23 Perfectly Gorgeous Down Hairstyles for Prom

Loose Waves on Long, Fine Hair

Instagram @studioeightysix86

Loose waves on long, fine hair are an easy and effective way to add volume, body, and movement to a prom hairstyle. Fine hair is easy to style but curls tend to fall out faster. To avoid this, use light products and remember, less is more. Fine hair is more easily weighed down by hair products, especially heavy or wet products. Try to use dry products like volume powder or dry texture spray and avoid touching the curls as much as possible as the natural oils in the skin will break down the products and weigh down curls.

Romantic Fishtail Braid

Instagram @razhairdesign

A forest vixen straight from the fairy tales is the ultimate dream! Wear a crown of loosely braided hair merging into a sublime ponytail for a dreamy appearance.

Gorgeous Crystal Headband

Instagram @hairstyledby_k

Embellish your long locks with your best sparkly accessory instead of using plenty of pins and hairspray! For sure, you’ll feel like royalty for the rest of the night!

Simple Braid

Instagram @hairbytoriwest

Stylist Tori tips that it’s all about the details when sporting a classic yet super glam look like this. Crown your head with loosely fish-braided thin pieces while letting your blonde beach waves fall charmingly.

Deep Side Part

Instagram @chancellarwelch

If you feel proud of your gorgeous luscious hair, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with simply letting your hair down at prom. A deep side part can add elegance and charm to your whole look. Just be sure to style it with the right products so it’ll stay soft and shiny all night long! When it comes to hairstyles for prom, down ‘dos create a simpler, chic look.

Sweet Waterfall Braid

Instagram @shar_stylist

Q&A with style creator, Sharmay Bergonio
Hairstylist @ Citylooks Salon and Spa in Winnipeg, MB

How would you describe this look?

This hairstyle represents a simple yet elegant look. The versatility and simplicity of this hairstyle allow one to work with both curly or straight hair. The cutest part would definitely be the smoothness that is portrayed in the braid through the waterfall effect.

Any advice for someone considering it?

I would recommend this style to people with medium/long hair. The type of products I would use to achieve this look is hairspray or texturizing spray. The products combined give the hair a grit like feeling. This is especially important if the hair is too silky, disabling it from holding the acquired shape.

Adaptable Glamour

Instagram @hairbynataliew

Q&A with style creator, Natalie Webb
Independent Hair Artist / Contractor @ AE Studios in Asheville, NC

How would you describe this look?

My favorite thing about this look is how versatile it is, which is why I would describe it as adaptable glamour.

Without the glitter and paired with fresh makeup and a pop of color, this look would be totally classic and glam-chic! Adding glitter to this style brings an element of fun and causes it to make more of a statement. Glitter elevates the look from alluring and elegant to absolutely dazzling!

Any advice for someone considering it?

If a client wishes to be both bold and graceful, this look is sure to deliver. Clients considering this for prom should keep in mind that the style’s appeal is the way sleek and texture meet. If you have hair that is very long or doesn’t hold curl well, it’s likely that the texture will be gone by the end of the night.

Control the sleek side with strong hold hairspray (I love Kenra) and bobby pins, and create the perfect disheveled curl by focusing the iron on the middle of each section, leaving the ends straight. Keep some good texturizing spray on-hand to freshen up the tousled ends, and don’t be afraid to backcomb them with your fingers. The more unkempt the ends look, the better!

Delicant & Elegant

Instagram @mari_wedding_stylist

Q&A with style creator, Mari
Hairstylist & Make-up Artist @ Waves Studio in Vinnitsa, Ukraine

How would you describe this look?

This is a romantic, easy, and multi-purpose hairstyle. It is both delicate and elegant, therefore it may be appropriate both for a prom and for a bridesmaid.

The most important thing about this hairstyle is the creation of the light and airy texture. Lightness and airiness in the hairstyle is a key trend!

Any advice for someone considering it?

Such work can be done on hair of at least shoulder length. These airy curls look most beautiful on hair colored in ombre, babylights, balayage, or the California dyeing technique.

Hair preparation plays a very important role in creating such a hairstyle. First of all, it is necessary to create volume on washed and dried hair. Apply heat protection and lotion, then curl the hair with a curling iron. When forming the curls, use dry, strong hold hairspray to ensure maximum mobility and naturalness. If the hair is not dyed, further fix with the liquid hairspray.

Be beautiful!

Glam Goddess

Corkscrew curls are perfectly polished and accented with a rhinestone barrette in this elegant, all-down look.

How to Style: 

1. Work styling serum through towel dried hair.
2. Part hair to one side.
3. Blow dry hair completely, using a paddle brush to wrap hair around your head as you go.
4. Working from bottom to top, curl all your hair.
5. Curl hair with a 1-inch barrel curling iron, working in small sections to make the job easier. Use gator clips to keep hair out of the way of the section you’re working on. Spray a heat setting spray on each section before curling.
6. When releasing each curl, gently unwind the curl from the iron rather than pulling the iron from your hair.
7. Add a rhinestone hair accessory for extra glam!
8. Finish with a shine-infusing hairspray that is also humidity-resistant.

