If you’ve been invited to a black tie event and you’re unsure how to dress your tresses, we’ve got a carefully-curated list of classy, super-smart hairstyles you can do at home with just a few tools and techniques. The classic chignon is a timeless hairstyle where your hair is gathered at the nape of your neck, and secured into a neat bun or knot. To create a chignon, gather your hair at the nape of your neck, and secure it with a thin non-snag elastic band. Mermaid-inspired fishtail braids (they’re also called fishtail plaits) look equally beautiful at black tie parties and festivals - their charm lies in their interwoven herringbone pattern, which looks ultra elegant. Take a small strand of hair no thicker than 1.5cm from the outer edge of one side and cross it over diagonally, joining it with the other section and holding it in place. Repeat on the opposite side. If you’ve got long hair, make like an A-lister and go for glam Hollywood waves - you don’t need to have wavy hair to start with, but it can help. Start by applying a heat protectant to your hair, then use a large-barrel curling iron to create soft, loose curls away from your face. Once your curls have cooled, gently brush them through to form soft waves. A half up, half down hairstyle combines the polished sophistication of an updo with the gracefulness of free-flowing locks. To create a simple half up, half down hairstyle, start by parting your hair horizontally near the crown. Gently gather the top section, and secure it with an elastic band or clip. Leave the remaining hair to flow freely; you can curl your loose hair for added volume and bounce. Start by working a small amount of our Frizz Ease Hair Serum through your lengths and ends, and gently brush through. Smooth your hair back and gather your ponytail to the middle of the back of your head, being careful to avoid bumps and flyaways. A stunning, regal look which can take time and effort to get right, a braided crown is where your hair is plaited around your head to create the appearance of a crown. To create the look at home, start by parting your hair down the middle. Take a small section of hair from one side and begin braiding it along your hairline, adding small sections as you move around your head. Part Bond girl, part 60s siren and all class, the French twist is the ultimate updo for pairing with your best little black dress. To create a French twist, start by gathering your hair at the nape of your neck, and hold it with one hand. With the other hand, twist the hair upward towards the crown of your head. If you’re blessed with natural curly hair, make the most of your strands’ volume and texture to create a curly updo with attitude. Start with clean, dry hair (use our Dream Curls Shampoo and Conditioner to cleanse, define and detangle your curls) , and gather your hair slightly above the crown of your head, leaving some loose curls or tendrils to frame your face. Twist or loosely gather your hair, and secure it with bobby pins. The balletcore trend shows no sign of slowing down, and a neat ballerina bun is perfect for black tie events - especially if the sun’s out and you want to keep your hair away from your face. Start with clean, washed hair and smooth some of our Frizz Ease Hair Serum through your lengths to add shine and smooth flyaways. Gather your hair into a high ponytail, twist the ponytail tightly and wrap it around the base, forming a bun. Secure with bobby pins, tuck and wispy, loose ends under the bun and pin. There are so many hairstyles you can pull off with long hair. Every variation of buns, ponytails, updos, and half-up, half-down looks are all fair game. When it’s time to style long hair for a formal occasion, it’s both exciting and a tad intimidating. To save you some time, we’re going to cover lots of popular formal hairstyles for long hair.
