There’s nothing quite like having a special event to go to that makes you want to step up your style a notch. Whether you’re getting ready to attend a formal affair like an engagement party or wedding reception, the holiday party for your office or you're heading out for a more boisterous affair like a bachelorette party, having the perfect hairstyle is an absolute must.
Here we’re showcasing 37 popular party hairstyles that range from fun and flirty to elegant and dramatic. You’re sure to find one that will add the perfect flare to your ensemble at your next fiesta.
Textured Half-Up
@hair.by.jess_
This textured half-up style is a little bit classy, a little bit glamorous, and a whole lot of sexy. To make it your own, first dry and style your hair with loose curls, and then use hairpins to secure your tresses in back leaving a few pieces to fall in your face. Add volume by teasing your strands before you pin them back.
Fishtail Crown Braid
@hairwithbecca
A crown braid adds a charming bohemian touch too long, wavy hair. This style is perfect for a professional setting, like an office holiday party, or a more casual affair like a summer wedding reception.
Large Crown Braid with Pony
@vremya.kos
Something about a big, funky braid just screams “I’m out to have a good time.” Try this slightly messy style with a long, voluminous ponytail for a night out with the girls to celebrate a birthday or upcoming nuptials.
Bombshell Curls
@krispop_makeup
Big, boisterous bombshell-style curls a la Marilyn Monroe are perfect for party situations that require glamor and finesse. Get the look using hot rollers, curl-enhancing styling products, and a serum to lock in luster and shine.
Cute Hairstyle for a Birthday Party
@_thecelebritystylist_
This birthday hairstyle is perfect for a night out with friends. A top knot with a shiny ribbon looks very festive, and rhinestones on the head complement the look. Definitely, with this hairstyle, you will be a true superstar.
Dutch Braid Low Ponytail
@chronocoif
The Dutch braid is a twist on the traditional French braid. If you know how to do a French braid, you simply flip the braid inside out. Rather than weaving the sections of hair underneath, you’ll weave them over the top to create this unique look. In this style, twist your hair right to the nape of your neck and then secure your strands into a low ponytail.
Take a small section of your hair and wind it around your hair tie and secure it behind with a bobby pin to cover up the elastic and give your style a classy finish.
Crisscross Braid Crown
@hairbykirstyfox_vivosalon
These beautiful braids combined with luxurious waves will make you feel like a fairy princess at the party. You’ll want to dry and style your hair first, creating loose curls that fall down your back.
Next, take sections of hair near your temples on both sides of your head and braid them back. Finally, pin the braids crossing behind your head to create the crown. If your hair isn’t quite long enough to pull off this style, consider adding some clip-in extensions.
The braids do an excellent job of hiding the faux hair and making the style look natural.
Double Dutch Braid with a Bun
@organicallyanna
Scoring the perfect up-do for your party that both pull your hair up off your neck and has a little personality and flare can be a challenge. With this double dutch braid, you’re sure to have a unique design that has a little bit of whimsy and a whole lot of vogue.
Slicked Back High-Fashion
@alinacharova
In the world of high-fashion, pushing your hair back off your face to reveal gorgeous cheekbones, a shapely nose, smoldering eyes, and a bold lip is a key to a memorable look.
You can recreate this provocative look for your party with a smooth blowout and a few bobby pins. Make sure to use a hair serum or oil to boost the shine on your strands, and add a little volume on top to keep the hairstyle from falling flat as the night goes on.
One-Sided Braid
Braids can be both beautiful and elegant, or they can be funky and a little punk-rock. This fun side braid is the latter, giving your style a little edge without going overboard into Goth territory.
Double Upside Down French Braided Buns
Not everyone can pull off the double, mini buns a la Princess Leia in the first Star Wars movie, but if you can, this is a brilliant way to take them up a notch further. Start by parting your hair down the middle, and then flip your head over to French braid your tresses starting at the nape of your neck and working towards the top of your head. When you reach your crown, tie off your strands. Finally, wrap the length of unbraided hair around your elastic, pinning it as you go to create a perfect bun. Repeat the process on the other side taking care to ensure your braids and buns are symmetrical.
Ballerina Bun with Braided Crown
@avenue_salon_spa
The magnificent ballerina bun has been a long-time go-to hairstyle for elegant girls who need a quick and easy up-do. This stunning twist adds a thick braid that winds around the bun, decorating the style for a classy night out. Are you heading to a wedding reception or a fancy cocktail party?
This might be the perfect party hairstyle for you.
Messy Side Bun
@candice_stylecreations
If Hollywood darling Jennifer Lawrence wore it to the Movie Awards, you know that it’s a perfect party style. The low, messy side bun is a little bit classy and a little bit fun, making it the perfect choice for any soirée, day or night.
Cascading Braid
@saloneminence
This lovely cascading crown braid is a touch romantic and combined with the gentle waves it's very on-point with current trends. The model in the picture enhances her style with picture-perfect highlights that play off the light to create a beautiful contrast and dimension.
Messy Up-Do
If you’re searching for a style that looks a little bit flashy but that isn’t too formal, try pinning your hair in a messy updo. Use a curling iron to create loose waves, and then gather your hair back with pins to secure them without trying too hard to control them. Be sure to create some body in the front, and leave a few pieces out to frame your face in gentle curls.
Side Fishtail Braid
The fishtail braid looks both mesmerizing and complicated, but luckily it’s not difficult to master. You can channel your inner mermaid at your next gala with this boho loose side braid. The dazzling style looks best if you leave your hair a little tousled, and give any pieces that fall out some body with gentle curls or texturing.
