Raise your hand if you’ve been obsessively googling “easy hairstyles prom” and your social media feed has morphed into a parade of gowns, crowns, and swoon-worthy hair. Hey girl, we see you! To help you find your perfect look, we created this complete guide to DIY-friendly prom hair, plus all the products you’ll need to pull them off.
Long hair is a dream when it comes to hairstyles for prom. You can wear your hair down and show off all that length, or you can go for a glamorous up-do. Here’s our roundup of the best prom hair ideas for long locks (and if you’re still craving more, check out these 12 Long Hairstyles for Women).
For glam hair without the agony, flowing waves are foolproof, especially if your hair is naturally wavy/curly. Simply sweep back a section from one side of your face, secure with a clip, and arrange your mane in front of the opposite shoulder. The larger the section, the more dramatic the look. For extra shine, apply Fructis Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray. For extra volume and hold, finish with Fructis Volume Extend Hairspray.
There’s a reason the sleek high pony is so popular with celebs: it’s sophisticated, but lets you go all night without worrying about your hair. To pull off this look, make sure your strands are super smooth using Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum. Prep your strands with Fructis Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist, which offers heat protection and 48-hr smoothness. Don’t forget to hide the elastic by wrapping the base of your ponytail with a section of your hair. Finish with Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Aerosol Hairspray for an instant barrier against frizz, even after going hard on the dance floor.
You know how everything 90’s and Y2K is trending right now? Well it applies to hairstyles for prom, too. Catch those throwback feelings with this twisted updo, and don’t forget to pull down a few strands of hair to frame your face! Starting at the nape of your neck, just twist, pin, twist, pin, twist – you get the idea, right? Finish with Fructis Full Control Anti-Humidity Aerosol Hairspray.
If your hair is in the not-quite-long-but-not-exactly-short zone, there’s no need to feel left out – we’ve rounded up some medium length prom hairstyles that deserve a category of their own. And if that’s not enough, scroll through our guide to the Hottest Medium Length Hairstyles for more inspo.
This ethereal look has been trending for a while, and we totally get why: it can be done on multiple hair types and lengths (including medium) and looks way more complicated than it actually is! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to do an Insta-worthy waterfall braid with your eyes closed. If you’re a braiding beginner (or simply need a refresher), check out our Step-by-Step Tutorial for Waterfall Braids for tips on how to prep, style and finish your hair.
Walking the line between messy and fancy, this easy updo is one of the best medium length prom hairstyles, channeling the Y2Kaesthetic that is trending so hard right now. The idea is to create a line of mini-buns from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck. Start with the highest bun, then work your way down, pinning each one in place as you go. This look works best if your hair has a little tooth to it, so we recommend skipping the shampoo and adding some texture with Fructis Beach Tonic Texturizing Dry Shampoo.
Start with a middle part, then make two braids from just above your ear to the nape of your neck. Once each full braid is complete, overlap them if long enough, then tuck and pin the ends. You can also add embellishments like tiny gems, ribbons, or flowers if desired. Nourish your hair before braiding with Whole Blends Miracle Frizz Tamer 10-In-1 Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Leave-In Treatment to ensure smooth, shiny results.
Some of the cutest prom hairstyles are for chin-length hair and shorter, and we’re here to testify that they’re fit for a queen.
Of all the easy prom hairstyles out there, this one is perhaps the easiest. You’ll need to start with a pixie cut, and use a little wax or pomade like Fructis Pixie Play Crafting Cream for piecey definition. Apply a small quantity to the ends of your strands and any baby hairs for prom hair that’s on-point.
Prom hairstyles for short hair often rely on accessories, and this one channels the iconic clips and pins of the 90s. Whether you go for a bold middle part with barrettes at each side, pile on the bejeweled bobby pins, or go full throwback with rows of butterfly clips, this look is the retro queen of cute prom hairstyles. Even better, it works on all hair types and textures. Try Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Aerosol Hairspray on any hairstyle.
If your hair is short-to-medium-length but not abundant, you might feel frustrated with some of the more elaborate prom hairstyles. Sometimes the best strategy is a simple half-up style with side twists for fullness and personality. Loosely twist back a small section of hair on either side of a middle part, then secure with pretty pins. Product is your friend here: Fructis Mega Full Thickening Lotion adds thickness and body to skinny strands, while Fructis Root Amp Root Lifting Spray Mousse delivers extra lift where you need it the most. (PS – this look works with bangs!)
For more prom hair ideas for all lengths, check out these 11 easy hairstyles you can totally pull off IRL. Now go get your glam on, have a great night, and be safe!
