Prom Spot - 5 Prom Hair Dos and Don'ts

Don’t let frizziness or limpness happen to your hair and affect your look on the big night. Yes, you can control the outcome of your hairdo. All you need is this pre-prom maintenance manual.

DON’T fight your hair
Curly girls want to go straight. Straight-haired girls want curls. Why fight Mother Nature? If you're blessed with ringlets, don't spend hours torturing your hair into a straight style -- instead, choose one that enhances your natural texture. Run a lightweight balm that's made for curly hair through your tresses to banish frizz and ensure you've got sleek, spirally curls all evening long.

The same goes for those with straight tresses. Play up your sleek style by flattening things out with a straightening iron, or use hot rollers to create volume.
For step-by-step directions, click here.
[MAKE THIS A POP-UP]: First, work a golf ball-sized gob of mousse through your soaked strands; then blow-dry. Use extra-large rollers to create volume, and let them set for 10 minutes or so. When you unroll them, absolutely do not touch your brush. Instead, use your fingers to tousle your sexy new 'do. Tame any flyaways (and enhance your slick style) with a shine-enhancing spray.

DO treat your locks
Give your tresses some extra TLC to guarantee maximum gorgeousness on your big night. Find a deep conditioner that suits your hair type (heavy-duty for dry, damaged, or color-treated hair; something on the lighter side if yours is normal to oily). To maximize the benefits, get out of the shower and use a kitchen timer to be sure you let the goop sit for a full 5 to 10 minutes.

If your hair is in especially bad shape, get a trim to eliminate split ends; then start using a deep-conditioner that's okay for frequent use. Limit heat styling, and detangle your strands with a wide-tooth comb (not a brush). If you can't live without your blow-dryer, get a shielding treatment to protect your hair against the damaging heat.

DON’T overstyle
On prom night, avoid using too many styling products like gels, pomades, or shine enhancers. Too much will overload your hair. It may seem like the only way to get your tresses to behave, but the products can become a greasy mess by the end of the night.

Instead of OD'ing on product, take time now to test out different looks and styles, using just one or two styling aids each time. You’ll find a combo that's right for you. (And if you're regularly loading your locks with products, consider using a clarifying shampoo once a week. These heavy-duty formulas are too harsh for everyday use, but just right for clearing out all that product buildup once in a while.)

DO accessorize
Whether long or short, up or down, play up your style with a killer accessory that complements your dress. If your look is retro glam, shop for a vintage-style rhinestone barrette or a couple of hairpins. For a preppier style, we love the look of a wide ribbon tied as a hair band to keep long locks away from your pretty face all night. You could also try a feather or single flower (real or fake) tucked behind your ear.

DON’T last-minute anything
The week before prom is the absolute worst time to make changes to your hair. If you hate it, you're stuck with it (and you'll have lots of pictures to help you remember).

That means no color, no chemical processes (like straightening or perming), and no haircuts (unless it's just a trim). Not only could you walk out with a style you hate, the smell from a chemical treatment will linger for a few days. Plus, giving your locks a little recovery time after any process will let your new 'do soften up a bit and look more natural.

If you really want a different look, try a test-drive a month or two before the party. Grab your friends and experiment with styles. If you're looking to try a new hue, pick up a temporary color that will wash out after 10 to 12 shampoos. That way, if you love it, you can go permanent, but if you don't, it'll be long-gone before prom.

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Photo: Courtesy of TRESSemme