PromAdvice

On the Side: Sideswept Hairstyles to Try This Summer

We're loving the recent trend of sideswept hairstyles we've seen on celebs lately, and we think the looks are positively perfect now that the weather is warming up. Why not try a girlish braid or playful ponytail for your next summertime special occasion? --Angel

Christina Milian's long locks look all-at-once polished and playful, slicked down and pulled to the side in a low ponytail. The perfect complement to the style: dazzling earrings with tons of sparkle.

 

Emma Stone's low side bun is made even more special with a sweet, little twist at the front of the hairline. This look really accentuates a halter dress.

 

Minka Kelly's perfectly unperfect braid is romantic and feminine, with just the smallest hint of edginess thanks to the devil-may-care loose strands. Try this look with soft makeup to play up the romance factor.

Up, Up, and Away: Our Favorite Celeb Updos

When it comes to Prom hairstyles you can't go wrong with an updo. Check out a few of our favorite 'dos and get inspired for the big night. --Angel

Reese Witherspoon's voluminous, 60s-inspired ponytail is one of the best we've seen.

 

Chanel Iman simply tucked her long curls under and pinned them for a fun, fresh, easy style.

 

We love that Jennifer Lawrence's hairstylist gave a classic chignon lots of chunky texture.

 

Kim Kardashian proves that a high, messy updo always looks sweet and pretty.

 

Emma Roberts' Brigitte Bardot-inspired twist is elegant, glamorous, and perfectly retro.

   Twisted knots gathered and pulled to one side give Dianna Agron's timeless chignon a cool update. 

5 Party Perfect Hairstyles

Don't underestimate the power of perfectly coiffed hair--it's the ultimate finishing touch to your holiday look.  --Angel

Chignon
Swept to the side or pulled back at the nape, a chignon is always classic and beautiful.

People magazine's Woman of the Year Sandra Bullock

 

Sideswept Waves
Veronica Lake waves are gorgeous and chic, but still unfussy.

 
Singer Mariah Carey

 

Tousled Curls
Shine serum controls frizz and makes soft, easy curls look polished.

Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson

 

Ballerina Bun
This look is all-at-once girlish and sophisticated. A little messiness is absolutely fine.

Fashion Designer Whitney Port

 

 Side Pull
Done with a sensational (READ: sparkly!) hair accessory, this style is modern and playful.

Actress Eva Mendes

Haute Holiday Hair Accessories from Maya Star

Whether you're looking for something sparkly and eye catching or something a little wild, Maya Star has a gorgeous hair accessory to complete your festive holiday look this season. --Angel

The color is bold but this beautiful Bead Quill Headband ($58) is undeniably romantic. It'll be especially pretty with a flowy grey dress.

 

How fabulous is this Round Feather with Crystals Headband ($64)? It's got the look of animal print so it's the perfect piece to go with an LBD.

 

The Leaf Crystal Headwrap ($80) is so appealingly vintage-looking! It will look divine with curls and dramatically scarlet lips.

 

A hint of shine and a pop of color make the Sequin & Ribbon Headband ($40) all-at-once festive and flirty. Get one in every color and wear them even after the holidays!

There are tons more -- head to Maya Star to see all the fetching hair accessories!

Hot Summer Hair Trend: Braids

It's always so tempting to throw our hair up into a ponytail when we go out during the warm summer months, and, done right, a pony can look deeply glamorous (see for yourself here). But for a special occasion, braided styles are the go-to 'do of the season. Try one of these alluring styles next time you get dressed up.  --Angel

Double French Braid

 This style combines the classic beauty of a chignon with the playful flirtiness of braids. The result is unexpected and enchanting.

Get the Look: Part hair down the middle and French braid each side going back. Secure the braids with an elastic, then twist up to form a chignon at the nape of the neck.

Side Braid

This is a great way to show off your long locks, without having them on your neck during the hot, sticky months. Oh, and you'll love this -- you won't have to bother with the arsenal of anti-frizz products.

Get the Look: Sweep hair over to one side, then braid (not a French braid) and secure with an elastic.  Pull out a few pieces in the front to frame your face.

Braided Ponytail

This is how you turn a simple pony into a  posh hairstyle. If you're lacking the length to get the look, you can braid in extensions.

Get the Look: Brush hair back into a high ponytail and braid all the way down, securing the end with an elastic. Leave the braid in for a few hours, then undo the braid about 3/4 of the way up and secure with an elastic.

Hairline Braid

A single braid along the hairline infuses a sophisticated updo with a dash of sweetness. A sensational hair accessory on the unbraided side will put this look over the top.

Get the Look: Part hair on one side, then French braid the parted side back. Pull hair into an elastic and twist into a low chignon, securing with bobby pins.

Tips for Prom-Perfect Hair

Zoe Saldana's side swept updo is picture perfect.

