High School Prom Hairstyles

Liven up short hair by adding colorful accessories.

The high school prom is a very important event in a young woman's life. Finding the perfect dress, shoes and hairstyle is almost as important as the dance itself. There are several aspects to consider when choosing a hairstyle, including hair type, length, dress style and how casual or formal you want to appear. If styling your own hair or a friend's, be sure to practice a couple of times before the big night arrives.

Up-do

An up-do tends to be the most elegant-looking hairstyle. It's ideal for pairing with a fancy dress if you want a very formal look; it can also be used to make a basic dress look classier. In addition, you should consider an up-do if you're wearing a dress with elaborate shoulders, sleeves or a fancy neckline. With the hair swept back, the cheekbones and neck are exposed, fully showcasing the facial features and any jewelry you might be wearing. Up-dos range from simple to complicated, but most start with some sort of ponytail, which can be placed low, in the middle or high on the head. After the ponytail is in place, wrap a piece of hair around the band for a dressy ponytail. Wind and pin the hair around the base of the ponytail to make an elegant bun. For cascading tendrils of hair, curl the ponytail with a small-barrel curling iron, pin the ringlets up on the crown and set with hairspray. These are just a few ideas; there are many other creative up-do options available.

Half Up

Wearing your hair half up enables you to combine the ornate look of the up-do with long, flowing locks. This look is achieved in much the same way as an up-do, except only the top of the hair is gathered away from the face into a ponytail, pins or barrettes. From there you can curl it and pin it up, wrap it in a bun or leave it to hang down. Curl or straighten the rest of the hair, depending on your preference.

Down

For a romantic, flowing look you can choose to leave all of your hair down. This is a particularly good look if you're wearing a strapless dress or a dress with thin straps, since attention is drawn to the flowing hair. Blow dry your hair to give it body, then leave it, straighten it or use a large-barrel curling iron to give it waves. Finish the look with pomade to give definition or hairspray to hold any curl.

Short

Short hair can also be styled in a romantic, classy way with the right products and accessories. A very short pixie cut can be spiked or slicked back with hair wax, creme or gel; offset this look with exciting makeup and gorgeous earrings. A chin-length cut can be curled into waves or straightened; pin back a few face-framing pieces to add variety. Pins and clips with decorations such as jewels or pearls also add interest to short hair.

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