Are you looking for the perfect prom hairstyle for long hair? When you’ve got lots of locks to style, you need all the inspiration you can get. We’ve rounded up seven gorgeous prom hairstyles for long hair.
Make sure you read our guide on how to choose your prom dress before you start planning your prom hairstyle – you need to make sure you find the right dress before you pick a hairdo to suit it.
Half Up-Half Down Prom Hairstyle
This is a classic hairstyle that will never look dated and it’s perfect for girls with long hair who are looking for a prom hairstyle that will allow them to have their hair flowing and loose, but kept away from their face – a must for breezy outdoor pics, as no one wants their hair sticking to their lipstick!
If you’re doing it yourself, separate your hair so the top section is lifted up – take your hair from just above your ears – and backcomb the underside. Then pull this section of hair back and secure in place with grips. To add texture, you can always tong the ends of your hair. Spritz with hairspray to hold the look in place.
This look is ideal if you have a strapless or halterneck prom dress with a simple neckline that won’t look too cluttered with your hair flowing around it.
A Loose Bun Prom Hairstyle
If you want to look effortlessly cool and keep your hair away from your face and shoulders, style your long hair into a loose bun for prom. The easiest way to achieve this look is to tie your hair into a high ponytail, before lightly backcombing the ends for volume and twisting it into a bun. Depending on the thickness of your hair, you can secure it with a hair tie or with grips.
To take it from every day to extra glam, consider a headband or some stylish hair slides. This style works perfectly if you have a detailed neckline on your prom dress, as you don’t want your hair to hide it.
A Fishtail Braid Prom Hairstyle
Channel your inner mermaid with a super stylish fishtail braid. This is a great option if you’re not a girly girl, but you still want some red-carpet worthy glamour for your prom. If you can, pull your hair to one side before you braid it so your hair can still cascade over your shoulder, but without getting everywhere.
To nail this look, part your hair into two sections and start crossing sections from each part over each other until you have a full braid. To make the simple braid prom worthy, you could weave a hair chain through it, or stud it with flowers. This is a particularly effective look if you go for a prom dress with an asymmetrical neckline.
Mini Bun Prom Hairstyle
If you want a prom hairstyle that is both cute and quirky, whilst keeping your long hair under control, consider cute mini buns.
Part your hair down the middle, and secure each side into a pigtail on the top of your head, then tease them into buns and secure them. You can add glitter or a statement coloured hairspray to your parting to make your look really stand out.
Plaited Up Do Prom Hairstyle
For a sleek and sophisticated prom hairstyle for long hair, consider a plaited up do – this stylish look is easier to do at home than you might think.
First, tie your hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head. Plait your hair into a chunky braid and secure the end with a hair tie. Tuck the end of the plait into the hair at the nape of your neck with grips so it’s concealed, and then use grips along the edges of the plait to keep it close to your head. If you have really long hair, keep the braid quite loose so it doesn’t fall too far down your back.
You can gently tousle the plait with your fingers once it’s in place to give it that sexy, slightly undone look. Use hairspray to finish.
Extreme Side Parting Prom Hairstyle
For some old-Hollywood style glamour, go for a deep side parting. When your hair is wet, part it in line with your temple and blow dry it. Sweep the side with the least hair back and secure it with a glamorous clip or a statement flower. Use hairspray to keep your hair in place.
If you’d like a more low key take on this look, you could always French-plait the hair instead of sweeping it back with a hair accessory. This hairstyle looks great with an asymmetrical prom dress or one with a simple neckline.
Sleek Ponytail Prom Hairstyle
Be inspired by Ariana Grande and go for a sleek, voluminous ponytail for your prom hairstyle. Make sure you blow dry your hair with a smoothing serum to help control flyaway hairs, and dry it with a barrel brush to add volume.
Once your hair is dry, straighten the sections that will be on the outside of the ponytail so they are super sleek – don’t straighten all of your hair though as any remaining texture will add volume. Backcomb around the crown of your hair before securing your hair into a ponytail and brushing through it for extra gloss.
If you have thick hair you can tie three quarters of your hair into a ponytail before securing the hair underneath into a smaller ponytail, hidden by all your hair on top. This will give the illusion of a longer and fuller ponytail. Try this look with a cool, retro inspired prom dress.
Once you’ve found the perfect prom hairstyle to suit your long hair, make sure you check out our favourite beauty tutorials for prom.