25 Beautiful Down Hairstyles for Prom 2025
Do you enjoy wearing your hair down? There are many stylish and fun ways to wear it for any event, including prom. When choosing your perfect prom hairstyle, consider your face shape and dress style. Wearing your hair down looks great with strapless dresses. If your dress is asymmetrical, sweep your hair to the opposite side to create a balanced look.
I hope these lovely down hairstyles give you great ideas for prom!
#1 Wavy Half-Up Half-Down Style
Choose a romantic, wavy hairstyle to make your prom look even better. Try a half-up, half-down style. Part your hair and loosely pin back both sides. Let some front pieces hang around your face. To get soft, messy waves, use a large curling wand. You can also use heated rollers and gently scrunch your hair from the middle to the ends. This adds texture and movement, great for dancing at prom. Finish with a light hairspray like Oribe’s Texture Spray to keep your style in place.
#2 Boho Twist Half-Updo
If you enjoy half-up, half-down styles, try a boho twist half-updo. Twist sections of hair from each side toward the middle. This simple step turns a casual look into a pretty, elegant prom hairstyle.
#3 Easy Half-Up Short Hair
Adding braids is a great way to style half-up short hair. It highlights your hair and keeps the style secure. Braids bring a unique touch to any short or medium hairstyle. You can choose from many braid styles. Dutch braids look fun and young, while French braids offer a timeless, classic look.
#4 Twisted Bubble Braid Half Updo
If you like a bohemian half updo, try adding a twisted bubble braid for a fun prom hairstyle. This look mixes classic braids with a bubble braid. To make bubble braids, tie small sections of hair with elastic bands. Next, split the hair above the band to make a loop. Pull the ponytail through this loop. Keep repeating these steps down the hair. After making each bubble, gently pull it apart with your fingers and use a texture spray. I recommend Balloon by R & Co for the best results. For more ideas, check out Bubble braids.
#5 Side-Parted Long Brunette Waves
Brunette hair styled with a side part gives a classic and stylish look. The soft waves reach the shoulders and gently frame the face. To get this style, use a large curling wand to make loose waves. Finish with your favorite light hold or texture spray to keep the waves looking great all day.
#6 Voluminous Long Waves for Black Women
Big, flowing waves look beautiful on black women. This stylish look feels easy but still adds a touch of luxury, making it perfect to wear with your prom dress.
#7 Double Twist Half-Down Style with Curled Ends
This simple prom half-up hairstyle is very flexible. You can do it yourself at home or ask your stylist to help. First, decide if you want to curl, twist, or pin your hair. Start by curling the bottom part of your hair. Use a large curling iron for soft waves or a small one for tight curls. Next, take the hair above your temples. Twist two sections on each side. Cross these twists at the back of your head and pin them with bobby pins. This will give you a pretty, textured half-up look.
#8 Mid-Length Waves with Framing Pieces
Create soft waves in your medium-length hair and add some face-framing pieces. This simple style looks lovely and is easy to do. First, dry your hair until it is smooth. Then, spray a light hairspray on each small section before curling it with a 3/4-inch curling iron. After curling, add a bit more hairspray and gently comb through. Pin the sides back behind your ears. The result is a beautiful princess-style look you will love.
#9 Sleek Prom Style with Wavy Ends
For a smooth, stylish hairstyle, try a vintage wavy look with soft ends. Use the right tools and the correct curling iron size to get these waves. A 1.25-inch curling iron works best for soft, sleek waves. First, curl all your hair in the same direction. Let the curls cool completely. Then, gently brush them out. Be careful while brushing to shape the waves nicely. This technique helps create soft, vintage-style waves.
#10 Wavy Half Updo with Mini Flowers
Prom is the perfect time to try new hairstyles that match your look and outfit. A beautiful choice is a wavy half-up, half-down style decorated with tiny flowers. This hairstyle works well with any dress or outfit. You can also add flowers or a bow to make it even prettier. The half-up, half-down style is a great formal look that will stay in place all night long!
#11 Soft Waves and Blonde Highlights
Soft waves with bright blonde highlights can make your prom look stunning. This style mixes a classic look with a modern twist. Adding bold highlights near your face gives your hair more depth and texture. These highlights help curls and waves stand out even more. Wavy hair also shows off your hair color beautifully.
#12 Sleek Half Ponytail with a Deep Side Part
For a stylish and classy look, try a simple half up, half down hairstyle with a side bang. First, use a tail comb to make a deep side part. Next, gather the hair from the top of your head, leaving out some face-framing pieces. Secure this section with a hair tie. Use a flat iron to smooth the ends and make them shiny. Make sure the ponytail is tight and secure. To keep your style in place all night, finish with some hairspray.
#13 Romantic Half Down with Curls and Rope Braids
For a special occasion and a relaxed boho look, try a Dutch braided crown with flowing waterfall curls. Start by curling the top half of your hair. Before curling, apply a heat protectant to keep your hair healthy. Next, divide the bottom half into two sections and create rope braids. Secure each braid tightly with a clear elastic band so they stay in place. Use hairspray to set your curls. Finish the style by adding a headband or some bobby pins for a pretty touch. For more ideas, check out this boho style.