Popular formal looks for long, medium, and short hair
1. Ready to try an updo that isn’t a ponytail or a bun? Depending on how long your hair is, you can pull off a big and poofy pompadour. 2. Buns are not exclusive to your Sunday afternoon grocery trips. There are many ways to style a bun for formal occasions by adding curls and texture. Plus, you can add face-framing layers for more glamour. 3. If you have naturally thick and wavy hair, you probably don’t need to do much work for a beautiful wavy ponytail. For the rest of us, you’ll need to spend some time teasing your ponytail and working in product to get the same effect. Thickening spray or volumizing hair spray can help your hair go from flat to fabulous. 4. If you have exceptionally long hair, a twisted bun may be the best way to keep your hair up without resorting to an overly complicated style. You first need to split your hair in two and tie both sections into a knot. 5. You can use a small fishtail braid to tie up the ends of your hair without completely tying back all of your hair. Start with a side ponytail so that the braid can naturally rest on your shoulder. 6. Moving your bun closer to the top of your head adds instant elegance. The twisted or knotted bun looks great higher up since you can show off the intricacy of each style. 7. There are so many loc hairstyles you can try once you’ve grown them out. 8. Long hair can create big chignons. If you’re not a fan of buns, chignons are an elegant alternative that only requires lots of bobby pins to keep your hair in place. 9. A braided bun should be your go-to style if you’d rather not stick a ton of bobby pins in your hair. There are many ways to create a braided bun. Braid each half, then fully wrap each around the base of your ponytail. You can also braid both braided halves together before wrapping them around the base of your ponytail. 10. Middle parts are an elegant way to open up and elongate your face. It’s also a great excuse to try out curtain or other wispy bangs that pair well with middle parts. 11. Your goal with this style is to show off your hair’s volume. Use some sea salt spray to add texture and volume to your hair. 12. Bouffants are an iconic formal hairstyle. We’ve seen variations of this style from the late ‘50s to the early 2000s. 13. Big, chunky braids are another beautiful way to tie up your hair. Milkmaid and French braids are a couple of great choices. 14. Long box braids are versatile and perfect for pulling off different looks. Look into different ways to style your box braids to make them stand out. 15. The half-up, half-down look is the base of so many formal hairstyles for long hair. You can pin your hair back with ribbons or jeweled hair clips. 16. Use your long hair to your advantage by creating a big statement bun. To get this style, separate your hair into a few big sections and start twisting them. Then, pin back each section to the center of your hair. 17. Boho styles are romantic and flowy. They’re perfect for outdoor spring and summer events. The beauty of this look is that you don’t need to worry about keeping every strand in place. You can try loosely braiding your hair and wrapping the ends around for an artsy look. 18. The French twist is another fashionable updo that’s perfect for all formal occasions. This style requires lots of pinning to create that iconic twist at the back of your head. 19. Big and bouncy curls are a fun way to style your long hair. If you’re short on time, you can curl your hair with the ponytail trick. Put your hair in a high ponytail and start curling strands of your hair. You can create a textured look by making sections of different sizes and curling those sections in different directions. If you like the look of curly hair and find yourself curling it often, it may be time to consider a perm. 20. A low bun is a great go-to look if you need to run straight from work to date night. It’s not too showy for a day full of video calls, but it’s also chic enough for a night out. 21. Waterfall braids are beautiful and aren’t as complicated as they look. You just need to cross over your strands a few times to create a unique braid across your head. Consider getting an ombré or a balayage if you want to amp up this look. 22. You can always throw your hair up into a simple high ponytail if you’re short on time. Just like a half-up, half-down look, there are many ways to make a high pony your own. 23. Think of the banana bun as the French twist’s laid-back cousin. Instead of worrying about firmly securing the bun close to your head, you just need to slip in a few pins so it can loosely stay in place. 24. You can get versatility and protection with long twists. Depending on the type of twists you get, this style can be lighter than braids. There are also many types of twists you can try, like Marley, Havana, and Senegalese (which we’ll go over later in this list). 25. If your hair is naturally straight, try incorporating a few loose braids. A few simple three-strand plaits and some dangly earrings can elevate your look. 26. Braids are another way you can switch up a regular ponytail. Pick your favorite braid to use for your ponytail. French, fishtail, and pull-through braids are popular choices. 27. Some styles look even more elegant with long hair. When doing your French braid, tug on small sections to loosen them up. This is called pancaking your braid. 