Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (2024)

Jackie Summers | March 12, 2019

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Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (1)

Prom night is the red carpet for real people. So it goes without saying--your dress, your makeup, and your hair style must all be completely on-point. Here are seven prom hair style ideas, for every hair length, guaranteed to produce memorable photos and a memorable night.

Long Hair Styles for Prom

Romantic Tendrils

Prom night isn’t the time to hold back. Go for head-turning glamour with big, bouncy, side-swept curls and loads of volume all over!

Get the Look:

    1. Spray your hair with texturizing hairspray or dry shampoo.

    2. Separate the top from the bottom and tease the roots on the top section.

    3. Curl narrow horizontal sections with a ¾-inch curling iron.

    4. After creating each curl, keep it curled and clip it to your head.

    5. Once all hair is curled and cool, release the clips.

    6. Gently gather all the curls to one side, allowing the top to remain full.

    7. Place a row of bobby pins vertically behind the ear of the curly side to keep the hair in place. (Be sure the pins match your hair color.)

    Ballerina Braid

    This chic and sleek hairstyle shape will make you feel all grown up on your special night!

    Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (2)

    Get the Look:

      1. Before drying your hair, apply a humidity-resistant styling oil or hair styling crème to prevent frizz and keep your hair shiny and sleek.

      2. Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure.

      3. Braid the lengths of the ponytail and secure the bottom with an elastic.

      4. At the nape of your neck flip the braid upward.

      5. Pin the braid against your head, along each side, and tuck the ends inside the braid to hide them.

      6. Gently pull the pinned braid on the sides to expand the shape.

      Majestic Half Up Half Down Hairstyle

      If you’re looking for a prom hair style that shines from every angle, this is the one.

      Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (3)

      Get the Look:

        1. Prep hair with dry shampoo.

        2. Curl your hair with a medium-barrel curling iron.

        3. Divide your hair in half, top and bottom and clip away the top.

        4. Gather the bottom in a ponytail at the midpoint of the back and secure with an elastic.

        5. Release the top section and divide it in half vertically.

        6. Gently gather each half and pull the hair through the ponytail elastic.

        7. Loosen the sides with the end of a tail comb, and allow a few tendrils to frame the face.

        8. Wrap a section of hair around the elastic and pin it to secure.

        9. Mist with hair spray to control flyaway hairs and keep the style in place.

        Medium Hair Styles for Prom

        Boho Waves

        Flowy, romantic dress? Top it with these polished, upgraded beach waves.

        Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (4)

        Get the Look:

          1. Prep wet hair with a volumizing styling foambefore drying.

          2. Create a center part and then divide your hair into vertical sections.

          3. Mist each section with a volumizing hair spray.

          4. Place a flat iron at eye level in each section. Rotate the iron one half turn away from your face.

          5. With lots of tension, ribbon the section through the iron. Release the iron before you reach the ends.

          6. Repeat on each section until all your hair is curled.

          7. Place your fingers at the scalp and gently tousle your hair to blend the curls.

          Prom Hairstyle with Hair Accessory

          Give your curls a night off with a smooth, textured bob hair style. A jeweled hair accessory elevates the look to princess status.

          Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (5)

          Get the Look:

            1. The night before the prom, treat your hair with a butter-infused, overnight maskto produce soft, touchable texture.

            2. The next day, shampoo and condition your hair with butter-infused formulas designed to amplify softness.

            3. Apply a butter-infused conditioning styling crème to damp hair and blow dry. Work in small sections and be sure each section is completely dry before moving on to the next. Lift the top sections to produce volume.

            4. Mist dry hair with a heat-protection spray and go back through each section with a flat iron.

            5. Top it all off with your sparkly tiara!

            Short Hair Styles for Prom

            High and Tight

            You’ll bring the drama with this uplifted, sleek hairstyle.

            Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (6)

            Get the Look:

              1. Apply volumizing foam to clean, damp hair.

              2. With a blow dryer and small round brush, create curls throughout the longer top section. Clip each curl into place to cool.

              3. Use a vent brush to smooth and dry the shorter bottom and side sections.

              4. Release the clips on top and re-curl each with a narrow curling cone.

              5. When the hair is cool, lift the top with your fingers to encourage lift and volume and to blend the curls.

              6. Work a small around of hair styling paste through the top, to break up the curls.

              7. Finish with a firm-hold hairspray.

              Blue Steel Pixie

              Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (7)

              Embrace the gray hair trend with your pixie haircut. This hair color is special because the metallic silver hair is enlivened with a touch of blue. A smooth finished texture will show your hair color off to perfection!

              Get the Look:

                1. Work a lightweight blow dry crème through damp hair.

                2. Place the nozzle on your blow dryer. Using a vented styling brush, direct the back sections downward, and the side and top sections toward your face.

                3. Once your hair is dry, work a small amount ofpomade through the longer sections to add shine and separation.

                Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (8)

                Prom How To Hairstyles for Long, Medium, Short Hair | Matrix (2024)

                FAQs

                How should I do my hair for prom? ›

                You can never go wrong with a straight hairstyle. It's a low-maintenance hairstyle that looks sleek and sophisticated. This hairstyle is sure to hold up through all the dancing you'll be doing on prom night! Incorporating a braid into any natural hairstyle is the perfect way to add an interesting element.

                What hairstyle is good for prom? ›

                For a simple prom hairstyle that will complement more dramatic makeup, opt for a bubble ponytail. It's a look you can actually easily do at home. Start by pulling your mane into a high ponytail at the crown of your head.

                Should my hair be up or down for prom? ›

                "If it's off the shoulder, a sweetheart cut or strapless, wearing your hair down would look the best," said Lathan. "For those that have a lot going on along the neckline or have a lot of jewelry, try an updo.

                How can I look prettiest at prom? ›

                We all feel stressed getting ready for any big occasion, so take care of a few things early and prep a week ahead of time.
                1. Get glowing skin. ...
                2. Whiten your smile. ...
                3. Clean up your brows. ...
                4. Hydrate your hair. ...
                5. Use a good deodorant or antiperspirant product. ...
                6. Add a pop of color to the eyes. ...
                7. Change up your hair.
                Apr 17, 2014

                How do you stand out at prom? ›

                Be unique: Obviously your personal style, accessorizing talents, and inner confidence will make your prom look completely one-of-a-kind. Plus, with so many combinations of style customizations and color options, it'll be pretty hard to have a “who wore it best” moment on the dance floor.

                What is a prom dress code? ›

                Prom is a formal event and you are expected to wear formal attire. Formal prom attire may be classified as a dress, tuxedo, dress suit, including a tie or bow tie, a dress shirt, which may include a vest or cummerbund, and dress shoes. ● Dresses may be strapless (if they fit properly) or include spaghetti straps.

                How do you get messy medium length hair? ›

                Keep It Loose. If you have long or medium-length hair, stay away from any slick or tight buns, braids or ponytails. The key to mastering messy is to stay loose when you sweep your hair up off your shoulders.

                Should I wear my hair down for prom? ›

                With its elegant feel, a chic, slicked back hairstyle is perfect for a formal occasion like prom. Plus, if you need some extra bling you can add some glitter to your hair like Florence Pugh.

                How do you flip medium length hair? ›

                Wrap the top of the hair in each section around the brush and place the blow dryer underneath. Begin blow-drying the section until you reach the mid-lengths of your hair. Then, twist the brush up and away from your face and continue blow drying to create a flipped out look.

                How many days before prom should I get a haircut? ›

                If you do a simple, short style, then you should get your hair cut a few days leading up to the time you put on that rose tuxedo. If you rock a longer, shaggier style, then get your hair cut about two weeks leading up to your prom or wedding night.

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