Expert tips for elevated hair this Mardi Gras weekend

With Mardi Gras just around the corner, we're starting to consider our outfits, makeup and of course, hairstyles for all the events surrounding the parade on Saturday 28th February. 

However, we're no longer baby gays — we're in our thirties and we're trying to comport ourselves with a little bit more class these days. Especially as we celebrate one of the most important events in our community. 

It's for that very reason, we decided to employ the help of an expert so we can master a Mardi Gras-worthy mane before the parade passes by (and yes, that is a Hello Dolly reference). 

"Mardi Gras is a celebration of identity, individuality, and freedom. Hair is one of the most immediate ways to communicate that. The right texture, finish and silhouette can completely transform a look from beautiful to unforgettable," Kevin Murphy Brand Partner, Daniel Jianing Liu tells BEAUTYcrew. "I always say hair is the frame of the face, but during Mardi Gras, it becomes the statement piece. With the right styling products, you can sculpt, exaggerate, gloss or disrupt a shape to amplify personality. Whether it’s high-gloss polish, raw texture, hair sets the emotional tone of the entire look."

"I’m expecting elevated texture, less “festival messy” and more intentional editorial texture. High-gloss finishes paired with sharp silhouettes. Sculptural ponytails. Wet-look surfaces. Glitter applied with restraint rather than overload," he predicts. "The common theme will be polish with personality."

For events like this, performance is everything — you want to be able to sculpt the hair with precision, but it still should feel modern, touchable and effortless. Keep scrolling for Jianing Liu's tips for mastering your hair this Mardi Gras weekend...

1/ Preparation is everything

The foundation of good hair starts in the wash, says Jianing Liu.

"Using the right shampoo and conditioner to match your hair type ensures longevity before styling even begins," he explains.

2/ Layer, don't overload

"The biggest mistake people make when styling their hair for big events like Mardi Gras is overloading product. People panic and apply too much, thinking more equals longer hold, but that often leads to collapse," says the USFIN Atelier founder. "I build hold gradually using styling products so the hair can evolve throughout the day and not collapse." 

"My essentials are Kevin Murphy's Bedroom.Hair ($49.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty) for that perfectly undone, editorial texture, and it absorbs excess oil and brings back that effortless and chic movement without looking powdery or heavy. It’s the perfect reset button mid-event," he explains.

"Kevin Murphy's Shimmer.Shine ($49.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty), because light-reflective gloss under parade lights or flash photography is essential, and I always finish with a controlled mist of Session.Spray Flex ($46.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty) [for] flexible hold with movement — it allows you to build shape without stiffness. It locks in the design without freezing it," he continues.

If you need to refresh your hair, flip the head, mist lightly, reshape with your hands, and let the product reactivate the structure, he instructs. "And always remember, movement is sexy. Hair that moves naturally under lights looks far more powerful than something overly fixed."

3/ We don't do dull

"Bold colour and bleach are part of the magic of Mardi Gras, but healthy hair is what makes those looks truly shine," Jianing Liu tells us. "If you’ve lightened or gone creative with colour, aftercare is essential."

"I always recommend the Everlasting.Colour Wash ($52.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty), Rinse ($54.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty) and Leave-In ($58.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty). It helps rebalance pH after chemical services, smooth and seal the cuticle, lock in vibrancy, and boost shine," he explains. "When the hair is properly balanced and protected, you can experiment fearlessly because glossy, healthy hair elevates every bold choice."

Main image credit: @hairbyadir

Looking for inspiration for your hair this Mardi Gras weekend? We can't decide which of these 2026 hair colour trends to try first.