28. An upside-down braid is an easy way to spruce up a regular bun. First, you’ll need to start a French or Dutch braid at the nape of your neck. Once you’ve tied it off, you’ll gather the rest of your hair to create a bun. 29. Headbands have seen many trends over the past few decades. Chunky, thin, and braided headbands all add different flavors to any outfit. 30. The pull-through braid isn’t tied together like a traditional braid. It involves creating a ponytail, splitting it, and looping and pulling the hair through until you’ve reached the end. This look is naturally big and voluminous. 31. Want an effortless formal hairstyle perfect for long hair? Give yourself a deep side part. 32. Long and sweeping lemonade braids are sure to stand out when you walk into any room. Bigger braids will create a beautiful and bold pattern on your head. 33. There are many ways to style faux hawks besides the popular short and spiky look. You can create a curly faux hawk with lots of body and height. 34. Getting a blowout gives your hair instant volume and style that can last a few days. The cost of a blowout is worth it since you can achieve many different styles with a blowout, including curls, waves, and even straight hair. Find some hair inspiration photos before you book a blowout appointment. 35. Crown braids are another versatile hairstyle that you can personalize to fit your makeup and outfit. 36. Still looking for an easy and elegant bun to try? A loop bun is another simple look you can do at home. 37. Do not underestimate the power of a great hair accessory. A few well-placed hairpins or combs can add some sparkle to your long hair. 38. Senegalese twists are a beautiful style you can achieve with your natural hair alone or with some braiding hair for extra length. They can take up to eight hours to complete depending on how much hair you have. 39. Slicking your hair back is a sophisticated formal hairstyle for long hair. To pull this off, spray some texturizing spray to give your hair some volume. Blow-drying your hair at the roots can also give your hair some lift. When you’re ready to slick back the front of your hair, reach for some wax or mousse to keep everything in place. 40. An ombré is a great hair coloring technique that’s more low maintenance than you might think. The top of your hair remains untouched, so you can afford to prolong your next touch-up appointment. 41. Add flowers to make any simple hairstyle extra special. You can tuck a flower into your braids, behind your ear, or around your updo. 42. If you want a no-fuss way to elevate your ponytail, try wrapping a section of your hair around your hair tie. To do this, separate a small section of hair from under your ponytail and begin wrapping it around the base of your ponytail. There are many formal hairstyles for long hair out there. It’s fun to explore the possibilities and see what works best with the rest of your look. Elegant and classic or unique and fun, these are bound to impress. When you're headed to a big event like a wedding, you may want to branch out from your usual go-to style or blowout and consider formal hairstyles instead. This is especially true if you're following a formal or black-tie dress code-after all, your hair impacts your entire look, and you want it to match the vibe you're going for. Unlike more relaxed styles (like beach waves), a formal hairstyle tends to be about clean, sleek lines and an overall sophisticated vibe. They can be ideal for a bride, a member of the wedding party or a guest dressing to impress. Read on to find options for gorgeous formal hairstyles, then check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find hairstylists near you who can achieve these looks and specialize in them.
Tips for Choosing Formal Hairstyles
Choosing a hairstyle for a formal event means taking a few things into consideration-most importantly, the length and type of hair you have. A style that looks beautiful on long hair may not work for shorter locks, and vice versa. There are two other things to keep in mind as well: the neckline of your dress and the time of year. You want a hairstyle that complements your dress rather than overshadows or takes away from it. "I feel the lower the neckline, the longer the hair needs to be, and the higher the neckline, the more up on your head the hairstyle needs to be," says William Whatley, celebrity hairstylist and creative education director for Scruples. As for weather, higher temperatures usually mean an updo is going to be more comfortable. Brides also need to consider their veil (if they're wearing one). This can definitely impact how your hairstyle looks, so Whatley recommends bringing it to any trial appointment you have booked. And when you choose a formal hairstyle, he strongly recommends doing a trial with that exact look to make sure it's what you want.
Formal Hairstyles for Long Hair: Long hair means you have a lot of flexibility and options when it comes to finding a formal hairstyle you love. You can choose an impressive updo or a sleek blowout, as just about anything will work with this length. If you want to keep your hair down but don't want just any blowout, Hollywood waves are an elegant choice, according to Hanna Oh, Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist and owner of 821 West. "When achieving Hollywood waves, the curls have to be much smaller than you think, so it causes the hair to shrink a lot," she explains. Whatley says one of his go-to looks is a low French bun placed just at the base of the neck using a center part or a side part. "This creates a very elegant and sophisticated look, especially for a more traditional wedding theme," he says.
