How to Do Medieval Hairstyles

Hairstyles during Medieval times were extremely formal and sometimes highly complicated. Braids and buns were particularly popular among the nobility. Some of the more intricate hairstyles were shaped using metallic wires and embellished with ribbons woven directly into the hair. Bathing was extremely rare in the Middle Ages, so hair was often put up and styled to last days and even weeks without the need for washing.

Things You'll Need

• Bobby pins
• Hairspray
• Mousse
• Hair ribbons

Instructions

1. 

   Do a Medieval fishtail braid. This look was particularly popular among the aristocracy. Use a comb to part your hair directly down the center. Take an inch-wide strand of hair from near your forehead, twist it and pull it back with a clip. Take another inch-wide piece and twist it back away from your face, combining it with the first piece. Continue until you have twisted all the hair down to your neckline. Repeat on the other side. When you're done with both sides, gather them at the base of your neck. Take one of the twisted pieces of hair from the left and add it to the right section, then add another piece from the right to the left section. Continue combining the strands of twisted hair from each section until you have reached the ends, then secure with a rubber band or scrunchie.

2. 

   Make a milkmaid braid. This style was popular among commoners. Part your hair down the middle so that you have two separate sections of hair. Braid both sections and secure the ends with a small elastic. For shorter hair, make a ponytail on either side of your head, then braid each one and secure with an elastic. Spray each braid with hairspray to tame flyaways. Take one braid and twist it over to the other side of your middle part. It should go across the crown of your head. Secure with bobby pins. Take the other braid and twist it over to the other side. Tuck it underneath the first braid and secure with bobby pins.

3. 

   Make a French-braid updo. Part hair down the middle and make a French braid using the hair on either side. Secure the ends of the braids with small elastics and then twist the bottoms into small buns and secure with bobby pins. Tuck in any loose hairs and apply some hairspray or mousse to give the style a final polish.

   To do a French braid, separate the hair to be braided into three sections as you would for a basic braid. Cross the right strand over the middle, then the left strand over the middle. Now add a fourth strand to the braid. Bring the fourth strand to the middle strand then bring the middle strand to the right. Add a fifth strand to the mix, bringing it to the middle strand and then moving the middle strand to the left. Continue until all of the hair is braided.

4. 

   Put your hair into a low bun. This simple, no-fuss style was often employed by older women in Medieval times. It required very little maintenance and, thus, was preferred to letting hair flow loose. Put hair into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic (optional, but this will make it a little easier to work with). Rub a quarter-sized amount of mousse into your palms and smooth through hair to tame flyaways. Pull the hair of the ponytail taut and twist it around a few times. Coil the hair around the base of the ponytail and tuck the end underneath the bun and secure with bobby pins. Add a Medieval headband to finish the look.

5. 

   Curl your hair into waves and let it flow loosely down your back. Add two tiny braids on either side of your head. This is a hair style that was often worn by Medieval princesses or younger women in the nobility. Set your hair with medium-size hot rollers. Once your hair is set, spray once with hair spray and then leave the hot rollers in until they cool. Use your fingers to comb the curls out, but don't brush them. Take an inch-wide strand of hair from near your forehead, and braid into two thin braids. Pin them back toward the back of your head with bobby pins.

Tips & Warnings

• Some of these styles are difficult to master, so make sure to practice or have someone help you until you get it right.