan / @refinery29.com
This Coachella attendee rocked playful space buns with her straight hair, adding a fun twist to her festival look.
3. Fiery Passion Braided Ponytail
Image Source: @chloejane / Instagram
An attendee made a statement with their bold red long braided hairstyle, featuring waist-length braids in a vibrant shade of red that added a striking and passionate touch to their Coachella look.
Type 2 Wavy Hair
4. Vanessa Hudgens’ Boho Waves
Image Source: @vanessahudgens / Instagram
Vanessa Hudgens embraced the boho look with loose, beachy waves, perfectly complementing her festival attire.
5. Pink Rodeo
Image Source: @niki / Instagram
Pairing the classic charm of a cowboy hat with pink hair, this look effortlessly merges Western style with a pop of bold color, creating a lively and eye-catching Coachella ensemble.
6. Boho Bead Waves
Image Source: @justinemarjan / Instagram
This hairstyle exudes a bohemian vibe with its soft pink waves gently cascading, intricately adorned with beads, charms, and chains that catch the light and add a playful, artistic flair to the look.
7. Whimsy Waves
Image Source: @shananananbanananaa / Instagram
This enchanting hairstyle features gentle waves with a dramatic splash of cobalt blue swept to the side in a cascade of color.
8. Glam Waves
Image Source:@lucii_lba / Instagram
This hairstyle brings a touch of glamour to the Coachella scene. Its lush, flowing waves and face-framing tendrils are complemented by accent twists that add a playful yet sophisticated look.
Type 3 Curly Hair
9. Curly Peacock Palette
Image Source: @stayreddy / Instagram
A woman with shoulder-length curly hair captivated onlookers with her hair’s peacock-inspired palette, blending shades of blue and green highlights throughout her curls for a vibrant, mesmerizing effect.
10. Wavy Curly Sunset Spectrum
Image Source: @beautylaunchpad / Instagram
A woman with wavy curly hair past her shoulders turned heads at Coachella with a stunning gradient of colors: pink roots that transition seamlessly into shades of orange, yellow, green, blue, and finally purple at the ends, creating a vibrant, sunset-inspired look.
11. Festive Dual-Toned Buns
Image Source: @nicholerayartistry / Instagram
Check out this eye-catching Coachella hairstyle, featuring bouncy curls cascading down and two large buns intertwined with vibrant pink and green hues for a lively festival look.
12. Sunlit Bantu Tendrils
Image Source: @jaz.mcnew / Instagram
This look is playful and stylish. Soft medium brown highlights cascade through shoulder-length curls, complemented by two petite Bantu knots sitting charmingly at the front, framing the face with delicate tendrils to enhance the carefree vibe.
Type 4 Coily Hair
13. Natural Bloom Crown
Image Source: @naturalhairweekly/ @chocolatesparkle / Instagram
A radiant celebration of natural beauty, this hairstyle showcases the rich texture of type 4 coily hair, crowned with a halo of white flowers that provides a striking contrast against the deep, ebony coils.
14. Playful Petal Coils
Image Source: @neworleansnaturalhairexpo / Instagram
This hairstyle is a delightful expression of carefree elegance. It features luscious coily hair in its full glory, playfully accented with bright purple and yellow flowers that add a touch of whimsy to the voluminous, textured mane.
Mixed Hairstyles
15. Edgy Dreadlocks
Image Source: @jessicaxgolich / Instagram
This hairstyle is a bold and edgy statement. It features long, thick dreadlocks lifted high and paired with a bandana, creating an adventurous look as daring and free-spirited as the festival itself.
16. Festive Braid Waves
Image Source: @leesiepinto / Instagram
Effortlessly chic, this hairstyle features long, slender braids that flow like a cascade, their sleek texture embodying the spirit of Coachella’s laid-back yet stylish vibe.
17. Festival Chic Twists
Image Source @hallebailey / Instagram
This captivating hairstyle by Halle Bailey features twists pulled to the side and back. It combines the elegance of neat, protective twists with the relaxed, free-flowing vibe of loose ends, making it a stylish and practical choice for the festival event.
18. Blue Infusion Knotless Braids
Image Source: @cityofindianwells / @laisribeiro / Instagram
This mesmerizing array of knotless braids falls effortlessly, each adorned with striking blue embellishments, creating a regal and modern expression of Coachella hair artistry.
Conclusion: Celebrating the Crowning Glories of Coachella
As the final chords of Coachella’s resounding lineup fade into the warm desert night, we carry more than just memories of the music and the art; we take inspiration from the festival’s tapestry of bold and inventive hairstyles.
From sleek Type 1 locks catching the sunlight to Type 4 coils adorned with the valley’s flowers, Coachella’s hair moments are as much a part of the festival’s identity as the iconic palm trees that frame its horizon. It’s a place where hair isn’t just a style but a statement—a canvas for personal expression that defies norms and transcends boundaries.
As we bid farewell to another year, the hairstyles of Coachella serve as a potent reminder that creativity knows no bounds and that beauty is a constantly evolving masterpiece that we each have the power to shape and redefine.
Until the gates open again, let these 18 head-turning hair moments inspire us to dream a little bolder, dare a little bigger, and style with the full force of our individuality, using our hair as a tool for personal expression.
