Whether you’re attending your bestie’s wedding or have a special birthday party coming up, getting your hairdo right is super important. In fact, the hairdo you go for will influence the dress you wear, the jewelry you turn to, and even the shoes you wear.
So, you don’t need us to tell you that choosing the best formal hairstyle for short hair is paramount for you to look your best.
To help you, we spoke to our talented stylists and asked them to recommend formal, easy hairstyles for short hair that you can style at home before the big day. We’ve tried to cover all bases, offering inspiration for women with curly, wavy, and straight hair.
By the end of this article, you will be all set for your upcoming formal event and will have a hairdo to die for, which will turn heads for all the right reasons. Also, you can read up to recommended formal hairstyles for long hair if you have friends who have long locs.
1: Pixie with bangs
Laifen’s expert styling tip: To bang or not to bang, that is the question. A classic pixie cut can work for formal events with or without bangs, so feel free to adapt this look to suit your preferences.
The pixie is one of our favorite cuts, period, and it’s a stunning contender for any formal occasion. As in the example above, side-swept bangs can be a beautiful addition to the classic pixie, but you can also go for full or short bangs, depending on the length and depth of your hair. Adding bangs to a pixie creates the illusion of slightly longer and fuller hair, which is helpful if you have thin hair.
2: Asymmetrical bob
Laifen’s expert styling tip: With so many asymmetrical bob hairstyles to choose from, we recommend going sleek and straight for a formal event.
If your go-to haircut is a classic bob, we recommend cranking things up a notch ahead of a formal event by changing things up slightly. In an asymmetrical bob, the uneven cut looks striking, with one side of your hair slightly longer than the other. This fresh, slightly daring cut is glitzy and glamorous and is a brilliant choice for black dress events when you need to look your best.
3: Bantu knots
Laifen’s expert styling tips: To keep your Bantu knots moist and prevent them from drying out, we recommend using a moisturizing leave-in conditioner.
Though a left-field suggestion, Bantu knots are a trending hairstyle for short hair for formal events. This protective hairstyle is brilliant for natural hair, and when tied up, Bantu knots can be a stunning option for extra special events. They’re fairly easy to style and maintain and versatile, so you can change your Bantu knots after the big event.
4: Curly bun
Laifen’s expert styling tip: With your hair up in a bun, take your earring choice seriously. Big, loopy earrings work beautifully and are a great choice for formal events.
If you’re looking for formal hairstyles for short, curly hair, this curly bun is for you. Pull your hair into a high knot and allow your natural curls to flow to either side. You can even slick back your hair leading up to the curly bun for a sleek contrast. This is also a great look for accessorizing, so you can add flowers or jewelry if you’re attending a wedding for something extra special.
5: Curly pixie
Laifen’s expert styling tip: For a bouncy, curly pixie, dry your hair with the Laifen Swift Special diffuser hair dryer. The diffuser blows hot air around your head, drying it efficiently without leading to frizz.
We’ve already mentioned how much we love the pixie cut, and though this style is best rocked by women with straight hair, we love how this curly pixie cut looks. You can rock your curls super short or leave them slightly longer, but the key is bounce and volume. You can also apply a sea salt spray to your curls for an instant lift before heading out the door.
6: The undercut
Laifen’s expert styling tip: The undercut is all about the contrast. Go super short on the back and sides, and leave enough length on top to style your hair in your preferred method.
Undercut hairstyles make a statement, thanks to the stunning contrast in lengths between the top and the sides of the style. You can pair the undercut with numerous styles, including a mohawk or a pomp, or you can even braid your hair on top. We love the undercut for formal events as it creates an edge, and it’s a formal event hairstyle for short hair that will attract all eyes to you.
7: Blunt bob
Laifen’s expert styling tip: For a classic blunt bob, avoid layers and tapering and check that the cut is super straight. For something more angular, go for the asymmetrical bob, as introduced earlier in this article.
Easy formal hairstyles for short hair don’t come much simpler than the blunt bob. But the sleek and styled nature of this cut sets it apart from conventional bobs, and it’s a face-framing cut that draws attention to your best features. The best way to achieve the super sleek look is with heat-based straighteners, but always apply a heat protectant before straightening your hair. Read up to find more layered bob hairstyles with fringe hair.
8: Crown braids
Laifen’s expert styling tip: If you’re looking for a protective hairstyle for a formal event like a wedding, crown braids are the way to go. This style is versatile and easy to accessorize, offering you lots of flexibility when it comes to choosing your outfit.
Crown braids are a stunning protective style for women, and they’re our top recommendation for braided formal hairstyles for short hair. For this look, you need to select hair extensions that match the texture of your natural hair before pinning them in place. You can add a headband if you wish, while accessories like beads can also be added to enhance the look.
9: The short shag
Laifen’s expert styling tip: The perfect length for the short shag haircut is the chin line, but feel free to experiment with the shag, as it can also serve as a formal hairdo for people with longer hair.
The short shag haircut is an excellent choice for women with slightly thicker hair, as the natural depth and texture are what set this look apart. One of the most striking features of the shag is often the fringe, so think about how you want your hair to sit and whether you want to cover your forehead. You can also style the ends in different ways, but we recommend keeping them straight.
10: Short faux hawk
Laifen’s expert styling tip: For a faux hawk with a difference, think about adding highlights to your styled hair on top. This can be a brilliant way to exacerbate the contrast between the top and sides of your hair.
For a slightly edgier look at an upcoming wedding and to experiment with something different, the short faux hawk is an excellent semi-formal hairstyle for short hair. We say this because it’s well suited to formal and casual events without being restrictive. Creating a contrast between each section of your hair is the secret to a stunning faux hawk, so think about cutting your sides short and leaving enough length on top to spike it for the desired look.
The verdict: Formal hairstyles for short hair
When preparing for a formal occasion, starting with your hairstyle is a good option. Why? Because it helps to inform every other aspect of your preparations, from the dress you wear to the jewelry you use to bring out the sparkle in your eye.
As shown above, you don’t need to overcomplicate things when it comes to formal hairstyles for short hair, as so many classic styles can work perfectly for formal occasions with a few slight adjustments.
Whether you go for a classic pixie with bangs or try something a little more adventurous in a faux hawk with highlights, you can style your hair in so many ways. While many of these styles are achievable at home, you may want to consult your stylist for further advice and to help you achieve your dream look.
