Turning 21 is the perfect opportunity to choose the most stunning dress, makeup, and hairstyle to feel like a true diva. Whether you decide to wear your hair all down, partially up, or opt for a classic updo, this list has something for everyone. You’ll find formal, romantic, and more casual options. Enjoy our 21 favorite hairstyles for your 21st birthday!
1. Bow Half Updo
A simple wavy half updo will give you a cute look with an effortless vibe. To make it more special and unique, consider adding a bow made from your own hair!
2. Wet Hairstyle
If your dream is to have a modern, polished style for your big birthday celebration, wet hair is something you will adore. It’s a super fashionable, feminine look with a shiny finish that’s made to make you feel like a true Hollywood star!
3. High Braided Ponytail
Are braids really only for casual, everyday situations? Not at all! A braid can be fancy enough for your 21st birthday celebration. Combine it with a high, sleek ponytail and a few loose hairs in the front, and watch everyone admire your beautiful style!
4. Sleek Straight Long Hairstyle
You love your long hair, and wearing it all down is your favorite go-to style. Your 21st birthday is a special occasion, but you don’t want a fancy updo; you’d rather wear your hair the way you like best. So go ahead and do just that—don’t feel any pressure to change it up! Just look at how elegant and chic a simple, sleek, straight long hairstyle can be.
5. Wavy Low Ponytail
Here’s a classic that’s perfect for events like weddings, proms, homecoming, or birthday celebrations. A wavy low ponytail is sophisticated and classy—ideal for your grand entrance into adulthood.
6. Elegant Low Bun
Soft, romantic, and feminine, a low bun is always an elegant choice. A floral decoration, like this white one, makes this birthday hairstyle even more lovely.
7. Short Hairstyle With One Side Pinned
When your hair is long, it feels like the hairstyle options are endless. However, even if you’re in the short hair phase as your 21st birthday approaches, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have the most fabulous style. Here’s a beautiful idea for a short hairstyle with one side pinned, looking both charming and pretty.
8. Soft Relaxed High Bun
If you prefer big, messy buns over polished ones, this relaxed high bun is a great choice. It will make you look glamorous and ready to dance the night away!
9. Backwards Bubble Braid Into A High Bun
Not a fan of the standard, usual hairstyles that many girls choose for their 21st birthday? Looking for something bold and unique? Then this might be your favorite choice: a backward bubble braid leading into a high bun. Anyone who sees your hairstyle from the back will definitely agree it’s a piece of art!
10. Infinity Bun
Drama, style, and glam: you’ll get all of these with a cool, large infinity bun!
11. Braids And Curls Birthday Hairstyle
Feminine and romantic, this combination of braids and curls is the perfect choice for your birthday hairstyle if you’re aiming for a sweet, soft look.
12. Mid-Height Wavy Ponytail
This ponytail style pairs so well with a fancy dress and professional makeup. The waves and mid-height position, instead of the usual low or high pony, are simply irresistible!
13. Voluminous Half-Up Ponytail
Super voluminous hairstyles are so powerful, making your hair the center of attention and the first thing all your guests will notice. This bouncy half-up ponytail also lets you show your pretty face and makeup on your special day in the best way possible.
14. Sleek Low Bun
Want your hair to stay perfectly in place all night long, without worrying about a single strand falling out? In that case, this sleek low bun should be your top choice—it’s neat, clean, and effortlessly stylish.
15. Big Soft Glam Waves
Big and glamorous is exactly how your hair should be for a special night like this, and nothing beats classic waves in achieving that look!
16. Sleek Low Ponytail
A sleek low ponytail is a sophisticated updo that will give off the impression of a confident young woman who really knows what she’s doing!
17. Messy French Twist
Some hair updos are timeless, always looking classy and elegant. One of these is the French twist—a style that was popular in the ’50s and remains a beloved classic to this day. If it feels a bit too serious for your 21st birthday, you can ask your stylist to make it slightly messy, just like in the picture above.
18. Top Knot With Fringe
Use your fringe as your secret weapon to upgrade any hairstyle! For instance, a simple top knot might seem too basic for your big celebration, but when paired with stylish bangs, it instantly transforms into a chic and elegant look.
19. Glam Blowout Hairstyle
A simple blowout can transform your hair into a glamorous party hairstyle, so don’t dismiss basic ideas like this—you might be pleasantly surprised by the result.
20. Braided Crown
A braided crown will make you feel classy and like a real-life princess on your big birthday party!
21. Textured Bob Hairstyle
You normally love your trendy bob hairstyle, but are you worried you won’t have enough hair for the perfect birthday party look? Don’t be! Just ask for a textured style, and watch your bob transform into the prettiest celebration hairstyle you could have imagined!