Having short hair can sometimes cut your options short when it comes to styling for a major event in your life. Pun intended. At least, that’s the general opinion.
But we are here to tell you that there are just as many ways of dressing up shorter locks as there are of styling long hair. In fact, we have comprised an exhaustive list of the freshest prom hairstyles for short hair which also include your favorite celebrities!
1. Easy Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
When your prom dress and accessories do all the talking, your hair needs to take a step back. Therefore, you have to take the minimal approach with this soft bob that has just the right amount of beach waves and highlights to get you noticed and also shine a light on the dress!
2. The Side Braid
Needless to say, braids have been all the rage over the past few years. The world has rediscovered braids for the first time since the 60s and 70s with a force never before seen and we are loving every second of it.
3. Prom Hairstyles for Short Medium Hair
We are absolutely in love with the color combination here. This is the smart way of doing accessories on such an important night as prom. The golden peach of the metallic flower wreath brings out the platinum blonde. And don’t forget to leave a larger section of hair to make those pretty double braids.
4. Cute Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Building on our statement about braids, there’s nothing cuter on a teenage girl than a braid crown, especially one made with a Dutch braid. And you know what’s even better? You can totally create this hairstyle at home without having to spend major bucks at the salon.
5. Classy Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Here’s a classy and classic style that you probably saw in many yearbooks over the decades. It’s a half up half down style that strongly reminds us of Belle and the way she did her hair when she danced with the Beast.
6. The Margot Robbie
We promised in the intro of this article that we were going to show you some of your favorite celebrities so that you can draw inspiration from them when it comes to prom hairstyles for short hair. And we’re not about to break our promise to you so here’s Margot Robbie.
7. The Ginnifer Goodwin
She’s been a fan of shaggy pixie cuts since we can remember and it’s a good thing too. Ginnifer Goodwin has a very round and sweet face that benefits from the edge of the pixie cut. If this is your case too, make her your inspiration.
8. The Sarah Hyland
This cutie from Modern Family has toed the line between blonde and brown for years without settling on an actual color. Both shades compliment her always tanned skin as well as her eyes so consider this when styling your hair.
9. Glitter Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
The glitter hair trend is not gone yet and it’s definitely something you might want to try. Especially if you have a simple dress that might benefit from a little boost of sparkle. Evidently, you can choose the color of the glitter.
10. Half Up Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Another very simple hairstyle which you can try is a half up half down one. Moreover, it’s part of that range of hairdos that you can master at home and which will not gauge a whole in your prom budget.
11. The Julianne Hough
Have you ever seen sweeter prom hairstyles for short hair than the ones that actress Julianne Hough always wears on the red carpet? This is a messy side bun with a side part and you can use a curling iron for added curl definition.
12. Double Braid Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
How can you embellish a jaw-length sleek and straight bob? With a set of magnificent and chic double braids, of course. They will add a bit of edge to your look, making your look fierce as well as elegant.
13. The Taylor Swift
Here’s the queen of teenage girls herself. Taylor Swift has naturally curly hair in real life, which doesn’t stop her from sporting magnificent prom-worthy hairstyles on the red carpet. We’re in love with her twig style earrings!
14. Vintage Curls Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Short or medium hair lends itself perfectly to a set of magnificent vintage curls. They will go perfectly well with an equally vintage or retro dress, especially one that has a halter top or a sweetheart neckline.
15. Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair with Bangs
If you have bangs, you need to flaunt them. However, we suggest you choose a strapless dress which will uncover your shoulders, leaving your face to do all the talking in this case. You have so much going on at this level!
16. 1920s Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
If this hairstyle looks familiar, that’s because you might have seen it in old posters of the famed performer and flapper girl Josephine Baker. She used to wear a short pixie cut with gelled curls that were almost glued to her head.
17. The Miley Cyrus
Here’s a throwback picture of the old Miley, prior to her becoming the bad girl of pop music she is today. This is a fantastic source of inspiration for your prom night, thanks to the soft curls and theatrical diamond earrings.
