Posted on by Catherine Omondi

hair tinsel diwali, how to tie hair tinsel

Diwali, the festival of lights, is known for its vibrant and joyful atmosphere. As homes glow with traditional lamps and fireworks light up the sky, it’s the perfect time to add some sparkle to your personal style. In recent years, fashion lovers have been mixing tradition with modern trends for their Diwali outfits. One of the latest trends is hair tinsel extensions—shiny strands that add extra sparkle to your hair. Let's explore the different colors and styles of hair tinsel and how to incorporate it into your Diwali look.

Why hair tinsel is an appropriate hair accessory for Diwali

As Diwali fills the air with its bright and joyful spirit, our style often reflects the festival’s energy. In addition to the many traditional accessories, hair tinsel has become a popular modern choice, perfectly blending with Diwali’s meaning and look. This sparkling accessory also connects deeply with the core values of Diwali. Let’s dive into why hair tinsel is not only fashionable but also a great fit for the Festival of Lights.

1.    Embodiment of light and shine

Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights, and hair tinsel, with its shimmer and sparkle, reflects the glow of the many lamps, or diyas, and lanterns lit during the celebration. Each strand shines in the light, adding a sparkle that matches the joyful spirit of the festival.

2.    Symbolism of prosperity

Diwali is a festival that marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is also seen as a time to celebrate wealth and prosperity. The sparkle of hair tinsel, especially gold and silver strands, reflects the cultural importance of prosperity and good fortune during the festival.

3.    Versatility with traditional attire

The beauty of hair tinsel extensions is in their versatility. Whether you're wearing a richly embroidered saree, a bright lehenga, or an elegant salwar kameez, hair tinsel can easily match your traditional Diwali outfits. It blends modern style with timeless tradition.

4.    Festive yet subtle

Unlike some heavier traditional hair accessories, hair tinsel provides a light and subtle way to decorate your hair. It gives a festive look without being too overpowering, making it perfect for both big Diwali celebrations and small family pujas.

5.    Adaptability to various hairstyles

Whether braided into a traditional plait, woven into a bun, or left flowing with open hair, tinsel can fit many hairstyles. This flexibility means that no matter your hair length, type, or style preference, there’s a way to add the sparkle of hair tinsel.

6.    Longevity and durability

Diwali celebrations usually last for several days. Hair tinsel is durable and can stay in place through many events, making it a practical choice for those who join in the festivities. It can also handle the busy activities of the season, from attending temple services to enjoying fireworks displays.

7.    Celebration of individuality

At its core, Diwali is a personal celebration of growth, self-reflection, and new beginnings. Hair tinsel offers a way to express yourself, as you can choose colors and styles that match your taste and the meaning of Diwali for you.

Hair tinsel colors for Diwali

While Diwali is mainly a festival of lights, it is also a celebration of colors that are seen in everything from glowing lamps and rangoli designs to traditional outfits. Hair tinsel comes in many shades, giving everyone a chance to carry a piece of Diwali’s vibrancy with them, making them shimmer and shine with the spirit of the festival. Choosing the right color of hair tinsel can enhance your entire look and help you match the bright atmosphere of Diwali.

1.    Shimmering gold and silver

When people think of Diwali, they often picture the golden glow of oil lamps and the silver sparkle of fireworks. Gold hair tinsel strands represent the prosperity and wealth that the festival symbolizes, making it a classic choice. Silver, on the other hand, reflects the clarity and purity connected to the spirit of the festival. These metallic shades not only match traditional Diwali outfits but also add a touch of elegant style.

2.    The vibrancy of reds

In Indian culture, red is more than just a color; it symbolizes good luck, love, and passion. Adding red tinsel to your hair reflects the bright colors found in traditional clothing and rangoli designs. It's a bold choice that shows confidence and celebration.

3.    Fiery oranges and yellows

These colors capture the spirit of Diwali’s bright lights. Orange tinsel is like the beautiful dance of candle flames, while yellow reflects the soft glow of lanterns. Both colors add warmth to your look and can be nicely paired with outfits in contrasting shades, helping you stand out at festive gatherings.

4.    Embracing a spectrum

If you're feeling adventurous, why not mix these colors together? Combining gold, silver, red, and orange hair tinsel can create a beautiful blend of colors, showing the diversity and richness of Diwali celebrations.

Matching hair tinsel with traditional Diwali attire

As Diwali approaches, many people find it challenging to mix the old charm of traditional clothing with modern style. A great solution to this is the sparkling appeal of tinsel hair extensions. When paired carefully with classic Diwali outfits, hair tinsel can add a touch of modern glamour without taking away from the traditional look.

1.    Sarees and hair tinsel

The saree, with its many designs and patterns, is a great canvas for trying new styles. For heavily embroidered or sequined sarees, soft silver or gold tinsel can add a nice shine without being too flashy. In contrast, for simpler cotton or silk sarees, bright hair tinsel colors like red or fiery orange can add a splash of color, enhancing the saree’s elegance and highlighting the beauty of your hair.

2.    Salwar Kameez and hair tinsel’s charm

The salwar kameez is a comfortable and versatile outfit that many people love to wear during Diwali. For detailed patterns or bold colors typical of a salwar suit, you might choose softer tinsel shades. However, pastel or single-color suits can look great with bright, contrasting tinsel to create an eye-catching effect.

3.    Lehengas and luminous strands

Lehengas are a grand choice for Diwali celebrations. Whether it's a velvet lehenga choli or one decorated with mirror work, carefully adding hair tinsel—especially in colors that match the lehenga—can enhance the outfit's royal look.

