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Mother’s Day calls for hair that looks lovely in brunch photos and still feels comfortable through hugs and long conversations. Soft waves, half-ups and gentle updos all work.
Here are 22 Mother’s Day hairstyles, with silver and mature looks first, chosen for daylight and celebration.
How to Choose a Mother’s Day Hairstyle
SHAPE
Favor Soft Half-Ups
Half-ups frame the face for portraits better than severe slick styles.
TEXTURE
Daylight Soft Waves
a 1-inch curling wand waves look warmer than tight spirals.
ACCESSORY
Pearls and Ribbons
pearl hair pins, pearl claw clips or oversized satin bow clips feel gift-like.
HOLD
Plan for Hugs
U-shaped hair pins and brunette bobby pins keep styles through the day.
Shop the Key Pieces
- A 1-inch curling wand for soft waves
- Pearl hair pins for pearl details
- A large claw clip for easy half-ups
- Oversized satin bow clips for a gift-like finish
- U-shaped hair pins for soft updos
- A purple shampoo for bright silver
- An argan hair oil for soft ends
- Pearl claw clips for quiet sparkle
1. Silver French Twist
PinLook formula: Silver French twist + soft shine + daytime elegance
A sleek silver French twist by a window is elegant for Mother’s Day brunch and photos. Soft shine on silver hair looks luminous in daylight.
Hair type note: a purple shampoo brightens silver before the celebration.
How to style it: Sweep up, twist and pin with U-shaped hair pins.
Shop the look: a purple shampoo, U-shaped hair pins, an anti-humidity smoothing spray
A silver French twist is a polished Mother’s Day hairstyle for women over 50.
2. Blonde-Silver Soft Waves
Blonde-and-silver soft shoulder-length waves feel warm and celebratory. Soft volume flatters mature faces in brunch photos.
How to style it: a 1.5-inch curling iron waves brushed soft.
Product tip: a volumizing foam at the roots for lift.
Shop the look: a 1.5-inch curling iron, a volumizing foam, an argan hair oil
3. Bright Silver Cafe Waves
PinBright silver soft waves with a coffee cup are quiet luxury for Mother’s Day morning. Keep styling light so the color does the talking.
How to style it: Large soft curls with a 1-inch curling wand.
Shine tip: an argan hair oil on the ends.
Shop the look: a 1-inch curling wand, an argan hair oil, a heat protectant spray
Bright silver waves are a luminous Mother’s Day hairstyle for brunch.
4. Silvering Soft Waves
PinSilvering soft waves with a white turtleneck feel intimate and elegant. Soft texture photographs beautifully with family.
How to style it: Soft waves with a 1.25-inch curling iron, broken up with fingers.
Hold tip: Light a volume and texture spray only.
Shop the look: a 1.25-inch curling iron, a volume and texture spray, an argan hair oil
5. Silver-Blonde Curtain Bangs
Silver-blonde soft waves with curtain bangs are modern and camera-ready. Soft bangs frame the face for portraits.
How to style it: Curl away from the face with a 1.25-inch curling iron.
Ask your stylist: For soft curtain bangs that grow out gracefully.
Shop the look: a 1.25-inch curling iron, a round blowout brush, an argan hair oil
6. Claw Clip Small Bun
PinA small claw-clip bun outdoors is easy when Mother’s Day includes a walk or outdoor brunch. Soft and secure.
How to style it: Small bun with a large claw clip.
Product tip: dry shampoo for grip.
Shop the look: a large claw clip, dry shampoo, a volume and texture spray
7. Auburn Soft Half-Up
PinLook formula: Soft half-up + cascading curls + warm auburn
An auburn soft half-up with cascading curls is romantic for Mother’s Day photos. Soft curls keep it from looking bridal-stiff.
How to style it: Half-up with clear mini elastics; curl lengths with a 1-inch curling wand.
Hold tip: a volume and texture spray before curling.
Shop the look: a 1-inch curling wand, clear mini elastics, a volume and texture spray
8. Platinum High Half-Pony
PinA platinum high half-pony with voluminous waves feels celebratory and fun. Great for a stylish Mother’s Day lunch.
How to style it: High half-pony; curl lengths with a 1.5-inch curling iron.
Shine tip: a clear shine gloss for cool blonde reflection.
Shop the look: a 1.5-inch curling iron, a clear shine gloss, clear mini elastics
9. Textured Soft Low Updo
PinAn ash-blonde textured soft low updo is elegant for a dressier Mother’s Day. Soft texture keeps it motherly, not bridal.
How to style it: Textured low updo with U-shaped hair pins.
Product tip: a texturizing volume powder for grip.
Shop the look: U-shaped hair pins, a texturizing volume powder, brunette bobby pins
10. Knotted Half-Up Blonde
PinA knotted blonde half-up with soft waves is pretty for brunch photos. The small knot adds interest without a full updo.
