formal updo ideas to try

5 Formal Updo Hairstyles for the Holidays

A rundown of some party-ready looks we love for the holidays.

With the holiday season hot on our heels we’re getting ready by figuring out what formal updo hairstyles we are going to wear. After all, we’ll take any excuse to try out something new on our hair! To make sure that your formal updo is perfect by the time your holiday party comes around, it’s important to practice your hairstyling skills.

For a truly formal look, you’ll want to make sure that your hair is as sleek, polished and perfectly coiffed as possible! Read on to check out some pre-holiday hair inspiration that’ll have your hair ready in time for all of the fun festivities.

Formal Updo Hairstyles to Try this Holiday Season

1. Vintage Accessories

Formal Updo
Go vintage shopping or find small costume jewelry to make into pins.

Add an instant vintage appeal to your formal updo with finger waves and old school barrettes. To get this specific style, follow our tutorial for this cool vintage updo. If you only have a few minutes, cheat a vintage style by styling your hair in a simple but elegant bun. Then just add a couple of strategically placed hair pins or barrettes to give the vintage vibe.

2. Easy Braid and Chignon

formal updo holidays
A soft, low chignon is always party-ready.

Add interest to a simple chignon by styling with a braid. You can part your hair down the center and do two french braids, collecting both into a bun. Or, you can also do one simple three-strand braid and work it into this formal updo chignon tutorial. Be sure to set your style by using a hairspray like Suave Professionals Natural Hold Micro Mist Hairspray to ensure that your style will last all night.

3. High Bun

formal updo high bun
High buns are a holiday staple!

Holiday styling isn’t the same without a high bun. This style is renowned for its sleek ends with a pronounced top knot or donut bun that sits on top of your head. Make sure to have plenty of bobby pins on hand to secure this style.

4. Twisted Updo

formal updo accessories
Have fun with some unexpected accessories.

If traditional hair accessories are not up your alley but vintage hair is, try out this fun hairstyle with succulents. To get this look, you will need lots of pins, hairspray and patience. This style is essentially consecutive pin curls all in a row. Starting from the front, gently sweep your hair back and roll up one-inch sections, pinning from behind. Keep rolling and pinning until all of your hair is pinned. Then, use a boar bristle brush to lightly brush upwards and combine the rolls together. Add in your succulents towards the back (or side) of your hair and then set your style by using a firm-hold hairspray, like Nexxus Maxximum Finishing Spray.

5. Fully Braided Updo

formal updo
Ask a friend to help you get this architectural braided look.

Grab a friend (or a salon professional) and dust off your French-braiding skills to get this chic and elevated braided updo. You can start on wet or dry hair to get this look. We suggest working with wet hair, coated with a thin layer of gel, like Suave Max Hold Sculpting Gel. Pull the majority of your hair into a ponytail, leaving out an inch or so of hair all the way around your hairline. Then using the ponytail and the remaining hair, create a French braid around your hair. When done, braid all the way down and conceal the end under the braid. You’re all set!

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