10 gorgeous party hairstyle ideas, date night and beyond

Party Hairstyles for Short Hair

With the right hair products and pretty hair accessories, you have plenty of options for party hairstyles for short hair. You’re a little more limited when it comes to party updos, like chignons and cool ponytail hairstyles, but that doesn’t make your party hair any less fun. If you need hair ideas and inspiration, look no further for cute party hairstyles for short hair.

Easy Hair Embellishments

Sparkly embellishments like hair clips, barrettes and bobby pins are a quick and easy way to upgrade date night hairstyles. Plus, your hair length doesn’t matter—so if you have short hair, you can create a cute, chic look by arranging your metallic pins in a pattern. This works well if you have second- or third-day hair, since your hair tends to have more texture to it (which helps keep your accessories in place). And if you’re working with freshly washed hair, just let your hair air dry. Dispense a generous amount of Fructis Smooth Air Dry Cream and work it through your hair. Once it’s dry, tuck in your barrette or arrange your bobby pins.

Chic and Sleek Hair

Sleek, straight hair can make for an easy party hairstyle for short hair—and looks extra cool when paired with an over-the-top outfit. (Think glitter. Lots of glitter.) Begin by washing your hair with Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, which is infused with Moroccan Argan Oil to help smooth and soften hair. Blow dry or let your hair air dry. Then, mist a generous amount of Fructis Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector, which both protects hair from heat damage and fights frizzy hair. Straighten your hair with a flat iron, making sure you don’t curve it at the ends of your hair.

Voluminous Curls

Date night hairstyles don’t get much more flirty or fun than with these bouncy, va-va-voluminous curls. If you have naturally curly hair, it’s worth making the most of it. To start: If you’re working with second-day curls, simply refresh them by spraying Fructis Curl Renew Reactivating Milk Spray through the lengths and scrunching it in with your hair. If you want to wash your hair before your big date or BFF’s party, wash first with Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner, which moisturizes curls with a blend of Coconut, Jojoba and Macadamia Oils for extra smoothness. Then, use your hands to scrunch Fructis Curl Construct Creation Mousse through damp hair. Let it air dry it or diffuse it for healthy-looking, show-stopping curls.

Party Hairstyles for Medium Hair

Ever the most versatile option, medium hair lengths get the best of both worlds for party hair, from hair braid looks to glam waves. And, if you want something a little more romantic for your date night hair, it doesn’t get much better than a curly updo. As long as you have the right styling products and fun inspiration, easy party hairstyles for medium hair are all yours.

Beautiful Braids

Braid hairstyles are the perfect answer when you need a fresh look for that date you’ve been waiting for all week. This oversized French braid hairstyle looks a little windswept, so it looks both romantic and elegant—a perfect date night hairstyle. Working with dry hair—and even better if it’s not freshly washed, so it has a little more texture—create one large French braid, beginning on one side and weaving it down the back. Pull out a few wisps of hair at the crown and back of the neck for a relaxed look. Spray it generously with Fructis Full Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray to keep it from unraveling while you’re out and about.

Party Curly Updo

Calling all curly girls! Curly hair makes for gorgeous party updos, and this low braided updo is no different. First, prep damp hair with Curl Shape Defining Spray Gel, which gives shape to and smoothes curls. Work it in and scrunch it well with your fingers. Then, air dry or diffuse your hair. Working with small sections of your hair, begin French braiding your hair at the back of your head, keeping it loose to keep your curls intact. Secure at the end. Then, twist the braid into a low bun and pin it to one side. Use your fingers to muss up the style a bit—giving your curls a relaxed look—and mist all over with Fructis Flexible Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray to keep them in place.

Hollywood Waves

Glamorous, red carpet-inspired wavy hair look like they took work, but it’s a surprisingly simple hairstyle for parties and dates alike. All you need for this night out hairstyle is a curling iron, hairspray and a few bobby pins—and, of course, that new dress. First, spritz dry hair all over with a volumizing hairspray like Fructis Volumizing Anti-Humidity Hairspray. Wrap two-inch sections of hair around a 1 1/4" curling iron, pinning the rolled sections in place. Wait until the curls set and cool, and then undo the pins. Use your fingers to loosen the curls, letting them fall into elegant waves. For cute party hairstyles, this is as easy as it gets.

Simple Half-Up, Half-Down

Last-minute party hair doesn’t have to be hard—or mean you show up super-late. Easy to put together in five minutes or less, this pretty party hairstyle is simple to pull off when you're short on time. First, mist Fructis Beach Chic Texturizing Spray onto dry hair, focusing on your ends to create loose, beachy waves. Take a small section of hair from above your left ear and pull it over to the back of your head, in the center. Pin the section in place. Repeat this with a section of hair from above your right ear, pulling it over to the back and overlapping the first section. Anchor it with a barrette or other hair accessory and then carefully remove the pins. Finish with a spritz of Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray.

Party Hairstyles for Long Hair

As is often the case with this hair length, the options are endless for party hairstyles for long hair. So take advantage of all the party hair ideas and make it count. From easy top knots to a cool, twisted ponytail, a party updo makes for a fun upgrade for long hair.

Sky-High Top Knot

The top knot is easiest to do with long, straight hair, but it also looks great with naturally wavy locks. Apply Curl Sculpt Conditioning Cream Gel throughout damp hair. Flip your head toward the ground and diffuse your hair upside down, using your fingers to tousle it. Keeping your head upside down, secure a ponytail at your crown with an elastic band. Divide the ponytail into two sections. Twist one around the elastic band, and pin it into place. Twist the other in the opposite direction around the first section, and secure with pins. Then, add a hair accessory, like a flower pin or sparkly barrette.

Fishtail Braid Ponytail

This braid hairstyle makes the most of long hair. As far as party hairstyles for long hair go, this one’s a standout because it’s sleek, elegant and only looks hard. Set the stage for smooth hair and tame hair frizz by prepping dry hair with Fructis Style Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk. Use your fingers to distribute it throughout your hair. Then, pull your hair into a low ponytail. Take a small section of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around the base, concealing your hair tie. Pin to secure. Next, create a fishtail braid and continue it about five inches (depending on your hair length), stopping before you reach the ends. Secure it with a hair tie, and, as you did before, take a small section and wrap it around the base of your new, lower ponytail. Tuck the end into the elastic.

Twisted Ponytail

The mark of a good party updo? Everyone asks how they can get it. That’s inevitable with this pretty ponytail hairstyle. It’s sculptural and unique, and you can rest assured that no one else’s hair will look as cool. Starting with second- or third-day hair (which will give your hair extra hold), mist Fructis Frizz Guard hair spray all over to keep it polished. Separate a medium-sized section of hair on the top of your head, and clip it to the side for now. Pull the rest back into a ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Then, use a comb to tease your ponytail. Once you’ve created some hair volume, secure the end of the ponytail, leaving loose a two-inch section. Take a piece of the small section and wrap it around the base of this mini-ponytail, tucking the end into the elastic. Finally, un-clip the front section of hair and use your comb to tease it. Gently pull it back and pin it down at the crown. Then, twist it once and wrap it around the base of your first ponytail, securing it with a pin. Spray it well with Fructis Sheer Set Extreme Hold Hairspray—and get ready to rake in the compliments.