32 Must-Try Formal Hairstyles for a Refined Look: Polished Perfection

With every strand carefully placed, a formal hairstyle becomes a masterpiece of timeless beauty. Satisfy in refined elegance with our handpicked selection of formal hairstyles. Explore distinct looks guaranteed to enhance your charisma for any memorable event, from elaborate updos to sleek and sophisticated styles.

1. Sleek Low Bun With a Middle Part

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The sleek low bun with a middle part epitomizes understated elegance, perfect for any formal event. This timeless hairstyle effortlessly combines sophistication with simplicity, providing a polished and refined look that highlights your facial features.

2. French Braid Updo

Image Credit: @studiohilde

The French braid updo is a classic choice that exudes elegance and grace, ideal for any formal occasion. This intricate style combines a traditional braid’s charm with an updo’s sophistication, creating a polished and timeless look.

3. Braided Low Ponytail with Loose Tendrils

Image Credit: @alexgaboury

The braided low ponytail with loose tendrils is a stylish blend of casual and elegant, perfect for adding a touch of romance to your formal look. This hairstyle features a chic braid that flows into a sleek ponytail, with delicate tendrils framing the face for a soft, refined finish.

4. Half-up Fishtail Braid

The half-up fishtail braid is a beautiful, versatile hairstyle that combines intricate detail with relaxed elegance effortlessly. This look features a delicate fishtail braid that starts at the crown, leaving the rest of the hair flowing freely for a polished yet playful appearance perfect for any formal event.

5. Polished Elegant Chignon

The polished, elegant chignon is a timeless hairstyle that exudes sophistication and grace, making it perfect for formal occasions. This sleek updo gathers hair neatly at the nape of the neck, creating a refined and classic look that highlights the elegance of your overall ensemble.

6. Vintage-inspired Victory Rolls With a Modern Touch

Image Credit: @hair_bycathie

Vintage-inspired victory rolls with a modern touch offer a glamorous nod to the 1940s while incorporating contemporary elements for a fresh update. This hairstyle features the iconic rolled sections at the front, paired with sleek waves or a polished updo at the back, creating a perfect blend of retro charm and modern sophistication.

7. Classic High Ballet Bun With Pearls

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The classic high ballet bun with pearls is a sophisticated hairstyle that exudes elegance and grace, perfect for any formal event. This timeless updo features a sleek, high bun adorned with delicate pearls, adding a touch of refinement and glamour to the polished look.

8. Side-swept Hollywood Waves

Image Credit: @hairstylebyduri

Side-swept Hollywood waves are the epitome of glamour, perfect for creating a red-carpet-ready look. This classic hairstyle features voluminous, smooth waves that cascade over one shoulder, exuding a vintage allure with a modern twist.

9. Intricate Dutch Braid Updo

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The intricate Dutch braid updo is a stunning choice for formal occasions, offering a blend of elegance and complexity. This hairstyle involves weaving Dutch braids into an elegant updo, creating a textured and sophisticated look that is both eye-catching and refined.

10. Textured Messy Bun With Face-framing Tendrils

The textured messy bun with face-framing tendrils is a chic and effortless hairstyle, perfect for adding a touch of casual elegance to any formal look. This updo combines a voluminous, tousled bun with soft tendrils that delicately frame the face, creating a refined yet relaxed appearance.

11. Sleek High Ponytail With Wrapped Base

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The sleek high ponytail with a wrapped base is a modern, sophisticated hairstyle for formal events. This look features a smooth, high ponytail with a section of hair wrapped around the base, adding a polished finish to the chic, streamlined style.

12. Boho Chic Braided Headband

The Boho chic braided headband is a whimsical and sophisticated hairstyle that adds a touch of free-spirited charm to any formal occasion. This style features a delicate braid encircles the head like a headband, seamlessly blending with loose waves or a soft updo for a refined yet relaxed look.

13. Glamorous Old Hollywood Curls

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Glamorous old Hollywood curls are a timeless choice for formal events, evoking the elegance and allure of vintage cinema. This hairstyle features large, defined curls that cascade smoothly, creating a sophisticated and polished look reminiscent of classic Hollywood starlets.

14. Delicate Twisted Updo

Image Credit: @brushbeautyco

The delicate twisted updo is a refined and sophisticated hairstyle, perfect for formal occasions. This elegant updo involves intricately twisting sections of hair and pinning them into a graceful, cohesive style, adding a touch of eternal charm and elegance to your look.

15. Sophisticated Low Ponytail With a Sleek Finish

Image Credit: @shaunaelizabethhair

The sophisticated low ponytail with a sleek finish is a minimalist yet elegant choice for formal events. This hairstyle features a smooth, polished ponytail secured at the back of the neck, creating a refined and effortlessly chic appearance.

16. Waterfall Braid With Loose Waves

Image Credit: @wb_upstyles

The waterfall braid with loose waves offers a blend of romance and sophistication, perfect for formal occasions. This hairstyle combines the detailed beauty of a waterfall braid with soft, flowing waves, creating a mesmerizing look that exudes elegance and charm.