4.    Blending west with east

For those who enjoy combining Western styles with traditional Diwali vibes, hair tinsel becomes an exciting accessory. Picture wearing a gold sequined skirt with a traditional kurta and adding gold tinsel strands to your hair. Or imagine wearing a classic black dress with bright red tinsel strands, creating a fun mix of styles and a festive look.

Integrating hair tinsel with traditional hair accessories

During Diwali, people often wear beautiful and intricate hair accessories. From the delicate maang tikka on the forehead to jhoomars and other traditional hair jewelry, each piece helps complete the festive look. In this mix, the modern sparkle of hair tinsel adds a surprising yet fitting touch. Let's explore how hair tinsel can blend smoothly with traditional Diwali hair decorations.

1.    Hair jewelry and tinsel’s touch

Maang tikka and forehead tinsel

A maang tikka resting on the forehead can look even better with a few strands of shimmering tinsel near the hair part. This adds a modern touch while making the tikka stand out more.

Jhoomars and side tinsel

When jhoomars or passas hang gracefully on one side, adding hair tinsel to the other side can create a balanced, full look with extra style.

2.    Floral arrangements with hair tinsel

Flowers like jasmine or roses are often woven into braids or pinned to buns for Diwali. Adding thin strands of silver or gold tinsel can make the flowers look even more beautiful, as if touched by drops of light. For a floral crown, weaving in tinsel can create a glowing halo effect.

3.    Beads and hair tinsel

If you’re using beaded hairpins or clips for Diwali, adding tinsel near them can enhance their sparkle for a unified shimmering look. For braids with beads, wrapping tinsel around the braid adds an extra touch, making both the beads and tinsel shine in the Diwali lights.

Upgrading traditional Diwali hairstyles with hair tinsel

Diwali, a festival of lights and colors, is also a time to showcase traditional hairstyles passed down through generations. These hairstyles, rooted in culture and tradition, can get a modern touch by adding hair tinsel. Let’s look at how this shiny accessory can enhance classic Diwali hairstyles.

1.    Braids with a shimmer

Braids, whether simple three-strand or intricate fishtails, are a Diwali favorite. Adding hair tinsel to your braid can give it a fun, unexpected shimmer. For a subtle touch, go with silver or gold tinsel. For a more festive look, try vibrant colors like red or orange.

2.    Hair tinsel in buns and twists

Traditional updos like buns or twists can be enhanced with hair tinsel. Wrapping tinsel around the base of a bun or weaving it into the twists adds a starry effect, especially under the soft glow of Diwali lamps.

3.    Open waves with hair tinsel

Many people like to wear their hair in soft curls or waves during Diwali. Adding hair tinsel, especially in colors that contrast with your hair, can make the waves look like they’re flowing with sparkles.

4.    Hair tinsel in ponytails

Even a simple ponytail can be made festive for Diwali with hair tinsel. Adding a few strands at the base or along the length of the ponytail gives a fun, festive touch to an everyday look.

How to tie hair tinsel for Diwali

The following are steps on how to tie hair tinsel for Diwali:

  1. Choose the desired color based on your hairstyle and outfit.
  2. Separate a thin strand of hair where you’d like to attach the hair tinsel.
  3. Fold the hair tinsel in half, forming a loop at the folded end.
  4. Place the separated hair strand through the tinsel loop.
  5. Tie the hair tinsel into a simple knot close to the scalp, ensuring it’s secure.
  6. If desired, you can tie a second knot for added security.
  7. Trim the hair tinsel if it’s too long, ensuring it matches the hair length or desired look.

Tips for maintaining the sparkle of hair tinsel during Diwali celebrations

Diwali is full of fun and excitement, from bright lamps and fireworks to meaningful rituals and joyful dances. With all these activities, keeping your hair tinsel looking great can be a challenge. Luckily, you can keep your tinsel shiny with some care. By thinking about the special aspects of Diwali and adjusting how you take care of it, you can make sure the tinsel shines as brightly as the festival. Here are some tips specifically for Diwali to help your hair tinsel stay vibrant and festive.

1.    Dealing with fireworks

When watching fireworks during Diwali, it’s important to stay a safe distance away. This keeps you safe and helps prevent smoke from dulling your hair tinsel. You might also want to loosely wrap your hair in a soft scarf or dupatta while the fireworks are going on. This will help protect your hair from smoke and keep your tinsel shining bright.

2.    Graceful moves during dance sessions

If you plan to dance during Diwali, make sure your tinsel strands are tied securely. Choose hairstyles like braids or buns that keep the tinsel in place, which helps prevent tangles or pulls. Even though it might be tempting to touch the tinsel in your hair while dancing, try not to fidget with it. This will help keep the tinsel from loosening.

3.    Participating in rituals

During the ‘aarti’ or any ritual with lamps, be careful about where your hair is positioned to keep the tinsel strands away from open flames. If you’ll be participating in a long ritual, think about pinning your hair up. This will protect the hair tinsel and make sure your hair doesn't get in the way of the ceremony.

4.    Freshening up post-celebrations

After a day of celebrations, carefully brush your hair to get rid of any smoke particles or residues. Use a wide-tooth comb to avoid pulling on the tinsel strands. You can make a mix of water and a few drops of light hair serum. Spray this mixture onto your hair to refresh the tinsel’s shine after being around fireworks smoke or after lots of activities.

Conclusion

In the lively celebration of Diwali, every detail counts, from the glow of lamps to the shine of your hair. Hair tinsel extensions add a modern touch to traditional festivities, allowing you to mix heritage with a stylish look. With many colors to choose from and the ability to match with favorite Diwali accessories, hair tinsel captures the spirit of the festival—bright, lively, and always beautiful. As the Festival of Lights nears, may the shine of hair tinsel reflect the joy, prosperity, and brightness that Diwali brings into our lives.