From pompadours to ponytails, there are countless elegant hairstyles that will turn heads at any formal occasion. Whether you’re attending a wedding, gala or black-tie event, it’s important to choose a look that is appropriate for the dress code while still being stylish and flattering.
When selecting an elegant hairstyle, think about your hair type and face shape as these will determine which styles work best for you. Curly hair looks beautiful in loose updos such as buns and chignons, whereas straight hair can be styled into sleek braids or voluminous curls. For those with short hair, consider adding length and drama by using extensions or fashion-forward accessories such as headbands and fascinators.
Preparing your hair with heat protectant products and styling mousses before creating your look is essential for creating long-lasting results. Accessorizing with statement pieces like barrettes, clips or bows can also add character to your style while keeping everything in place throughout the night. With some imagination and careful planning, you can create an elegant hairstyle that is perfect for any formal occasion!
1. Retro Hollywood Glamour
– Ideal for medium to long hair lengths with straight, wavy, or curly textures
– Channel your inner Marilyn Monroe or Veronica Lake by styling your hair in glossy vintage waves. Use a curling wand and a high gloss finishing spray to achieve this timeless look.
2. Braided Updo
– Suitable for short to long hair lengths, works best with wavy, curly, or coily textures
– A braided updo is a versatile formal look that can be tailored to suit any face shape. French braids, fishtail braids, or Dutch braids can be arranged into a low bun or chignon and paired with statement earrings for a stately aesthetic.
3. Chic Pixie
– Perfect for short hair in straight or wavy textures
– Make the most of a stylish pixie cut by using texturizing products to give it a piecey, tousled look for a special event. Sweep the front section across your forehead and secure with a decorative hairpin for added glamour.
4. Sleek Ponytail
– Ideal for medium to long hair lengths with straight or wavy textures
– A sleek ponytail is a fashionable choice for a formal affair. Smooth your hair back into a mid-height or low ponytail, leaving no loose strands. Add a hair accessory or wrap a section of hair around the hair tie for a polished finish.
5. Voluminous Curls
– Excellent for all hair lengths with curly or coily textures
– When it comes to formal occasions, embracing your natural curls is a surefire way to stand out. Use a curl-enhancing product to define and separate your curls, focusing on achieving volume and movement for the ultimate elegant look.
6. Half-up, Half-down
– Suitable for medium to long hair lengths with straight, wavy, or curly textures
– A classic half-up, half-down hairstyle is both practical and sophisticated. Gather the top section of your hair at the crown of your head for added lift, and secure it with an embellished hair clip or barrette for a touch of sparkle.
No matter the length or texture of your hair, there’s an elegant hairstyle waiting to make a lasting impression at any formal event. So go ahead, choose one that suits your style, and confidently grace the room with your stunning new look.
1. Messy, Tucked Chignon
A messy chignon tucked in the back of your head is a great way to add a stylish and sophisticated touch to your look. Here’s how to achieve this romantic updo:
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Gather Your Hair – Start by gathering all of your hair at the nape of your neck and tying it into a low ponytail.
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Twist and Pin – Twist the ponytail around itself until it forms a bun, then secure it with bobby pins. You can also use an elastic band if you have one available.
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Add Textures – Give your chignon an extra boost by tugging on pieces of hair around the sides and front for added volume and texture. You can also apply some hairspray or mousse to give it more hold.
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Finish It Off – Lastly, tuck any loose strands up underneath the bun for a sleek finish and spritz with hairspray for extra hold!
2. Loose and Lovely Bridal Updo
Get a show-stopping look for your special day with this romantic bridal updo. Here’s how to achieve the look:
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Preparation – Before styling, wash your hair and add some volumizing product or mousse throughout your strands and blow dry as usual.
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Curl and Pin – Create loose curls in sections of your hair, then pin each curl up onto the back of your head. Make sure to leave some pieces out around the face for a softer finish.
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Add Texture – Give the updo more texture by gently tugging on sections of hair for added volume. You can also use hairspray or oil-based product to help keep it in place throughout the day.
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Secure It – To keep the look secure, add bobby pins or decorative clips to hold everything in place and spray with hairspray for extra hold!
3. Fairytale Hairstyle
Achieve a whimsical and romantic fairytale hairstyle with these easy steps:
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Section Out Hair – Begin by separating your hair into 3 sections; the top, middle, and bottom.
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Braid the Top – Start braiding the top section and pin it back after you’re done.
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Create Twists – Twist the middle section of your hair in 2-inch pieces and hold them back with bobby pins or clips.
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Finish the Back – Take the bottom section of your hair and create small braids, securing each one with an elastic band before pulling them apart to give it more volume.
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Add Accessories – Accessorize your look by adding flowers, ribbons, or headbands for a truly magical finish!
4. Soft, Curled Locks for Medium Hair
Take your medium-length locks to the next level with this soft, curled look. Here’s what you need to do:
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Starting Out – Begin by washing and drying your hair, then create a deep side part and clip one side of your hair out of the way.
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Curling Section by Section – Take 1-inch pieces from the clipped section of your hair and curl with a medium barrel curling iron. Make sure to alternate the direction of each curl for a more natural effect.
