15 Amazing Graduation Hairstyles for Your Big Day

Congratulations, you made it!

Those late nights and early mornings have finally paid off! You’ve worked so hard to make it to this day, and now all that’s left (hopefully) is figuring out which graduation hairstyles to wear at your commencement ceremony, online or otherwise. Yay!

You’ll want to look put-together and wear a formal hairstyle that showcases your outstanding merit in a stylish and elegant way, while also wearing a look that represents your personality.

15 Graduation Hairstyles for the Big Day

From loose, flowing hairstyles fit for your graduation cap to long, sleek tresses, check out our gallery of amazing graduation hairstyles that are sure to inspire:

1. The Lob

hairstyles for thin hair lob
Stay on trend with a lob hairstyle this graduation season. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Stay on-trend this graduation season with the ever-stylish lob. Try a layered version to give your hair volume. Use a salt spray like Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Salt Spritz Texture Spray for texture if desired.

2. Bone-Straight Middle Part

trending styles for oval faces brunette straight hair
Keep it simple on your big day with a sharp center part. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Straight-haired girls can really rock this look, which looks especially polished with a graduation cap. This blown-out style creates the right amount of volume and only requires a styling product to keep everything in place. Add in a spray, like TRESemmé Thermal Creations Blow Dry Accelerator Spray.

3. Tousled Waves

wavy brown hair graduation hairstyles
Summer graduation? ‘Tis the season for a wavy hairstyle. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

This look is fitting for summer graduation. This wavy hairstyle is easy to create and allows you to simply use a curling iron to form light, bouncy waves.

4. Box Braids

graduation hairstyles braids
Box braids are always a classic choice!

If your hair is already done in this beautiful protective style (or you want to try it out for graduation), by all means! Box braids are very versatile since you can wear them loose or twisted into a low bun or ponytail.

5. Studious Chignon

wedding hairstyles for thin hair braided twist
Take a simple bun up a notch for graduation day. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Maybe you’d rather not wear your hair down, or maybe your hair is prone to frizz so you want to elegantly tuck it in. A low chignon is timeless and fitting either way. It’s also a very sophisticated look for walking across that stage as you wave proudly to Mom and Dad (sniff)! Slide on some stunning earrings to top this look off!

6. Full Pixie

best hair wax for a boyish pixie cut
Embark on your new chapter with a totally new you! Make the cut! Photo credit: Dvora

You may either already have a pixie or you’re itching to cut your hair in honor of graduation, a.k.a. freedom. Step into the new world with a new short ’ does like this one that you can style with a defined mini-mohawk.

7. Low Side-Knot Ponytail

knotted ponytail hairstyle
This low-knotted ponytail hairstyle has enough room for a graduation cap. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

If your plan is to do something extremely simple with a bit of style, try this on for size. This hairstyle doesn’t require any hair ties since a section of your hair is looped around the ponytail to hold it in place. Your hair is kept neat and controlled under your mortarboard.

8. Deep Side Part

short hairstyles for square faces
A deep side part hairstyle will take you from commencement to your fancy graduation dinner. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Fringe or no fringe, the deep side part allows to you sweep your hair across your face, resulting in a subtly dramatic look. Note: You might just need that fringe on your face on your big day, especially when the tears start to flow!

9. Waterfall Braids

graduation hairstyles waterfall braid
Add some detail to your hair with a waterfall braid for graduation day.

This cool style offers the potential for a big reveal: When it’s time to throw that cap in the air, you’ll be showcasing an elegant asymmetrical waterfall braid that no one ever knew existed. This versatile hairstyle can take you from ceremony to dinner with minimal adjustments.

10. Side Waterfall Braid

side braided bang graduation hairstyle ideas
Looking for updo graduation hairstyles that work well with a mortar cap? Try braided bangs. Pull out some tendrils to frame your face. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Whether you choose a fishtail braid or a French braid version, this style is a great option for long-haired girls that you can easily do yourself. You can also vary your side parting depending on your cap placement.

11. Old Hollywood Waves

graduation hairstyles old hollywood waves
Running late for commencement? Slide your cap on, add some curls to your ends and go! Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

Take cues from Tinseltown glamour with shiny, shoulder-length curls. These ringlets have the appropriate amount of elegance and polish also suitable for celebrating an academic high point!

12. Twist-Out

graduation hairstyles twist-out
Rock your natural hair with twist-out curls for graduation. Tip: You can opt to use a hair wand to curl any wayward ends.

A twist-out showcases your ringlets perfectly under your graduation cap. Add Dove Curls Defining Mousse to give your curls some extra hold, bounce, and definition.

13. Graduated Bob

graduation hairstyles graduated bob
You can’t ever go wrong with a cap-friendly bob haircut. Photo credit: indigtalimages.com

Consider this an elegant and modern twist on the traditional bob. The longer layers on the front add depth and a bit of edge. For your graduation day, enhance this look with a chic side clip.

14. Polished Waves

graduation hairstyles vintage inspired waves
Feeling fancy? Rock some vintage-inspired waves. Start your waves from the mid-shaft of your hair to avoid a poufy feel under your cap.

A set of sleek, neat waves is a strikingly glamorous hairdo for your graduation. With a simple twist of a curling wand, the waves will make your hair look thick and luxurious. Set with Bed Head by TIGI Masterpiece Shine Hairspray for shine and hold.

15. Ombré

ombré hair color blonde waves
Not interested in short graduation hairstyles but still want to enter your new chapter in a fresh way? Try ombré! Photo credit: Dvora

If you’re in the mood to try something a little more trendy for your big day, add in some ombré highlights. Give your color the perfect amount of contrast against your graduation cap and be prepared to make a perfectly trendy (yet still event-appropriate) statement.

Be sure to capture some photos of your graduation hairstyle and tag us over @AllThingsHairUS!

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