17. Bubble Faux Hawk

The bubble faux hawk is a daring and trendy hairstyle that adds a playful edge to formal occasions. This statement look features voluminous sections of hair styled into rounded “bubbles” along the center, creating a striking and avant-garde appearance that will turn heads.

18. Crown Braid With a Floral Crown

Image Credit: @alexandralee1016

The crown braid with a floral crown is a romantic and ethereal hairstyle that is perfect for formal events. This enchanting look combines the elegance of a crown braid with the notion of delicate flowers woven into the hair, creating a breathtaking and fairy-tale-inspired style fit for any special occasion.

19. Center Part Polished Top Knot

Image Credit: @tonyastylist

The center part polished top knot is a sleek, sophisticated hairstyle that exudes modern elegance at formal events. This chic look features a perfectly centered parting leading up to a neatly gathered top knot, creating a refined and polished appearance that effortlessly elevates any ensemble.

20. Soft and Romantic Twisted Half-up Hairstyle

Image Credit: @idohairbykmay

The soft, romantic, twisted half-up hairstyle offers a delicate and enchanting look for formal occasions. This charming style intertwines gentle twists to secure sections of hair, resulting in a graceful and ethereal half-updo that beautifully frames the face with a touch of timeless elegance.

21. Braided Bun With Wispy Flyaways

Image Credit: @holistichabits

The braided bun with wispy flyaways combines sophistication with a touch of effortless charm, making it ideal for formal events. This hairstyle features a neatly braided bun at the back, adorned with delicate flyaways that softly frame the face, resulting in a whimsical and elegant look that captivates with its understated beauty.

22. Voluminous Bouffant With a Teased Crown

Image Credit: @farro.karkamanis

The voluminous bouffant with a teased crown is a glamorous hairstyle that adds height and drama to any formal look. This classic style features a teased crown for added volume and a sleek finish, creating a bold, sophisticated statement that commands attention with its retro-inspired elegance.

23. Textured Messy Dutch & Fishtail Braid

Image Credit: @missysueblog

The textured, messy Dutch and fishtail braid offers a captivating blend of intricate detail and relaxed charm, perfect for formal occasions. This stylish hairstyle intertwines elements of the Dutch and fishtail braids, resulting in a textured and tousled look that exudes effortless sophistication and modern flair.

24. Elegant Twisted Rope Braid Ponytail

Image Credit: @alexgaboury

The elegant twisted rope braid ponytail is a refined, sophisticated hairstyle perfect for formal events. This chic look features a sleek ponytail with a twisted rope braid, creating a timeless and polished appearance that elevates any ensemble with its understated beauty.

25. Sleek and Straight Center-parted Hairstyle

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The sleek and straight center-parted hairstyle exudes modern sophistication, making it an ideal choice for formal events. This classic look features smooth, straight hair parted perfectly down the center, offering a polished and elegant appearance that effortlessly enhances any outfit.

26. Intricate Fishtail Braided Updo

Image Credit: @alex_haircraft

The intricate fishtail braided updo is a stunning choice for formal occasions, offering a blend of elegance and intricate detail. This hairstyle features meticulously woven fishtail braids arranged into an updo, creating a sophisticated, eye-catching look that will turn heads with its refined beauty.

27. Classic French Braid

Image Credit: @annalovesbraids

The classic French braid is a timeless, refined hairstyle perfect for formal events. This versatile look involves weaving three sections of hair together from the crown of the head to the nape, creating a sleek and polished appearance that exudes sophistication and grace.

28. Effortless Beach Waves

Image Credit: @hairbykatelynmarie

Effortless beach waves offer a relaxed yet chic option for formal occasions, bringing a touch of casual elegance to your look. This hairstyle features loose, tousled waves that evoke a carefree and natural vibe, perfect for adding a touch of laid-back sophistication to any formal ensemble.

29. Chic Twisted Low Ponytail

Image Credit: @neta.hair

The chic, twisted, low ponytail is a sophisticated, adaptable hairstyle that adds a modern twist to formal attire. This elegant look features a sleek ponytail with twisted sections, creating a refined and polished appearance that effortlessly enhances any outfit with its understated charm.

30. Romantic Side-swept Braid

Image Credit: @howto.dohair

The romantic side-swept braid is a graceful and enchanting hairstyle for formal occasions. This look features a loose braid draping over one shoulder, with delicate tendrils framing the face, creating a soft, dreamy appearance that exudes timeless elegance.

31. Sleek and Polished Low Chignon with Braids

Image Credit: @fbiarts

The sleek and polished low chignon with braids is a sophisticated hairstyle that perfectly balances elegance and modern flair. This refined look combines smooth, braided sections into a low chignon, creating a graceful and chic appearance for any formal event.

32. Bubble Ponytail With White Ribbon in Each Section

Image Credit: @tokyoblondepasta

The bubble ponytail with white ribbons is a playful yet elegant hairstyle, perfect for formal occasions. This look features a high ponytail divided into sections with white ribbons, creating a unique and sophisticated appearance.