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Adding Volume – Once you’re done curling, gently backcomb your roots in 3-4 inch sections and spray with hairspray to lock it in place.
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Finishing Touches – Let down the other side of your hair and finish off by lightly running your fingers through all curls – this will soften up some of the definition for that perfect tousled look!
5. Sweet and Simple Beach Waves
Get that effortless, carefree beach-wave look with these easy steps:
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Wash and Dry – Before you begin, make sure to wash and dry your hair.
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Prep the Hair – Take some texturizing mousse or sea salt spray and apply it in sections to your damp hair.
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Twist – Twist each section of your hair before blow drying with a diffuser attachment for added volume.
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Curl – Once your hair is dry, take 1” sections and curl with a medium barrel curling iron, alternating the direction of each curl as you go.
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Break It Up – Finally, lightly run your fingers through the curls to break them up and give it that natural, beachy wave look!
6. Twisted and Curled Low Chignon
Get classically polished, but still modern and edgy with this Twisted and Curled Low Chignon. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start with Clean Hair – Start by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Create a Center Part – Make sure to create an even center part before you begin to curl and twist your hair.
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Curl and Twist Small Sections of Hair – Take 1-inch pieces of hair on either side of the center part and curl or twist in alternating directions (using a medium barrel curling iron). Keep working around your head until all sections are curled/twisted.
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Pin into a Low Chignon – Gently gather all twisted/curled strands into a low chignon at the nape of your neck and secure with bobby pins for extra hold.
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Finish the Look – To finish off, hairspray lightly over the entire style, making sure to keep it soft and not stiff looking!
7. Quick and Easy Sideswept Curls
Master an effortless, sideswept look with this quick and easy curls style! Here’s what you need to do:
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Start with Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Create a Side Part – Do this before you begin curling your hair.
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Section Off Top Clump of Hair– Take the top clump of hair on the side of your part, clip away the other side so it is out of the way, and then use a medium barrel curling iron to curl each section in 1-inch pieces.
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Release Clips & Curl Other Sides– Once the top side is all curled, release the clips, move onto the bottom side and repeat step three until all sections are curled on both sides.
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Finish Look – Gently brush through curls with fingers and hairspray lightly for extra hold!
8. Sleek and Glamorous Updo
Get effortlessly glamorous with this sleek and glamorous updo. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start with Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Create a Side Part – Do this before you begin styling your hair for an asymmetrical look.
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Section Off Top and Bottom Hair– Take the top section of hair on the side of your part, clip away the bottom section so it is out of the way, and then take 1-inch pieces of the top section and curl them in alternating directions (using a small barrel curling iron).
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Release Clips & Curl Bottom Sections– Once the top section is all curled, release the clips, move onto the bottom sections and repeat step three until all sections are curled.
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Pin into Updo – Gently gather all curled strands up into a high updo at the crown of your head and secure with bobby pins for extra hold.
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Finish Look – Use a light hairspray to set the style in place!
9. Ever flowing Side Braid
Get an effortless, romantic look with this ever flowing side braid. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start with Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Create a Side Part – Do this before you begin braiding your hair for an asymmetrical look.
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Section Off Bottom Hair– Take the section of hair on the side of your part and clip away the top section so it is out of the way, then use a small-tooth comb to create a three strand braid starting from the nape of your neck and continuing down the length of your hair while slowly adding more hair into each strand as you go along.
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Secure Ends with Elastic Band – Once all your hair has been added in, secure ends with an elastic band and gently tug at sections to make it appear larger and fluffier in appearance.
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Finish Look – Spritz lightly with hairspray for extra hold!
10. Bohemian Fishtail Crown
Get a regal bohemian look with this easy fishtail crown updo. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Create a Side Part – Do this before you begin styling your hair for an asymmetrical look.
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Section Off Top Hair– Take the top section of hair on the side of your part, clip away the bottom section so it is out of the way, and then take 1-inch pieces of the top section and start to create a fishtail braid (two sections at a time over and under each other, repeating until all sections are complete).
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Wrap into Updo – Once all strands have been woven together then wrap it up into a crown at the front of your parting and secure with bobby pins for extra hold.
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Finish Look – Use a light hairspray to set the style in place!
11. Undone Braided Updo
Get a casual-chic look with this undone braided updo. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Divide Into Sections – To begin the braid, divide hair into three sections at the nape of neck and clip away two sections so you are only beginning with one section.
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Create Braid– Starting close to scalp, start a simple three-strand braid while slowly adding more of the already divided sections as you go along. Use your fingers to pull apart sections for an undone messy look while braiding until all hair has been added in.
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Wrap into Updo – Once finished, tuck the loose end under itself and use bobby pins to secure it up at the crown of your head (optional – wrap a piece of hair around the bun for extra texture).
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Finish Look – Spritz lightly with hairspray for extra hold!
12. Perfectly Waved Long Bob
Get a sleek and timeless look with this perfectly waved long bob. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Grab 1-inch Sections – Divide your hair into sections (with 1-inch sections being the size of the wave) and clip away all other sections so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Curl Each Section – Starting at the front of your head, use a curling wand or curling iron to curl each section – away from your face – wrapping it around the barrel and holding for 5-10 seconds before releasing. Alternate between curling sections towards your face or away from your face for an asymmetrical look (optional). Continue until all sections have been curled.
