When it comes to formal hairstyles for medium hair, some girls think that they don’t have much to choose from. When you leaf through magazines or browse photos online, most of the beautiful hairstyles involve long tresses.
However, there is no reason to give up or run to get hair extensions. There are plenty of different ways to go about arranging your medium locks. In fact, medium-length hair is quite easy to make stunning without too much effort.
There is not much difference between long locks and medium tresses when it comes to formal hairstyle. All you need to do is choose the option you like best and ask your stylist to create it. There are a few you can make on your own too.
Amazing Formal Hairstyles for Women With Medium Hair
Take a good look in the mirror and you will realize that medium-length hair is long enough to get creative with. If you don’t know how to go about it, we have prepared a list of 30 medium formal hairstyles for women to browse.
1. One-Sided Braid
Need a formal hairstyle for medium hair that also expresses your personality? Go for a one-sided French or Dutch braid. Give the hairdo a twist and opt for a big bump for the top. To create it, tease the hair, then use another thick strand that you’ll use to wrap it around the central part.
2. Loose Curly Updo
A formal hairstyle for medium hair can literally take all shapes and sizes, depending on the hair texture and structure. As a woman with naturally copper hair and curls, a simple bun in the back can be considered formal.
3. Wavy Ponytail with a Rolled Front
Simple waves can add so much value to any hairstyle, including a simple ponytail. Use a formal hairstyle for medium hair as a base and style it with a curler or even a straightening iron, creating waves, dimension and volume.
4. Retro Waves with Flipped Ends
Such class and elegance and it can all be achieved with just some simple loose curls. Add a cap, and you’ve got yourself a stunning retro look. Focus on the bangs and on the lower half of your hair.
5. Top Hair Bow
Formal events can have certain standards, and you have to find a look that suits you. And we all know that the search for the best hairdo can become a neverending story. Instead of struggling, this formal hairstyle for medium hair might save the day. So pin the hair on top and get it through a hair elastic. Make sure you create two bumps to resemble the bow.
6. Loose Asymmetrical Bun
Loose hairstyles are trendy and they are great for medium hair. Pull your locks up to make a low bun and use clips to keep it in place. Consider making the bun asymmetrical so it’s visible in the photos.
7. Side-Swept Hollywood Waves
When you need to create a simple medium length formal hairstyle, waves can be a great way out. Wavy and curly hair always looks festive. You can add some zest by pulling the front strands backward.
8. Side Bun with Rolled Bangs
Before making a beautiful asymmetrical bun, consider making waves or curls. This way the bun will look more formal and will appear neater. Consider making wavy bangs and incorporating them into the hairstyle.
9. High Bun
If you think that medium-length hair is not long enough to make a bun, you are absolutely wrong. Sweep your hair upwards and back and clip it together without actually twisting it. You’ll create the appearance of a full bun.
10. Side Updo with Face-Framing Tendrils
You can enjoy this easy-to-make women’s medium formal hairstyle by sweeping the locks backward to create a low bun while leaving a few strands hanging around your face.
11. Curly Bun with Bangs
Curl the bottom part of your hair and arrange it into a low bun. Keep the rest of your locks straight and make sure to sweep your bangs to the same side your bun is on. You’ll look gorgeous!
12. Sleek Side Bun
If you are after a more formal hairstyle, consider leaving your hair completely straight. A low straight asymmetrical bun is great for any occasion, including the ones where you must look respectable.
13. Medium Formal Weave
If you just must have a long hairstyle but your hair is medium, you can ask your hairstylist for a weave. Hair extensions can help you create the formal hairstyle you’ve always wanted.
14. Loose Crown Braid Updo
Runaround braid is a wonderful formal hairstyle for medium hair. It can be created on your own. Just make sure you don’t make it too loose otherwise it will quickly lose its charm.
15. Low Looped Bun with Loose Ends
Don’t underestimate the power of medium length bun hairstyles. They are created to make you look amazing. All you need to do is learn how to make it. Create a low bun and twist it a little to make half a bun.
