How to Do Your Hair Like Hermione Granger

Co-authored by Steven Waldman

Last Updated: February 5, 2023 Approved

Hermione Granger is a strong and intelligent female character in Harry Potter whose hair underwent several transformations throughout the movies. Hermione was easily recognizable for her big, bushy hair in the first movie. As the movies went on, her hair become more tame and sleek. To do your hair like Hermione Granger, decide which version of her you’d like to resemble and use curls and a fierce attitude to successfully resemble her.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Looking like a Young Hermione Granger

1
Curl your hair. This is not necessary if your hair is already very curly. If your hair is wavy or straight, use a curling iron. Curl small sections of hair at a time. Continue until all of your hair has been curled. You should end up with tightly coiled curls.
- Choose a curl iron size that allows the hair to wrap at least 1 and ½ times around the barrel. Leave the ends out for a more modern and deconstructed look.
- It’s also an option to use curlers if you don’t want to use heat on your hair.
2
Brush out your curls. Once you have curled your hair, begin to brush it. It doesn’t matter what type of brush you use. Brushing out the tight curls will give you the “bushy” look Hermione Granger was known for in the first movie. Continue until all of your hair has been brushed out.
- This works best with thick hair, but you can still accomplish the same effect with thinner hair.
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3
Tease your hair with a comb or teasing brush. This may not be necessary if your hair is very thick. If your hair is thinner, use a comb or teasing brush to tease all of your hair—including the roots and ends. Hold small sections of hair up and brush the back of the hair in quick back-and-forth motions.
4
Secure the style with hairspray. Make this bushy hair look last longer with hairspray. Flip your hair over and hairspray the back of your hair. Then, flip it back and spray the remainder of your hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing Your Hair like a Slightly Older Hermione

1
Part your hair to the right. Unless your hair is already parted to the right, use a comb to give yourself a deep right part. You don’t have to part it all the way. Part it to the middle of your scalp.^{[1]
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2
Curl your hair. Use a curling iron to give yourself loose ringlet curls. Curl all your hair except the front right section of your hair. If you have side bangs, this is the part of your hair you shouldn’t curl. Otherwise, avoid curling the front right section to represent side bangs. Do not brush your curls out.^{[2]
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- If your hair is already very curly, you will need to straighten it first before curling it into loose ringlets.
3
Pin your “bangs” up. Pull the uncurled portion of your hair out of your face. Hold this section of hair up and to the right. The pin should go a few inches above your right ear. Secure this section with a bobby pin or small barrette.^{[3]
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4
Secure your hair with hairspray. Lightly spray your hair to secure the style. If you have gel, you can run a small amount of it through your hair. The look is now complete.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Resembling Hermione in the Last Movies

1
Straighten or add gentle waves to your hair. Hermione’s hair was mostly straight in the last two movies. Straighten your hair if it is naturally curly, leaving only a very slight wave. If your hair is very straight, you can gently curl it and brush it out or use a texturizing spray.^{[5]
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- If you’re using a texturizing spray, spray it over all of your hair and use your fingers to add texture.
2
Part your hair to the right. Even with this style in the last movies, Hermione’s hair was parted to the right. Use a comb to give yourself a deep right part. The part doesn’t have to be perfect since the hairstyle is messy, but most of your hair in the front should be moved to the right side of your head.^{[6]
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3
Put your hair into a loose ponytail. Grab your hair and pull it back. Your hair should be parted to the right. Hold it in a low ponytail. Then, use a hair band to secure the ponytail.^{[7]
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4
Make the ponytail lose and messy. Shake your head to let some of the hair free from the loose ponytail. Take a section of hair out of the ponytail. It should look like the ponytail has naturally come undone through activity.^{[8]
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Community Q&A

Question

What kind of curling iron should I use to curl my hair like Hermione Granger?

Community Answer

Any type of curling iron will do. Just make sure to set the temperature high enough (160-200 degrees for fine/thin hair, 200-300 degrees for thick/coarse hair) so the curls actually form. Be careful!
Question

What if I do not have a curling iron or a straightening iron?

Community Answer

Some types of hair can be curled by sleeping in a braid.
Question

What if I don't have a curling iron or a hair straightener, nor do I have any time to sleep in a braid?

Community Answer

You can braid your hair into many sections right after you take a shower and your hair is still wet. Then you can blow dry your hair and, when it’s mostly dry, take the braids out to form a wavy look. Brush it through to add more frizz to your hair.