Curls, whether natural or permed, offer a wealth of styling possibilities, especially for special occasions like prom and parties. From romantic and intricate updos to playful and voluminous styles, curls add texture, dimension, and a touch of glamour. This guide showcases 16 gorgeous curly updos and permed styles perfect for prom and parties, exploring a variety of techniques and embellishments. Whether you envision a classic and elegant look or a more modern and edgy style, you’ll find inspiration to create a stunning hairstyle that complements your outfit and personality. These styles are designed to celebrate the beauty of curls, ensuring you feel confident and radiant all night long.
1. Classic Curly Bun with Face-Framing Tendrils
A timeless and elegant choice, the classic curly bun offers a polished and sophisticated look. Soft, face-framing tendrils add a touch of romance and soften the overall style, making it perfect for formal events, proms, or sophisticated parties. The bun itself can be high or low, tight or loose, depending on the desired level of formality.
2. Romantic Curly Updo with Braids and Flowers
This whimsical and romantic style combines the natural texture of curls with delicate braids and fresh or artificial floral accents. It’s perfect for a garden party, a spring prom, or a bohemian-themed event, creating a soft and enchanting look that evokes a fairytale atmosphere. The braids can be incorporated in various ways, such as a crown braid, accent braids, or braided tendrils.
3. High Curly Ponytail with Voluminous Top
For a playful and glamorous vibe, a high curly ponytail with a voluminous top offers a fun and energetic style. The volume at the crown adds height and drama, elongating the face and creating a more balanced silhouette. The curls add bounce and texture, making it perfect for dancing the night away at a prom or party.
4. Half-Up Half-Down with Cascading Curls
This versatile and romantic style offers the best of both worlds, combining the elegance of an updo with the natural beauty of flowing curls. The top section is styled into a small bun, twist, or braid, while the remaining curls cascade down the back, creating a soft and flattering look that suits various face shapes and dress styles. It’s a popular choice for proms and semi-formal parties.
5. Messy Curly Bun with Loose Strands
For a relaxed and effortless vibe, a messy curly bun with loose strands offers a chic and comfortable style. The loose strands soften the look and add a touch of casual charm, making it perfect for a less formal party, a casual gathering, or even a daytime event. This style is easy to achieve and requires minimal styling time.
6. Curly French Twist with Elegant Accessories
This sophisticated and elegant style features a classic French twist adapted for curly hair. The curls add texture and volume to the twist, creating a more romantic and less severe look. Elegant accessories, such as jeweled hairpins, a decorative comb, or a pearl barrette, add a touch of glamour and refinement, making it perfect for a formal event or a black-tie party.
7. Low Curly Updo with Side-Swept Bangs
This romantic and flattering style features a low updo, often a low bun or chignon, with soft, side-swept bangs that frame the face beautifully. The low placement of the updo adds a touch of understated elegance, while the bangs soften the forehead and create a balanced and harmonious look. It’s a classic and timeless choice for proms and formal parties.
8. Curly Top Knot with Braided Base
This modern and chic style combines the sleekness of a top knot with the texture and visual interest of a braid. The braided base, often a French or Dutch braid, adds stability and keeps the style secure, while the curly top knot adds volume and bounce. It’s a stylish and practical choice for parties and events where you want your hair up and out of your face.
9. Voluminous Curls with a Headband or Tiara
For a truly glamorous and celebratory look, voluminous curls enhanced with a stylish headband or tiara offer a show-stopping style. The volume adds drama and creates a red carpet-worthy look, while the accessory adds a touch of sparkle, sophistication, or whimsy, depending on the chosen accessory. It’s a perfect choice for prom, a formal ball, or any special occasion where you want to feel like a princess.
10. Curly Mohawk Updo
For a bold and edgy statement, a curly mohawk updo offers a unique and eye-catching style. The curls are styled upwards, creating a dramatic silhouette that mimics a mohawk, while the sides are kept sleek or styled with tighter curls for contrast. This style is perfect for those with a strong personal style who want to make a statement at a party or event.
11. Pineapple Updo for Naturally Curly Hair
This style is perfect for showcasing natural curls and keeping them out of the face while maintaining volume and definition. The hair is gathered high on top of the head, creating a “pineapple” shape that highlights the natural curl pattern and adds height. It’s a comfortable, stylish, and easy-to-achieve option for parties, casual gatherings, or even everyday wear.
12. Curly Gibson Tuck with Floral Accents
This romantic and vintage-inspired style features a curly Gibson tuck, a classic updo where the hair is tucked under itself at the nape of the neck, creating a soft and elegant roll. Floral accents, such as small flowers or greenery, add a touch of whimsy and natural beauty, making it perfect for vintage-themed parties, garden parties, or even a romantic prom look.
13. Side-Swept Curls with a Decorative Comb
This simple yet elegant style showcases cascading curls swept dramatically to one side, secured with a decorative comb, hairpins, or other ornamental accessory. The side sweep adds a touch of asymmetry and drama, while the comb adds a touch of sparkle, sophistication, or vintage charm, depending on the chosen comb. It’s a quick and easy way to elevate curly hair for a party or special occasion.
14. Curly Braid Crown with Loose Curls
This romantic and bohemian style features a braided crown that encircles the head, creating a beautiful frame for the face. Soft, loose curls cascading down the back add a touch of softness and movement. The braid can be a French braid, Dutch braid, or any other braid style, depending on the desired look. This style is perfect for outdoor parties, bohemian-themed events, or a romantic prom look.
15. Space Buns with Curly Texture
This fun and playful style offers a modern twist on the classic space buns. The curly texture adds volume, bounce, and a touch of whimsy, creating a youthful and energetic look. It’s perfect for casual parties, themed events, concerts, or any occasion where you want to express your fun and playful personality.
16. Curly Faux Hawk Updo
For a bold and edgy statement that still celebrates curls, a curly faux hawk updo offers a unique and eye-catching style. The curls are styled upwards to mimic a mohawk, creating height and drama, while the sides are kept sleek or styled with tighter curls for contrast. This is a perfect way to show off your bold personality and make a statement at a party or event.
These 16 curly updos and permed styles provide a diverse range of options for prom and parties. Whether you prefer a romantic and classic look or a more modern and edgy style, there’s a perfect hairstyle to complement your outfit and make you feel confident and beautiful.
