25 Elegant Prom Updos for Long Hair That’ll Steal the Spotlight

Prom night is that special night when everyone wants to look their best. It’s the perfect time to dress up, feel beautiful, and make memories that last forever. While your dress is important, your hairstyle really completes your look.

If you have long hair, you have so many options! From classic styles to modern looks, there’s an updo that will make you feel like a princess. In this guide, we’re sharing 25 beautiful prom updos made for long hair that will get you noticed.

Whether you want something classic and elegant or modern and bold, these hairstyles will help you stand out on your special night. Let’s look at these beautiful styles that will steal the spotlight!

Classic Chignon

The classic chignon never goes out of style. This neat bun sits at the back of your neck, creating a clean and elegant look that works with any dress.

To create this timeless style:

• Brush your hair back smoothly
• Gather it at the back of your neck
• Twist it around to form a neat bun
• Secure with pins and hairspray

What makes this style special is how simple and elegant it is. It’s perfect if you want your dress or jewelry to be the main focus. For extra beauty, add a sparkly hair clip or small flowers to the side of the bun.

Elegant French Twist

The French twist is always elegant and always appropriate. This classic style rolls your long hair upward, creating a smooth, sophisticated look that always impresses.

This style works great with off-shoulder or high-neck dresses, letting you show off your neckline while keeping your hair neat. Add some volume at the top for more drama, or keep it sleek for a modern look.

Don’t forget to wear nice earrings! Since your hair is pulled back, this is the perfect chance to show off sparkly jewelry that will catch the light when you dance.

Sleek High Bun

If you want to make a bold statement, the sleek high bun is perfect. This style pulls your hair to the top of your head, creating height and drawing attention to your face.

The great thing about this style is how versatile it is – it can be very sleek and modern or slightly textured for a softer look. Either way, it’s perfect for showing off earrings and a pretty neckline.

To keep this look perfect all night:

• Use plenty of hairspray
• Smooth any flyaway hairs with a small amount of gel
• Secure with plenty of pins that match your hair color

Braided Low Ponytail

Not all updos have to be complicated! The braided low ponytail offers the perfect mix of elegance and comfort. This style keeps your hair neatly gathered while the braid adds interesting texture.

Start by creating a low ponytail, then braid it and secure with a clear hair tie. For extra style, wrap a small section of hair around the hair tie to hide it. This style works really well with backless dresses, as it keeps your hair out of the way while still looking polished.

The best part? This style is comfortable enough to wear all night long – no headaches from tight pins or heavy styling!

Side Swept Curls

For a romantic, dreamy look, side swept curls are perfect. This style isn’t a traditional updo, but it keeps your hair gathered to one side, creating a neat appearance that’s still soft and flowing.

To create this look:

• Curl all your hair in the same direction
• Gently brush through the curls for a unified wave
• Pin most of your hair to one side
• Use a decorative clip or flowers to secure it

This style is particularly flattering if you want to highlight your neck or show off a one-shoulder dress. It’s also more forgiving than some tighter updos if you have layers or shorter pieces around your face.

Braided Halo Crown

Feel like a princess with a braided halo crown! This beautiful style creates a crown-like effect around your head, giving you a royal yet romantic appearance.

Start by parting your hair down the middle and creating two long braids. The type of braid is up to you – regular three-strand, fishtail, or Dutch braids all work beautifully. Then wrap each braid over the top of your head, pinning securely to create the halo effect.

This style works wonderfully with flowing, fairy-tale dresses and would be perfect for an outdoor prom. Add tiny flowers or pearl pins throughout the braids for an extra magical touch.

Voluminous Side Bun

If you’re looking for drama and glamour, the voluminous side bun delivers both! This eye-catching style places a full, textured bun at the side of your head, creating an uneven look that’s sure to turn heads.

The key to this style is creating plenty of volume and texture before forming the bun. Tease sections of your hair gently, then gather it to one side and twist into a bun shape. Don’t worry about making it too perfect – some looseness adds to the charm.

This style pairs beautifully with strapless or one-shoulder dresses, as it creates visual balance with its placement on one side.

Braided Bun with Pearls

Make a simple bun special by adding braids and pearls! This sophisticated style combines the elegance of a classic updo with interesting texture elements that catch the light.

Start by creating several braids throughout your hair, then gather everything (including the braids) into a bun position. Secure with pins, then add pearl pins or a pearl hairband for a touch of luxury.

