In case you missed it: Hair gems are back. And, with celebrities like Serena Williams and Alicia Keys embracing the Y2K beauty trend, we’re dusting off our early 2000s hair gem applicators to give our strands the ultimate shining moment.
“There are endless ways to rock hair gems,” says celebrity hairstylist Cody Renegar. “Whether it’s curly, wavy, or straight, you can apply them throughout your hair to show off your creativity,” he adds.
Versatility is the name of the game with this hair trend, especially if you use individual rhinestones. You can bedazzle your hair, outline your part, and much more. But applying hair gems doesn’t have to be a special-occasion staple. Go for a subtle look with a handful of rhinestones during the day, and go the extra mile on big nights out with a crystal veil.
Ready to dress up your mane? Add some sparkle to your strands with these hair gem hairstyles.
Meet the Experts
Cody Renegar is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow, Marie Osmond, Leslie Jordan, and more.
Edgy Shimmer
Add a touch of shimmer to the edges of your strands with this rhinestone hairstyle. The minimalistic approach to hair gems adds a soft shimmer to the hairline for an elevated slicked-back look. Much like your part, you can also rock this trend by fully outlining your hairline in crystals.
Flowy Rhinestones
For a more relaxed, bohemian style, let your hair down and style it into loose waves with hints of sparkle throughout. This trend is one of our favorite looks as it has a more relaxed feel that works with casual looks, but can also up the ante for more formal ensembles.
High Shine Ponytail
Another subtle and chic way to try the trend is by applying gemstones to the strands of your ponytail or braid — like actress Sheryl Lee Ralph did at this year’s Emmys. We love this look because it has a more modern nod to the glistening Y2K trend. Even in an all-black ensemble like Ralph’s, gems manage to take the entire look up a notch.
Whether you slick your hair down or let it flow free, a glittering part is a fresh approach to the trend. You can rock this style with a sleek row of crystals, have fun with various shapes and colors, or switch it up altogether with adhesive pearls. Your center part will quickly become the center of attention.
Slicked Back and Bedazzled
One of the easiest ways to try the Y2K hair trend is to slick your hair back in a bun or ponytail and apply rhinestones to the crown and sides of your head. What makes this style so great is that you can choose how much you want to lean into the trend with an all-around bedazzled look or something a little more subtle, such as a few accented gems on one side of your head. Another plus: It’s not a huge departure from an ordinary ponytail. Slick back your hair as usual, and bedazzle to your desired bling level.
How to Apply Hair Gems
According to Renegar, getting hair gems to stay put is the trickiest part of the process — and it completely depends on the style you choose. If you’re going for a hair-down look, you can invest in a hair gem stamper, which essentially acts as a stapler, securing each gemstone to your strands. “You can also use eyelash glue on the back of each gem and sandwich strands between two self-adhesive gemstones,” Renegar suggests, noting that this method helps hair flow freely while keeping stones secure.
For a glistening part or hairline, Renegar says to use “a strong-hold gel, then apply the gemstones on top with a tweezer and set the stones by applying hairspray.” If you don’t want to go through the effort of applying each rhinestone individually, you can purchase a strand of rhinestones and lock them in place with a little bit of eyelash glue.
And, if you want a more fuss-free take on the hair gem trend, you can opt for accessories such as a headband with trailing crystals, rhinestone spiral hair clips, or glistening hairpins that you can pop into a messy bun.
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