20+ Graduation Hairstyles That Won't Give You Cap Hair
So you’ve got your cap and gown — now it’s time to consider graduation hairstyles. Graduation hair, of course, comes with a very unique (and very real) challenge: finding a hairstyle that will work with your cap.
Luckily, there are plenty of styles that will work. You could opt for unique braids that turn into the prettiest party-ready waves when you set them loose or a twisty updo that keeps your hair off your neck. Then there are textured ponies that actually look even cooler if you embrace a few natural flyaways.
Those are just a few ideas — keep scrolling to discover more than 20 graduation hairstyles that are perfect for your walk across the stage!
Courtesy of Instagram/@ryanrichman1/22Side-Parted Pony
A deep side part, frizz-free strands, and a low slung pony all work together to create this chic graduation day style. Weatherproof your 'do with a Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil to get strands as sleek as possible. Elevate the look my wrapping a one-inch piece section around the band and bobby pin it into place (a classic, one-minute red carpet trick).
Courtesy of Instagram/@sarahpotempa2/22Multi-Braid Ponytail
Keep your hair out of the way (and your neck cool underneath that oversized gown!) with a multi-braid pony. Sarah Potempa, literal hair magician, created this style to take a traditional ponytail to the next level. To give the hair grip, we love to prime it with Pureology Hydrate Air Dry Cream. You can add extra length and thickness with extensions (we love the ones from Glam Seamless) and try any mix of different braid styles down the length of the ponytail — like a classic three-strand braid that turns into a fishtail.
Courtesy of Instagram/@yarashahidi3/22Natural Curls
Boost the natural volume of your curls for graduation day by lifting your roots with a volumizing spray like Oribe Voluminsta — you can also rake a curl cream like Carol's Daughter Hair Milk through with your fingers for added definition. Simply grab a few bobby-pins to secure your cap to the crown of your head, and you're good to go!
Courtesy of Instagram/@kristen_ess4/22Beach Waves and Ribbons
It might not seem like an obvious pairing at first, but tousled beach waves go great with dainty accessories. Grab a texturizing spray like Shu Uemura Liquid Fabric, give it a spritz, then tie everything off with velvet ribbon.
Getty Images5/22Two-Texture Ponytail
Play around with different textures by pulling your hair into a low pony and creating a sleek center part. Above the elastic, slick your strands down with a smoothing serum like Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Double Serum, while playing up your natural volume with a texturizing spray throughout the rest of the hair.
Courtesy of Instagram/@jennychohair6/22French Twist — With a Twist
Consider this style a twist on the classic French twist. Create two pigtails and use bobby pins to twist and secure your style into place before pulling them together into a single ponytail at the nape of your neck. To get everything to stay in place (while keeping hair hydrated), try Living Proof Perfect Hair Day. We love the way the taut style will stay put from pre-ceremony pictures all the way to the after-party.
Courtesy of Instagram/@lucyhale7/22Slicked-Back Mini Bun
Who says short hair isn't versatile? Take a cue from Lucy Hale's mini bun at the nape of her neck, which was made modern with high-shine (almost wet-looking) strands (recreate the effect with a dollop of ColorProof PowerSculpt Hard Hold Gel) and a cool-girl middle part.
Courtesy of Instagram/@riawna8/22Loose Rope Braid
We've double-tapped our way through hairstylist Riawna Capri's feed for years, and every so often we find one like this look that's screenshot-worthy. We love the juxtaposition of a rope braid in the back and drape-y layers in the front that add softness to the look. Smooth a few drops of Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beauté over your strands for the prettiest finish (and scent!).
Courtesy of Instagram/@leletny9/22Statement Barrettes
Slept through your graduation day alarm? No problem. Backcomb the roots, give your hair a twist or two and secure it in place with a couple of shiny, sleek barrettes. Don't over think this style — you want to lean into that undone, bedhead feel — best achieved with a scoop of Lush Dirty Styling Cream.
