Prom is an occasion for girls where everything needs to be perfect, such as a formal updo hairstyle. It is hard to decide where to go get it done, if you should save the money and do it yourself and the main worry, how to style it. Luckily, there are magazines, books, pictures and experts to go to for advice. The following is a thorough guide to prom hairstyle updos (including a step-by-step guide to a foolproof updo if all else fails) to ensure you a memorable prom.
The first place to look is the internet. The internet has many sites with pictures of formal updos that give you a guide to give to your stylist (or to do it yourself). Some of these websites also give you step by step instructions, such as About.com Beauty. This site gives you galleries of updo styles to browse and has four how-to instructions. 2PromHairstylesFormal Prom Hairstyles also has a lot of pictures, but the styles may be difficult to copy. has many pictures of unique updo styles, also tips for getting your hair in the best condition for styling.
If you don't find what you are looking for online, the next best place to look is in magazines. There are numerous magazines designed solely for prom or hairstyles and both are helpful.
Your Prom
This magazine offers some pictures of hairstyle updos but does not include instructions to copy the styles.Teen Prom
This magazine has a “Pick a Do” section and includes updos with instructions.Sophisticates Hairstyle Guide
This magazine has a lot of pictures but few updos without instructions.Seventeen Prom
This glossy offers some hairstyle ideas and tips for getting style like the stars with hair accessories.Cosmo Girl Prom
This magazine offers many ideas for hair accessories, but not a lot of hairstyles.Celebrity Hairstyles
This has pictures of stars styles along with how-to instructions to copy the look.101 Hairstyles
This magazine has many pictures of hairstyles, as advertised in the title, but not many instructions.
Once you find the style you are looking for decide is whether or not you wish to get it done professionally. This depends on the style, if it's very complicated it might be best to go to a salon. If the updo is simple and has instructions you could save money by doing it yourself.
If you get it done professionally, Toni & Guy is a good place to go but is expensive. If you go to a different salon, go to one that someone recommended or one you have been to before. It's a better idea to go to someone that you know will do a good job instead of letting a bad hairstyle by a random stylist ruin your night. You can work with your stylist to decide on an updo you like, or copy one from a picture you have.
If the do it yourself idea sounds better, make sure you have the right products. The point of a hairstyle updo is for it to stay up, so hairspray is a must. Garnier Fructis spray gel is a great one to use if you want a scrunched wet look, and it will stay up all night. If you curl your hair with a curling iron a dry hairspray is better, Aussie is a great brand for this. Along with hairsprays, you definitely need many bobby pins to keep your hair in place. For additional flair, add decorative clips or bobby pins or a headband.
If you're the type that wants something simple while still stylish, there's a fool-proof style for you. Begin with dry, straight hair and also have a small hair tie, curling iron, plenty of bobby pins, and hairspray handy. When ready, make a part wherever and however you like (in the middle on the side, straight or zigzag). Next section off your hair to make it easier to curl all of it and when you are ready to curl be sure you spray your strands before and after with hairspray to make the curls last.
To make a less uniform look, the spiral shape curls should alternate directions. When finished curling your hair, carefully pull it back into a ponytail, brush away the bumps and spray it with hairspray before you tie it. To hide the hair tie take a strand of hair from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the tie to cover it, then secure it with a bobby pin.
Now that you're hair is curled and pulled back, one by one begin to take the curls in your ponytail and secure them with bobby pins around the hair tie. While pinning the curls back, alternate the places where you put them and maybe also leave some strands hanging. When finished once again spray all of your hair to keep everything in place and if desired, add a decorative head band or any other types of accessories you may like.
Whichever style you pick from this guide will do the job for prom. And for a style that lasts, whether you do your hair or get it done professionally, always remember to reinforce your updo with hairspray and bobby pins. After all, a prom updo hairstyle is meant to stay up.
