As prom season approaches, you’re gearing up for a fun night with your friends full of dancing, taking photos and looking elegant. While your dress, shoes, jewelry and makeup all have a role to play, another essential part of your look is your hairstyle. But what are your options, and what’s the best prom hairstyle for you?
Short hair or long hair, updo or down, tons of prom hairstyles could be the perfect finishing touch to your look for the evening. Not sure which direction to go? We’ve got some suggestions for the best prom hairstyles, including fashionable accessories and ways to wear your hair, no matter your tastes or hair type.
The Best Prom Hairstyles
Look your best in selfies and out on the dance floor with a stunning prom hairstyle that features a style or accent that’s popular, yet elegant or dramatic, depending on your preference. Some of the best prom hairstyles can do the following.
- Be simple: Let your dress and makeup stand out with a simple hairstyle. Whether you wear your hair down or pull it all back, a straightforward hairstyle looks effortless and can save you time while getting ready.
- Include braids: From French to fishtail, braids are a perennial favorite accent to incorporate into prom hairstyles. A particular trend is to create a braid, then carefully pull at the sides along it to create a fuller, more dramatic look, so consider trying that for any style with braids that catches your eye.
- Feature a bun: Whether low or high, a bun is a staple in many formal hairstyles. Depending on the length of your hair, you can create a bun in anything from an updo to a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
- Show off curls: Waterfalls of waves and curls look so elegant and are trendy features of some of the best prom hairstyles. Warm up the curling iron, because plenty of prom hairstyles feature curls somewhere, whether framing your face or throughout the entire look.
Make sure any style you choose can last through a night of dancing. The best prom hairstyles are ones that stay out of your face and won’t come undone after a few dance moves. To secure everything and ensure your gorgeous hairstyle lasts well into the night, be sure to:
- Apply hairspray or gel to keep braids, buns and more in place
- Stick bobby pins in any area of the hairstyle that needs to be extra secure
- Bring extra bobby pins and a small, travel-sized hairspray or gel to the event just in case of hair emergencies
Above all else, choose a hairstyle that works for you. Whether you plan to dance all night or prefer to look stunning for pictures before and throughout the event, your hairstyle shouldn’t cause any issues that prevent you from focusing on having the best night of your life at prom.
Updo Prom Hairstyles
A beautiful updo is showstopping and an excellent option for those who want to show off a dramatic neckline or the shoulder details on their dress. Pair jewelry like a necklace or earrings with these hairstyles, because you’ll be able to flaunt them easily. You can also bring accessories into your updo prom hairstyles or add texture in other ways, such as these ideas.
- Featuring florals: Some faux flowers stuck into parts of your updo add a fairytale touch. Match them to your or your date’s corsage or boutonniere, or choose your favorite flower to accent your hairstyle.
- Adding some sparkle: Stand out with shining accessories, from glitter to faux pearls or rhinestones. Some looks add hair glitter along the part line, through a braid or on the back of the head under a high updo. If you want a dress with rhinestones or faux pearls, incorporate them into your hairdo as well, to tie everything together.
- Teasing it out: Add volume and drama to whatever style you choose by teasing your hair. Teasing is especially useful for those with thin or straight hair, since it gives you more texture and volume to work into a prom hair updo.
Keep those tips in mind as you take a look at some of our suggestions for updo prom hairstyles. You can adapt many of the looks below with your accessories and accents.
Low Buns
Transform your everyday messy bun into a stylish updo for prom. The simple style can transform into something sophisticated or trendy. When you go with a low bun, it has a more dramatic look than a ballerina or doughnut bun. You can use these ideas.
- Just a bun: Simple hairstyles are elegant and a snap to achieve, which is a perfect option for those doing DIY hairstyling. Gather your hair into a low bun above your neck at the base of your hairline. Whether you curl it first or leave your natural hair texture to stand out, a bun is a convenient, yet gorgeous, updo.
- A bun with a twist: Two twists, to be exact. Twist sections of your hair closest to your face on either side to meet in the back at your bun. It adds texture and a bit of volume to the typical bun and creates spots to add pearl, rhinestone or floral accents.