#14 Rooted Blonde Hair with Classic Middle Part Waves
Swap the all-up hairstyle for rooted blonde hair with a middle part and soft waves. This gives a fresh twist to a classic style. To make loose waves, wrap big sections of hair around a curling iron. Leave the ends straight if you want a beachy feel. Use a light hairspray to keep your waves in place and add shine. Try TIGI Bed Head Masterpiece Shine Hairspray. It offers flexible hold and protects your hair from humidity. Finish with a little serum or oil for extra shine.
#15 Soft Teased Style and Long Subtle Waves
Choose a soft, teased hairstyle with long, gentle waves parted in the middle for prom night. First, curl your hair with a curling iron. Let the curls cool, then lightly tease the top of your hair with a teasing brush. Next, part your hair down the center and use your fingers to softly loosen the curls. To add volume and hold, spray a light mist of hairspray. Try AIIR’s Flexible Hold Aiir Spray. It will help your hairstyle stay in place all day.
#16 Middle Part Bubble Braids with Beach Waves
Want a great prom hairstyle? Try small bubble braids with beach waves. This gives you a trendy “Euphoria” inspired look. To get perfect beach waves, use the Amika High Tide Deep Waver. The even waves and cute braids make a fun, youthful style that’s perfect for prom.
#17 Bouffant with Pearl Headband and Loose Curls
A bouffant paired with a pearl headband and soft curls is a great choice for prom. Wearing your hair down looks classy and lasts longer through the night. This style works on all hair types. If your hair is thin, try clip-in extensions to add fullness. Request tight curls that still look relaxed to keep the style youthful.
#18 Braided Half Down Cascades
A braided half-down cascade is a lovely mix of playful and romantic, perfect for prom night. You can frame your face with soft, fun tendrils or choose a neater style. This hair-down look is one of the top choices for prom. Add beads or tiny flowers to the delicate strands for extra charm. To keep your curls light and bouncy, add volume at the crown before securing the ends with ponytail holders or bobby pins. Use a light hairspray like Aveda’s Air Control Hairspray for a strong hold that doesn’t feel stiff.
#19 Curled Middle-Parted Hair with a Tiara
Style your formal hair down for a soft, romantic look. Curled hair parted in the middle with a shiny tiara is a timeless choice. Use a 1-inch curling iron to curl your hair away from your face. Allow the curls to cool before pinning and shaping them. This helps the style last longer. Spray with hairspray to keep your look in place all night.
#20 Center Part Half-Down Style with Face-Framing Curls
Make your half-up, half-down prom hairstyle extra special with a simple, charming look. First, part your hair down the middle. Use a one-inch curling iron or wand to curl sections of hair in different directions. Curl the hair away from your face to create a natural look. Gently tease the roots with a comb to add volume. Next, pull back hair from both sides and tie them together in a low ponytail using an elastic band. Leave a few strands loose in the front to softly frame your face. To keep your style in place all night while you dance, spray it with hairspray. Try TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hair Spray Extend Hold Level 4 for a long-lasting, smooth finish without flyaways.
#21 Cascading Twists and Curls on Long Hair
Make a stunning entrance with long hair styled in soft twists and curls. These pretty waves are perfect for a special night out. Use a curl-enhancing product to keep your hairstyle in place all night. For extra volume, spray some texture spray on your layers. You can also add shiny accessories like clip-in feathers or metallic pins for a touch of sparkle. Enjoy trying different styles to find the one you love.
#22 Twisted Halo Braid for Half-Down Do
Braids add a touch of magic and style to a half-up hairstyle. This braid is simple because it uses twists. To create this cute look, gather hair at the top of your head. Make two loose French braids. Use small elastics to secure them. Then, twist each braid into a rope shape. Wrap each rope around itself, and you’re done! Use a good hairspray to add texture and hold. Try Kérastase Laque Noire Finition Cheveux Longs Spray. It has shine boosters to keep your hair looking great all night. With some practice, updo hairstyles become easy to do.
#23 Mini Braided Half-Ponytail and Voluminous Waves
Turn a simple hairstyle into a stylish look with this easy mini braided half ponytail. First, add soft waves to give your hair more volume. Next, take a two-inch section from the center of your head, stopping just before the crown. Use this section to create a Dutch braid, which sits on top of your hair like a raised French braid. Secure the braid into a ponytail. Wrap a small piece of hair from the ponytail around the elastic to hide it, and pin it with a bobby pin. The mix of curls and braids looks very chic and lasts all day. To keep your style in place, use a light hairspray such as Aveda’s Air Control Hair Spray. It holds your hair without making it stiff or sticky, and you can add more layers for extra hold.
#24 Half Up and Simple
Choose a half updo that frames your face nicely and has soft curls at the ends. It’s perfect if you want to keep your hair down but still away from your face.
#25 Loose Waves on Long, Fine Hair
Loose waves work well on long, fine hair to create volume, bounce, and movement. Fine hair styles easily, but curls can drop quickly. To help curls last, use light styling products and keep it simple. Heavy or wet products can weigh fine hair down. Choose dry products like volume powder or dry texture spray. Also, avoid touching your curls often because oils from your hands can break down the products and make curls fall flat.