16 Beehive Styles Making a Comeback in 2025
Think the beehive is a relic of the 1960s, confined to black-and-white photos of icons like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot? Think again. In the cyclical world of fashion, what’s old is perpetually new, and 2025 is shaping up to be the year the beehive hairdo makes a monumental, and decidedly modern, return. This isn’t about mere nostalgia; it’s about reinvention. Today’s beehive is a symbol of bold femininity, architectural artistry, and playful self-expression. It’s been spotted on runways, red carpets, and street-style stars, evolving far beyond its original bouffant boundaries. Get ready to elevate your look—literally—as we explore the 16 beehive styles buzzing back to life in 2025.
The Modern Mini Bee
Gone are the days of sky-high, back-combed towers for everyday wear. The Modern Mini Bee is the day-to-day adaptation of the trend. Think of it as a soft, rounded bump at the crown, adding just a few inches of height and plenty of volume. It’s achieved with gentle backcombing at the roots and a smooth, polished surface, often paired with a low ponytail or chic bun at the nape. This style is perfect for the office or a lunch date, offering a subtle nod to the vintage trend without overwhelming the face. The key here is effortless sophistication, not dramatic height.

The Textured, Boho Bee
For the free-spirited individual, the Textured, Boho Bee introduces a carefree, undone aesthetic. This style embraces natural wave and texture, incorporating braids, face-framing tendrils, and even small flowers or accessories. The volume is built with twists and loose pinning rather than aggressive teasing, creating a hive that looks like it was crafted on a windswept beach. It’s romantic, artistic, and perfectly suited for festivals or a bohemian-inspired wedding. The messier, the better—this beehive is all about artful chaos.

The Structural Architectural Bee
At the intersection of hairdressing and sculpture lies the Structural Architectural Bee. This avant-garde interpretation prioritizes sharp lines, geometric shapes, and negative space. Imagine a hive that is sculpted into a crescent moon, a sharp wedge, or features intentional, clean-cut gaps. Often seen in high-fashion editorials, this style uses strong-hold products and precise cutting to create a wearable art piece. It’s a bold statement of individuality and modern artistry, ideal for those who see their hair as their ultimate accessory.

The Half-Up Power Bee
Why commit to a full updo? The Half-Up Power Bee offers the best of both worlds: the dramatic impact of a beehive crown with the flowing freedom of loose hair. The top section of hair is lifted, volumized, and pinned into a compact hive, while the rest cascades down in curls, waves, or a sleek blowout. This style is incredibly versatile, adding instant glamour and height while keeping a touch of softness. It’s a red-carpet favorite for its ability to frame the face and showcase beautiful hair textures.

The Afro Beehive Fusion
A magnificent celebration of natural texture, the Afro Beehive Fusion is a powerful and beautiful style. It builds upon the natural volume of curly and coily hair, shaping it upward and outward into a majestic, rounded crown. This style often incorporates intricate braiding at the sides or back, leading into the full, voluminous hive. It’s a testament to strength, heritage, and modern beauty standards, requiring skilled hands and excellent moisturizing products to define and hold the shape while protecting the hair’s health.

The Punk Rock Rebel Bee
Channel your inner rebel with the Punk Rock Rebel Bee. This style takes the basic structure and then aggressively deconstructs it. Think: extreme height, wild wisps, vibrant colored streaks (neon pink, electric blue), and accessorized with chains, safety pins, or leather cords. The backcombing is intentional and visible, the texture is chaotic, and the attitude is everything. It’s a direct descendant of the 1980s punk scene, updated for a new generation that loves to break the rules.

The Sleek & Polished Corporate Bee
Yes, you can wear a beehive to the boardroom. The Sleek & Polished Corporate Bee is the epitome of controlled power. Hair is smoothed to a high-shine finish, often with a deep side part, and wound into a low, dense hive at the back of the head. There’s no stray hair in sight. This style conveys authority, precision, and confidence. It’s a modern power bun’s more dramatic cousin, and when executed perfectly, it becomes a signature look that commands respect.

