Semi Formal Hair Ideas

Look instantly chic with a cute hair accessory.

Matching your hair to a semi-formal outfit, without feeling too dressed-up or too casual, means that hair should be well-groomed but feel comfortable. This gives you the laid back, polished feel that corresponds with the semi formal dress code. Pulling hair back from the face and securing it with a pretty clip makes most down-dos a little more formal. Styling products also make the job of sculpting semi-formal hair easier: a dab of serum gives shine and polish, smoothing messy flyaway strands. Ceramic tools ensure that hair is smoothly styled. Don't forget to fix even simply styled hair with a final spritz of hairspray so that your 'do lasts throughout the day.

Up-Dos

Wearing your hair up is a classic way to dress up a casual outfit, but you don't have to opt for a voluminous, sculpted coiffure. A Ballerina bun makes a youthful, relaxed up-do, which suits many current fashion styles such as Capri pants, ballet-flats and simple jersey dresses. Wrap long hair into a bun, and then secure with pins. If you need more volume, use a foam bun ring, which you can pull hair through and then twist around it. If you want a quirky accessory, decorate you bun with hair sticks. Alternatively, try a sleek ponytail. Ponytails work well with braids as well as straight hair. Or opt for a chignon, a type of bun that leaves hair loose to tumble over the back.

Bangs

Bangs make regular long hair into a feature.

Bangs change the look of your hair and make a relaxed style suddenly dressed-up. If you don't want to cut your hair, wear clip-in bangs, which are a current celebrity favorite. Bangs are ideal for any semi-formal occasion where you want to wear your hair down but also look different than you usually do. They also go well with flat-ironed or neatly waved hair, created with ceramic tools. Bangs keep the front of your hair neat and tidy, avoiding the alternative scraped-back look.

Bridal Styles

Semi-formal hair for your wedding means that you can feel like yourself and stay relaxed. The classic Spanish bridal style with the front and sides clipped up, but the back down, has endless variations. Loose waves and curls make this style less formal, and you can wear it with any kind of outfit. To keep the look even more relaxed, avoid setting hair on rollers, using curling tongs or back-combing the crown. Instead, curl hair with ceramic flat-irons into a modern, tidy but relaxed wave. Pin hair up loosely, leaving sections to tumble down. Decorate hair with wild flowers, rather than pearls or crystals, for a dressed--down bridal hairstyle.

Short Hair

Make your regular short style more formal by adding an accessory. Slicked-back short hair and elaborate headbands are dressy, so just use a single accessory in the right place. Straight bobs look striking with Alice bands that are decorated with a single flower or bow. Or, pull a ribbon through your hair or wear a fine band across the forehead in a 1920s flapper style. This looks occasional but is fun enough to stay relaxed when teamed with a semi-formal outfit.

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