Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Spring Summer 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    • Digital Issues
    • Women Who Win
    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    Prom Hairstyles

    Picking the perfect prom hairstyle is key to nailing the look. The best way to find your favourite hair 'do is to click through these red carpet styles and pick it from the pros.

    By Becky Freeth
    Published 29 August 2013 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Prom Hairstyles
    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Picking the perfect prom hairstyle is key to nailing the look. The best way to find your favourite hair 'do is to click through these red carpet styles and pick it from the pros.

    Prom hairstyles are chic and elegant. They must combine all of the glamour of your dress with all of the sophistication of the evening ahead, which is we're endlessly searching for the perfect style.

    For those who want to try something totally new, there are original prom hairstyles like Selena Gomez's plaited ponytail and Vanessa Hudgen's ethereal halo braid, both of which are likely to require a stylist for your glamorous night. Then there are the simpler prom hairstyles that top off your outfit without detracting from the dress. A few simple pins here and there and viola! A prom hairstyle with all of the elegance but none of the fuss.

    Sienna Miller

    Sienna Miller

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Finally, take Sienna Miller's accessorised up-do using an ornate headband. She's kept the style simple in a high bun but chosen to wear her sparkle in her hair with no jewellery. Clean, pretty and perfect for prom. 

    Leighton Meester

    Leighton Meester

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Queen of the curls, Leighton Meester shows us how to perfect the ultimate curly up-do. Leaving some loose strands to frame her face, Leighton's style isn't so fixed that it needs hairspray, this prom hairstyle was made to look undone.

    You may like
    • Does your ponytail give you a headache? If Your Ponytail Gives You a Headache—Your Hair Is Trying to Tell You Something
    • woman with tinted maroon sunglasses wearing a beige military style jacket with long, straight blonde hair - best hair straighteners The 14 Best Hair Straighteners That Justify the Investment
    • The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos  Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full

    Leighton Meester

    Leighton Meester

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Queen of the curls, Leighton Meester shows us how to perfect the ultimate curly up-do. Leaving some loose strands to frame her face, Leighton's style isn't so fixed that it needs hairspray, this prom hairstyle was made to look undone.

    Nicky Hilton

    Nicky Hilton

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Capturing that bohemian look perfectly, Nicky Hilton's centre parting twists create a halo overlay for her glorious golden locks. Instead of plaiting, this simple look is achieved by twisting the strands tightly away from the face and pinning securely towards the back of the head.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    This red carpet look is both classy and charming. Her stylist has used rollers to tightly curl the lengths and pinned it close to her head to create a short-look prom hairstyle. The look is finished with hairspray to ensure there isn't a strand out of place.

    Nicola Roberts

    Nicola Roberts

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Keeping all of the style of her day fiery fade day look, Nicola has pinned her hair into a half up 'do. To add a touch of glitz, Nicola's used a statement hair piece on one side of the style to keep the prom hairstyle fixed but also dress up the look for the night time.

    Nicole Richie

    Nicole Richie

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Whether you're styling a pixie crop or sleeking your hair into a tight, low ponytail this wet look catwalk-worthy hairstyle is suitable for any hair length. Part the hair far on one side and use an ample amount of hair product to tease the strands into a shared direction. 

    What to read next
    • brunette woman with bouncy blow dry The 11 Best Hair Dryers of 2026 for Every Hair Type—Tried and Tested by Our Beauty Team
    • How to make your blow dry last I've Been Styling Celebrity Hair for 30 Years—Here's How to Make Your Blow-Dry Last for Days
    • @cristinachenii wears headscarf white dress Not Shoes or Bags—It's This One Small Accessory All of the Coolest People Are Using to Perfect Their Outfits

    Vanessa Hudgens

    Vanessa Hudgens

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    If you have a dip-dye hairstyle, this look is the one for you! You can see where Vanessa has pulled her halo braid from - the lighter tone in her braid indicate that she's plaited the hair right down to the tips and simply wrapped it around the front of her hairline with ease. Simples.

    Zosia Mamet

    Zosia Mamet

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Who says you need to overhaul your look for prom? This simple style looks great on Zosia Mamet as she lets her wavy locks do all the talking, topping off the look for a side side pin for a final girlie touch.

    Reese Witherspoon

    Reese Witherspoon

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    For maximum red carpet worthy hair, try a style that sits on one shoulder. It's a classic look that creates optimum shine. On Reese's style, she's created big curls just below the ear to frame her face and let them sweep over one shoulder for the thick, lustrous look.

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    A simple side plait is a suitably sweet style for any prom. This style works better in longer hair because, like Bella here, you can curl the tips for the finishing touch. Bella wears it loose with some free hanging strands for a more relaxed prom hairstyle.

    Scarlett Bowman

    Scarlett Bowman

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Hollyoaks actress Scarlett has created a sought-after style with her shiny golden locks. Your hair does not need to be long to recreate this style, curl the hair first then simply scrape back from the front of the hair down to one side and pin the strands at a low level to keep all of the length of your cut.

    Jennifer Lopez

    Jennifer Lopez

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    For a straighter prom hairstyle, leave the lengths natural with your original parting. Take them up in two hands to the back of the head and into a bun where you can fan out the tips. If, like Jennifer, you wear a grown out fringe, the front strands emphasise your well-defined parting so pull them down and make a them a feature of the style.

    Kimberley Walsh

    Kimberley Walsh

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The old faithful top knot has become out go-to day and nightime style. For a prom hairstyle with ultimate glamour roll the tips into an oversized doughnut ring on the top of the head and ensure that al of the strands are perfectly slicked into the style with no flyaways.

    Selena Gomez

    Selena Gomez

    Prom Hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    If you want to create a real feature with your prom hairstyle, give this Selena Gomez look a go. She's firstly created an impactful quiff to get some height on the style and elongated her hair. Next, french plait it down the lengths to the ears and finally twist it over one shoulder it a sophisticated fishtail plait. 

    Explore More
    Hairstyles
    Becky Freeth
    Social Links Navigation
    Read more
    Does your ponytail give you a headache?
    Hair If Your Ponytail Gives You a Headache—Your Hair Is Trying to Tell You Something
    woman with tinted maroon sunglasses wearing a beige military style jacket with long, straight blonde hair - best hair straighteners
    Hair The 14 Best Hair Straighteners That Justify the Investment
     
     
    The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos
    Hair Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
    brunette woman with bouncy blow dry
    Hair The 11 Best Hair Dryers of 2026 for Every Hair Type—Tried and Tested by Our Beauty Team
     
     
    Latest in Hair
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
    selection of the best pre-shampoo treatments tested by Marie Claire UK
    Hair If Your Hair Still Feels Lacklustre No Matter What You Try, a Pre-Shampoo Treatment Could Be What’s Missing
     
     
    Scalp SPF
    Hair So You Think You Know All About SPF—But Beauty Experts Say This "Forgotten" Part Of Your Body Needs Attention
    The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos
    Hair Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
     
     
    Latest in Features
    The Beauty Digest
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: Head Spas, Coco Mademoiselle Reimagined, and What the TPO Ban Really Means
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
     
     
    @nlmarilyn in transitional autumn outfits
    Fashion Goodbye Summer Dresses, I'm in Autumn Outfit Planning Mode—These 5 Are Fresh
    Arsenal footballer and Lioness Chloe Kelly
    Health and Fitness Women in Sport 2026: Featuring Chloe Kelly, Elite Beauty Products, Grand Prix 2.0 and So Much More
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.