Fashion and Style > Kids and Teens Formal Prom Hair Styles Share Pin Email Fashion and Style Kids and Teens Accessories Tops and Sweaters Dresses Skirts Jeans Pants Outerwear Lingerie and Swimwear Do It Yourself Shoes Bumps and Babies View More by Julyne Derrick updated November 08, 2016 01 of 28 Sarah Hyland Sarah Hyland. Kevork Djansezian / Getty In this gallery of formal prom hairstyles, we share 30 gorgeous updos that we went gaga over. You'll see classic formal styles, side dos, some mussy looks and a few braided updos. All of them are simply gorgeous.When it comes to choosing your hairstyle, I recommend:Pick the dress first. This will help you determine if you want your hair up or down and just how formal or understated you want your hairstyle.You don't want your hair competing with your dress or your jewelry. Keep it simple, unless the dress is simple and you can make your hairstyle front and center.Consider your hair texture when choosing an updo. The super mussy, wavy hairstyles that are trendy and all over Pinterest are gorgeous, but they aren't going to work on someone with pin-straight hair that's not super long.It's best to have a consultation and initial run-through before your big day. When I had my hair consultation for my wedding, I ended up with a hairstyle I hated. I was able to communicate with the stylist and on my wedding day, I actually loved my hair. If it wasn't for the consultation, I would have been so upset.Enjoy this gallery!More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom MakeupHow to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 02 of 28 Emily Blunt Emily Blunt. Kevin Winter / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 03 of 28 Hayden Panettiere Hayden Panettiere. Frazer Harrison / Getty More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 04 of 28 Lily James Lily James. Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 05 of 28 Katherine Heigl Katherine Heigl. Andy Kropa / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 06 of 28 Keira Knightley Keira Knightley. Dave Hogan / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 07 of 28 Shay Mitchell Shay Mitchell. Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 08 of 28 Anika Noni Rose Anika Noni Rose. Kris Connor / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 09 of 28 Vanessa Hudgens Vanessa Hudgens. Frazer Harrison / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 10 of 28 Anne Hathaway Anne Hathaway. Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 11 of 28 Olivia Wilde Olivia Wilde. Jason Merritt / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 12 of 28 Diana Argon Dianna Agron. Kevin Winter / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 13 of 28 Emily Blunt Emily Blunt. Jason Merritt / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 14 of 28 Emmy Rossum Emmy Rossum. Brad Barket / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 15 of 28 Jessica Chastain Jessica Chastain. Dave Hogan / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 16 of 28 Claire Danes Claire Danes. Rob Loud / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 17 of 28 Anna Kendrick Anna Kendrick. Michael Buckner / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 18 of 28 Nicole Kidman Nicole Kidman. Kevin Winter / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 19 of 28 Emmy Rossum Emmy Rossum. Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images How to get this look:1. Finger comb hair back from forehead (messy is good, so skip the comb). You want hair to go straight back because you don't want a part.2. Pull hair into a ponytail just above the nape of your neck. Wind hair into a bun and secure with an elastic band. Pin back strays with bobby pins (have someone help you). If you want a really messy look, leave the stray hairs out.3. Hairspray will keep the 'do in place. You can tug some strands of hair up so it's looser than the rest of hair.Here are the classic prom hairstyle photo galleries:Classic Prom Updos: Gallery 1Classic Prom Updos: Gallery 2Classic Prom Updos: Gallery 3Classic Prom Updos: Gallery 4Plus, check out these specialty galleries:Chignon prom hairstylesBallerina buns 20 of 28 Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Chriqui. Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 21 of 28 Mila Kunis Mila Kunis. Frazer Harrison / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 22 of 28 Maggie Grace Maggie Grace. Larry Busacca / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 23 of 28 Becki Newton Becki Newton. Rob Loud / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 24 of 28 Gwen Stefani Singer Gwen Stefani arrives at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 22, 2009 in West Hollywood, California. Michael Buckner / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 25 of 28 Add a Braid to Your Updo Berenice Bejo. Michael Buckner / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 26 of 28 Add an Antique Brooch Used as a Barrette Sarah Potempo / Instagram More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 27 of 28 Sarah Dunn Sarah Dunn. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos 28 of 28 Amber Heard Amber Heard. Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images More Prom:Dozens of Prom Photo Galleries Prom Makeup TipsPhotos of Prom Makeup How to Appear 10 Pounds Thinner in Prom Photos Show Full Article