How-to: Gothic Hairstyles

Do the Dark 'Do

By Julie Lain
QuailBellMagazine.com

Looking for just the right hairstyle to express your dark side? You may be in luck. In a culture in which individual self-expression is encouraged, Goths have experimented with every hairstyle idea imaginable, from the French braid to the beehive. And fortunately, gothic hairstyles are easy to do, unique, and can be done with any hair length and texture. There are many different types of goth, but here is a list of three popular hair ideas from gothic culture and how to create them.

Hair Falls

What you need:

Two hair falls

Brush

Two hair ties

Bandana (optional)

1. First choose the material you want the falls to be. Hair falls can be yarn, wool, tubing, or foam. These can be purchased online on eBay, Etsy, or you can make your own.

2. Brush hair to get rid of any knots or tangles. Just as with any hairstyle, this gives you a fresh start and makes your hair easier to work with.

3. Make a bun (or pigtail) on each side of your head toward the front and top. This provides the falls with something to hold onto and also gives them more volume. At this point, if you’re going to wear a bandana or pair of goggles as some people like wearing with falls, it should be around your neck because it will be much easier to put on once the hair falls are in place rather than waiting until afterwards.

4. Tie a hair fall around one of the buns so that the ends of it hang over your face. If the fall is layered, position it so the shortest layer is in the front.

5. Flip the hair fall over the bun so that it completely covers that side of your head. Repeat with the other hair fall.

6. Position the strands how you want them to look.


Tips

• It may help to keep falls tied together with a hair tie or ribbon once you’re done, especially if you’re going to be active.
  
  
• Make sure the buns are secured very tightly to keep the falls from slipping.
  

Goth Spikes

What you need:

Comb

Hairspray

Hair tie/hair clip

Flat-iron (optional)

Mousse (optional)

1. Part your hair where you want the line of spikes to be. They could go from the front of your head to the back or from one side to the other depending on your preference. If you have curly or wavy hair, use a flat-iron to straighten it first.

2. Separate the section of hair you want to style into smaller sub-sections. Use a hair tie or hair clip on each section to keep them separate.

3. Comb each section of hair in the direction you want it to go, using hairspray to keep them in position. You could make the spikes curved with the tips all facing one side, or just sticking straight up. For extra-thick spikes, backcomb (comb hair toward the scalp) each section with a comb.

4. Continue to spray spikes with hairspray as necessary to keep them from falling.


Tips

• For short hair, simply rub mousse onto both hands and pull the hair skyward, starting from the sides toward the middle. Then gently style hair with hair gel until you get the spiky effect.
  
  
• To keep tips of spikes looking thicker and more defined, rub with a small amount of hair gel.
  

Puffy Pigtails

What you need:

Brush

Two hair ties

Hairspray

Conditioner (optional)

Hair bow (optional)

1. Brush hair to get rid of knots and tangles. Use hairspray or leave-in conditioner as needed.

2. Pull your hair into pigtails. To do this, part your hair down the middle and divide hair into two half sections. Pull each section in front of your shoulders to separate them. Finally, secure each section with a hair tie just above the ears.

3. Grab smaller sections of hair in each pigtail and use a brush to backcomb them. This step is very important to creating the “poofy” look.

4. Finish it off by using hairspray on each pigtail.

Tips

• For a little extra dramatic effect, keep a small section of hair in the front on each side hanging loose.
  
  
• Place a goth-inspired decorative bow or other hair accessory to the base of each pigtail to complete your look. Accessories are a large part of gothic culture.