Lizzie Borden Hairstyle: The Victorian Updo Tutorial

The Lizzie Borden costume is everywhere this Halloween, and the hairstyle is what sells it. That high Victorian updo, soft, piled, a little undone, is instantly recognizable and surprisingly wearable. It is also much easier than it looks.

Here is the Lizzie Borden hairstyle broken down step by step, plus a modern version you can actually wear outside of October.

What the Lizzie Borden Hairstyle Actually Is

The look is a late-Victorian updo in the Gibson Girl style: hair swept up high, softly piled rather than scraped back, with loose pieces around the face. It is romantic and a little severe at the same time, which is exactly why it works for the costume. The real Lizzie Borden wore her hair in the fashionable updos of the 1890s, and that silhouette is what you are recreating.

You do not need historically accurate hair to pull it off. You need volume at the crown, a soft finish, and confidence.

What You Will Need

Gather your tools before you start: a teasing comb, plenty of bobby pins (more than you think), a hair donut or padding if your hair is fine, a soft bristle brush, and light-hold hairspray. A black ribbon is optional but very on-theme.

Day-old hair works better than freshly washed. If your hair is slippery, add dry shampoo or texturizing spray at the roots first.

Step-by-Step: The Classic Updo

Start by teasing the crown for volume. This is the foundation everything sits on. Gather your hair into a high ponytail, but do not pull it sleek. Twist the ponytail loosely and wrap it around its base, pinning as you go. Let the ends poke out softly instead of tucking them perfectly.

Pull out face-framing pieces around your temples and a few at the nape. Soften everything with your fingers. The goal is controlled softness, not a ballet bun. Mist lightly with hairspray and you are done.

The Modern Wearable Version

Strip away the costume and this is just a beautiful soft updo. Wear it lower and looser, skip the severe volume, and it works for weddings, evenings, and anywhere you want to look polished. The face-framing pieces keep it modern and prevent it from reading as a period piece.

This is the version worth learning even if you never wear the costume. It is one of the most flattering updos there is.

Making It Work for Your Hair Length

Long hair has the easiest time. There is plenty to pile and pin. Medium hair works beautifully with a hair donut for extra fullness. Short hair can fake it: pin the back up in sections, let the top fall softly over the pins, and focus the volume at the crown where it matters most.

Very fine hair benefits from teasing at every stage, not just the crown. The updo needs grip to hold, and fine hair gives it nothing to work with unless you build texture first.

Accessories That Complete the Look

A black ribbon tied at the base of the updo is the single most effective accessory. It is historically plausible and instantly signals the costume. A cameo brooch pinned at the side works too, as does a small dark headband.

Keep it to one accessory. The updo is already a statement. Two accessories start competing with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Lizzie Borden updo take?

About fifteen to twenty minutes once you have done it once. The first attempt takes longer because you are learning where the pins go.

Will it hold all night?

Yes, if you prep properly. Teased roots, enough pins, and a real hold spray (not the flexible kind) will keep it up for hours.

Can I do this on curly hair?

Curly hair is actually ideal. The natural texture gives you grip and volume for free. You may need fewer pins than straight hair.

Is this only a Halloween hairstyle?

The full dramatic version reads costume, but the softer modern version is a genuinely elegant updo you can wear anywhere.