- An upgraded messy bun: If you still like the messy bun style and want to rock an updated version for prom, let some curls and tendrils loose. An intentionally messy, yet formal, bun will look appropriate all night long, even if it comes a bit undone. A messy formal bun also has a boho vibe that can give your prom look a unique touch.
Of course, if you like the sound of these looks, but not the idea of having a bun so low, adjust the hairstyle to suit your preference.
High Ponytails
Take this look from simple to formal with some extra steps, or have a straightforward hairstyle that’s sure to last you through the night. If you’re going with a high ponytail, consider the following ideas.
- Hide the hair tie: If you want a prom hairstyle that’s a bit more involved, take a section of hair to wrap around the ponytail. Secure the end with a bobby pin, and you’ve hidden your hair tie under your gorgeous locks.
- Pull it through: Give your ponytail a boost by pulling it through itself. Slick your hair into the usual ponytail and secure it. Above the hair tie, split the hair in two and feed the ponytail through the opening at the top, pulling it down to create a twisted look. You can even find tools to help you pull the ponytail through and achieve this look.
- Add bubbles: This style looks gorgeous on natural hair, but other prom-goers can achieve the look with some teasing. Take a simple ponytail and add bubbled sections using small hair ties for a Princess Jasmine look. Use a clear band, a tie that matches your hair or statement hair ties to add more drama to the look.
Ponytails aren’t only for gym class anymore with these glammed-up options, or you can get creative and try your spin on this simple look.
Faux-Hawk Looks
Give glam some edge with a dramatic hairstyle that mimics a mohawk without the commitment. For natural hair, go for a look that adds volume, sits at the top of the head and flows down in the back to a twisted tail at the end. Prom-goers with other hair types can create large curls and pin them strategically at the top of the head to gather at the center and create a faux-hawk.
Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Even prom-goers with short hair can get in on some of the best prom hairstyles. While you can always add extensions if you want long, flowing prom hairstyles, you can rock your pixie, bob, undercut or other shorter hairstyle for prom in many ways.
Headband Looks
If you aren’t sure how to style your short hair for prom, you can always add a stylish headband to upgrade your look. Think of the following ways to get texture, style and glam.
- Use your hair: Create a braid that travels from one side of your head to the other for a statement look. This style works best for those with bobs or other shoulder-length hairstyles.
- Add a flower crown: For a fairytale style, top your hair with a flower crown that features small blossoms. Choose one that fits snugly, pin it in place or take it off when it’s time to hit the dance floor to ensure it doesn’t fall off during the night.
- Throw on some sparkle: Glittering or blinged-out headbands add glam to a short hairstyle for prom. You can find one that suits your style or get crafty with a DIY project leading up to the big night to create exactly what you want.
You can add glitz by incorporating hair glitter on an undercut if your hairstyle doesn’t work with a headband, so your options are truly endless, even with short hair!
Vintage-Inspired
Short prom hairstyles can have a vintage feel, perfect for themed events or those who like their style to be a nod to previous decades. If you’ve got short hair, you can recreate styles like these.
- Mod: Evoke the 1950s and ’60s with a Mod hairstyle. For pixie cuts, go straight but keep the volume for a simple, yet stunning, look. For bobs, get ready to tease. Many Mod hairstyles feature a subtle bouffant or bump with wavy or straight hair, and you can either have side-swept bangs or frame your face with sections of hair swept to the sides along a middle part.
- Flapper: Short hair is perfect for a Roaring ’20s or Great Gatsby prom theme. Even if your event isn’t themed, you can still rock these looks! Finger waves and feathered headbands fit the 1920s style, but you can also wear your hair straight for short prom hairstyles inspired by this decade. Use a statement clip or gel and spray to form the hair by one side of your face into a statement curl or flip at the end that frames your face.
Be sure to check out some online inspiration for these decade styles, or take a reference photo to your stylist for the perfect replica of a vintage look.
