The Trending Occasional Hairstyles with Darcey Clarke

Need some inspiration for occasion hair this season? When it comes to creating beautiful occasion styles, there’s no one better to learn from than our Shed Artist and occasion hair specialist, Darcey Clarke. From weddings and proms to parties and special events, Darcey knows exactly how to create looks that make clients feel their absolute best.

When working with clients, Darcey focuses on creating timeless, wearable looks that embody modern elegance. Here, she shares her four go-to occasion hairstyles, along with the professional products and techniques she relies on to create beautiful, long-lasting, camera-ready results.

The twisted half-up, half-down style continues to be the ultimate occasion hair trend as it offers a soft romantic finish that works for every occasion.

When creating the Twisted Half-Up Half-Down look, Darcey takes Shed’s Force Field Heat Protection Spray before curling. Once the curls are formed and brushed out, Darcey will take Shed’s Mirror Mirror Shine Enhancing Finishing Spray to enhance the softness and gloss. When twisting the hair, she adds a small amount of the Shed Tropic Oil Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Whip for ultimate control and to keep the finish sleek. Darcey’s top tip is to apply a small amount of Tropic Oil to a clean bronzing brush and lightly sweep it over the hairline to smooth flyaways without overloading the hair.

A timeless occasion staple, the undone up-do remains a go-to for clients wanting a relaxed yet elevated finish. This hairstyle works across a wide range of events and hair types, which makes it one of Darcey’s most reliable styles.

To achieve this look, Darcey swears by Shed’s Beehive Backcomb Effect Texturising Spray when backcombing and adding shape. She applies this through the crown and fringe area to build grip and to create the structure of the look. She’ll then take Shed’s Peace Out Dry Wax Spray, which is used to soften and break up the shape for that effortless, lived-in texture.

The sleek bun continues to be a strong choice for modern occasion styling, offering clients a clean, minimal look, paired with a high-shine finish.

To prep, Darcey takes a small amount of Shed Tropic Oil and applies it through the roots and mid-lengths for smoothness and control. To maintain a polished result, Darcey will use the Shed Con[seal]er Camouflaging Cream for Frizz & Split Ends through the ends before securing the style. Darcey finishes the look with a spritz of Mirror Mirror to enhance gloss and elevate the overall finish.

Last but not least, the Classic Low Bun remains a versatile, client-friendly style that suits everything from formal events to more relaxed occasions. Plus, it’s particularly effective for fine to medium-density hair.

To create this style, Darcey preps the hair with Shed’s An[gel] Liquid Sculpting Gel Spray, which she applies to dry hair, then blow-dries in to build the structure, grip and longevity. Darcey adds a light mist of Peace Out Texturising Spray to finish, to soften the overall look so it can still maintain movement and a natural feel.

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With these four key occasion hairstyles, stylists can offer clients an adaptable and trend-led look for any event they have in their calendar. With each style combining softness and structure, you’ll create a look that’s long-lasting but still ticks the box of being effortless and super wearable. Don’t forget to follow @salonhaireveryday over on Instagram to see more occasion hairstyles by Darcey.