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Comb Out & Finish – Use a wide tooth comb or brush to comb out curls for a softer look, then finish with light hairspray for extra hold!
13. Simple and Flawless Blowout
Get a smooth and polished style with this simple and flawless blowout. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Section Hair – Divide your hair into four sections – top, bottom, left and right sides – making sure each section is secure with clips or bands so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Use Round Brush – Taking a round brush, use it to wrap each individual section around the brush while blow drying it away from your face at the same time. This helps create extra volume and overall smoothness in less time. Make sure to take your time when going through each section for more even results.
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Finish Look – Once finished, give one final quick blast of cool air to set the look in place before releasing from the clips or bands. Finish with some light hairspray for extra hold!
14. Pretty Pompadour and Low Bun
Get an elegant and stylish look with this pretty pompadour and low bun. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Section Hair – Divide your hair into two sections – the top and bottom – making sure each section is secure with clips or bands so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Create Pompadour – Take the top section of hair, and pull back away from your face, securing at the crown of your head. Then, using a comb or brush, carefully create a “pompadour” type lift at the front of your head for extra volume. Once finished, secure hairspray to keep in place (optional)
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Create Low Bun – Take the bottom section of hair, and braid it if desired before looping it around the low part of your head and pinning in place for a simple but elegant look! Finish with a final layer of hairspray for extra hold (optional).
15. Romantic Retro Hairstyle
Get a romantic and glamorous look with this romantic retro hairstyle. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Section Hair – Divide your hair into four sections – top, bottom, left and right sides – making sure each section is secure with clips or bands so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Curl Hair – Take some large curlers and curl small sections of your hair, starting at the back and moving around to the front of your head until all sections have been curled. Make sure to take your time for more even results.
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Finish Look – Once finished, let your curls cool before brushing them out with a soft bristle brush for an extra vintage look! Finish with a light coat of hairspray to set the style in place!
16. Tangled and Twisted Low Braid
Get a unique and eye-catching look with this tangled and twisted low braid. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Section Hair – Divide your hair into three sections – top, left and right sides – making sure each section is secure with clips or bands so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Create Braid – Take the top section of hair and start braiding it down towards the back of your head until you reach the nape of your neck. Then, tuck in any loose ends, securing them with pins or clips.
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Twist & Pin – Take small sections of the left side of your hair and twist them around the braid, while pinning them securely in place at regular intervals along the way. Repeat the same process on the right side until all strands are nicely tucked into place for an effortless finish!
17. Flicked Back Stacked Bob
Get a chic and timeless look with this flicked back stacked bob. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Section Hair – Divide your hair into two sections – top, bottom – making sure each section is secure with clips or bands so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Create Bob – Take the bottom section of your hair and start cutting it into a classic stacked bob, focusing on creating layers that will give you extra volume and lift at the back of your head. Once complete, use a fine tooth comb to sweep all the strands back away from your face for an even finish.
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Flick Hair Forward – Finally, take some texturizing wax or gel and slick it through your ends before gently flicking them outwards for a modern twist! Finish off with some hairspray to hold everything in place throughout the day.
18. Princess Braids with Curls
Get a romantic and whimsical look with these princess braids and curls. Here’s what you need to do:
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Start With Clean Hair – Begin by washing your hair and blow drying it straight.
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Section Hair – Divide your hair into two sections – top, bottom – making sure each section is secure with clips or bands so that the ones you’re working on remain tangle-free.
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Create Braids – Take the top section of your hair and start braiding it down towards the back of your head, making sure to create two tight but separate braids. Secure them in place with pins or clips at regular intervals along the way.
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Curl Hair – Separate each braid into two strands, then use a curling iron to gently curl them, alternating between small and large curls for a delicate yet effortless finish! Finish off with some hairspray to hold everything in place throughout the day.
Final Words
No matter what formal occasion you’re attending, an elegant hairstyle is the perfect way to complete your look. Pairing a timeless cut with modern styling techniques will help create a look that is chic, stylish and sure to turn heads. With some imagination and careful preparation, you can have a dazzling style that stands out from the crowd!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some tips for creating an elegant hairstyle? A: When creating an elegant hairstyle, it’s important to start with clean, healthy hair. Preparing your hair with a volumizing mousse and using styling products like heat protectants can help create lasting results. Consider using accessories such as headbands and fascinators to add even more panache to your look.
Q: What kind of hairstyles are best for formal occasions? A: Depending on the formality of the occasion, you may choose to go with classic updos like chignons or French twists that exude sophistication. If you want something more modern, try a sleek bun or French braid paired with loose curls or waves. Be sure to consider the dress code before settling on a style.
Q: How long will my elegant hairstyle last? A: With the right preparation and styling techniques, an elegant hairstyle can last all day long! Properly preparing your hair before styling is key – use volumizing mousses and conditioning treatments for added hold and texture. Whether you create the style yourself or have a professional do it for you, make sure to use hairspray and pins to ensure that everything stays in place throughout the night.