Browse these high ponytail hairstyles
16. Center-Parted Straight Lob
If your hair is straight, your best bet might be to just keep it down. Make sure to use some hair spray to keep your locks in place and go for periodic touch-ups. This simple approach is quite formal.
17. Center-Parted Layered Waves
If your locks are wavy, achieving a neat formal hairstyle for medium hair might be difficult. That’s why you need to get a flat iron and make the waves as neat as possible. Use some hair gel to keep them at bay.
18. Ombre Side Bun
While windblown hairstyles are not recommended for formal occasions, you can make at least some of your strands a little loose to appear more stunning. Leave one hanging near your face.
19. Half-Up Curls with Jeweled Clips
If you are going for a pageant or wedding hairstyle, you can try creating voluminous waves. Ask your hairstylist to keep the hair curly in the back and wavy in front.
20. Straight Bob with a Pompadour
High hair can make you look a little outrageous, but if you use a smart approach, you can become a real star. Keep your bangs high while the rest of your hair is short and neat. Pair the pompadour with a detailed neckline when you want both to show, since the height draws the hair up and away from the collar.
21. Highlighted Curly Updo
Wild curls on top mixed with a tight ponytail in the back can be one of the greatest formal hairstyles for medium hair that you can enjoy on any occasion without frequent touch-ups.
22. Bouffant with a Low Looped Bun
Bouffant is a classic formal hairstyle for medium hair that never goes out of style. For this hairstyle, side part your hair and backcomb it low at the back of the head. In the end, round up all your hair into a stylish low bun.
23. Wavy Half-Up Ponytail with a Scrunchie
Honey blonde hair is super fabulous and subtle waves running through the mid-length of the hair increase its beauty even more. All you have to do is take half of your top hair and tie it up into a half ponytail with a scrunchie.
24. Wavy Ponytail with a Fishtail Braid
This is a two-in-one medium formal hairstyle which requires you to grab all your hair and tie it up in a ponytail at the back of your head. Leave some hair at the front and knit it into a fishtail that goes back to connect with the ponytail.
25. Half-Up Fishtail Braid with Curls
For this hairstyle, part your hair into three parts. Leave the front hair as flicks, weave the hair after that part into a messy fishtail, and lastly, backcomb the back hair. Connect the fishtail with the combed back hair and secure them with pins at the back of the head.
26. Braided Messy Updo
This is one of the most elegant formal hairstyles for women with shoulder-length hair we have seen. Braid a loose fishtail with the front hair and backcomb the remaining hair. Secure all the hair together into a messy low bun. Leave a strand of hair at the front and add some flowers at the back to sum up the elegant look.
27. Low Twisted Bun with Face-Framing Waves
Ombre hair is ideal for this haircut with darker top hair and lower blonde hair for a stark contrast. To achieve this haircut, slick back all your hair into a low twisted bun. Leave front flicks on either side of the face and flaunt your look.
28. Two-Tone Waves with a Vine Headpiece
For a plain but flawlessly graceful look, put loose curls in your two-tone hair and leave them down hanging at the back. To add more style, bind a vine headpiece on your loose wavy hair at the back.
29. Pearl-Draped Low Ponytail
Elevate a textured low ponytail into a romantic masterpiece by weaving delicate pearl and silver chain strands through soft waves. A hair-wrapped base secures the pony, while loose side tendrils add an effortless, ethereal touch—making this an ideal option for brides or formal evening events.
30. Half-Up Twisted Topknot
Combine playfulness with polish in this half-up twisted style designed for shoulder-length locks. The crown features neatly swept-back sections gathered into a structured mini bun. It is a weightless, chic choice for daytime celebrations or evening galas.
Now that you know about various formal hairstyles for medium hair, you can stop being upset about your hair length. All you need to do is get some inspiration. We hope these options will allow you to enjoy your hair even more.