It's Prom, which means a bad hair day is not an option.  Here are some tips to ensuring your strands look spectacular for the big night.  --Angel

1. Know what you want.  Your stylist isn't a mind reader, so cut out pics of styles you like and let him or her know you're looking for something similar.

2. Do a trial run with your stylist at least a week before Prom. This will give you a chance to see if your desired style looks the way you expected, as well as give your stylist time to tweak it if necessary.

3. Don't shampoo your hair the day of. This will give your style the perfect texture and help it to maintain its shape throughout the night.

4. Wear a button-up shirt or a top with a loose neck when you head to the stylist's on the big day. You don't want to mess up all his or her hard work before you even get your dress on!

5. Make your 'do look even more fetching with a stunning hair accessory, like one of these or these. Oh, and don't forget to take it with you to the salon.

10 More Glam Hair Accessories

We had so much fun searching for these hair accessories, we decided to find some more sensational hair baubles for you to love!  --Angel

1.Metal Flower Headband by Natasha Accessories, $32    2.Tasha 'Stonetastic' Headband, $32    3.Flower Headpiece, $50    4.Embellished Bobby Pin, $5    5.Sparkling Thingamabob Clip, $24    6.Black Feather Canopy Headband, $14     7.Silver Stud Hair Clip, $5    8.Suit Your Fancy Headband, $24    9.Free People Vintage Empress Headband, $118    10.Juicy Couture Flower Headband, $65

New Contest: Prom Makeover Giveaway Valued at $350!

Two lucky winners will get their hair and makeup styled for Prom at Dream Girls Fine Hair Imports and Salon for a total value of up to $350 (for each winner)! Plus, celebrity Makeup Artist Tai Young-Jackson will be styling the makeup!

All you have to do is write (in 150 words or less) about a bad hair day you experienced and why you deserve a Prom makeover. Send your story along with the following information in an email to contest@dghair.com with the subject line “Prom Makeover Contest:”

• Full name
• Age
• Phone number where you can be reached
• High school and city
• Date of your prom (as in calendar day)

There are two Dream Girls Fine Hair Imports and Salon locations. One winner will be selected for the Culver City, CA location (in the Los Angeles area), and the other winner will be selected for the Elk Grove, CA location (near Sacramento). The winners must arrange for their own transportation to Dream Girls Fine Hair Imports and Salon.

To qualify, you must be a senior in high school, and your Prom must be between April 24-June 13, 2010.

The contest starts today. All entries must be received by midnight on April 22, 2010. Good luck!!

Hot Hairstyles You'll Love

We know you'll love these hairstyles because they're easy to do and look so perfect for Prom!  --Angel

Sleek and Smooth

Jessica Simpson's sleek style is much simpler than you'd expect.  Rub a small amount of shine serum, like Redken Glass Smoothing Serum ($18), through damp hair, then straighten with a dryer and paddle brush. For a subtle wave, curl hair loosely with a 1-inch iron, then follow up a dab more of shine serum.

High Style

For Gabrielle Union's super high ponytail, use a flat iron to get hair as straight as possible, then pull it up to the crown of your head and wrap with an elastic band. You can wrap a small section of your hair around the elastic or add a stylish hair accessory, like this so-chic Point D'Esprit Feathered Hair Comb($10).

Updated Classic

Kristen Bell literally gave the classic chignon a twist by adding a braid. Pull hair into a low pony (leave out a few face-framing strands), braid only half, then tuck the other half into a bun and pin.  Now wrap the braid around the bun and secure with pins.  Don't forget to spritz with a holding spray, such as Dove Extra-Hold Hairspray ($5).

Springtime Hair and Beauty Trends

Don't leave home without these get-gorgeous ideas inspired by Hollywood's hottest starlets.  --Angel

Gold Eyeshadow

Follow Transformers star Megan Fox's lead and add some metallic to your makeup look.  Use a gold eyeliner, such as L'Oreal HiP Color Chrome Eyeliner in Gold Charge ($10), or sweep a gilded shadow across your eyelid.  Try Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Honey ($18).

Braids

A girlish braid is surprisingly sophisticated for Prom, just check out Nine actress Kate Hudson's. Part hair on one side, then add a French braid along the hairline on the parted side. You can let your tresses flow or pull them back into a perfectly mussed bun.

Hot Pink Lips

 

Make like Crazy Heart actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and prettify your pout with a hot pink lip color. The color is so fresh and undeniably eye-popping, and there's a shade to suit every skin tone.  Just ask the makeup artist at your favorite cosmetics counter. Maggie used Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap ($24).

 

Glowing Skin

 

Use a golden-hued luminizer to achieve Shutter Island star Michelle Williams' gorgeous glow.  You can apply it directly, or mix a little with your foundation. We're fans of Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer ($22).