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Prom hairstyles follow the stars

For their big night out, more teen girls will be choosing cascading locks similar to those worn by Hollywood actresses and pop singers

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By Susan Dalzell, Contributing Writer Updated 6:52 PM Monday, May 2, 2011

When area high school girls head to prom this year, they’ll be letting their hair down.

Local stylists say the trendiest looks this year are loose and full styles that come cascading down past the shoulders, similar to the looks that stars have been wearing lately on red carpets. When hair is off the neck, it’s pulled up in a relaxed, nonstructured style.

“The girls are following Hollywood and music stars, going for more of a natural look. It’s a flashback to the 1930s, almost, with hair swooping down and over one eye,” said Brent Johnson, an owner of Square One Salon in Centerville. “The younger girls are more sophisticated than girls were in the past. They are more aware of the trends.”

There is one celebrity, though, that local teens aren’t trying to emulate. “I haven’t seen anyone coming in asking to look like Snooki,” said Jordan Smith, a Square One Salon stylist.

Long and curly

Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, both of whom are known for their long, luxurious tresses, are style icons to many local teens.

“A lot of our clients want that long, thick curly hair. It’s almost a beachy look,” Smith said. “I’m seeing a lot of pictures of Taylor.”

All those curls can be a challenge to maintain through a long night of dancing. The stylists recommended hairspray and lots of it, regardless of whether the hair is styled by a professional or curled at home. Choose a spray that fits your preference: “Some might want it to be very strong and don’t mind if it’s a bit stiff,” Smith said. “Others may want to select a flex hold, so you can still run your fingers through it.”

Don’t scrimp on the quality of hair products, warned Valeria Perry of Valeria’s Beauty Center and Day Spa in Dayton. “Get the professional products so the style will last all night,” she said. “You don’t want it to get frizzy. Curls can be hard to maintain.”

Nikki Hall, a stylist at Ashworth’s Beauty Group in Dayton, recommended using a small curling iron, so the hair stays curly even when the curls loosen. “You could also pin the curls until you are ready to go. Hairspray it and let it down right before you head out the door,” she suggested.

Hair extensions

The thick, full hairstyles that many stars are modeling are achievable for the average woman, with a little help.

There are several ways to create the look.

For those who are really committed to bigger hair, hot fusion hair extensions — using glue — is an option, but it is expensive and time consuming. Cold fusion is similar, but the extension hair is taped over existing hair. The extension is only semi-permanent, removable by using a solvent. Both options have to be executed by a professional.

For prom, most girls are more likely to opt for a simpler, cheaper option: hair clips. “You can buy it and do it yourself without the assistance of a stylist,” Johnson said. “You could have your best friend help you.”

Clip extensions come in just about every color imaginable and can be purchased at salons or hair specialty shops. Some use actual human hair; others are synthetic. They can be used incognito, to fill out hair for more of a wow factor with any number of hair styles. “They can look very natural, if done correctly, and they blend beautifully into your hair,” Smith said.

Some girls, however, want the extensions to stand out, adding a shock of bright color to their coif. “We’ve seen girls using hot pink, blue or lime, sometimes to match their dress,” Johnson said. “It’s to jazz it up and make a statement, without having to commit to keeping the color. They’d rather not offend grandma or get comments from their English teacher on Monday.”

Hall said a product called Hair Flare is a big mover right now at her salon. “It’s pieces of foil that get tied into the hair. It comes in 20 different colors,” she said. “It’s really popular for dances.”

The foil comes in long strands that a stylist ties into her client’s hair. It can then be cut to match the real hair and curled or flat ironed. At Ashworth’s, they charge $15 for five strands and $3 for each additional strand. “It’s a great way to add a touch of sparkle. The light just catches it,” Hall said. As with extensions, the brighter colors are often used to match the dress.

Up-dos

Up-dos can still be stylish, but the popular styles are softer and gentler than in the past. Young women aren’t asking for sleek French twists or princess-style buns anymore. “We’re not seeing super structured up-dos. They’re looser and fuller,” Johnson said.

Valeria Perry of Valeria’s Beauty Center and Day Spa in Dayton says up-dos are still being requested by her clients. “This year, they’re asking for very soft curls, pulled up. Some people are requesting half-up and half-down,” she said.

Smith said side ponytails, worn low, are becoming popular again. Again, the look is casual, with the hair curled, maybe teased, and wound around the band to hide it. Buns are similarly unfussy. “It’s very textured and curly, almost messy,” she said.

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