Formal Hairstyles for Medium Hair: Medium-length hair also means you have plenty of different options to choose from. To keep hair off your shoulders, both Oh and Whatley love the idea of a low updo or low bun. Whatley notes that a low bun really allows a bride to emphasize her veil, so this could be a great choice if you want to make sure everyone is looking at yours. It's also fairly low-maintenance and very versatile. Another option is a formal ponytail hairstyle. "It's the perfect effortless wedding day style for medium-length hair," Whatley says.
Formal Hairstyles for Short Hair: Depending on how short your short hair is, an updo can be a little tricky-but that doesn't mean your look has to be boring. "I love curling and leaving short hair down," Oh says. "Pinning one side up is always a great way to open up the hair and create instant glamour." A tousled updo may also work. Whatley recommends adding some curls to the hair, then pulling it back and pinning it. "This helps open up the face and accents your eyes and cheeks," he says. Just be careful with complicated updos. "Don't use a ton of extensions to create longer hair," Whatley warns. "This creates so much effort trying to hide the extensions inside the hairstyle. Instead, I recommend selecting something that works with the length of your hair."
Formal Hairstyles for Curly Hair: Both Oh and Whatley strongly recommend embracing your curls rather than fighting against them. "I love to put the curls in perfect place with no frizz, just super shiny, bouncy curls," Whatley says. Adding some height is great for a formal curly hairstyle too. Oh recommends a French twist or similar updo, saying, "Curly hair holds all day so this is truly the best option for any type of updo." A low chignon can also be an elegant look.
Formal Hairstyles for Every Hair Type: With so many different hairstyles to choose from, it can feel hard to settle on just one. Take a look at some gorgeous options on real brides and wedding guests-there's something for every hair type and length. 1. Ideal for long or medium-length hair, this slicked back low bun lets your outfit be the main focus of your look. It's elegant and classic but adds just enough texture to make it feel a bit more fun and modern. This braid hairstyle is also great for warm temperatures and a dress with a lower neckline. 2. While this is shown on someone with long hair, this can easily work with any hair length. Make a middle part, then add some thin cornrows to one side and leave the other side down. This is unique and cool, and would look great with a less traditional outfit or vibe. 3. Perfect for a spunky pixie cut, this hairstyle is simple and super easy: It consists of only a side part. You can add a little bit of texture or prevent frizz with some added product, and adding a little volume may also be a good idea. Otherwise, this is an easy formal hairstyle that works for something that feels formal but also laid back. 4. A half-up/half-down hairstyle is a classic, and the soft curls with this one make it feel extra romantic. This is a beautiful bridal style with a dress that has a strapless or low neckline. Leave some tendrils out in front to make it feel even more soft and relaxed. 5. This low bun, which sits a bit higher up than the nape of the neck than other similar styles, keeps your hair off your shoulders and would look great with any neckline. Add some volume at the top to keep it from being too slicked back, and leave some tendrils out in front for an extra romantic look. 6. Super short haircuts, like this pixie cut, look put together and elegant when slicked back a bit. This short formal hairstyle has the hair brushed back and held in place with gel, so while there's still some volume there, it will also hold in place throughout the night, whether you're dancing or in humid weather. It's easy, minimal and looks great with any outfit. 7. If you don't want to do an updo, it's hard to go wrong with a half-up/half-down look with soft curls. This is a go-to formal hairstyle for a reason: It's romantic, feminine and works for any season. For a softer look that isn't trying too hard, keep the curls brushed out a bit and leave out some face-framing tendrils. 8. A bun hairstyle is a go-to choice when looking for something more formal. If slicked back and tight isn't your thing, this voluminous, purposefully messy bun may work better. This has a more easygoing, thrown-together look, but it still appears chic and worthy of any special occasion. Opt for this hairstyle if you don't want to stress over your hair throughout the night or want to really show off your dress. 9. Fully embrace your curls on your wedding day or at your next big event with this simple hairstyle, which works with any hair length. Use some sort of curling gel or cream to create the look of tight curls and then leave your hair as is. The only time this might not work is if the weather is very humid, since that could lead to a lot of frizz. Otherwise this is a pretty simple and versatile style that would look beautiful with or without a hair accessory. 