Low Classic Chignon
For a quick transition from day to night, or if you’re just craving a simple style, try a classic low knot. Part your hair to one side and smooth it back into a ponytail at the nape of your neck. Next, wind your strands around your hair tie pinning them as you go to create a perfect chignon. You can leave a few strands out in front to curl and frame your face like the model does in the photo, or you can pull them back completely for a sophisticated finish.
High-Volume Ponytail
When you think of a party hairstyle, a ponytail may not be the first thing that comes to mind. That may all change after you take a look at this high-volume pony. This style requires a few more steps than a traditional ponytail, but the glossy high-fashion look when you’re finished will be totally worth it.
Bang French Braid
Whether you’re growing out your bangs, or just looking for a creative way to pull your hair away from your face, the bang French braid is a unique way to give yourself a fresh-faced party style. You can style your unbraided locks however you like, whether you smooth them out like in the photo or give them curl and bounce for a more romantic feel.
One Side Pinned
For an effortless twist on bombshell curls, try pinning back one side of your hair to draw attention to the glitzy earrings or necklace you choose to compliment your party attire. If you’re not planning on wearing any jewelry, try using a fancy bobby pin that’s adorned with crystals or jewels for a little extra sparkle.
High Curly Bun
As classic as it is fanciful, this big, bold bun is the perfect sophisticated party look. If you have extremely long hair, you can achieve it with a twisted bun; with a shorter style, you’ll need to do it the old fashioned way. Pull your hair up into a ponytail and then gently twist sections up and out into small barrels, pinning them as you go. This will give your bun lots of body, and all-night staying power.
Waterfall Side Braid
If you love the look of the waterfall braid, but you’re sporting shorter tresses, you can still get this sublime party-ready look. Instead of doing the braid as a crown, try doing it as a side braid to capture your locks. To get ultra polished locks like the model in the photo, style your hair completely smooth, and use a finishing oil to bring out the shine and tame frizz at your event.
Messy Bun with a Bouffant
Nothing stays party quite like a perfectly coiffed bouffant. Try adding a little (or a lot) of volume to your hair by backcombing before bringing it back into a simple, messy bun. The beauty of this style is that it doesn't need to be perfect to look perfect.
High Sleek Ponytail
This sophisticated and severe ponytail takes the focus off your hair and brings to whatever area of your face or body you want to highlight. Try pairing it with a bold lip or dramatic eye for a stunning effect.
Triple Braided Roses
If your upcoming event is a black-tie affair that calls for floor length gowns and more than a little glitz and glam, you might want to break out the big guns with this intricate up-do. You’ll probably need a stylist to help you get it just right, but these triple braided roses look divine with a backless or strapless dress and draw the eye to your lovely locks.
Retro Pin Up
If you're heading out to a soirée with a Mad Men theme, or if you’re just a gal that can’t get enough of that pin-up style, try this modern twist on for size.
Flapper
You don’t have to have a pageboy haircut to recreate the appeal of the roaring 20’s. Headbands made a comeback in recent years, and they’re an easy accessory to take your hair from office-appropriate up a notch for a night on the town at a hot party in seconds flat.
Victory Rolls
Another classic option if you love the 1940’s glam, try adding victory rolls to the front of your locks for a bold look that’ll give you star quality.
1950’s
If the 40’s aren’t your era, maybe the 50’s are more your style. The pulled back, proper coif that was once a favorite of housewives across the nation is now ideally suited for a professional party up-do.
Windswept French Twist
A simple french twist can be polished and versatile. To loosen it up a bit for a more casual affair, try giving it a windswept look by keeping your layers loose and textured when you pin it back.
Center-Parted Shiny Waves
Sometimes, a natural look is just the ticket when you’re heading to an event. This simple half-up style is perfect for an outdoor wedding reception, a party on the beach, or a night out with the girls for a birthday celebration.
Fully Braided Bun
Ebony locks look exotic worn down or up, and this twisted bun is dramatically beautiful. The model's intricate design is perfectly complemented by a lovely jeweled accent piece that can take your hairstyle to a new level of elegance.
Low Messy Ponytail
A center-parted ponytail secured at the nape of your neck with a few pieces left out to frame your face is an attractive option when you’re styling your hair on the go for an event. Pair this effortless look with a dramatic eye or lip to add a little polish to your style.
Clipped Back Bangs
Another quick and easy way to give your hair a party-ready look is to add a fun clip or pin to your locks. This is also a great solution if you have bangs you’re growing out, or that get in the way when you’re out on the dance floor.
Greek Inspired
To give your look a Grecian twist, try this look that may have other guests exclaiming “this is Sparta” when they see you. It’s simple to do and pairs well with anything from an elegant gown to a flirty cocktail dress.
Sexy Mohawk
If you have short hair or a pixie cut, you can morph your simple daytime chic style into a dramatic party-ready look by giving it a little lift. Take a cue from Juliette Hough and turn your style upside down to create a provocative mohawk for the event.
Pinned Back Retro Glam
Take your shiny, perfect retro waves up another notch by adding an antique hair clip to one side to pull hair away from your face and draw attention to your killer cheekbones.
Brigitte Bardot Big with a Bow
The popular french beauty from the 1960’s was well known for her voluminous styles that were topped off with feminine touches like a beautiful bow. Take a page from her book to take your tresses and party style to new heights.