Recommended Products:

Try Matrix Biolage Blow In Control for body, conditioning, and a finish that is soft to the touch.

Best Face Shapes:

oval, round, square

Bashful Brunette

Demure natural brunette curls arranged into an asymmetric hairstyle with sun kissed highlights will look dazzling with a strapless or one-shoulder gown.

How to Style: 

1. Work volumizing mousse through towel dried hair.
2. Use a paddle brush to wrap hair over to one side as you blow dry completely. Lift hair in the top and front as you dry to create extra volume in these areas.
3. Add curls from the mid-length to ends with a 1-1/4 inch barrel iron. Spray each section with a heat setting spray before curling.
4. Carefully separate curls.
5. Back comb hair in the top and front to add extra volume. Gently smooth hair from your hairline towards the back to hide the back combing.
6. Use a few bobby pins to secure hair to one side. Use bobby pins that match your hair color so they won’t be seen.
7. Finish with a medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus is a spray mousse that volumizes by pumping up the roots of your hair.

Best Face Shapes:

oval, diamond, long, heart

Formal Shoulder Length Bob

Instagram @justinemarjan

Neat as can be with a middle part and straight lob. Even former Miss USA Olivia Culpo couldn’t help try out this stunning style!

Charming Chestnut

A shorter side fringe keeps this luscious curly hairstyle balanced. Warm brown hues show through the texture of the curls.

How to Style:

1. Work styling cream through towel dried hair.
2. Part hair to one side.
3. Using a medium paddle brush, wrap hair around head as you dry completely.
4. For the fringe section, blow dry hair forward, then gently sweep it to one side.
5. When hair is completely dry, add curls with a 1-inch barrel curling iron. Be sure to spray each section with a heat setting spray prior to curling.
6. Finish with medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Check out KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray. It protects hair from the hot temperatures of styling tools and provides heat-activated shaping and hold.

Best Face Shapes:

oval, long, square, round, heart

Pin-Up Posh

Shiny curls complete this pretty pin up-inspired hairstyle that’s perfect for any vintage glam dress!

How to Style: 

1. Work styling cream through towel-dried hair.
2. Part hair diagonally to one side.
3. Using a medium or large paddle brush, wrap hair around your head as you blow dry completely.
4. Use a 1-1/4 inch barrel curling iron to create large curl shapes at the top. Pin each section in place immediately with a curl clip after curling to let it cool. This step is essential to your style lasting all night!
5. Once the curls have cooled completely, you can gently release them. The bottom curls can be left loose, but the top ones should be arranged and pinned into place with bobby pins right away. Copy the curl arrangement above for a retro look. Do not brush curls out – whole curls are a trademark of the pin up look.
6. Finish with a high or medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Keep bold, red-based hair colors vibrant with Aveda’s Madder Root Shampoo and Conditioner.

Best Face Shapes:

oval, round, diamond, pear

Romantic Hair Pins

Instagram @krystlewaiviohair

Embezzled wavy hair is never a let down. Bring a tender mood with you wherever you go.

Shine Down

Soft, shiny curls accentuate facial features and give off a sexy vibe in this glamorous, all-down hairstyle.

How to Style: 

1. Part dry hair deep to one side.
2. Use a flat iron to smooth hair from the top to the middle.
3. Use a 1-inch barrel curling iron to add curls through the bottom. Spray each section with heat setting spray prior to curling to ensure your curls last all night.
4. Add extra style memory with a medium or high hold hairspray.
5. Finish with a fine mist of shine spray or dry oil.

Recommended Products:

Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine is a finishing spray that attracts and reflects light to give hair a gorgeous gloss.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, round, square, heart

Stacked Curls

Short hair goes formal with dual texture in a side-swept fringe and curls!

How to Style: 

1. Work styling foam through towel dried hair.
2. Part fringe forward and the rest of hair to one side.
3. Use a large round brush or medium paddle brush to blow dry fringe forward, then gently sweep to one side.
4. Curl the rest of your hair with a 3/4-inch barrel curling iron.
5. Finish with a shine-infusing medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Prep hair with Alterna Caviar Perfect Iron Spray before curling to protect strands from the heat of styling tools.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, pear, long

Half Up and Simple

A smooth fringe rolled into a half updo creates a great face frame with loose curls at the ends. This is a great option if you want to wear your hair down, but have it out of your face as well!

