For standout summer hair inspiration, we’ve combed through our rolodex of inspiring mane moments from celebrity hairstylist, Nikki Nelms. Over the past few years, she’s created some of the most memorable looks we’ve seen on the red carpet.
The self-proclaimed “Hair MacGyver” is known for making hairstyles pop with the use of unconventional accessories like craft stickers, wires and jewels. So if your goal is to turn heads this season, you needn’t look any further for mane motivation.
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Whether you’re a fun natural or protective style devotee, Nelms offers a mixed bag of styling methods to take your tresses to the next level. Click through the gallery of below to see some of our favorite lewks that’s she created for the hottest starlets in Hollywood.
We loved this skyscraping top knot that Nelms styled for Zoe Kravitz’s Allegiant movie premiere. This is how you take hair to new heights.
Nelms slayed Zoe Kravitz’s braided blonde buzz cut for the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Nelms made bobby pins the new “it” accessory when she used them to decorate DJ Kitty Cash’s bob for the 2016 Glamour Women of Year Awrads.
If you’re looking for festival season inspo, Nelms has a mixed bag of looks to pull inspiration from, like these cronrows intertwined with rope. Lala Anthony wore the fresh look for the Yeezy Season 4 fashion show.
How could we forget the googly-eyed double buns Janelle Monáe sported during press rounds for Hidden Figures?!
If you’re going to rock big hair, take a cue from this look Nelms styled on Serena Williams during 2016 Style 360 Week.
When it comes to standout ‘dos, she literally blings it on and Janelle Monáe’s 2017 Met Gala look is proof.
Leave it to Nelms to make Solange’s 2016 Met Gala tousled mane look totally polished.
We’ve seen Janelle Monáe rock these signature double buns quite a few times, but Nelms manages to keep the look fresh by inorporating fun hair accessories like these floral hair clips, spotted at the 2017 SAG Awards.
Nelms shows us how to put a modern day twist on retro hairstyles like these romantic pin curls seen on Janelle Monáe during a 2017 screening of Hidden Figures in New York.
Our list of standout summer looks wouldn’t be complete without beachy waves. Nelms shows us how to work them into one of our fave go to looks styles, the bob, on Kelly Rowland.
To turn even the simplest hairstyles into works of art, you need crafty supplies. Nelms is known for using items from craft stores like this gold ribbbon to create stand out styles for her celebrity clients. We loved this one on Janelle Monáe at a December 2016 screening for Hidden Figures.
Flat hair is no-no and Nelms knows how to bring strands to life. Case in point: this mane moment from Jurnee Smollett during an Underground interview.
If you want to update your go-to updo for formal ocassions, incorporate standout hair accessoies like silver wire to stand out. Janelle Monáe sported this luxe look at the 2017 Producer’s Guild Awards.
If you’re planning to big chop this summer, up the ante by going completely blonde like Zoe Kravitz, who debuted her look at the 2017 Met Gala.
Nelms gave us all a lesson on how to play up short hair when Janelle Monáe debuted her pixie cut on the 2017 Oscar Red Carpt, accompanied by a gold double crown.
Take your ponytail from ordinary to extraordinary with black pins, like Lala Anthony at the 2017 Met Gala.
