Short hair is great for looking casual, but it can be harder to find pretty formal hairstyles for short hair. Fortunately, there are plenty of styles that look great for short hair, and they are perfect for wearing to weddings, prom or any other formal event. Whether you want to dress up your 'do with accessories, wear it curly, or go sleek and smooth, these 12 hairstyles are great inspiration!



Accentuate With a Front French Braid
Braids are a great way to dress up formal hairstyles for short hair. This style adds an updated French braid along your part. The braid goes above your forehead and adds volume and texture to short hair. It's a feminine and classic to flatter a variety of face shapes.

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The Backwards Braid
The backwards braid is versatile and works great for short haircuts. This tutorial shows you how to create a braid that looks complex but is actually easy to do. For a formal, romantic look, only do the braid along the top strands and let the rest of your hair hang free below it.



The French Roll for Short, Natural Hair
The French Roll is a great look if you are looking for a classic style for a formal occasion. It's elegant and sophisticated, but it's not staid or stodgy. Plus, it's a great style for natural hair that is growing out.

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Use Bobby Pins to Sweep Waves Back
Perfect for a beach wedding or an outdoor event, this wavy style really highlights texture. It's surprisingly easy to achieve: You simply curl your hair and pin the waves back with bobby pins.

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The Messy Updo
Featuring a loosely twisted French braid, this is a fun style for hair that is closer to shoulder length. While it gets a slightly messy look from letting strands of hair dangle free, it is a complex, interesting updo that is great for a formal occasion.

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Turn a Classic Bob Into a Pretty Bouffant
With this pretty bouffant, short hair reaches great height and volume. This is a fantastic hairstyle if you are wearing a retro outfit, but it's so flattering that it will look great with nearly any ensemble.

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Use a Headband to Create an All-over Twist
Wrap your hair around a thin headband and create a pretty twist that circles your scalp. It's a deceptively simple look that will transform a basic bob or chin-length cut into one of the more lovely formal hairstyles for short hair you can create.

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Chic Twists for Natural Hair
This tutorial shows you how to set natural hair for a few hours to create an awesome and eye-catching look. The curly, pinned-up style is a great combination of flirty and sophisticated, making it really versatile.





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Create a Sophisticated Natural Puff
In this tutorial, you can learn how to create the smooth, high puff that is one of the popular formal hairstyles for short hair. It's quick to create, and it's also great for beginners!

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Beach Waves for a Summer Event
Seen more and more at red carpet events, beachy waves are a great look if you are looking at formal hairstyles for short hair in the summer. They're romantic and soft, and they look fantastic on short hair and soften nearly any face shape.

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Dress Up an Ultra-short Pixie
If your hair is very short, you may find yourself at a loss for finding formal hairstyles for short hair. This look creates a smooth look that avoids being flat. It looks sophisticated when paired with formal attire.

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Try a Classic Chignon
If your hair is near shoulder length, try a classic chignon to wear to a formal event. Simple but sophisticated, this is a great look for work events, weddings and more.