19 Formal Hairstyles for Long Hair, Sorted by Where the Volume Sits
At my first charity gala, I wore a slim, column-style gown and asked my stylist for “big, glamorous hair.” She gave me an enormous, voluminous updo piled high on my crown. It was gorgeous in the mirror. But in the photos, the volume on top made my sleek dress look tiny, and I looked a little like a lollipop.
The next year, I wore the same dress with long, sleek hair and volume only at the ends. The difference was incredible. That’s when I learned the secret to formal hair for long hair: it’s not about how much volume you have, but where you put it.
So I’ve organized these 19 formal hairstyles for long hair by where the volume sits: at the crown, at the nape, to one side, through the lengths, or nowhere at all for an all-over sleek look. For each style, you’ll find its volume spot, the best formal setting, and stories from galas, weddings and black-tie dinners.
Balancing Volume With Your Dress
Your dress shape can help you choose where your volume should go:
- Ball gowns and full skirts: volume at the crown or in long curls balances the dramatic silhouette.
- Slim column dresses: sleek styles or volume at the ends keep the look long and elegant.
- One-shoulder dresses: side volume creates balance.
- Low-back dresses: nape or crown updos show off the back.
- High necklines: sleek styles or updos keep the neckline clear.
Volume at the Crown
Height at the top adds drama and elegance.
1. The Bouffant Half-Up With Long Curls
Teased volume at the crown with the top section pinned back and long curls cascading below.
Volume spot: the crown
Best formal setting: black-tie weddings and galas
2. The High Ballerina Bun With Teased Crown
A sleek, high bun with soft height at the crown. It’s polished, elegant and makes your neck look long and graceful.
Volume spot: the top of the head
Best formal setting: opera, ballet and theater nights
3. The Sixties-Inspired Half-Up
Big, rounded volume at the crown with the rest of the hair smooth and long, inspired by 1960s glamour.
My friend Claire wore this to a 1960s-themed charity ball. She said it was the first time she’d ever felt like a movie star.
Volume spot: the crown
Best formal setting: themed parties and evening events
4. The Voluminous Crown Braid
A loose, wide crown braid pulled apart for extra volume, wrapping around the head like a halo.
Volume spot: around the top of the head
Best formal setting: garden weddings and formal outdoor events
Volume at the Nape
Low volume looks elegant, timeless and refined.
5. The Low Voluminous Chignon
A soft, full chignon at the nape of the neck, with a smooth top and lots of volume in the bun itself.
Volume spot: the nape
Best formal setting: black-tie dinners and weddings
6. The Low Dutch Braid Bun
A Dutch braid running down the back of the head and twisted into a full low bun.
Volume spot: the nape
Best formal setting: evening weddings and award ceremonies
7. The Low Twisted Rose Bun
Long hair twisted and coiled into a rose-shaped bun at the nape, finished with a few pins.
At my cousin’s wedding, the bridesmaids all wore twisted rose buns. In the photos, the buns looked like a row of perfect flowers.
Volume spot: the nape
Best formal setting: weddings and garden parties
8. The Low Ponytail With Voluminous Lengths
A sleek low ponytail with smooth top and sides, and big, curled volume in the ponytail itself.
Volume spot: the length of the ponytail
Best formal setting: cocktail parties and modern black-tie events
Volume to One Side
Asymmetrical volume adds glamour and drama.
9. Side-Swept Hollywood Waves
Long, glossy waves brushed into sculpted curves and swept over one shoulder.
The year after my lollipop moment, I wore this style to the same gala. A photographer stopped me on the way in and asked for a picture. I’ve never forgotten it.
Volume spot: one side of the face and shoulder
Best formal setting: red carpets, galas and evening events
10. The Formal Fishtail Side Braid
A loose fishtail braid over one shoulder, decorated with small pearl or jeweled pins.
Volume spot: one shoulder
Best formal setting: weddings and outdoor formal events
11. The Asymmetrical Low Side Bun
A low bun placed to one side of the nape, with a few soft pieces framing the face.
Volume spot: one side of the nape
Best formal setting: cocktail and black-tie events
12. The Side-Swept Ponytail
A low ponytail swept over one shoulder, with soft curls running through the length.
Volume spot: one shoulder
Best formal setting: dinners and receptions
Volume Through the Lengths
Long hair worn down, with volume flowing from roots to ends.
13. Glamorous Blowout Curls
Big, bouncy curls from a glamorous blowout, worn down and brushed out softly.
Volume spot: the full length of the hair
Best formal setting: galas, parties and award ceremonies
14. Voluminous Mermaid Waves
Long, loose waves with lots of volume and movement, falling down the back.
Volume spot: the lengths and ends
Best formal setting: beach weddings and summer events
15. Sleek Hair With Beveled Ends
Smooth, straight hair from the roots, with the ends turned under for a soft, rounded finish.
Volume spot: the ends
Best formal setting: slim column dresses and modern events
16. Long Defined Natural Curls
Long natural curls, defined and voluminous, worn down for formal elegance.
My friend Zara wore her natural curls to a black-tie dinner with a simple jeweled clip on one side. She said it was the first formal event where she’d felt completely like herself.
Volume spot: the full length
Best formal setting: any formal event
All-Over Sleek
Sometimes the most elegant formal look has no volume at all.
17. Sleek Straight Hair With a Middle Part
Glass-smooth, straight hair with a crisp center part. It’s minimal, modern and incredibly chic.
Volume spot: none
Best formal setting: modern galas and art events
18. The Waist-Length Sleek High Ponytail
A high ponytail so smooth and long it reaches the waist. It’s bold, powerful and very dramatic.
Volume spot: none, just length
Best formal setting: award shows and contemporary black-tie events
19. The Slicked French Twist
A perfectly smooth French twist at the back of the head, with no flyaways at all.
Volume spot: none
Best formal setting: opera, theater and formal dinners
Adding Volume With Extensions
If your long hair is fine or you’d like extra fullness, extensions can help:
- Clip-in extensions add volume and length for one evening.
- Halo extensions sit on top of the head with an invisible wire and blend with your natural hair.
- Ponytail extensions create long, voluminous ponytails.
Match the color and texture carefully, and ask your stylist to blend them.
Getting Your Hairstyle to the Event Intact
Formal hair can be ruined before you even arrive. A few tips:
- Avoid wind by covering your hair with a light scarf on the way.
- Be careful with car headrests, which can flatten updos.
- Keep hoods off your hair if it’s raining, and use an umbrella instead.
- Bring a small comb and pins for quick touch-ups when you arrive.
Coats, Scarves and Formal Hair
Winter formal events bring extra challenges:
- Choose coats with wide collars that won’t crush your updo.
- Avoid wool scarves that can cause frizz or catch on pins.
- Remove coats carefully, lifting them over your head rather than pulling them off.
- Check your hair in the mirror after taking your coat off.
Final Thoughts
Formal hair for long hair isn’t just about choosing an updo or wearing it down. It’s about choosing where your volume should sit, whether that’s high at the crown, low at the nape, swept to one side, flowing through your lengths or not at all.
Look at your dress, decide where your volume belongs, and enjoy feeling elegant all evening long.
Where do you like your volume for formal events? Let me know in the comments below.
