Creating Wedding Hair Fascinators: A Step-By-Step Guide

A fascinator is a bold, fashionable headpiece worn near the front of the head, usually to one side. They are a popular alternative to hats for wedding guests, the mother of the bride or groom, and even bridesmaids. Fascinators can be made and customised at home with a few simple materials.

Choosing the right fascinator

Style of the Wedding

The type of wedding you're attending will influence your choice of fascinator. If it's a formal and extravagant affair, you may want to opt for a larger, more extravagant fascinator. On the other hand, if it's a more intimate and cosy wedding, a smaller and elegant fascinator would be more appropriate. A traditional fascinator with a classic shape is always a safe choice.

Your Role in the Wedding

If you're the mother of the bride or groom, you may want to choose a larger and more eye-catching fascinator. Just ensure that it doesn't obscure the bride's face!

Colour Scheme and Personal Taste

Consider the colour scheme of your wedding outfit and the wedding's overall colour palette. You can either match your fascinator to your outfit or choose a contrasting colour to make a statement. If you're wearing a subtle and monochrome outfit, a colourful fascinator can add a splash of brightness. Conversely, if your outfit is already colourful, you may want to choose a more subdued fascinator.

Size of the Fascinator

The size of your fascinator should complement your hairstyle. If you plan to wear your hair up and slicked back, a small fascinator would be ideal. For a loose hairstyle, opt for a medium-sized fascinator. If you prefer wearing your hair down with some volume, a larger fascinator will balance out your look.

Material and Season

Consider the season and choose a material that will be comfortable. For summer weddings, opt for lightweight and breathable materials. In contrast, winter weddings call for thicker materials like wool or felt.

Your Hairstyle

If you have long hair, consider putting it up in a chignon to achieve a neat look and provide a secure base for your fascinator. You can also try braiding your hair and sculpting it around the headpiece. For short hair, a beret-shaped fascinator is a great choice, and ensuring the elastic band matches your hair colour will create a neat and continuous look.

Face Shape and Features

Choose a fascinator that flatters your face shape. If you have a round face, opt for a taller and more elegant headpiece. Conversely, if you have a thin face, a full and round headpiece, like a disc-shaped fascinator, will complement your features. Additionally, consider your hair colour when choosing a fascinator. Redheads, blondes, brunettes, and those with grey hair all have specific colour combinations that will complement their hair.

Comfort and Security

Lastly, ensure that your fascinator is comfortable and securely fitted. You don't want to spend the whole day worrying about it falling off! Try it on beforehand and practice securing it with a headband, hair clip, or hair comb.

How to wear a fascinator to suit your style

Fascinators are a bold accessory and can be worn in many ways to complement your style. Here are some tips on how to wear a fascinator to suit your style:

Choose the Right Size

Coordinate the size of your fascinator with your hairstyle. Smaller fascinators pair well with slicked-back hair, medium-sized ones with loose updos, and large fascinators with hair worn down and voluminous.

Pick the Right Material

Select a fascinator material that suits the season. Lighter, breathable materials like straw are ideal for warmer weather, while thicker materials like wool or felt are better for colder months.

Complement Your Hair Colour

Choose a fascinator colour that complements your hair. Redheads should opt for earth tones like beige, brown, or deep green. Blondes can try light warm colours like coral or taupe neutrals. For brown hair, bright and deep shades like hot pink or emerald are a good choice.

Flatter Your Face Shape

Select a fascinator shape that flatters your face. Round-faced individuals should opt for taller fascinators, while those with longer or thinner faces can go for spherical or disc-shaped styles.

Glasses Wearers

If you wear glasses, avoid headbands as they can be uncomfortable and secure your fascinator with elastic instead. Keep the fascinator design simple to avoid a "busy" look.

Placement

Fascinators are typically worn on the right side of the head, above the eyebrow. You can also wear them towards the rear of the head with updos, curls, or chignon hairstyles.

Hairstyles

Maintain a simple hairstyle to avoid distracting from the fascinator. Slicked-back hair or a simple ponytail can be elegant choices.

