Protective Style Trends: Concert and Festival Hair 2023

Concert season is right around the corner. Will amazing hair be your anthem of the summer? Our curly hair community has already started to plan this year's festival looks. We're prepping our summer hair with the upcoming trends for 2023. We want curls that are ready to head-bang, natural locks that sway with the best song in the lineup, and amazing volume that won't go flat by the second encore. In short, festival hair has to go with the flow. Easy, low-maintenance, and resilient styles are the name of the game for summer hair trends. Learn how using a protective style can save your day.

Check out our concert and festival hair guide for summer 2023. These styles know how to stand out in a crowd!

The Festival Hair Dilemma? Using Protective Style Is Your Solution

Music festivals are the best part of summer. Festival hair though? We could do without the frizz and dullness. When the lights fade on your curls, the end result can often be a summer hair disaster. 

Being said, we recommend styling curly summer hair prior to a big event. Especially, for Type 4 and 4c coily hair types. While the temptation to throw on a flower crown and call it a day can be tempting, wearing your natural hair down at a festival risks damaging the integrity of your curls. For one thing, all-day sun exposure means harmful UV rays are breaking down the keratin protein bonds that give your curls their shape and stripping away your vibrant color.

Prepping your curls with a  UV protectant spray inevitably won't last all day. Moreover, there's the issue of movement, exposing different parts of your curls to direct sunlight. Also, the heat from the crowds and environment can further impact your hair, causing frizz and tangles. A combination of environmental factors can also cause your hair to appear flat midway through a concert. When the music fades, you're left with some serious damage repair.

Bad summer hair days don't have to be added to your ticket price. One of the many benefits of protective styles is keeping your natural hair vibrant while giving you the iconic festival hairstyles of your dreams. Enjoy summer festivities without worrying about your curls. These 2023 festival hairstyles will show you how.

Top Concert and Festival Looks of 2023 for Curly Hair

What's the secret to capturing the hottest festival looks of 2023 for natural hair? Protective styles! If you're like many of us before we discovered the amazing world of faux locks, you may be wondering how some naturalistas keep their hair perfect all season long. Here's the truth, the best hairstyles that allow for versatility and creative designs are extensions. moreover, the benefits of protective styles include keeping your natural hair damage-free, supporting a healthy scalp, and boosting natural hair growth.

Check out the top concert and festival looks of 2023 for all hair types and textures.

Pineapple Protective Style

Capture carefree, beachy vibes at your next concert. Here's why, the pineapple protective style is a classic look that is headbanging-approved. If you're looking for low-tension hairstyles that support a healthy scalp and enhance natural hair growth, the pineapple might just be your go-to for curly summer hair. This look is simple and can be done with just a no-pull scrunchie. Moreover, you just need a little curl serum to hold your hair in place, making the pineapple protective style a win for hotel rooms, camper vans, and even tents. Simply gather your curls in a high ponytail and secure the base. Also, you can style the look to be a little messier or more slicked back depending on preference. Pair with a headband or a whole flower crown -- we are at a festival after all! 

Milk Braids

Looking for gothic protective styles? Milk braids will give you all the witchy, goth faerie-core vibes you could hope for in one simple style. Here's why, silk braids channel old-world gothic chic with a beautiful braided crown at the top of your head. Your curls will be kept out of the way while looking ethereal and enchanting. Suited for curly texture hair. This look works well with 4c coily hair and everything in between.

Space Buns

No festival would be complete without space buns! This futuristic style isn't simply trending for its practical, low-maintenance benefits. Hence, space buns are always chic and always a good choice for music festivals. You can wear your buns half up, half down, style them to be chunky or delicate, or transform the look into full Bantu knots. Whatever your choice, your style is sure to be out of this world.

Curly Mohawk

Ready to rock, but not ready to commit to a full mohawk haircut? No worries! Try a curly mohawk or fohawk this summer! Faux hawks are a great option for low-tension hairstyles to wear at a concert. Also, you can achieve this look at home with a few simple sculpting products and your RevAir styling device for shaping the look. Find out how to use your RevAir to create the best concert hair of 2023!

Colorful Crochet Braids

Add a pop of color to your concert style with crochet braids! Being able to experiment with color without risking hair damage is one of the many benefits of protective styles. Crochet braids are a lightweight braid option for hot summer days that reduce the tension at the root while achieving the same dramatic look as box braids and other styles. Hence, with crochet braids, you can weave in colored strands to bring your look from everyday to festival fabulous. Also, the popular colors for 2023 include pastels, bronze and auburn, and violets.

Fishtail Braid

Fishtail braids are a classic festival hairstyle that is especially suited to hair types 1-3. A fishtail braid is a chunkier, more dramatic version of a French braid that captures all the boho mermaid vibes. Summer hair trends for 2023 will see lots of bedazzled fishtail braids with crystal charms, retro hair clips, and even delicate gems and sequins. 

Natural Hair Twist Out

Want to show off your natural hair without exposing your curls to damage? Try a natural hair twist out! This style is a must for curly summer hair. The twist-out is a simple, easy style to maintain and can be achieved at home without a salon appointment. It's a great look for 4c coily hair and stays fresh long after braiding the style in. There are a few different variations on the look with fuller curls, more defined twists, and asymmetrical parts. Natural hair twist-outs are a striking festival look that's sure to stay on trend throughout the season.

Bubble Pony Tail

When it comes to trending festival hairstyles for curly hair, the bubble ponytail is one of our favorites. This fun, voluminous look is similar to the technique of banding your hair. Start with a high pony to maximize volume. The end result should look a bit like an updo mixed with banded hair. You'll need a few hair ties to section out your pony into "bubbles". Therefore, work through the sections with your fingers to fluff out your bubbles and enhance the volume. Set in place with a light to medium holding spray and enjoy the day with ponytail 2.0.

Jumbo Box Braids

The return to retro means box braids are in for 2023. Jumbo box braids are a bold statement piece and a twist on a classic look. These braids are great for adding length to your curls. Being said, if you've ever wondered how some achieve Rapunzel locks just in time for summer music fests, look no further than jumbo box braids. Hence, we recommend having these installed professionally at a salon to maintain scalp and hair health, as well as get the most life out of the look. Be sure to move your braids up according to the recommended schedule which is typically 8 weeks.

Face-Framing Braids

If you're determined to leave your curls flowing at an upcoming music fest, face-framing braids can pull the look together. Tie two simple braids at the front of your hair to highlight your beautiful face. This on-the-go trick is helpful for a quick festival fix. If your curls are beginning to look a bit flat throughout the day, the face-framing braids draw attention away from the rest of the hair and make you look more complete. Styling the front of our hair when we're short on time is a simple trick for achieving an easy concert hairstyle.

Braided Updo

If you're going to be spending all day in the sun, you'll want your curls up and out of the way. A braided updo is a great concert hairstyle option for all hair types. It's practical, efficient, and looks flawless when accessorized with hair charms and a few flowers. Best of all, this style doesn't take long to install and can easily be DIY'd.

The Importance of Using Protective Hairstyle

Summer 2023 is almost upon us and that means concerts, music festivals, and street fairs are waiting! That's why, don't stall until the last minute to decide on your festival hairstyle. Moreover, get inspired by the hottest concert hairstyles for natural hair to create a showstopping look.

Need more help finding inspiration? Connect with our RevAir style team today!