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Best Hairstyles for Formal Events

Updated on July 17, 2025 | 5 min read

Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer

If you’re bored with the same updo at every formal event, we have the looks to inspire your next fancy-haired-occasion. Whether you need wedding guest hairstyles, corporate hair looks or something for any other special occasion, these are the best hairstyles for formal events for every hair length, plus the styling tips and products to pull them off.

Key Takeaways

Your Guide to the Best Hairstyles for Formal Events

Formal events call for sleek, polished hairstyles that complement your personal style and the event’s vibe.
Long hair offers versatile options like a slicked-back bun, French twist, and half braid.
Medium-length hair looks great styled in a low chignon, smooth waves, or accessorized updo for an effortless yet formal feel.
Short hair can be equally elegant and edgy, with styles such as side-swept locks, an underside braid, or a sleek tiny ponytail.
Use quality styling products and tools to help your hairstyle last through the night — second-day hair often holds styles better than freshly washed hair. Check out these professional stylist favourites for all-day hold!
Incorporating accessories like jeweled clips or metallic barrettes can elevate even the simplest style into something event-worthy.
Eco-conscious products from brands like Davines ensure your formal look aligns with sustainable beauty practices.
Choose a hairstyle that makes you feel confident, whether it’s up, down, sleek, or textured — your comfort and confidence are key.
Prep properly with a solid foundation (shampoo, conditioner, dry hair) to avoid frizz and flatness at the event.

In This Article

Choosing the Perfect Hairstyle For Your Event

The Best Formal Event Hairstyles

Hairstyles for Long Hair at Formal Events

Medium-Length Hairstyles for Formal Events

Short Hairstyles for Formal Events

Make Your Style Last Through the Night

Eco-Conscious Styling with Davines Products

FAQ

Choosing the Perfect Hairstyle For Your Event

Getting dressed up for a special occasion means stepping up your hair game too. Formal events like weddings, proms and cocktail parties, as well as interviews and presentations, require a more formal appearance. And your hair is no exception. Unlike more relaxed styles like messy buns and beach waves, hairstyles for events requiring a little glam should be sleek and elegant, while being easy to master with just a few tools and techniques. Whether long, medium, or short, the best hairstyles for formal events are ones that compliment your personal aesthetic, the event vibe and venue. But that doesn’t mean anything is off-limits. The best hairstyle for you is one that makes you feel confident and happy in your skin, so if you like it, try it! Get inspired by our collection of half-up and updo hairstyles for long, medium and short hair, using our styling tips and products as your guide.

The Best Formal Event Hairstyles

The way you wear your hair directly influences your entire look. So your ideal hairstyle should complement the details of your event, not become the event. Aim for a sleeker, more polished version of your everyday hair. If you usually wear it down and you’re most comfortable with it down, wear it that way. The same goes if you normally wear your hair up. We’ve divided up the best hairstyles for formal events according to length and our hair lookbook starts below!

Hairstyles for Long Hair at Formal Events

Long hair offers lots of versatility when it comes to styling for formal events. Our favourite hair ideas for long strands include a slicked-back bun, French twist and half braid. More on each below.

Slicked-Back Bun

To create a modern slicked-back bun pull your hair back with hair spray and a brush, making sure the grain of your hair is going in the same direction. Secure a high pony and twist it into a bun, leaving out some length. Use heat protection spray and flatiron the ends. Secure your hair with pins for extra hold.

French Twist

Spray your hair with texture spray for grit and sweep it all back behind your head and off to one side. Secure it by crossing two bobby pins into an X, as many times as needed all the way up one side of your head. Lightly tease the hair at the other side, before rolling it into a twist and securing it on the side the roll stops.

Half Braid

A half braid is the perfect style if you can’t decide between leaving your hair down or putting it up. Pull the front half of your hair up, leaving a few tendrils out around your face. Braid the half of your hair that you’re holding into the braid of your choice, for a different twist every time you wear this half updo style.

Medium-Length Hairstyles for Formal Events

The best medium-length hairstyles for formal events are easy and effortless. Our favourite hair ideas for mid-length hair are a low chignon, smooth waves and an accessorized updo. Let’s take a look at each.