How to style it: Twist a small top knot; leave waves down.
Try it for: Outdoor Mother’s Day portraits.
Shop the look: clear mini elastics, a 1-inch curling wand, brunette bobby pins
11. Timeless Soft Low Bun
PinA timeless soft low bun is secure for long brunches and hugs. Soft width at the bun flatters in photos.
How to style it: Low bun with U-shaped hair pins; pancake gently for width.
Shine tip: an anti-humidity smoothing spray on the sides.
Shop the look: U-shaped hair pins, an anti-humidity smoothing spray, brunette bobby pins
A soft low bun is a reliable Mother’s Day hairstyle for long celebrations.
12. White Ribbon Half-Up
PinA blonde half-up with a large white ribbon feels gift-like and soft. Perfect for garden or outdoor Mother’s Day moments.
How to style it: Half-up tied with ribbon or similar oversized satin bow clips.
Accessory upgrade: White or cream ribbons photograph softly.
Shop the look: oversized satin bow clips, a 1-inch curling wand, an argan hair oil
13. Pearl Barrette Half-Up
PinA half-up with a thin pearl barrette is quiet sparkle for Mother’s Day. Pearls look lovely with soft waves.
How to style it: Half-up; slide in a similar pearl claw clips or pearl barrette.
Style note: One refined barrette beats many small clips.
Shop the look: pearl claw clips, a 1-inch curling wand, an argan hair oil
14. Floral Crystal Soft Waves
PinDark glossy waves with a floral pearl crystal piece feel special without a full updo. Soft daylight shows the shine.
How to style it: Soft waves with a 1.25-inch curling iron; pin floral accessory with brunette bobby pins.
Try it for: Dressier Mother’s Day dinners.
Shop the look: a 1.25-inch curling iron, brunette bobby pins, an argan hair oil
15. Scattered Pearl Half-Up
Look formula: Half-up twist + scattered pearls + soft waves
A dark wavy half-up with scattered pearl pins is romantic and photo-ready. Scatter pins along the twist, not randomly everywhere.
How to style it: Half-up twist; add pearl hair pins along the join.
Style note: Odd numbers of pins usually look better.
Shop the look: pearl hair pins, clear mini elastics, a 1-inch curling wand
16. Tortoiseshell Half-Up Clip
PinA tortoiseshell half-up clip is the practical Mother’s Day style when you are also the host. Fast and pretty.
How to style it: Half-up with a large claw clip.
Product tip: a volume and texture spray for hold.
Shop the look: a large claw clip, a volume and texture spray, an argan hair oil
17. Straight Tucked Brunch Hair
PinLong straight hair tucked behind the ears at a table feels calm and elegant. Soft and low-maintenance for a long brunch.
How to style it: Smooth with a paddle brush and an anti-humidity smoothing spray.
Shine tip: an argan hair oil on the ends.
Shop the look: a paddle brush, an anti-humidity smoothing spray, an argan hair oil
18. Voluminous Curls at a Cafe
PinVoluminous dark curls at an outdoor cafe feel joyful and full of life. Soft definition beats crunchy curl spray.
How to style it: Diffuse with a diffuser attachment and a curl defining cream.
Hair type note: Scrunch out crunch when dry.
Shop the look: a diffuser attachment, a curl defining cream, an argan hair oil
19. Crystal Side Soft Waves
PinSleek soft waves with small crystals near the ear add quiet sparkle for portraits. Keep crystals on one side only.
How to style it: Soft waves with a 1.25-inch curling iron; place crystals with brunette bobby pins.
Style note: Less sparkle reads more daytime.
Shop the look: a 1.25-inch curling iron, brunette bobby pins, an anti-humidity smoothing spray
20. Small Clip Half-Up
PinA small-clip half-up with a cream sweater is soft and motherly. Easy for a daytime celebration.
How to style it: Half-up with a small a large claw clip or clip.
Product tip: dry shampoo at the crown.
Shop the look: a large claw clip, dry shampoo, an argan hair oil
21. Cafe Soft Waves
PinLong dark soft waves in a cafe selfie feel warm and approachable. Soft middle parts flatter most face shapes.
How to style it: a 1-inch curling wand waves, finger-combed.
Hold tip: Skip heavy spray for brunch.
Shop the look: a 1-inch curling wand, an argan hair oil, a heat protectant spray
Soft cafe waves are an easy Mother’s Day hairstyle for casual brunch.
22. Pearl Twist Half-Up
A blonde half-up twist with scattered pearls closes the list on a romantic note. Soft waves keep it celebratory.
How to style it: Twist half-up; add pearl hair pins.
Shine tip: an argan hair oil on the ends.
Shop the look: pearl hair pins, clear mini elastics, an argan hair oil
Choose the style that matches your Mother’s Day: soft waves for brunch, a low bun for a long lunch, pearls for portraits.