18. The Gabrielle Union
This is how you wear a short and choppy bob. Not only that, but this is how you show it off to the world. With a one-shoulder dress, a pair of understated gem earrings, and a smoky eye makeup that will make you look like a queen.
19. Pearl Headband Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
If you really want to turn heads at your prom, if you’re a styling queen or if your dress is themed, then you absolutely need a headband. This one is made of a fine golden chain and beautiful white pearls.
20. Finger Waves Prom Hairstyles
We’re back to the 20s with this hairstyle because that was an age that gave women such iconic and outstanding beauty looks. These are called finger waves and they work perfectly on a short pixie cut.
21. The Sienna Miller
Here’s actress Sienna Miller wearing a double twisted front braid. The rest of her hair has been casually let to hang down her shoulders. We also love her big golden earrings which match her golden makeup.
22. The Halsey
Nothing says edgy and brave like a super short and boyish platinum blonde pixie cut. As far as prom hairstyles for short hair go, this one is the trendiest by far this season. You can balance it out with a flowery dress.
23. The Miranda Kerr
Who doesn’t want supermodel hair? If you do, you can take a cue from the lovely Miranda Kerr and copy her toffee brown hair and coral red lipstick which set off her baby blue eyes. They also match her flaming red dress.
24. Half Braided Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Another edgy look can be obtained by braiding half your hair. You can go for French braids or even small boxer braids, depending on which ones you prefer. Combine them with a simple dress for maximum effect.
25. The Emma Watson
It would seem only fitting to take prom styling advice from Belle herself. After all, she did attend one of the most iconic ball scenes in cinema with her prince (then still a beast). Emma Watson is the picture of perfection with these sweetheart curls.
Enjoy braidception by taking a look at this full list of braided hairstyles for long hair as well!
26. The Scarlett Johansson
Leave it to Scarlett Johansson to reinvent the pixie cut. Her hairstyle has tapered sides and a long top that makes her look like a total badass. Not to mention the strong makeup which only adds to the flame.
27. The Hailey Baldwin Bieber
When you’re dripping in diamonds, your hair and makeup need to take a step back. That’s the rule and Hailey Bieber Baldwin surely knows it. These theatrical coiled earpieces are a showstopper in themselves, which means you won’t have to bother much in front of the mirror.
28. Beautiful Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
You might think it’s difficult to find dress colors that match red hair, but you are wrong. If you style them correctly, any color works, including pink, green, red, and gold. However, the best will always be silver and black.
29. The Lily Collins
Actress Lily Collins is giving us major hair envy here. She’s wearing one of the season’s most coveted trends – the wet look. You can pull it off with a lot of hair gel or with some high-quality glossing agent.
30. The Long Pixie Cut
When it comes to prom hairstyles for short hair, you have to know how to embellish them and make them festive. Pixie cuts may be too short to curl them or give them some waves, but you can always wear a hairpiece
31. The Paloma Faith
If Paloma Faith is not your hair inspiration yet, then you need to follow her on Instagram as soon as possible, and she will be. It seems as though this talented singer never runs out of cool ideas as to what to do with her locks.
32. The Demi Lovato
It’s our strong opinion that this might just be the best Demi Lovato has ever looked on the red carpet. The midnight brunette highlights her porcelain skin, the short bob is poised perfectly in finger waves, and the black smoky eye makeup simply makes her brown eyes pop. And that oxblood lipstick!
33. The Emma Stone
Let’s continue our list of prom hairstyles for short hair with another example of glam goth, this time as shown by Emma Stone. She’s here to prove that you can also do glam goth in blonde. Emma is wearing a deeply scarlet lipstick and glossy pink eyeshadow.
34. 40s Short Prom Hairstyles
The past decades are chock full of hair inspiration. Back then, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers really knew how to highlight their best features. Here’s a 40s retro-inspired look that you can take to prom.
