8 Glamorous Pageant Hairstyles That Steal The Spotlight

Pageant perfect hairstyles for a glam, crown-worthy look!

Reviewed by Danielle Wilkinson Brucklacher, Licensed Cosmetologist Danielle Wilkinson Brucklacher Danielle Wilkinson BrucklacherLicensed Cosmetologist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Pahul Nanra, BA (English Hons) Pahul Nanra BA (English Hons) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Fact-checked by Joyce Joyson, MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) Joyce Joyson MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) linkedin_icon
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Pageant hairstyles have often always been associated with long, voluminous tresses. However, recent pageant hair trends have seen a refreshing mix of hairstyles that celebrate individuality. Remember the effortless long bob of Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, or Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019, who wore her hair natural in the pageant? Today’s pageants are witnessing more dynamic and bold hairstyles stealing the spotlights. They exude bold femininity and challenge conventional beauty standards. So, if you are preparing to be on stage or just looking for a hairstyle that celebrates your inner queen, we have some pageant-worthy hairstyle inspiration for you. Explore our collection of top pageant hairstyles that will inspire you to spruce up your look and book that salon appointment. Scroll down!

Overview Of Pageant Hairstyles

Pageant hairstyles usually feature voluminous curls, sleek updos, half-up half-down styles, intricate braids, and low buns. These hairstyles aim to create an elegant, sophisticated, and feminine look. The hairstyles are typically chosen and styled to complement the contestant’s outfit and enhance their facial features. The focus was mainly on a more structured and manageable hairstyle. However, modern pageants have seen a shift from traditional, grand hairstyles to embracing styles that are modern, trendy, and elegant at the same time. There’s also been a shift toward embracing natural hair, instead of resorting to wigs and extensions, celebrating diversity and individuality. Although, it’s important to choose a hairstyle that suits the contestant’s face shape and the overall look. Below, we have listed some trendy, glamorous, and pageant-worthy hairstyles you can check out!

Crowning Glory: 8 Stunning Pageant Hairstyles To Shine On Stage

Here’s our specially curated list of 8 pageant hairstyles that are guaranteed to boost your appearance and your confidence too! Take a look.

1. Pageant Hairstyles For Long Hair

A woman with a loose Dutch braid hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Long tresses can be challenging to manage sometimes. Thus, braids are a great option to adorn! And who said braids are boring and not pageant-worthy? This hairstyle features a long braid at the back of the head to keep the strands intact for longer. The hair at the crown has been crimped to add texture and the loose locks of hair frame her face beautifully on both sides. The braided sections have been slightly pulled to give a pancake braid look and imitate volume.

2. Pageant Hairstyle For Black Hair

An African-American woman with a curly hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Remember Kaliegh Garris who was crowned Miss Teen USA, in 2019? She rocked her natural curly afro hair and sported a hairstyle similar to this one. This fluffy, face-framing afro hair is parted on one side, showcasing the curls on both sides. The defined tendrils are literally “popping”, creating a stunning pattern. You further enhance the look by adding some highlights at the ends.

3. Pageant Hairstyle For Short Hair

A woman with a wavy lob hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

You can never go wrong with a lob hairstyle, especially if you have an oval face. The hairdo image above features a blow-dried, wavy, long bob haircut. The blonde highlights on the caramel hair look gorgeous and allow the hairstyle to stand out. For a modern and elegant look, this hairstyle would be the perfect choice!

4. Half-Up Pageant Hairstyle

A woman with a curly half updo hairstyle with a hair clip
Image: Shutterstock

Here’s the ultimate glam, voluminous hairstyle that’s totally pageant-worthy! If you are looking for something grand, take inspiration from this half-up pageant hairstyle! Some of the tresses are held back using hair pins, which aids in achieving the half-up, half-down hairdo look. This curly half-up hairstyle exudes sophistication and allure.

5. Pageant Hairstyle For Curly Hair

A woman with voluminous curls hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

If you have textured and curly hair, here’s a style that is both chic and casual. The hair is parted in the front, with loose curls cascading over both shoulders. The hair on the crown has been teased to create a bouffant so that the crown sits comfortably on the head. This slightly tousled curly hairstyle has a messy vibe but also ensures that the overall look oozes a polished sophistication. You may use a little amount of curl-defining gel or spray on the tresses to keep the look intact for longer and combat any frizziness along the way.

6. Pageant Ponytail Hairstyle

A woman with a trendy twist ponytail hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Why settle for a basic, boring ponytail when you can add a little twist to it, quite literally? To recreate the stylish hairdo, start by dividing your hair into two sections. Take the top section and give it a light twist, then continue the twist as you wrap it around the bottom section. Finally, secure the ponytail with a hair tie. If your hair is too silky, you can tie a ponytail with a rubber band and then wrap the upper strands around it to cover the band.

7. Pageant Bun Hairstyle

A woman with a simple low bun hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

A low bun is perfect for individuals who have medium-length hair and are aiming for an elegant hairstyle. The versatile hairdo can either be worn in its simplest form or upgraded with hair accessories like fancy, embellished hair pins with intricate details. Furthermore, it keeps hair neatly out of the way so you know you would be making a stylish as well as practical choice.

8. Pageant Hairstyle For Straight Hair

A woman with sleek, straight hair hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

Sleek, straight hair has always been a timeless look that suits all occasions. Whether you are planning for a casual brunch or something more formal, like a pageant competition, just know that sleek, long tresses will win you additional points. You can either appreciate the natural beauty of your hair or enhance their look with some accessories that will further upscale the look. Moreover, to achieve the desired look, you can flat-iron the hair after applying heat protection spray and finish off with a shine serum to make your hair look glossy and smooth.

From wavy lobs and voluminous curls, to pancake braids, pageant hairstyles offer endless possibilities. The hairdos not only captivate visually but also exude femininity as well and celebrate the beauty of versatility. As you decide to step onto the stage, the spotlights will be on your face, making it really important to select a hairstyle that complements your face shape, features, and overall appearance. We hope the above list has provided you with some good hairstyle inspiration and ideas for your upcoming pageant and other special or casual events!

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Danielle Wilkinson Brucklacher
Danielle Wilkinson BrucklacherLicensed Cosmetologist
Danielle obtained her cosmetology license from MTI College and continued with her education in Makeup Artistry at Bellus Academy. She then began session styling for weddings and special events, including celebrity occasions.

Read full bio of Danielle Wilkinson Brucklacher
Pahul Nanra
Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

Read full bio of Pahul Nanra
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Joyce Joyson
Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

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