Who decided that formal hair meant frying your gorgeous natural texture with a flat iron for three hours? Not anymore! Celebs are ditching the bone-straight blowout and letting their natural coils, spirals, and waves steal the spotlight at every major gala.
Ready to treat your curls like the VIPs they are at your next big event? Grab your favorite styling mousse and bobby pins, because these 18 red carpet hairstyles curly hair icons swear by will have everyone asking for your stylist's number.
1. The Side-Swept Old Hollywood Cascade
Nothing whispers "I'm nominated for an Oscar" quite like a dramatic deep side part with glossy curls tumbling over one shoulder. You get all the drama of an asymmetrical silhouette while keeping your length on full display.
Just pin the flat side neatly behind your ear with a sparkly barrette or hidden criss-cross bobby pins. Can you think of a better way to show off a pair of statement chandelier earrings?
Red Carpet Secret
Celebrity stylists always cross two strong-hold bobby pins into an X shape behind the ear to anchor heavy side-swept curls so they never slide forward mid-party.
2. The Sleek-Crown High Curly Pony
Want an instant snatch without paying for a cosmetic lift? Pulling your curls into a sky-high ponytail creates contrast between a glass-smooth crown and an explosion of bouncy texture at the top.
Use a fine-toothed comb and a shine gel to slick back your roots before letting your curls cascade down like a waterfall. It's playful, fierce, and survives five hours of nonstop dancing.
3. The Romantic 90s Tendril Updo
Why hide all your best ringlets in the back when they look so good framing your cheekbones? This loosely pinned updo leaves two or three springy spirals out in the front for effortless, soft-focus romance.
Instead of pulling your hair tightly, gather your curls like a bouquet and pin individual loops right into the crown. Doesn't it look like you just stepped out of a vintage romance movie?
Updo Curls
- Keeps your neck cool and shows off backless or high-collar gowns
- Survives humid weather and crowded dance floors without tangling
Loose Curls
- Can cause tension headaches if pinned too tightly at the crown
- Takes longer to unpin and refresh the next morning
4. The High-Fashion Wet-Look Coils
If you love the edgy vibe of the Met Gala, the sculpted "fresh out of a luxury pool" look is calling your name. By layering a high-shine curl jelly with a light serum, your ringlets stay clumped, glossy, and completely frizz-free all night.
Slick the front sections back behind your ears and let the rest hang in defined, light-catching ribbons. Who knew skipping the diffuser could look so expensive?
5. The Crown-Lifted Half-Up Twist
Can't decide between wearing your hair up or down? A half-up twisted crown gives you the cheekbone-lifting magic of an updo while letting your lower curls bounce freely down your back.
Twist two sections from your temples toward the back of your head and secure them right at the crown. The natural density of curly hair hides the pins effortlessly and builds natural volume on top.
Match Your Curls To Your Gown
| Dress Neckline | Best Curly Hairstyle | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Strapless or Sweetheart | Side-Swept Cascade or Half-Up Twist | Balances bare shoulders with soft volume |
| High Neck or Halter | High Pineapple Bun or French Twist | Keeps curls from competing with collar details |
| Plunging V-Neck | Sleek High Pony or Faux Bob | Draws eyes vertically without covering the neckline |
6. The High Bun With Curly Fringe
Curly bangs on the red carpet are having a massive moment, and for good reason. Piling your curls high on your head and letting a cloud of springy fringe kiss your eyebrows is pure editorial perfection.
No bangs? No problem—just pull the ends of your high bun forward over your forehead and pin the base so the curls drape like a faux fringe!
7. Sculpted Roaring Twenties Finger Waves
Your natural curl pattern was practically born to master vintage 1920s finger waves. Instead of fighting your texture, use molding foam and duckbill clips to press your wet curls into flat S shapes around your hairline.
Once your hair dries completely, gently remove the clips for a structured, glossy wave that looks like literal art. Would you rock this with a bold red lip?
Hands Off While Cooling
Never touch, brush, or unclip your set waves before they are 100% dry and cool, or they will instantly spring up into frizz and lose their sculpted definition.
8. The Unapologetic 70s Halo Afro
Sometimes the best accessory you can bring to a red carpet event is pure, unapologetic volume. Inspired by Zendaya's most iconic gala moments, this big, brushed-out halo celebrates 3C to 4C textures in all their glory.
Use a hair pick strictly at the roots—never drag it through the ends—to lift your crown into a rounded silhouette. Your presence will enter the room five seconds before you do!
