If you are torn between Hollywood waves and an updo for your wedding, this guide goes through the questions that decide it: your veil, your neckline, your face shape and how long your day is. Harper’s Bazaar described me as “known for her Hollywood waves but always creating a bespoke look”. Your own version gets decided at your trial.
What are Hollywood waves?
Hollywood waves are glossy S-shaped waves that run in one direction, usually from a deep side parting, inspired by film stars of the 1930s and 1940s. The hair is curled, set and then brushed out so the curls join into smooth, continuous waves.
They are often confused with two other looks. Beach waves are looser and deliberately undone, with texture and less shine. Loose curls fall as separate ringlets. Hollywood waves are polished and uniform from the parting to the ends.
Hollywood waves or an updo: what to weigh up
Whether you’re dreaming of glamorous Hollywood waves, a beautifully sculpted updo or a soft, romantic half-up hairstyle, the right one depends on your dress, your veil and your day. These are the questions to think through before your trial.
| What to weigh up | Ask yourself |
|---|---|
| Your veil | Where will it sit, and will you wear it all day? |
| Your neckline | Is it high, off the shoulder, or open at the back? |
| Heat and weather | Are you marrying in summer, outdoors or abroad? |
| Lasting into the evening | Will you be dancing for hours? |
| Changing for the evening | Would you like a second look later? |
| Face shape | Do you want your face framed, or open? |
Hollywood waves with a veil
Bring your veil, or a photo of it, to your trial, with pictures of your dress from the front and the back and a good idea of how you will wear your hair with your veil. On the day, I stay with you after your hair is finished, help with your dress and place your veil, and see you down the aisle.
Will Hollywood waves last all day?
Brides I have styled say it lasted. One wrote that her hair and makeup “looked amazing all day (despite the 30 degree heat)”. Another wrote that her hair and makeup “did NOT budge the entire evening”. For destination weddings I stay all day for touch ups and look changes.
If your hair is fine, extensions can give your waves fullness, structure and volume. My guide to wedding hair for thin and fine hair covers preparation, volumising products and clip-in extensions.
Side-swept, half-up or worn down: the variations
- Side-swept Hollywood waves. All the waves brushed to one side and often pinned behind one ear, leaving the other side of the neck open.
- Half-up waves. The top section pinned back and the waves left down through the lengths, a soft, romantic half-up hairstyle.
- Full Hollywood waves, worn down. Waves from a deep side parting all the way round, the classic red-carpet version.
Deciding at your trial
During my bridal trials, I take the time to understand how each bride usually wears her makeup, what makes her feel confident and how she envisions herself on her wedding day.
From there, we create a look that feels completely personal.
Your trial is at my studio in Stansted, three to four months before the wedding, and it is where we decide between waves, an updo or something in between, with your veil and a picture of your dress in the room. If you are marrying abroad, we plan the look together over a video call instead. There is more on how the trial works in my guide to choosing your artist and the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Professional volumising products create thickness, texture and lift, and extensions add fullness, structure and volume to Hollywood waves. Clip-in extensions can be fitted on the morning and removed that evening.
Hollywood waves are polished, glossy S-shaped waves running in one direction from a side parting. Beach waves are looser and deliberately undone, with more texture and less shine.
At Botias, the trial is at the Stansted studio three to four months before the wedding. Bring your veil, pictures of your dress and photos of styles you love. Brides marrying abroad plan the look over a video call instead.
Book your wedding hair
If you are deciding between Hollywood waves and an updo, tell me your date and venue and I will come back to you personally. You can see more of my bridal hair and makeup here.
About the author. Boe Wright is the founder of Botias, a luxury bridal hair and makeup artist based in Stansted, Essex, with 19 years in bridal. Harper’s Bazaar describes her as known for her Hollywood waves, and her work has been featured in Vogue Australia, Harper’s Bazaar and SheerLuxe. She styles brides across London, the Cotswolds, Ireland and abroad, and trains working bridal artists through 1-2-1 mentoring.
Sources: brides’ words are verbatim from Botias Google reviews (August 2025 and August 2026). Harper’s Bazaar quote as shown on botias.co.uk.