35. The Kate Winslet
Nobody walks the red carpet with more elegance and regality than Kate Winslet. Here she is with a side chignon hairstyle, minimal eye makeup, a coral orange lipstick, and, of course, diamond earrings.
36. The Tyra Banks
Supermodels have always been a fantastic source of inspiration when it comes to fashion and styling. And Tyra Banks is one of the best. Her messy low bun is complimented by a set of finger waves and a pair of dramatic drooping earpieces.
37. Prom Hair for Short Hair with Flowers
Wearing a small flower crown is not just for weddings anymore. If you have an appropriate dress and if you can manage to style this accessory in an appropriate fashion, you can wear it to your prom as well.
38. DIY Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
As we all know, prom night is one of the most expensive things you’ll have to go through as a teen. Therefore, if you can cut corners somewhere, we suggest you do it. This messy braid is extremely cool and easy to do at home.
39. Headband Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Don’t be afraid to express yourself with the accessories you find most fetching. This is, after all your night, and you should shine. Headbands are a great way to compliment your dress and add a bit of extra pizzazz to your look.
40. Fauxhawk Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
Nobody has been able to talk about anything else since the word fauxhawk was invented. It opened the gates for a myriad of styles and versions of the traditional mohawk – one more interesting than the other.
41. The Slick Back Bob
It may have originated with world-class supermodels the likes of Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, but the slick back has now become a staple for every girl who walks the red carpet. It’s a casual yet chic do, and its best friend is the pigmented glittery eyeshadow.
42. The Kristen Stewart
Matchy-matchy? There hasn’t been a lot of that going around lately. However, when you’re the rebel girl that Kristen Stewart is, you can do anything you want. Including perfectly matching your gray eyeshadow to your dress.
43. The Rose Byrne
Here is actress Rose Byrne showing you how to do prom hairstyles for short hair the princess way. Her rose pink dress was, maybe inspired by her name, and her sweetheart blonde curls could surely make her a contender to play Cinderella.
44. The Keira Knightley
Do you want to know a little trick? If you want to make your hair color stand out, you need to pick a hair accessory in the opposing color. Keira’s hair is a natural brown. Therefore, she went for a red headband.
45. The Braided Bun
This is a very interesting take on the old-fashioned bun. Instead of creating a traditional one that you have to secure with bobby pins and maybe a doughnut, why not try this braided one instead?
46. The Michelle Dockery
Lady Mary was the epitome of style, grace, and elegance on every single episode of Downton Abbey. Luckily for all of us, she is like that in real life as well, which means we can transform her into our style guru.
47. The Charlize Theron
Actress Charlize Theron is not only one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, but she has also been the face of Dior’s J’Adore perfume for many years now. Which means that we should listen to what she has to say about beauty and styling.
48. Gelled Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair
This look is as edgy and as fresh as they come. Say goodbye to your grandma’s curls and buns and hello to the new age. And if you want to stay fresh, you’ll be wearing this look too.
49. The Jennifer Hudson
It’s not easy to pull off a pixie cut with heavy bangs, but Jennifer Hudson is so beautiful that she can make anything work. Just look at that makeup. It’s not eyeshadow but rather pencil eyeliner streaked across her lid and combined with a flawless purple lipstick.
50. Prom Hairstyles for Short Hair with Bobby Pins
DIY has never been easier than when you start getting creative with bobby pins. Here’s a tip. Choose some in a novelty color such as silver or gold as opposed to the traditional black and brown.
Conclusion
Here is another myth busted for you. The myth that one cannot style short hair too much or that you don’t have that many high couture options. As you can see from our list of prom hairstyles for short hair, it has never been easier to dress up short locks – provided you get creative and original.
Write to us in the comment section below and let us know which one of these hairstyles you will be wearing to prom?
For more style inspiration, check out the articles below:
- 50 Pin Up Hairstyles for that Retro Look
- 50 Cute and Easy Hairstyles For Women
- 50 Goddess Braids Ideas for that Divine Feeling
- 50 VSCO Hairstyles for When You Gotta Get that Gram