How to Style: 

1. Work styling cream through towel dried hair.
2. Part hair to one side.
3. Use fingers to tousle hair as you dry then finish with a medium paddle brush to smooth as you blow dry completely.
4. Use a ¾ or 1-inch barrel curling iron to add curls through the mid-lengths and ends.
5. Twist one section on each side of your part back to just above and behind each ear and secure with a bobby pin.
6. Finish with a medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Try OSiS Buff for blow dried hair with airy swinging body and bounce.

Best Face Shapes:

oval, heart, long, diamond

Film Noir

With finger waves giving a nod to the twenties, this short down hairstyle is perfect for those who want a little sass in their prom ‘do!

How to Style: 

1. Work styling cream through towel dried hair.
2. Part hair to one side.
3. Blow dry hair with a medium-sized paddle brush, wrapping hair around your head as you dry.
4. Use a ¾-inch barrel curling iron to create waves in the two front sections of your hair. Create a two inch-wide section on either side of your part. Make one wave at a time by clamping down at the top, then shifting over a bit and clamping down just below that and so on, until the finger waves are complete.
5. Curl the rest of your hair with the curling iron.
6. Break up loose curls to soften them.
7. Finish with a medium or high hold hairspray and a bit of shine spray.

Recommended Products:

Try Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil with natural dry oils that tame frizz and provide soft, silky shine.

Best Face Shapes:

oval, diamond, long, pear

Fabulous Finger Waves

Tight, smooth finger waves gradually become curls full of movement and shine in this glossy look!

How to Style: 

1. Part straight hair to one side.
2. Work gel through dry hair, concentrating on top section.
3. Create finger waves by placing one finger where you want the first wave to be, then placing another finger just below that. Shift the second finger about ½-inch to the right or left, depending on the pattern you would like to create. Now hold the second finger where it is and place the first finger under the second. Shift the first finger the opposite way. Continue the pattern by repeating these steps and alternating the finger you use to create the wave.
4. Set the waves by drying the gel with a blow dryer on medium-high heat.
5. Curl the rest of your hair with the curling iron.
6. Break up loose curls for a softer look.
7. Finish with a medium or high hold hairspray and a bit of shine spray.

Recommended Products:

Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof is a high-performance spray that promises to keep your hairstyle intact, removing the chance of humidity attacking mishaps.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, long, diamond

Long and Luscious Locks

Volume in the top with a beautiful cascade of long, soft curls through the ends is a beautiful down hairstyle that scream prom queen!

How to Style: 

1. Part dry hair in the middle.
2. Use a large curling iron to add volume and bend through the top sections.
3. Use a 1-inch barrel curling iron to add curls through the bottom. Spray each section with heat setting spray prior to curling to ensure your curls last all night.
4. Add extra style memory with a medium or high hold hairspray.
5. Finish with a fine mist of shine spray or dry oil.

Recommended Products:

Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Micromist provides a weightless, satin finish for silky sleek hair.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, round, diamond

Dark Diva

The length of these patent finish spirals will perfectly accentuate a strapless dress!

How to Style: 

1. Part dry hair deep to one side.
2. Use a flat iron to smooth the top sections of your hair, especially the heavier side of your part.
3. Use a 1-inch curling wand to add curly waves throughout hair on the smaller side of your part, and through the mid-lengths and ends of the heavier side of your part. Wind hair around the outside of the wand to create these curls. Spray each section with heat setting spray prior to curling to ensure your curls last all night.
4. Add extra style memory with a medium or high hold hairspray.
5. Finish with a fine mist of shine spray or dry oil.

Recommended Products:

OSiS Sparkler provides instant sparkling shine to any hairstyle.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, square, round, heart

Caramelita

This caramel ombre’ hue is perfect for accenting the soft curls in this romantic down hairstyle!

How to Style: 

1. Part dry hair in the middle.
2. Use a large curling iron to add volume and bend through the top sections.
3. Alternate using 1-inch and a 1-1/4 inch barrel curling irons to add curls through the bottom. Create fuller curls in the front and less curls in the back.
4. Spray each section with heat setting spray prior to curling to ensure your curls last all night. Curl hair away from the face for a sexy look rather than a “school girl” look.
5. Add extra style memory with a medium or high hold hairspray.
6. Finish with a flexible medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Aveda Brilliant Medium Hold Hairspray defends against humidity and adds brilliant shine and definition.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, round, square, heart

Beige Blonde Beauty

Dark blonde, touchable tresses styled loosely are the perfect addition to a strapless dress.

How to Style: 

1. Work styling cream through towel dried hair.
2. Part hair to one side.
3. Use fingers to tousle hair as you dry, then finish with a medium paddle brush to smooth as you blow dry completely.
4. Use a 1-inch barrel curling iron to add curls throughout. Curl only the ends of fringe to keep it smoother than the rest.
5. Finish with a medium hold hairspray.

Recommended Products:

Finish with OSiS Elastic — a hairspray with moveable, touchable styling control.

Best Face Shapes:

Oval, heart, diamond, square, round