Discover 27 breathtaking winter formal hairstyles perfect for any formal event. From classic updos to modern waves, find the ideal look to sparkle at your next winter dance or party!
Winter formals are the perfect opportunity to embrace glamorous styles and make unforgettable memories. The right hairstyle can transform your look, whether you’re heading to a school dance, a holiday celebration, or any special event this winter.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up 27 stunning winter formal hairstyles to inspire your next big night. From elegant updos to soft, romantic curls, get ready to turn heads and feel confident all evening long!
Braided Low Bun
The effortlessly chic braided low bun is a dreamy pick for your winter formal. Soft face-framing braids wrap seamlessly into a low, loose bun at the nape, keeping you cozy and polished through every dance move, cocktail, and late-night photo op all night long.
Twisted Half Updo For Short Hair
Searching for a cute, low-fuss winter formal style that works perfectly on short locks? This twisted half updo hits just right. It pulls hair off your face to show off your sparkly statement earrings, and soft loose twists frame your jawline for a romantic, cozy vibe that pairs flawlessly with velvet gowns and tulle skirts alike.
Elegant Ponytail with Soft Waves
This effortlessly chic style keeps every stray soft wave perfectly secured at the nape, letting you dance, laugh and lean in for holiday photos all night without a single hair out of place. It hits just the right balance of polished and playful for any winter formal, no fancy styling skills required.
Glamorous Curls With Headband
Elevate your winter formal look with soft, cascading glamorous curls paired with a sleek velvet headband that catches twinkling holiday party lights perfectly. This effortlessly chic style keeps every strand in place while adding luxe, romantic flair, making you feel utterly radiant all night long on the dance floor.
Voluminous Textured Updo
This voluminous textured updo is a dreamy pick for your winter formal, balancing soft, messy dimension and elegant structure perfectly. It keeps your strands neatly tucked away from crisp winter air while adding cozy, romantic flair that pairs flawlessly with sequined gowns or velvet blouses for a effortlessly polished, head-turning look all night long.
Side Braided Bob
This chic side braided bob is perfect for winter formal events, blending sleek, sharp bob lines with a delicate face-framing braid that keeps loose strands from catching the crisp winter breeze while adding soft, romantic flair that pairs beautifully with velvet gowns or sequin slips.
Curly Low Bun with Headband
Slip on a sleek velvet headband to elevate this soft curly low bun for your winter formal. It tames loose, wispy curls perfectly while adding a luxe, frosty-season charm. The low, relaxed placement keeps you comfortable all night, whether you’re dancing at the gala or posing for glowing holiday photos with your date.
Sleek Retro Waves
Sleek retro waves strike the perfect balance of timeless glamour and polished elegance for your winter formal. Soft, cascading curves paired with a smooth, frizz-free finish catch the twinkling holiday lights flawlessly, turning heads as you glide across the dance floor all night long.
Elegant Braided Low Bun Variation
This elegant braided low bun is perfect for winter formal events, blending soft, loose braids with a sleek, low knot at the nape. It stays secure all night through dancing and dinner, while delicate face-framing strands keep the look romantic and effortlessly polished for your special occasion.
Textured Low Chignon
The textured low chignon is a dreamy, effortlessly elegant pick for your winter formal. Soft, loose face-framing strands keep it from feeling too stiff, and the slightly undone texture pairs perfectly with velvet gowns or sparkling statement jewelry, keeping you comfy and chic all night long.
Romantic Curled Holiday Ponytail
This soft, romantic curled holiday ponytail adds effortless charm to any winter formal look. Loose, bouncy face-framing curls keep the style feeling gentle and playful, while the slightly elevated base lets you dance the night away without it slipping or looking messy. It pairs perfectly with both sleek gowns and cozy statement sweaters for a whimsical, totally wearable vibe.
Whimsical Wavy Updo
Perfect for a dreamy winter formal vibe, this whimsical wavy updo lets you show off soft, cascading face-framing layers while keeping loose strands safely tucked away from the cold winter air. It feels romantic, low-fuss, and effortlessly chic, pairing beautifully with both sleek satin gowns and delicate lace looks.
Boho Bubble Braid Half-Up
Looking for a dreamy, low-fuss winter formal hairstyle that feels equal parts cozy and chic? This soft boho bubble braid half-up strikes the perfect balance. It keeps stray hairs tucked away while letting loose, wavy lengths frame your face beautifully, pairing flawlessly with both slinky satin gowns and delicate lace winter formal looks.