This look is perfect for creating a royal, sophisticated appearance. The pearls add a timeless quality that works with classic prom dresses, while the braids keep the style from feeling too formal.

Sleek Ponytail with a Twist

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-done ponytail! This elevated version features a sleek base with a twist of hair hiding the hair tie – a simple detail that transforms it from everyday to elegant.

For this look, smoothness is key. Use a flat iron on your hair before gathering it into a ponytail, then take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie. Secure with a bobby pin hidden underneath.

This style works beautifully with modern, simple dresses and allows your makeup to take center stage. It’s also perfect if you want something elegant that won’t need fixing throughout the night.

Elegant Curled Upstyle

This romantic updo features softly pinned curls arranged in a beautiful pattern at the back of your head. The key to this style is creating defined curls first, then pinning them one by one to build a gorgeous arrangement.

What makes this updo special is how it looks different from every angle – giving you a beautiful profile no matter where you’re standing. Leave a few strands loose around your face to soften the look.

This versatile style works with virtually any dress style and can be customized with hair accessories to match your overall prom theme.

Elegant Bun with Glitter

Who says updos can’t be fun? This playful take on a classic bun adds a sprinkle of glitter for a magical, eye-catching effect. It’s elegant with just the right amount of sparkle!

Create a smooth, neat bun, then apply hair gel with cosmetic glitter mixed in, or use a glitter hairspray made for this purpose. Focus the glitter on one section of the bun for a subtle effect, or go all-out for a more dramatic look.

This style is perfect for catching the light on the dance floor and will have you literally sparkling all night long. Choose glitter that matches or complements your dress color for a coordinated look.

Sophisticated Updo with Curls

This gorgeous style combines the elegance of an updo with the romantic softness of curls. Instead of slicking everything back, this look features voluminous curls pinned up in a soft, structured arrangement.

The beauty of this style is in its dimension and movement. The curls create visual interest from every angle, while still keeping your hair securely pinned up for a night of dancing.

To make this look last:

• Start with day-old hair for better grip
• Use a strong-hold hairspray before and after curling
• Secure each section with bobby pins inserted in crossing directions

Vintage Roll Updo

Step back in time with this glamorous vintage-inspired updo! This style features smooth rolls of hair that create a structured, elegant look reminiscent of Old Hollywood glamour.

Creating this look requires patience and practice, but the results are worth it. Each section of hair is rolled and pinned to create smooth, curved shapes that flow together beautifully. A shine spray adds the perfect finishing touch.

This updo pairs perfectly with vintage-style gowns or classic silhouettes. Add a decorative comb or pin with vintage styling for an authentic touch.

Twisted Floral Updo

This romantic style combines twisted sections of hair to create a flower-like pattern at the back of your head. It’s detailed yet natural-looking, perfect for a spring or garden-themed prom.

To create this gorgeous look:

• Divide your hair into sections
• Twist each section and pin it in a circular pattern
• Allow some pieces to fall loosely for a soft effect

For an extra special touch, add small fresh flowers or floral pins throughout the twisted sections. This creates a truly magical effect that looks beautiful in photographs.

Romantic Updo with Loose Tendrils

This soft, dreamy updo balances structure with romance by combining a secure pinned style with face-framing strands. The contrast between the neat updo and the loose pieces creates a beautiful, effortless effect.

This style is particularly flattering because the loose strands can be positioned to highlight your best features or soften your face shape. They also move naturally when you dance, adding a dynamic element to your look.

A light-hold hairspray is perfect for this style – it keeps the updo secure while allowing the loose strands to move naturally throughout the night.

Braided Crown with Ribbon

Add a fairy-tale touch to your prom look with this enchanting braided crown adorned with ribbon. This style creates a circle of braids around your head, with a delicate ribbon woven through for color and texture.

Choose a ribbon that matches or complements your dress for a coordinated look. The ribbon can be thin and subtle or slightly wider for more impact – either way, it adds a unique element that sets this updo apart.

This style works beautifully for outdoor events and creates a whimsical, romantic appearance that’s perfect for making memories.

Chic Low Bun with Accessories

Sometimes the simplest styles make the biggest impact. This elegant low bun creates a clean, sophisticated look that serves as the perfect backdrop for stunning hair accessories.

The key to this style is creating a smooth, neat bun at the nape of your neck, then adding carefully chosen accessories to elevate it. Consider:

• A row of decorative pins along one side
• A jeweled hair comb inserted at the top of the bun
• A delicate chain draped across the back

This versatile updo works with any dress style and allows you to coordinate your hair accessories with your jewelry for a put-together look.

