Simple Hairstyles for a Ball

A special occasion calls for a hairstyle that lasts, flatters and boosts your confidence – and it doesn’t have to mean spending an hour at the salon. With ball season coming up, we’re often looking for inspiration we can actually recreate at home. In this article, you’ll find a few festive hairstyles with step-by-step instructions. All you need is a few tools – and the result will be so worth it!

1) TWISTED HALF-UP (ELEGANCE IN A FEW MINUTES)

A soft, romantic hairstyle that looks festive but you can easily do it yourself at home. The principle is simple: you create three small half-up ponytails underneath each other, twist each one through a small “hole” (a flipped ponytail), and then gently pull out sections to add volume and softness. Finally, you hide the elastics with a decorative clip.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 3 small thin hair ties (ideally in your hair colour), a decorative clip / bow (to hide the elastics), a curling iron (to curl the bottom lengths at the end), texturizing spray, hairspray, bobby pins, heat protection

STEP-BY-STEP

1. Prep your hair: Brush your hair and add a bit of texture if you want soft waves.
2. Create the ponytails::

• First half-up ponytail: Take an equal section of hair from the left and right side of your head, bring them together at the back and secure with a small elastic – this creates a small half-up ponytail. Above the elastic, use your fingers to create a small hole (a gap close to the scalp) and flip the ponytail through the hole from top to bottom – this creates an elegant little twist.
• Second half-up ponytail: gain take new sections from the left and right side, a bit lower (under the first twist). Add them to the hair under the first half-up ponytail and secure with a second elastic directly beneath the first ponytail. Create a hole above the elastic and flip this ponytail through from top to bottom.
• Third half-up ponytail (the lowest) – finishing the chain: In the same way, take more sections from the sides a bit lower down. Now you have a “cascade” of three flipped sections – that layered effect you see in the picture.

3. Add volume: oGently pull out small sections from each twisted part to the sides (start small, then add more). Tip: focus on the top “arches” of each twist to create a soft, airy volume.
4. Final accessory: Pin a elegant hair clip or hair ribbon over the bottom section (where the elastics are most visible) so that it completely hides the small elastics and the hairstyle looks clean and polished.
5. Finish the waves: Spray heat protection on the lengths and curl the loose bottom sections with a curling iron – just a few soft waves or lightly curled ends away from the face are enough to make the style look polished and romantic.
6. Final styling: Set the hairstyle with hairspray

2) FESTIVE HALF-UP WITH BRAIDS

Looking for a hairstyle that feels soft, festive and still natural? This one is a safe bet. Two side braids create a decorative detail that the half-up ponytail is cleverly looped through – giving the style an elegant shape and a clean finish.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 3–4 small thin elastics, curling iron (for curling the bottom lengths at the end), hairspray, heat protection

STEP-BY-STEP

1. Two side braids + half-up ponytail: Take a small section from the left and right side of your face and braid each into a simple three-strand braid. Secure the ends with small elastics. From the top section of your hair, make a half-up ponytail and secure with an elastic.
2. Join the braids: Bring both braids together at the back and tie them together with one elastic (right where the braiding ends). You now have a “small ponytail” made of two braids.
3. Twist the braided ponytail: Twist this joined braided ponytail about 180° with your fingers (as if you’re making a little twist). A space will open above the elastic – use your fingers to create a hole. Take the half-up ponytail from the top (the one you made at the beginning) and pull it up through the hole in the braided ponytail – from bottom to top.
4. Tighten: Once the half-up ponytail is pulled through, tighten both parts: pull the half-up closer to the head and tighten the braided ponytail so everything sits firmly in place.
5. Finish the waves: Spray heat protection on the hair and curl the loose lengths with a curling iron – just a few soft waves or lightly curled ends away from the face to keep the look polished and romantic.
6. Final styling: Set the hairstyle with hairspray

3) SLEEK LOW PONYTAIL WITH WAVY LENGTHS

This hairstyle proves that even a simple ponytail can look truly glamorous. The roots are smooth and polished, beautifully highlighting your facial features and jewellery, while the lengths are softly waved for a luxurious finish.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• A brush (ideally with soft bristles), a strong hair elastic (preferably in your hair colour), 1–2 bobby pins, smoothing gel / hairspray / cream (optional), curling iron or straightener to create waves in the lengths, heat protectant, shine spray

STEP-BY-STEP

1. Smooth the top section: Brush your hair back with a hairbrush. For an extra sleek look like in the photo, apply a small amount of smoothing cream or gel to the top layer and brush through so the surface looks smooth and glossy.
2. Create a low ponytail: Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with a strong elastic.
3. Hide the elastic with a strand of hair: Take a thin section from the ponytail (about 1–2 cm), wrap it around the elastic and tuck the end underneath. Secure it with a bobby pin (or two crossed pins) so it stays in place all evening.
4. Curl the lengths into big waves: Spray the ponytail with heat protection and curl the lengths with a curling iron or straightener into loose, large waves. Tip: For a similar effect to the photo, let the hair fall into one elegant S-shape rather than tight curls.
5. Finishing styling: Set the hairstyle with hairspray and apply a shine spray designed to reflect light and create a radiant hair effect.
6. Final touch: For an even more festive look, add an hair accessory – you can place a decorative hair clip or hair ribbon at the base of the ponytail or above the waves.