Summer formal events may seem more casual as they’re outdoors, and many happen at the beach or venues like wineries. With the summer comes humidity and frizz, heat until the sunsets, and sometimes extra dryness if you’re out in the sun. So you’ll need a long hair hairstyle that works with the elements and matches your formal style.
That’s why we’ve come up with three formal long hair hairdos you can do for any type of formal summer event including weddings, cocktail parties, and a nice night out with your significant other. Each one keeps hair off your shoulders and has options with and without bangs so they work for all face shapes.
Half-up Fishtail Braid
The fishtail braid has texture with the sleek weaves that add flow to your look. It can accent a sleek fabric and solid colors if you’re doing polyester or silk, and keeps movement going from head to toe when wearing patterns or going backless. Fishtail braids can take a bit of time to get used to doing, so practice before you give this look a try as it is a mid-level hairdo.
One of the added bonuses with fishtail braids is you can add a string of adornments like pearls as an accent, or use a hair clip at the top to keep your color palette going from head to toe. And it is a perfect look for a boho vibe at any formal event.
You will need:
- A hair brush
- A hair clip and a hair tie,
- Hairspray
To create this look:
- Brush your hair to remove any tangles.
- Pull your hair back and separate it into a top and bottom section leaving the bottom down and secure the top with a hair tie or your hair clip.
- Divide the top section of hair into two equal sections.
- Take a small section of hair from the outside of the left section and cross it over to the inside of the right section.
- Take a small section of hair from the outside of the right section and cross it over to the inside of the left section.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3, alternating between the left and right sections until you reach the end of your hair.
- Secure the end of the braid with a hair tie.
- Spray with hairspray to keep the braid in place.
If you want a thicker weave, tease the braid with your fingers before spraying with hairspray.
Criss Crossed Bun for Straight Hair
In a hurry and have a hair iron? The crossed bun is the ultimate in long hair glam when time is tight. As long as your hair is straight, you’re going to be able to style this in a pinch.
Pro-tip: Hide the styling elements like bobby pins and hair ties by wrapping them under the bun, or you use adorned options to add pops of color and textures.
You will need:
- A hair brush
- A hair iron if your hair is not straight and a heat protectant
- Bobby pins
- Hair ties
To create this look:
- Brush out any tangles or knots from your hair and part it down the middle or the side.
- If your hair is not already straight, use a heat protectant on it and straighten it with a hair iron.
- Take a smaller section of hair from the right and left sides of your head and secure them with a hair tie so you have a place to loop the other strands through. Similar to a standard twisty half-up half-down hairstyle.
- Make sure this is not directly against your head as you’ll be flipping hair through it.
- Now take this first ponytail and loop it over the hair tie so it goes through the hole.
- Divide the remaining hair into two low ponytails at the back of your head and secure them with hair ties about an inch and a half away from the first hair tie.
- Take one ponytail and cross it up and through the opening on the opposite twist from the half-up side, and pull it through. Now repeat with the other ponytail.
- Now repeat the process like you’re doing a braid, but going upwards until you run out of hair.
- Tuck the ends of the remaining hair into the criss cross hair bun and secure them with bobby pins if necessary.
- Finish with a light hair spray to prevent flyaways.
If you get stuck we found an easy-to-follow YouTube tutorial here.
Classic Hair Volumized Curly Ponytail
For thick and luxurious curls that bounce, a full bodied ponytail is always in style. And when you invert a hair clip under the ponytail, you get depth and volume that keeps your hair held high all event long.
Best of all your hair will be held off of your shoulders so they can breathe during the day, and you can add a shawl at night if it gets a bit chilly.
It’s a simple and timeless style anyone can do, and holds comfy so you can focus on the event without having to constantly adjust your hair.
You will need:
- Curling iron if your hair isn’t already curly
- Heat protectant if you need to curl your hair
- A hair tie
- A classic claw hair clip
- A light hairspray
To create this style:
- Brush knots and tangles out of your hair.
- Apply heat protectant and curl your hair with an iron if it isn’t already curly.
- Gather your hair to the crown of your head, leaving bangs out if you want bangs, and secure it with the hair tie about an inch from your head.
- Tease a hole and loop your hair from the bottom through the top similar to doing a Barbie ponytail.
- Add a hair clip under the ponytail with the wings upwards.
- Loosen your over the clip so it covers the clip.
- Tease your hair out with your fingers to your desired look.
- Finish with a light hairspray to help prevent flyaways.
Summer formal events are fabulous! And creating a long hair hairstyle that works from day to night is easy when you have the idea in mind. If you found the three options above helpful, subscribe below for more style guides just like them.
