Formal season is just under way and since we’re poor, busy, college girls we all do our own hair and makeup. That shouldn’t keep us from looking our best, though! To that end, I’ve put together a list of hairstyles that will make your formal ensemble that much more stunning. Best of all? They were all done with only a flat iron, bobby pins, hairspray, and small hair ties.
Some general tips:
Your hairstyle has a lot to do with the dress you’re wearing. Here are some general guidelines:
If your dress has a busy neckline (thick straps, lots of embellishment, etc.) then keep it simple with an up-do.
If your dress has an asymmetrical neckline, either pull it back to highlight your neck and shoulders or sweep it to the side opposite the strap.
If your dress is strapless or spaghetti strap, leave it long and flowing with a small detail to add interest.
The Pooja
This style is inspired by the traditional Grecian look, but comes with a modern twist.
Step 1: Straighten your hair.
Step 2: Brush all the hair on the crown of your head to one side.
Step 3: Begin a french braid, starting with the hair about 2” above the ear on the side of your head that you brushed away from.
Step 4: Continue to braid close to the forehead, only drawing hair from the first inch of the hairline. Generally, I only pick up new hair for one side of the braid to give it a more distinct look, like a headband.
Step 5: Fasten the hair with bobby pins or a hair tie behind the opposite ear. Cover with more hair or a hair accessory, like a clip or ribbon.
Style trick: Instead of a french braid, try a dutch braid (think Katniss-style)!
The Stephanie
This style is essentially a waterfall braid. It adds a twist to hair left down and pulls back the pesky pieces around the face while still leaving most of the hair free.
Step 1: Begin a french braid going across the back of the head from one ear to the other.
Step 2: As you braid across, drop each bottom piece of the braid and pick up a new piece from the hair stemming from the crown of the head. The braid should move diagonally down across the head from where you started.
Step 3: Tie off the hair behind the opposite ear and tuck the end underneath with bobby pins.
Style trick: This style looks great with straight or curled hair. Try both!
The Sarah
This style looks difficult, but is actually the easiest to do. It’s perfect for a mermaid style dress since it looks like a conch shell!
Step 1: Begin a french braid.
Step 2: First pull the braid to the right side of the head.
Step 3: After a few plaits, change the direction of the braid by pulling it to the left.
Step 4: Once you’ve just passed the center of your head, begin to pull the braid back center. By this time, it should look like a backwards letter S.
Step 5: Finish the braid.
Step 6: Roll the braid up into a bun and pin it in place.
Style trick: This can be done as a french braid, dutch braid, or, if you’re feeling ambitious, try a fishtail!
The Jenna
This style is fairly easy and adds dimension to the basic ponytail.
Step 1: The first braid is the Pooja braid. Recreate it!
Step 2: Start another braid from the same place (unattached to the head) and drape it across the middle of the head.
Step 3: Begin a third braid and pin it across the nape of the neck.
Step 4: Gather all the hair into a side ponytail on the opposite side of the head as the side the braids start on. Wrap the braids around the base of the ponytail and fasten with a hair tie.
Style trick: Twirl the ponytail and run a flat iron over it to create a sleek look!