The Braided Hive Base
This style combines technical braiding with the volume of a beehive. The Braided Hive Base starts with cornrows, Dutch braids, or a stunning halo braid that encircles the head, creating a foundation. The remaining hair is then piled and pinned on top of or within this braided structure. It’s a protective style that is both intricate and bold, offering endless creative possibilities. The braids add texture and detail, making the overall look incredibly rich and eye-catching.

The Accessorized Regency Bee
Inspired by the romantic styles of the Bridgerton era and Victorian portraiture, the Accessorized Regency Bee is all about opulent adornment. The hive itself is softer and more rounded, acting as a pedestal for jewels, pearls, delicate chains, or fresh flowers. Think of it as a hairscape for heirlooms. This style is perfect for black-tie galas, editorial shoots, or a truly unforgettable wedding look where the hair accessory is the star.

The Wet-Look Glazed Bee
Embracing the slicked-back trend, the Wet-Look Glazed Bee uses high-shine gels, serums, and pomades to create a sculptural, glossy masterpiece. Hair is combed tightly back from the face and built into a hive that looks like it’s been carved from wet glass. This style is ultra-modern, minimalist in form but maximalist in impact. It’s a favorite for avant-garde fashion events and makes a stunning statement with its futuristic sheen.

The Messy Mermaid Bee
For a touch of ethereal fantasy, the Messy Mermaid Bee combines the height of a hive with the texture of beachy waves. The updo is loose, with plenty of pulled-out pieces and tendrils, often in shades of pastel pink, sea green, or silver. It looks windswept and magical, as if just emerged from the waves. This style is playful, youthful, and perfect for creative personalities or themed events.

The Low-Slung Chignon Bee
Elegance personified, the Low-Slung Chignon Bee sits gracefully at the nape of the neck. It’s a wider, flatter interpretation of the hive, often twisted or braided before being coiled into its distinctive shape. This style is incredibly chic and universally flattering, elongating the neck and highlighting the collarbones. It’s a timeless option for formal events that feels both classic and freshly relevant.

The Double Beehive
Double the height, double the fun. The Double Beehive is a playful and daring look featuring two distinct hive mounds, often placed side-by-side or one in front of the other. This style has a retro-futuristic vibe, reminiscent of 1960s sci-fi heroines. It requires expert pinning and a good sense of humor, but the result is a truly unique and conversation-starting silhouette.

The Deconstructed Artist Bee
Similar to the punk bee but more artistic than anarchic, the Deconstructed Artist Bee intentionally shows its workings. You can see the pins, the knots, and the layers of construction. Parts of the hive may be left open or looped. It’s a style that celebrates the process of creation, turning the hairdo itself into a piece of performance art. It’s a favorite among artists and creatives who value raw expression over polished perfection.

The Faux Hawk Bee Hybrid
Merging two iconic edgy styles, the Faux Hawk Bee Hybrid creates a mohawk-like strip of volume down the center of the head, but instead of spiked hair, it’s a continuous, rounded beehive shape from forehead to nape. The sides can be closely shaved, undercut, or slicked down. This look is fierce, modern, and powerfully androgynous, blending masculine and feminine coding in a striking way.

The Retro-Accurate Victory Roll Bee
For the pure vintage enthusiast, the Retro-Accurate Victory Roll Bee is a faithful, meticulously researched recreation of a 1940s or 1960s style. This involves precise pin-curling, roller sets, and the use of period-appropriate tools and techniques (think: no hot irons). It’s often paired with victory rolls at the front and a flawless winged eyeliner. This style is for those who live and breathe vintage aesthetics and seek authentic homage over modern adaptation.

How to Embrace the 2025 Beehive
The resurgence of the beehive is more than a trend; it’s a celebration of volume, creativity, and bold individuality. Whether you opt for a subtle Mini Bee or go all-out with a Punk Rock Rebel statement, the key is to make it your own. Start with a good volumizing mousse and texturizing spray at the roots. Invest in a fine-tooth comb for backcombing and a mountain of bobby pins that match your hair color. Most importantly, finish with a strong-hold hairspray that can withstand the elements—because in 2025, your hair is meant to reach new heights. The hive is alive, and it’s waiting for you.