By Chinwe of Hair and Health
Weddings. Balls. Galas. Parties. Whatever the formal event, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the perfect hairstyle. Well, here are a few tutorials to give you some ideas:
1. Bantu Knot Out Updo
Toni demonstrates how you can achieve this beautiful hairdo for a school’s homecoming or other formal event. It is essentially a super defined bantu knot out with the back pinned up via bobby pins. Because this style is so versatile, it can work on short to long hair.
2. Perm Rod Set (also for kinky or coily hair)
Who says perm rod sets cannot work on kinky hair? In the above video, Latifatumi shows you how to achieve gorgeous big curls on previously stretched hair. Get your perm rods ready!
3. Sideswept Curly Twists
Nikkimae transforms a five-day old set of twists into an elegant sideswept curly look in this tutorial. She achieves these curls with a set of flexi rods, bobby pins, and foam wrap or setting lotion. For the actual tutorial on the flexi rod set itself, check out this video.
4. Curlformers (No Heat) Formal Updo
In the above video, India demonstrates how to achieve a curly formal updo using Curlformers. She starts with damp hair and applies a setting lotion prior to applying the Curlformers. Check out her tutorial for more details!
5. Elegant Textured Updo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWQZN6aegSg
For this style, Nyla K starts with a defined braid-out, but the style can work just as well on a twist-out or other textured hair. All you need are a few bobby pins and jeweled accessory to add even more elegance to the look.
6. Flexi Rod Set (also for kinky or coily hair)
For this gorgeous rod set, Kinkycurlycoil starts with freshly washed hair that has been parted into sections. She uses flexi rods, in particular, which can be an alternative to the perm rod set mentioned earlier.
Ladies, will you try any of these styles for your next formal event?





19 Responses
very good video to watch,
My hair isn’t exactly long, short or medium. I guess I am at the awkward hair phase lol. I over love style 1.
My hair is super short when I wear it completely natural is compacted and thick and I can only do an afro puff right now. Aargh, I can’t wait for my hair to get longer.
Hey, I think the same about mine…I literally look like a preteen going around with these two puffballs. But if you take the time to twist your hair each night (obviously, I don’t), then your hair will stretch. Believe me. If it’s long enough to put in rubber bands, it’s long enough to twist and shake!
What bout mini twists or finger coils? You can just wear the ‘fro and accessorize it.
Can’t do any of these styles!! why? because my hair is FINE! My twist out looks like thin spaghetti. I’ve only had 3 or maybe 4 hair success, and i’m coming up on being 4 years natural. T^T Aww well I have to live with what I got. I will be trying out tube scarf, they seemed cute
I have a difficult time finding style that will work with my fine/low density hair. And to top it off I have a cowlick on the right side of my head. My go to style is the curly rod set or flat twists.
I do like the 1st style and the one with the twists. I really like what Hansy did with her short hair.
I’m a few months all natural after a one year transition. I don’t use heat to style but I also can’t always have the time to do styles that involve very curly hair (e.g. twist/bantu knot outs). I have 4C hair and request that some of these articles on styling also regularly include hair that is stretched but not necessarily curly. I know how hard it must be to cater for everyone Chinwe. You ARE doing a great job as is. Just a lil feedback from me 🙂
Thanks for the feedback. :o)
I love the looks. My troubles lay within shorter hair, I’m growing my hair out and right now I’m going crazy trying to figure out what to do with the 2 inches I have. Are there any styles for shorter hair?
Here’s a post I did a while back: https://bglh-marketplace.com/2013/05/3-cute-and-easy-styles-for-twas-and-short-natural-hair/
You can probably tweak the styles to be a bit more formal. Also, like Hansy did, just add flowers or other pretty accessories. :o)
Thanks for sharing our videos! Much Love, India <3
These styles are great but they only work for long hair. I attended wedding two weeks after doing the big chop (after a 10 month transition) and I came up with a very nice style that worked perfectly for my very short hair. I accessorized with real flowers from the garden. Everybody complimented me on my hair and I felt very beautiful.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Afro1.jpg[/img]
Two of the tutorials — #1 and #6 — involve or (can be modified for) short hair. The rest are medium-length and long.
Thanks for sharing. :o)
They are all super beautiful. I am patiently waiting to get my hair longer so I can start having more fun with it.
You’ll get there soon. I was once about where you are. Happy growing! :o)
What did you do at the back?
I used lots of gel and just combed it all up and held it up with hair pins. I did it the night previous to the wedding and slept with a scarf and a satin bonnet. The next morning all I had to do was undo the twists I did on the top and style. Took me less than 10 minutes to be ready.
Sorry! I meant to thumbs up your post!