Early adopters of the popular beehive looked to the statement hairstyle as a symbol of modernity in the Swinging Sixties. It was, after all, invented as a means to innovate the homogenous hair trends and reflect a new era of change. Fast forward to today and the beehive has undergone many a transformation. From the couture runways to the red carpet, and the iconic figures of Brigitte Bardot and Amy Winehouse, it's been reimagined time and time again.
But while the overt, conical shaped do has long been synonymous with a bolder aesthetic, it's beginning to shed its statement-making moniker, proving that, actually, it's more versatile, understated and softer than ever.
Marisa Abela, who plays Amy Winehouse in the Back To Black biopic, is a prime example. As the British actor took to the red carpet for the premiere of Back To Black - the new biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson portraying the life and rise to fame of Amy Winehouse - it was unsurprising that she channelled the late singer's trademark beauty references complete with winged eyeliner and a beehive half updo.
Joining the likes of Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway and Sienna Miller, Abela's beehive, however, veered on the softer side of its previous counterpart. Coined as a 'modern beehive' the latest iteration has the same enduring appeal but is a lot more wearable; think of it as the minimalist 2024 upgrade to a 1960s signature.
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It's a trend that forecaster and hair expert, Tom Smith, says is on the rise. 'It's become a go-to look across high fashion scenes and red carpet events. As such, I’m expecting it to appear on the met gala red carpet as creative directors work towards conceptualising looks for the event, thanks to the influence of the new Amy Winehouse film,' he shares.
What defines the 'modern beehive'?
'It's a modern twist on a classic beehive which incorporates more texture and a "swept-up" finish rather than a solid, gravity-defying look.' explains Smith.
'It's not as high and has a more natural, messy finish using slightly less back combing and is more about using your fingers and products like dry shampoos and texture powders instead to complete the look,' adds Grace Amelia, a senior hairstylist at Hersheson's.
How has the look evolved?
'Traditional beehives of the 1960s were typically based on a chignon or "roll" where all the hair was piled up and teased into a full and relatively solid updo with maximum volume at the crown,' says Smith. 'Amy Winehouse’s [beehive] was taller and and bolder but was most often worn combined with her lengths left down at the back and a more obvious backcombed texture throughout,' he adds.
While there is still some volume synonymous with the classic beehive, the modern iteration has an altogether new texture. 'It's become softer and more refined, with less of a matted look and more of a looser waved and ruffled finish and coupled with softer strands left out around the face and nape,' says Smith. The modern beehive, he says, is also a great way to cheat the look of longer hair, because when styled in a 'half up' style, it increases the distance between the highest and lowest points of the hair making your lengths look longer than they actually are.
How to create beehive hair at home
'Hair must be texturised with dry finish products such as styling powders', says Smith. He recommends the Sam Mcknight iconic Cool Girl texture spray to help create an invisible hold and weightless volume. 'Add some subtle backcombing near the root close to the crown to create a padding which will support a more delicate visible texture, then add pins to secure the texture in place,' he adds.
Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist
Kitsch Jumbo Open Shape Claw Clip
ghd Chronos Hair Straightener
L'Oreal Professional Therma Spray
Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Superlift Volumising Spray
He also says that creating a curled or waved texture will help encourage a more relaxed, undone look, using a ghd curve classic curl iron, the new Chronos or the Cloud Nine curling wand. Once secured, don't forget a strong holding spray to lock the look in place, he concludes.
There are also more styling opportunities too, notes Amelia. You can experiment with hairbands and hair bows for an ethereal and feminine take on the trend, or the classic 'half up' style, and for a quick everyday beehive, she recommends using a claw clip for instant volume and an IG-approved finish.
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