9. The Effortless Low Curly Chignon
Think low buns are only for strict ballet teachers? When you build a low chignon out of diffused curls, all those overlapping coils look like a woven basket of silk.
Keep the crown soft and airy, gather your curls at the nape of your neck, and tuck the ends loosely with U-shaped pins. It is quiet luxury in hair form.
10. The Braided Faux-Hawk Updo
Want to look like a rockstar without shaving an undercut? Dutch-braid or flat-twist the sides of your head tightly upward and pin all your curls into a central mohawk strip running from your forehead to your nape.
It gives you the sharp, sculpted profile of an edgy crop from the side and a cascade of bouncy ringlets from the front. Talk about a 360-degree showstopper!
11. The Tucked Retro Faux Bob
Taking a cue from recent red carpet trends where stars like Sabrina Carpenter faked a chop with a tucked faux bob, you can rock chin-length glamour without touching a pair of scissors. Simply braid the bottom two inches of your hair horizontally at your nape, roll the lengths under, and pin them neatly inside.
Let your upper layers fall softly over the tuck to create instant chin-grazing bounce. Who says you need a salon commitment to switch up your whole vibe for one night?
Faux Bob Trick
Mist a flexible-hold hairspray onto your hands before tucking the ends under so stray layers cling together without looking stiff or crunchy.
12. The Cascading Waterfall Braid
Braids and curls go together like champagne and velvet ropes. A waterfall braid wraps around the back of your head while dropping individual ringlets straight through the weave for a seamless, fairytale finish.
Because every dropped strand blends right into your lower curls, the braid looks like it's floating on top of your hair. Isn't this the ultimate dreamy look for a summer gala or wedding?
13. The Sky-High Pineapple Updo
If you have curly hair, you already use the pineapple trick to protect your curls at night—so why not dress it up for the flashbulbs? Pile your curls right at the very top of your crown so the ends spill forward and outward like a blooming flower.
Wrap a satin ribbon or a strand of your own hair around the base elastic to hide the mechanics. Your cheekbones have never looked sharper!
14. Pearl-Studded Loose Ringlets
Here is a secret that straight-haired girls envy: curly hair has natural grip that holds heavy accessories without sliding out! Twist back one side of your curls and scatter pearl pins or crystal stars right into the coils.
The way the pearls peek out from between dark or golden spirals under camera flashes is pure magic. Best of all, it takes less than five minutes to do in the back of an Uber!
15. The Modern Curly-Top French Twist
Forget the stiff, helmet-like French twists of the 1960s. The modern red carpet version rolls the back of your hair up into a sleek vertical seam while letting a fountain of natural curls spill out the top.
It combines business-in-the-back polish with party-on-top texture. Pair this with a backless slip dress and watch jaws hit the floor.
16. The Double-Band Grecian Puff
Want to channel an actual goddess? Slide two thin metallic or satin headbands onto your head, spacing them an inch apart over a sleek front, and puff your curls up behind them.
Whether you leave the back loose or tuck it into an airy cloud, the double bands frame your face and lock down any hairline frizz. How easy is that for a last-minute black-tie invite?
17. Glamorous Half-Up Space Buns
Think space buns are only for music festivals? When styled with glossy, defined ringlets and a razor-sharp middle part, twin buns at the crown bring playful, youthful energy to the red carpet.
Leave the back half of your curls cascading past your shoulders and wrap a thin gold chain around the base of each bun. Who says formal events have to be boring?
18. Full-Throttle Studio 54 Disco Curls
When in doubt, go bigger! Inspired by Cher and Diana Ross, Studio 54 disco curls feature a center part and massive, triangle-free volume that cascades all the way past your collarbone.
Flip your head upside down, shake out your roots with a drop of lightweight hair oil, and mist with a dry texture spray. Which of these 18 red carpet looks are you screenshotting for your next big night out?
Should I wash my curly hair on the day of a red carpet or formal event?
If you are wearing your curls loose or in a wet-look style, wash-day hair gives the crispest definition, whereas updos and braids grip much better on second-day curls.
How do I keep my curly updo from getting frizzy in humid weather?
Layer an anti-humidity gel over your leave-in conditioner while your hair is soaking wet, diffuse until 100% dry, and seal the finished style with a light mist of alcohol-free shine spray.
What is the best way to secure thick, heavy curls without getting a headache?
Swap standard tight elastics for bungee bands or large spiral spin pins, which distribute the weight of thick curls evenly across your scalp without pulling on single follicles.