Courtesy of Instagram/@maneaddicts10/22Faux Highlights
Beachy waves get a cool update with eye-catching pink highlights. (If you already have blonde hair, one of our favorite ways to add the perfect pink hue is with the Davines Alchemic Conditioner Red.) Stand out from the crowd with temporary hair streaks — they look particularly fun peeking out from underneath your cap. For the perfect finishing touch, add a texturizing boost with Davines This Is a Sea Salt Spray.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@riawnacapri11/22Braid-and-Seek
For those wondering whether to wear hair down or in a braid, take a cue from the always chic Emma Roberts. Riawna created this hideaway braid on her: just the thing to offset the tassel on your cap. Pull on the braid to loosen it for a similar effect, and tuck it behind your ear so it peeks out.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@bellathorne12/22The Curl and Cap
Let’s say you just want to go glam — just more grad night than prom night. The solution? Looser curls tend to feel more daytime-casual when you’re working with heat tools. Bella Thorne's loose curls make for a perfect graduation hairstyle. Start by createing some flowing waves and then working your fingers through for a more lived-in effect. For a look like this, use a medium-sized curling iron (so think 1.25”-1.5” barrels). If you’re using curl creams or oils, you’ll want to keep that product on the ends.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@yarashahidi13/22Sleek to Curls
This Yara Shahidi red carpet moment is the perfect example of cap-ready hair. It’s sleek and pulled back on the top, then transitions to beautiful volume toward the ends. Use a smoothing shine spray (try SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Moisture Mist ) on natural hair from mid-length to ends for lightweight shine.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@riawnacapri14/22The Looped Pony
If you’re going with a ponytail, polish up the back with a little looping action, like the style Riawna created on Nina Dobrev. The ponytail loops and tucks over itself through the space above your hair elastic. It’s both cool — and cooling.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@zendaya15/22Piece-y Perfection
If you’re rocking a pixie at grad, Zendaya is goals. We love how this look mixes piece-y, tousled texture with a touchably soft finish. To hold short styles in place all day, use a surf spray to help maintain texture (we love Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion). Spritz it when it’s wet and then some more when it’s dry, and then scrunch it up.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@arianagrande16/22Half-Up, Half-Down à la Grande
Ariana’s go-to ‘do is a great graduation hairstyle. It keeps your hair off your face, but still allows you to wear it down. For longer styles like this one, keep everything in place with a light-hold hairspray. Mist the hair from about one foot away.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@jamiejchung17/22Parted and Loose
Let’s talk graduation parts: middle, side, or deep side? Jamie Chung makes a convincing case for the latter two with this combination of loose, polished waves and a modern side part. This style works best with some volume, so be prepared to revive your hair after you toss your cap. Keep a travel-size dry shampoo in your bag and and dust it through your roots as needed.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@gigihadid18/22Beachy Beauty
When hair is more mussed like this, you want to make sure it doesn’t veer into messy territory over time. To keep the style more beachy and less messy, perfect your blowout. Rough dry your hair until it's 80% dry, then going over hair with a round brush for the last 20 percent. The key is to make sure it's completely dry because any leftover moisture can make hair fall flat.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@taylorswift19/22Bang Brilliance
Taylor’s triumph at the Billboard Music Awards was a stellar example of how to style bangs. Heat and a little product will go a long way in keeping shorter lengths wispy and piece-y, whether you’re on the red carpet or walking across that graduation stage. While sleek and chic styles have their place, hair with movement tends to look more modern.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@mararoszak20/22The Falling Fishtail
One of our favorite graduation hairstyles for long hair is a low, loose fishtail braid. Basically, that would be the braid hairstylist Mara Roszak did on Cara Delevingne at the Paper Towns premiere. Note that the pieces above the braid and around the face are slightly curled to give some shape to the style.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@mararoszak21/22Wavy Bob
Check out this wavy bob on Lily Collins, which frames the face perfectly. Use a flatiron to create subtle bends in the hair, and polish it off with some product. Try L’Oreal Professionals Architexture to give the graduation hairstyle control and shine.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@lucyhale22/22Architectural Lob
We’ll end with Lucy Hale’s architectural lob — the work of Lacy Redway. For those in search for a style as structured as a graduation cap, this option bends the hair slightly out, rather than in. Run a few drops of R + Co Tinsel Smoothing Oil over the top for a sleek finish (a few passes with a flatiron won’t hurt either), then concentrate all your waving below the top of the ear. And note: as Lucy demonstrates, an eye-catching style like this pairs extremely well with a vibrant lip.
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