Prom Hairstyle Inspiration For Every Hair Type

Updos—French Twists, Top Knots & Ponytails Galore:

Slay an eye-catching updo (while still letting the dress have its moment) with these French twist, top knot and ponytail inspiration images.

French Twists: While 2025 prom-goers may not have been around in the era in which Pam Anderson rocked her signature French twist, they are familiar with the classic, piecey updo.

The key to the messy, voluminous style features a piecey French twist with curls framing the face and nape of the neck. Here’s a look at how some A-listers rocked the style and looks courtesy of top updo experts:

Want more updo inspo? Click here for 60+ French twist inspo pics.

Top Knots: If you plan to spend the evening on the dance floor, sky-high top knots with a sleek, slicked-back base are a great option to keep your hair off of your neck while still looking chic. Bonus points if the bun has added texture and dimension. Here’s some inspo:

• Product Suggestion: To secure the base of a sleek updo, apply Kenra Professional Clear Paste 20 at the roots and brush back toward the crown to keep flyaways at bay.

Ponytails: Whether styled at the nape or the crown, sleek or braided, ponytails of all types are always a go-to fun prom look. See a variety of ponytails to inspire your prom look below.

Click here to recreate Zendaya’s XL braided ponytail look.

Long Downstyles Ideas—Straight Blowouts & Old Hollywood Waves:

For those who want to wear their hair down for prom, we’ve rounded up inspo images for two classic looks: straight blowouts and old Hollywood waves:

Straight Blowouts: The trending bouncy blowouts from the past few seasons are being traded in for a more timeless, straighter, less voluminous and easier-to-style look. The smooth, sleek styles are still utilizing round brushes but concentrating the most shape and body towards the ends of the hair. Take a look:

• Product Suggestion: Prep the hair with Goldwell StyleSign Smoothing Serum Spray to create a silky, smooth style while protecting against frizz, humidity and heat damage up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Click here for 40+ more straight blowout inspiration images.

Old Hollywood Waves: The glamorous, vintage S-shaped waves offer a polished and sophisticated look. Opt for a center part for a traditional look or a deep side part for added drama.

• Product Suggestion: Finish the look with Redken Control Hairspray to offer high hold, combat frizz and lock-in style for 24 hours without flaking or residue. 

Looking for industry expert tips for achieving the perfect old Hollwood waves? See below for celebrity get-the-looks:

• Sabrina Carpenter’s Old Hollywood Curls For The VMAs

• Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Glamour Waves

Short Formal Hairstyles That Slay:

Shorter lengths don’t have to sit out on the fun when it comes to prom styling. The secret? Add texture, shine and dimension by layering products and playing with partings. From bumped-out bobs to slick-back pixies, see prom styles for short hair here:

For the bob girlies, see below for celebrity stylist tips for creating formal styles on shorter locks:

• Selena Gomez’s Hollywood Glamour Bob at the 2025 Oscars

• Gigi Hadid’s Mariyln-Inspired Met Gala Bob

• Zendaya’s Classic Volume Bob

Half-Up, Half-Down & Everything in Between:

Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? If you still want the face-framing lengths of longer styles with the playful, added dimension of updos opt for a half-up style to pair with your prom look:

Accessorize Your Prom Hairstyle with Bows, Ribbons & Gems:

Add sparkle and texture to any look with ribbons, bows and hair gems. Hair accessories can be added to updos or downstyles—take inspiration from these stunning looks:

Products Used

Clear Paste 20

StyleSign Sleek Perfection

Styling

Goldwell

Redken Control Hairspray

Haircare

Redken