Charli XCX's Brontë Waves hair in the 'Chains of Love' music video channels iconic, gothic romance with lush, dramatic texture and effortless style.

Okay, listen up! We're in 2026, and I'm still not over a certain music video from late last year. While everyone else was hyped for new movie releases, my brain was completely hijacked by the world of Wuthering Heights (the film, not just the book!). And a huge part of that obsession? Charli XCX's hair in the "Chains of Love" video. I mean, come on. Those ultra-long, moody, middle-parted waves that practically tell a tragic love story all on their own? Iconic. It turns out I wasn't the only one captivated. Celebrity hairstylist Matt Benns, the mastermind behind the look, recently spilled all the exclusive tea on how he created it and—get this—how we can try to copy it at home. He didn't have a name for it initially, but when someone suggested "Brontë Waves," he was like, "Yes, that's it perfectly."

(Imagine: Charli's dark hair flowing almost to her knees, with those perfectly imperfect waves.)

The Vibe & The Vision: Building a Gothic World

This wasn't just another pop star hairstyle. Charli herself wrote about wanting to dive into a totally different persona for this project—something raw, wild, sexual, gothic, British, and tortured. No sunglasses, no cigarettes, just pure, dramatic atmosphere. The hair had to match that energy. Benns explained they wanted really long hair to feel like "another time," very novel-like, and a different kind of raw compared to her Brat era. "A little more romance," as he put it. Think less of the sleek, bouncy blowouts we associate with pop Charli and more fluffy, less perfectly curled, and deeply textured. The goal was for every creative element, including the hair, to contribute seamlessly to the film's world. And honestly? Mission absolutely accomplished. Watching her hair fly as she's thrown across a table in the video is a whole mood.

The Step-by-Step Breakdown from Matt Benns Himself

So, how did he actually do it? Benns walked through his process, and it's a masterclass in texture building. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Prep is Everything: He started by detangling and refreshing Charli's hair with Bumble and Bumble's Bb.Prep. This clean slate was crucial for the next steps to work.

2. The Texture Cocktail: This is where the magic happens. He didn't just use one tool.

   • He blow-dried and diffused different sections.

   • He used curling tongs (irons) on some parts.

   • He added in a mix of braids and then went over those with a flat iron!

3. The Secret Weapon Spray: While working on sections, he sprayed them with Bb.Spray de Mode hairspray. This isn't your grandma's crispy hairspray; it helps seal in the wavy texture while keeping everything flexible.

4. The Final Fluff: After unraveling all those braids, he finished with Bb.Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray to pump up the volume and add that essential, airy, lived-in texture.

(Visual: A curling iron, a flat iron, braided hair sections, and the key Bumble and Bumble sprays.)

Your DIY Guide to (Attempting) Brontë Waves

Now, for the real question: can we mere mortals achieve this at home? Benns's number one, non-negotiable tip? Get clip-in extensions. And not just any extensions—he specifies long ones, 25 inches or more. The extreme length is a key part of the dramatic, period-piece feel.

Here’s his simplified at-home method:

• Braid your hair (with extensions in, obviously).

• Spray with Bb.Spray de Mode and lightly go over the braids with a flat iron.

• Let the hair cool completely (this sets the wave pattern).

• Unravel the braids and marvel at the textured waves.

• Pro Tip from the Pro: Use different sized curling irons on different sections after unraveling to bring in even more varied texture! The goal is imperfect, romantic waves, not uniform curls.

What This Means for Charli's Wuthering Heights Era

Benns hinted that this is just the beginning. "I think we’re going to see a lot of long hair on the Wuthering Heights album," he said. He promised we'll be surprised with new touches that feel different but are still quintessentially Charli. So, if you're loving this gothic, romantic, textured hair vibe, buckle up. It seems like the Brontë Wave is more than a one-video wonder; it's the aesthetic cornerstone for this entire chapter. It's a deliberate move away from high-gloss pop into something more literary and raw. And in 2026, looking back, it totally defined that era's visual style.

Key Product	Role in Creating Brontë Waves
Bumble and Bumble Bb.Prep	Detangles and preps hair, creating a clean base.
Bumble and Bumble Bb.Spray de Mode	Sprayed on sections to set texture while maintaining flexibility.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray	Final step to add airy volume and enhance texture.
Various Curling Irons & Flat Irons	Used in combination on loose hair and braids to create varied wave patterns.
Clip-In Extensions (25+ inches)	The essential item for achieving the dramatic, knee-grazing length.

So, there you have it! The complete inside scoop on one of the coolest, most atmospheric hair moments in recent music video history. Will my DIY attempt look exactly like Charli's? Probably not 😅. But embracing that messy, textured, romantic vibe feels like a perfect way to channel a little gothic drama into my 2026. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go practice my braiding and hunt down some seriously long extensions.