A Faux Bun
Who says long hair gets to have all the updo fun? Create the volume of a bun without the hassle by adding curls to your hair, then gathering it to one side. Pin it strategically in place to create the look of a full and curly bun on the side of your head. Keep the other side sleek and tucked toward the faux bun for a realistic look in these prom hairstyles for short hair.
Prom Hairstyles for Long Hair
Let your locks flow with some stunning prom hairstyles for long hair. You have plenty of options, from updos to down styles and anything in between. Consider any of the other styles we mention throughout this guide, or use all that gorgeous hair to create a look like the ones described below.
Double Bun
With such long hair, why stop at one bun? Two gives more drama, volume and texture to your prom hairstyle. Create a low bun in the center with the lower section of your hair, then use the upper section to offset another bun to the side. You can blend them into each other by making a messier look, or set them apart with decorative hair clips, combs or other accents.
Cascading Waves and Curls
Long hair becomes a dramatic statement with curls or waves. Add texture and dimension with the following styles.
- A halo or crown braid: These styles feature braids that circle your head like a beautiful halo or crown. When you have long hair, it will be easier to do one braid to create the entire crown, like a Dutch braid — aka a reverse French braid.
- A waterfall braid: A long hairstyle gets a cascading touch with the appropriately named waterfall braid. This braid has the similar integrated look of a French braid, but sections of the braid fall as it goes across the back or side of your head. Check out some tutorials if this will be your first time trying a waterfall braid.
Whether or not you add braids to your long hairstyle, create or show off your curls for a showstopping look!
Half-Up, Half-Down Prom Hairstyles
If you like how an updo is out of the way, but also prefer to wear your hair down, get the best of both with half-up, half-down prom hair. They’re a great way to show off thicker hair or flaunt your curls and other hairstyle accents.
Half Pulled Back
The most popular half-up, half-down hairstyle pulls the top layer of hair off your head into an updo. Add your style by:
- Twisting sections of hair near your face on either side and pulling them back to add texture
- Braiding the sections for a more elaborate look
- Pulling everything back for a sleek and simple hairstyle
These styles can be so uncomplicated, yet elegant, so be sure to consider trying one for your prom day!
Bump It Up
Give height to half-up, half-down prom hairstyles with a teased bump. The extra volume can take any half-up look to an elegant or dramatic level. Whether you pull half of your hair back into a bun, a ponytail or clip it together, you can make the sections meet under a subtle bump for a stunning formal hairdo.
Prom Hairstyles Down
Nothing is as elegant as leaving most of your hair loose for prom. If you aren’t one for styling your hair and you don’t have enough time — or patience! — to sit through a session with a professional, a down look is for you.
With bangs or hair that frames your face, it may become an issue as you dance the night away. Include a clip, headband or subtle bobby pins so you won’t have to fix your hair all night. You can also use gel, hairspray or other sculpting hair products to hold everything in place.
Create a Dramatic Part
If you want to wear a down hairstyle for prom, add a touch of style to your usual ‘do. Parting your hair to the side changes your usual look just enough to stand out for a formal event. You can then curl or straighten your hair, depending on the look you want. Large curls can have a princess vibe, while straight hair looks sleek and modern, but either look will go with a dramatic side part.
Include Some Braids
Get a boho or textured vibe with a braid or two close to your face in a down hairstyle, keeping everything vertical. A thin braid is subtle and delicate, while a wider one adds more dramatic texture. Remember that you can gently pull at the sides along a braid to add volume and make a look that’s different from an everyday down style.
Find Your Dream Prom Dress to Complement Your Prom Hairstyle
Choosing a hairstyle for prom may be easier if you already have a dress in mind. You can match the look of your hairstyle to that of your dress, going modern or fairytale based on the style of your dress or using an updo style to show off a dramatic neckline. At Alexandra’s too we have dress styles for every prom-goer!
Browse our prom dresses to find what’s perfect for you. We have a wide selection of stunning designers, dress shapes, lengths and styles. You’re sure to find your dream dress that will go perfectly with any of the gorgeous prom hairstyles above, so get searching today!