Voluminous Wavy Half-Updo
This soft, voluminous wavy half-updo is perfect for your winter formal. Loose, cascading waves frame your face beautifully while the slightly lifted top adds effortless, glamorous height that pairs seamlessly with sparkly accessories or a sleek winter gown. It stays polished all night without feeling stiff or overdone.
Loose Curly Half-Up Hairstyle
This soft, romantic loose curly half-up look is perfect for winter formal events, balancing effortless charm and polished elegance. Let loose your bouncy, cascading curls to catch twinkling holiday lights, and pull just the top section back with a dainty pearl clip for a dreamy, head-turning vibe that stays cozy and chic all night long.
Soft Curly Updo
The soft curly updo is such a dreamy pick for your winter formal, perfectly balancing effortless romance and polished sophistication. Loose, gently tousled curls pulled up with a few face-framing strands left out soften your features, and it pairs flawlessly with both sleek statement gowns and delicate lace pieces, keeping you cozy and gorgeous all night long.
Messy High Bun
For a dreamy winter formal vibe, the effortless messy high bun is a total go-to for busy gals who want to look polished without overdoing it. Pull hair up loosely, leave a few soft face-framing strands to catch twinkling string lights, and let a little texture peek through—chic, cozy, and totally low-fuss for dancing all night long.
Fishtail Half Updo With Waves
This dreamy fishtail half-up with soft, cascading waves is made for winter formal magic. It pulls back just enough hair to keep your strands out of your face while letting loose, bouncy waves frame your cheeks perfectly, adding a cozy, romantic glow that pairs flawlessly with velvet gowns and sparkly statement earrings.
Romantic Braided Half Updo
This dreamy romantic braided half updo is made for winter formal magic, soft face-framing strands paired with delicate loose braids feel effortlessly elegant, pairs perfectly with sparkly hair pins or velvet ribbons to complement your gown, stays put through all night of dancing and toasts, turning heads effortlessly.
Side Swept Dutch Braid
The side swept Dutch braid is such a dreamy, romantic pick for your winter formal. It keeps all the cold-weather frizz and stray hairs perfectly tucked away, while soft face-framing pieces add a gentle, glamorous edge that pairs flawlessly with sparkly gowns or sleek velvet looks.
Elegant Braided Bun With Twists
Perfect for wowing the crowd at your winter formal, this elegant braided bun with soft twists pulls all your hair neatly up, letting glistening snowflake statement earrings or a sleek velvet headpiece take center stage while keeping you cozy through slow dances and midnight holiday after-parties.
Voluminous Curly Ponytail
Elevate your winter formal look with this effortlessly chic voluminous curly ponytail, perfect for dancing the night away without a single stray strand slipping out. It frames your face softly, pairs flawlessly with sparkly statement earrings, and keeps you cozy and polished from the grand entrance to the last toast of the evening.
Braided Updo With Winter Accents
This cozy braided updo, dotted with tiny frosted pine sprigs or shimmering velvet ribbon accents, is made for winter formal magic. It keeps stray hairs tucked neatly through frosty nights and dance floors, feeling equal parts elegant and whimsical for your special occasion.
Soft Twisted Low Bun
Perfect for a dreamy winter formal, this soft twisted low bun wraps loose face-framing strands around a gently gathered nape bun, catching twinkling string lights and snowflakes with effortless, romantic charm that feels polished yet totally undone.
Curly Half-Up Ponytail
This soft, romantic curly half-up ponytail checks every box for a dreamy winter formal. Pull just the top section of your loose, bouncy curls back to secure at the crown, leaving face-framing tendrils to catch twinkling holiday lights. It stays put all night of dancing while feeling effortlessly elegant and playful.
Twisted Half-Up Curls
This dreamy twisted half-up curls look is made for winter formal magic—soft, bouncy waves paired with subtle face-framing twists strike the perfect balance between effortless and elegant. It holds beautifully through slow dances and sparkly photos, keeping you effortlessly polished all night long.
Elegant Low Bun With Headband
This sleek, romantic elegant low bun paired with a dainty sparkling headband checks every box for your winter formal look. It holds perfectly through snowy walks and all-night dancing, tucks stray hairs neatly out of the way, and adds just enough soft, glitzy charm to make you feel effortlessly polished and unforgettable the whole night through.