Tips To Make Prom Perfect

Hair styling for prom — Photo: Shutterstock

For most young women, the prom is a major event in their lives, one they have looked forward to for years. And most young women get one prom in their lives. It's a time for the young men and women to get dressed up and enjoy what is, for many, a magical and unique experience in their lives.

The name "Prom" is an abbreviation of the term "promenade," which means "to walk about." A promenade also refers to a particular step in some dances where a couple moves around while facing in the same direction. In the US, the term also has some relation to the tradition of taking leisurely walks in your best clothing, usually on Sundays.

The “Prom” has its parallels in similar events in other countries, such as the Debutante Ball in Ireland, Formals in England, Studniówka in Poland, and the Vanhojen Tanssit in Finland, although many of these events feature much more tradition than their American counterpart.

However, for every "wonderful recollection" of prom I've heard, there have been at least five "prom horror stories". Most of the disasters were the result of bad planning or lack of planning on the part of the attendees. And of the rest - which were caused by events beyond the attendees' control - could have been minimized if the young people involved only showed a little grace under pressure. That’s what we’re here to help with: getting ready for prom and helping to be prepared in case things go awry.

Prom Hair:

The only thing that’s more important on prom night than your dress is your hair. It has to look good. Start thinking now about how you want your hair to look for prom. Do you want to wear it up? Or maybe half-up with a cascade of curls down your back? Start saving photos from award shows and celebrity functions of people who have hair similar in length and texture to yours, and whose styles you like. These can give you some great ideas for prom, and let you show a stylist what you would like to have done.

It’s also not too soon to go ahead and talk to your stylist about prom and set up an appointment for the big day. If you wait until the last minute to schedule a hair appointment, you could find yourself unable to get one at a convenient time, or worse, relegated to the "we'll try to squeeze you in" category. That is only going to make you anxious and stressed if the stylist is swamped on the day and will likely mean that your hair is going to be a rush job.

Girl who is styling her own hair for prom — Photo: Rido/Canva

Maybe you don’t have the budget for a professional stylist to do your prom hairstyle. In that case, talk to a friend who has a similar limitation and see if you can agree to do each other’s hair. By planning early, you and she can practice doing each other’s hair and work out styles that you like and that aren’t beyond one another’s abilities to achieve. There are hair magazines available with step-by-step instructions available on creating some lovely styles for prom. Use these as a source for inspiration, and who knows, you may find your dream style.

By practicing the hairstyles in advance, you’ll know how long it will take to do them on the day of the prom and can plan your schedules accordingly. Just remember that freshly washed hair is harder to style in an up-style. Wash your hair the day before prom, and simply brush it well before styling for the big day.

Hair Accessories:

Don’t forget hair accessories. You can find some beautiful accessories to add some sparkle and pizzazz to even a simple style that will dress it up nicely. Accessories like barrettes, combs, clips, and jeweled hairpins can add just the right touch of glamor to your hair, without having to spend hours on a complicated style. Just don’t overdo it.

Hairstyle with a headband for prom — Photo: Tien Tran/Pexels

Other ideas for hair accessories include:

• Flowers – Fresh or silk. Go with small clusters of blooms, or a single larger blossom, but remember to keep the size of the flowers in your hair in proportion to your head.

• Headbands – These can be bejeweled, colorful, or covered in a matching fabric, and could even be metallic in gold or silver.

• Beads – Strands of costume jewelry pearls can be used as headbands (doubled over and pinned in place) or wound into an updo for a beautiful accent to a simple nest of curls. This look is especially stunning on darker hair colors.

• Ribbon – Simple satin ribbon in a coordinated color can be used to tie back masses of curls, or can be woven with the hair into braids that can be coiled on the head to make beautiful hair designs.

When all else fails, and you can’t seem to find a style that you like, try a simple classic look. Smooth your hair back from your face and gather it at the nape of your neck. Twist the hair into a simple bun and pin it securely. Some shine-enhancing hair product applied before smoothing the hair back and a sparkly accessory like a jeweled comb or a few jeweled pins and you've got a sleek, elegant look that will be sure to turn heads.

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