Low Chignon

Create a classic low chignon by brushing your hair back at a slight angle from the temples to create lift, as you secure a low ponytail with an elastic. Apply hair oil to the ponytail and brush it through. Then twist it into a bun and secure it with a bobby pin tucked into the base.

Smooth Waves

Medium-length hair with smooth waves gives off an glam, Old Hollywood vibe, making this look perfect for black-tie and super fancy events. Prep your hair with a heat protectant and use a flat iron to make uniform waves by wrapping it around your mid-length strands. Or sleep in one of these overnight hairstyles the night before your event for perfect waves when you wake up.

Accessorized Updo

Make the simplest of updos or half-updos more visually interesting by adding an accessory like a jeweled clip or a metallic barrette. Skip the earrings with this formal look and make the hair accessory your statement piece.

Short Hairstyles for Formal Events

Short hair doesn't mean limiting your options when it comes to getting fancy. The best hairstyles for formal events on short hair are modern and edgy and our favourites are a side-swept locks, an underside braid and tiny ponytail. Keep reading for more on each.

Side-Swept

Pin your short hair into a side-swept updo by gathering and pinning all your hair up over to one side in the back. Leave a few pieces down in the front and sweep these pieces over to the same side in a deep side part.

Tiny Ponytail

A small ponytail looks chic and formal on hair that is long enough to slick back. Especially with a bold makeup look like a smoky eye or statement lip. Pull your shorter strands back into a low ponytail, with a center part or slicked straight back with a styling wax.

Underside Braid

Braid the underside of your hair, adding in hair pins or cuffs that match the vibe. Leave the top of your hair out, smoothing the ends with hair oil if needed. Match your pins to your jewelry as your statement accessories.

Make Your Style Last Through the Night

Just as important as the style you choose is making it last through your event . Start with a good foundation using a quality shampoo and conditioner made for your hair type. Make sure your hair is fully dry before styling. Styling hair that’s even slightly damp can cause it to flat or go frizzy. Pro tip—Second day hair holds a style better than clean, so consider skipping your hair wash before a big event. And finally using quality tools and primers when you heat style will set your style up for lasting success.

Eco-Conscious Styling with Davines Products

And speaking of products, it’s not only important to choose quality when you style, but sustainability. Davines helps you maintain your look while aligning with sustainable beauty practices. Every formula in our lineup is free of harsh chemicals, better for the environment and packed with nourishing active botanicals. Davines hair styling products are a great way to maintain style without harming the environment

FAQ

How should I wear my hair to a formal event?

If you’ve got long hair, consider a slicked-back bun, french twist or half braid hairstyle for a formal event. If you’ve got medium length hair, try a low chignon, smooth waves or an accessorized updo hairstyle. And if you’ve got short hair, consider side-swept locks, an underside braid or tiny ponytail hairstyle to a formal event.

Which hairstyle is best for a formal look?

The best hairstyles for formal events are sleek and elegant, while complimenting your personal aesthetic, the event vibe and venue.

Should I wear my hair up or down for formal?

Your formal hair look should be a more polished version of your everyday hair. If you usually wear it down and you’re most comfortable with it down, wear it that way. The same goes if you normally wear your hair up.

What hair looks most professional?

The most professional hair look is one that looks neat, polished, and practical that complements your personal style while maintaining a sense of professionalism.

Is short or long hair more professional?

Both short and long hair can be professional depending on how it’s styled, considering factors like industry, company culture, and individual preferences.

What is considered unprofessional hair?

This varies according to workplace and industry, but things like hygiene and the overall image a company wants to project determine this. Generally anything that looks unkempt or unhygienic is seen as unprofessional.

How do I put my hair up elegantly?

Whether it’s a second-day topknot, a chic ballerina bun, or going all-out with a braided design, this list of updo hairstyles includes elegant options for long, short, curly and straight hair.

Should I get my hair or makeup done first for formal?

Getting your hair done before your makeup will help you avoid disrupting your makeup from hair products or styling techniques, while giving your hair ample time to set. Visit a Davines salon near you for the perfect look!

Want to leave it to the professionals? Let our stylists give you the perfect look for your event.

Find a Davines Salon Near You

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