Attire

Pick a fascinator colour that matches your outfit to create a subtle, classy look.

Comfort

Ensure your fascinator is comfortable and securely fitted. An uncomfortable or poorly placed fascinator can be a distraction throughout a long event.

Occasion

Fascinators are typically worn at formal events like weddings, garden parties, and tea parties. Avoid wearing them to events with stadium-style seating, such as the cinema or symphony, as they may block the view of those behind you.

How to secure a fascinator

There are several ways to secure a fascinator, including with a headband, hat elastic, comb, or hair clip.

Headband

Headbands are a good option for larger fascinators that require more stability. They are also a good option for those with short hair, as they are easier to hide than other options. However, some people find headbands uncomfortable, so if this is you, it's best to avoid this method.

Hat Elastic

Hat elastics are commonly used for pillbox-style fascinators or mini hats. Simply put the elastic around the lower back of your head and hide it in your hair. You can also use bobby pins to secure the fascinator further.

Comb

Combs are a great, invisible way to secure your fascinator. They allow you to position the fascinator at any angle on your head. If your fascinator only has a comb to keep it in place, push the comb firmly towards the back of your head to ensure it stays in position.

Hair Clip

Milliners use different sizes of hair clips depending on the size and weight of the fascinator. Small metal crocodile clips are used for smaller fascinators, while larger alligator clips are used for bigger headpieces.

Creating the fascinator base

• Cut out a circle of felt: Use fabric scissors to cut out a circle with a diameter of 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm). You can adjust the size of the base according to your preference—a smaller base for a dainty fascinator or a larger one for a more dramatic look. If needed, you can use a bowl or cup to trace a circle onto the felt before cutting. You can also experiment with different shapes, such as teardrops, ovals, triangles, squares, or stars.
• Add layers of mesh or tulle: Decide on the number of layers you want to add, depending on whether you want a sheer or fuller coverage. Thread a needle with matching colour thread and sew along the outer edges of the felt circle to attach the mesh or tulle. You can cut the mesh or tulle to the same size as the base or cut larger pieces to drape over it.
• Create a feathery base (optional): If you want a feathered backdrop for your fascinator, apply hot glue to the felt base and press feathers into it. Hold each feather in place for about 10 to 15 seconds. Be careful not to touch the hot glue to avoid burns. Choose feathers that complement the colour of your felt base.
• Add fringe to hide the edges (optional): If you want to ensure the edges of the felt base are not visible, apply hot glue to the outer edges and press fringe trim into it. Select a fringe colour that complements the other design elements of your fascinator.

Securing the base to the hairpiece

Securing the base of your fascinator to the hairpiece is a crucial step in ensuring your headpiece stays put. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve a secure and comfortable fit:

Choosing the Right Fastening

The type of fastening you choose will depend on the size and weight of your fascinator. For larger and heavier pieces, opt for a headband or a large metal hair clip. These options provide more stability and are less likely to slip or slide. Avoid using small combs or hair clips as they may not be strong enough to hold your fascinator in place.

Preparing the Hairpiece

Before gluing the base of your fascinator to the hairpiece, ensure that the surface of the hairpiece is smooth and free of any bumps or glitter that might interfere with the gluing process. If using a headband, try it on first to ensure a snug but comfortable fit. Textured headbands will also provide better grip and help keep your fascinator in place.

Gluing the Base to the Hairpiece

Apply a thick line of hot glue to the top of the headband or hair clip. If using a headband, apply the glue slightly off-centre, starting at the centre and moving towards the side you want the fascinator to tilt. For hair clips, avoid applying glue to the inside of the clip as this will prevent it from reopening.

Attaching the Base

Press the felt disc onto the line of glue immediately, as hot glue dries quickly. Hold the base tightly against the hairpiece for about 30 seconds to ensure the glue sets completely.

Your fascinator is now ready to be worn! This final step is also a good time to make any last-minute adjustments to ensure your fascinator is straight and positioned exactly how you want it.

Frequently asked questions