10. This beautiful style is an easy way to make beach waves-which tend to feel casual-a little more formal: Slick back the top of the hair into a tight half-up/half-down look, and then leave the rest in soft, shiny waves. This is a beautiful hairstyle for an open-back dress, especially if you have longer hair, and works with other low-cut necklines as well. 11. Classic and sophisticated, this sleek middle part style elevates a blowout and looks a bit more formal. Part hair down the middle, then use product to keep the front slicked down a bit, making it appear tucked behind the ears. Some volume at the crown of the head and very loose waves make this even prettier. If you're celebrating an Indian wedding, a traditional maang tikka accessory completes the look. 12. To keep things a bit more simple, opt for a blowout with some added volume and curls. This is a great formal hairstyle for medium-length hair and looks lovely with almost any neckline (unless it's a very high neck). You can add some tighter curls if you'd like, and some volume at the roots with a slight side part makes it more interesting. 13. This low half-up hairstyle is effortlessly gorgeous. Softly pull back some of your hair, leaving it a bit tousled for a more romantic vibe. Brushed out waves or curls add some texture without coming across as too styled, and adding a little volume and some face-framing tendrils completes the look. This would be beautiful with an off-the-shoulder or strapless gown in the spring or fall. 14. This dramatic low ponytail is perfect for a bride who wants to make a statement with her hair-it will also have the most impact with longer lengths. Use gel to slick your hair back into a tight low ponytail with a middle part, and then go a little wild with the volume. Opt for lots of curls, texture and teasing to create a huge ponytail that stands out. This will look best with a backless or low-back dress. 15. This versatile blowout works whether you're a bride, bridesmaid or wedding guest. This look is a bit more textured and laid back rather than super formal, but it still works for a very special event. Add some texture to the hair with brushed out, very loose waves, and go for the side part to create a softer look. 16. If you want to get long hair off your shoulders, try this voluminous bun. The hair sits piled in a bun towards the top of the head, with plenty of volume and loose edges for something that doesn't feel too sleek. Leave a chunk of hair out in the front and give it a soft curl for a bit of an Old Hollywood vibe. 17. Soft curls with a deep side part create a hairstyle that is both glamorous and romantic, with a bit of a vintage vibe. You can take that one step further by adding a glittering hair accessory right above the ear. This makes the look feel even more special and formal. You can choose a hair clip that works with some element of your outfit. 18. These brides are examples of two ways you can wear your locs on your wedding day. Put your hair in a tousled and messy high bun, or a more sleek look with a French twist updo. 19. Opt for a more romantic vibe with this half-up formal hairstyle. Pull hair loosely back into place, keeping plenty of volume and texture at the top. This look is perfect with a long, statement-making veil and longer locks. You can also add a hair accessory to keep some sort of embellishment once the veil is off for the night. 20. Anyone with long or medium-length hair can opt for a classic and sophisticated vibe with long, glamorous curls. A sleek middle or side part is a nice contrast, and you can also add a large (or small) hair accessory by your ear to make the whole look feel even more formal and special.
Best for short hair section
Best for short hair: This section provides guidance on short hair with options like a clean, sharp cut and small styling tricks to maintain a formal look without heavy updos.
- Best for short hair: a clean, sharp style that stays tailored with minimal product and subtle texture.
- Best for curly mid-length hair: a classic side sweep looks right with a dickie bow.
- Best for straight mid-length hair: a classic side parting with intentional styling and light product.
DIY UPDO // Wedding guest, formal occasion Hair Tutorial
There are many best practices for experimenting with texture, volume, and accessories. For instance, a simple high pony can be transformed with braids or twists, and a low bun can be elevated with a soft curl at the front. A discreet flower or jeweled clip can elevate almost any formal look, and a well-chosen headband or hairpin adds a touch of glamour without overpowering your dress or the occasion. When choosing products, look for gentle hold and natural shine, so your hair looks polished but not stiff. Finally, always consider a trial session with your chosen style to ensure compatibility with your neckline, veil, weather, and makeup.
tags: #black #tie #hairstyles