PromAdvice

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).

10 Glam Hair Accessories

Okay, we have to commend Lady Gaga for her bold fashion sense, but a telephone hair accessory is not the way to go for Prom.  Instead, take a cue from the Chanel Spring 2010 runway which featured messy updos highlighted by gorgeous hair accessories.  --Angel

Here are ten sensational hair accessories you'll go crazy for.

1.Wide Applique Headband, $19.99 2.Deepa Gurnani Ivory Embellished Paisley Band, $124   3.Sweet Butterfly Fascinator, $34 4.Asos Peacock Feather Jewelled Hairband, $26      5.Asos Vintage Style Stone-Set Flower Hairband, $7 6.Black Ribbon Headband, $9 7.Swell Ostrich Clip, $24     8.Harakiri Confetti by Aurora Ozma Swarovski Crystal Petal Hair Piece, $146     9.Lace Corsage Headband, $16 10.Metal Leaves Double-Banded Headband, $16.50

Trend Watch: Jeweled Hair Accessories Under $50!

There's nothing quite like celebrating a new beginning, and no better time to do it than New Year's Day! Join us as we kick off this incredible holiday with some of the very best in jeweled hair accessories. You'll dazzle your friends, and best of all, save some money with prices under $50! --Alaythia

1. Glam Gems Hair Clip - $9.99  2. Juicy Couture Grosgain and Rhinestone Heart Barette - $48  3. Juicy Couture Crystal Rose Elastic - $45  4. Natasha Accessories Starburst Headband - $32  5. All-Season Sparkle Bobby Pins - $18.00  

Straighten Up

Want silky, straight strands for Homecoming?  With the help of a straightening iron, a few products, and these simple steps you can get shiny, smooth hair without the expensive trip to the salon.  Here's how:

1. Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair and blow dry. Try Ojon Restorative Leave-in Treatment ($29) to protect hair.

2. Spritz 1-inch sections of hair with a working spray, such as Alterna Caviar Working Hair Spray ($26), then use a flat iron to straighten.

3. Finish with a dime-size amount of shine serum.  We love Carol's Daughter Hair Balm ($12) -- it leaves hair impossibly shiny and infused with a deeply intoxicating aroma of gardenia, vanilla, and honey!

Updos with Ease

Now, getting a red carpet-worthy updo for Prom is a cinch thanks to this clever Pin-up Girl Kit.  The kit contains everything you'll need for a professional-looking ponytail, chignon, or beehive: bobby pins, elastics, a styling brush and more! --Angel

 

Pin-up Girl Kit, $21.99

Try This: High Ponytail

You don't need three wishes to get this fun, genie-in-a-bottle hairstyle! To get the look, simply pull hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head (any more toward the front and you'll look like a Yorkshire Terrier!).  Use a straightening product, such as Marc Anthony Instant Straightening Cream ($7.99), for smooth, sleek strands.