Messy Updo with Twists

Not all prom styles need to be perfectly neat! This artistic updo combines twisted sections with a deliberately tousled finish for a modern, effortless look that’s full of texture and dimension.

The beauty of this style is in its controlled chaos – it’s carefully created to look slightly undone while still being secure enough to last all night. Teasing certain sections before twisting adds volume and helps create that coveted messy-but-chic effect.

This style pairs perfectly with bohemian or flowing dresses and creates a relaxed yet elegant appearance that’s perfect for dancing the night away.

Glamorous Hollywood Waves

For timeless glamour, nothing beats the elegant sweep of Hollywood waves. While not a traditional updo, this style keeps hair styled back on one side, creating a polished look that’s both sophisticated and beautiful.

The perfect Hollywood waves require:

• Deep side part
• Large barrel curling iron
• Brushing out the curls for smooth waves
• Strong-hold hairspray

This iconic style pairs beautifully with vintage-inspired or fitted gowns and creates a red-carpet worthy appearance that will have all eyes on you.

Intricate Braided Updo

For the braid lover, this complex style combines multiple braiding techniques into one show-stopping updo. Different types of braids – French, Dutch, fishtail, or rope – are created and then pinned into an artistic arrangement.

What makes this style special is its unique texture and dimension. Each different braiding technique creates a different visual effect, resulting in an updo that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

This detailed style pairs beautifully with simpler dress designs, as the hair itself becomes a standout accessory.

Twisted Half-Up Bun

Can’t decide between an updo and wearing your hair down? This perfect compromise keeps the top section of your hair neatly styled while allowing the rest to flow freely.

To create this look:

• Take the top section of your hair
• Twist it back and secure in a small bun
• Curl the remaining hair for a cohesive look

This versatile style works with many dress types and offers the best of both worlds – the neatness of an updo around your face with the romantic flow of loose hair below.

Grecian-Inspired Updo

Channel your inner goddess with this Grecian-inspired style. This elegant updo features twisted sections that wrap around the head, creating a regal, classical appearance that never goes out of style.

The beauty of this updo is its timeless elegance. It looks equally at home with flowing, draped dresses or more structured modern styles. Add delicate gold leaf accessories or a simple gold headband to enhance the Grecian theme.

This updo is perfect for creating a regal, statuesque appearance that photographs beautifully from every angle.

Textured Bun with Wrap

Make a simple bun special by adding texture and a hair wrap! This style takes the classic bun and gives it a modern twist with plenty of volume and a section of hair wrapped around the base.

For this look, texture is key – create lots of waves or curls before gathering your hair into a bun position. The wrapped section adds a polished finishing touch that hides any hair ties or pins.

This versatile style works with many dress types and can be positioned high or low depending on what you prefer.

Loose Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid has become a modern classic, and this loose, romantic version is perfect for prom. More sophisticated than a regular braid but not as formal as some updos, it strikes the perfect balance for many prom themes.

To create this look:

• Start with textured hair (beach waves work perfectly)
• Create a loose fishtail braid
• Gently pull sections of the braid outward to create fullness
• Secure with a decorative elastic or wrap with hair

This style is ideal for outdoor events or less formal proms, creating an effortless, bohemian look that’s still special enough for the occasion.

Textured Bohemian Updo

For the free spirit, this artfully tousled updo combines natural texture with strategic styling. Instead of sleek perfection, this style celebrates natural volume and movement while still keeping hair pinned up and ready for dancing.

The key to this style is embracing your hair’s natural texture and enhancing it. Curls, waves, and even natural frizz are welcome here – simply pin sections back in a pleasing arrangement, allowing some pieces to fall naturally around your face.

This relaxed yet elegant style works beautifully with flowing, romantic dresses and creates a dreamy, fairy-tale appearance.

Finding Your Perfect Prom Updo :

With so many gorgeous options, how do you choose the perfect updo for your prom night? Consider:

• Your dress style and neckline
• Your comfort level (some styles need more pins than others)
• The overall theme of your prom
• Your natural hair texture
• Your personal style and what makes you comfortable

Remember that the best hairstyle is one that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Don’t be afraid to show these photos to your hairstylist and discuss how they might work for your unique features and hair type.

No matter which updo you choose, with proper preparation and styling, your hair will be ready to steal the spotlight on your unforgettable prom night. Get ready to turn heads, take stunning photos, and dance the night away with a hairstyle that makes you feel like the star you are!