18 Stunning Curly Prom Hairstyles to Shine on Your Big Night

Finding the perfect curly prom hairstyle can feel overwhelming—especially when you want a look that’s elegant, secure, and truly highlights your natural texture. As a stylist who regulerly works with curls of every pattern, I’ve curated this guide to help you choose a prom hair styles that not only photographs beautifully but stays flawless all night long.

Below, you’ll discover 18 stylist-approved curly prom hairstyles—from soft romantic ringlets to bold voluminous updos. Each style includes tips for achieving the look, what hair types it suits best, and expert recommendations for keeping curls defined and frizz-free. Whether your curls are loose, tight, coily, or somewhere in between, you’ll find the perfect match for your prom vision.

Best Curly Prom Hairstyles: 18 Trendy, Elegant Looks

1. Soft Rolled Half-Up Style with Bouncy Prom Curls

This gorgeous style features a smooth, twisted crown that keeps the hair beautifully off the face, flowing into a waterfall of rich, voluminous curls that cascade down the back. It’s an ideal choice for any formal event, providing sophistication and movement without feeling too stiff or overly done. This look is stunning for medium-to-long hair and adds incredible glamour to your natural color.

2. Extra-Long Wavy Ponytail with Crystal Prom Accents

This dramatic ponytail is set high on the head, featuring long, flowing spiral waves that create gorgeous movement down the back. The style is finished with sparkling, geometric hair jewels that instantly elevate this simple classic into a stunning prom-ready look. It works beautifully on naturally long hair or with extensions to achieve maximum impact and volume.

3. Voluminous Ponytail with Side Crystal and Pearl Headpiece

This gorgeous style features significant lift at the crown and smooth, face-framing waves, gathering into a high-volume ponytail with softly defined curls at the tail. The look is instantly transformed by a stunning, statement-making crystal and pearl accessory placed elegantly on the side. It’s a chic and secure option for prom, offering a sophisticated silhouette while adding fullness to your overall look.

4. Natural Curly Half-Up Style with Blue Jeweled Hair Vine

This stunning half-up style gathers the front sections just behind the ears, letting the rest of the long, springy ringlets cascade down the back with amazing volume. A delicate hair vine woven across the crown adds a charming, regal touch, making the whole look feel dressed up without losing its carefree curl pattern. It’s a gorgeous way to showcase defined curls and subtle highlights.

5. Romantic Braided Half-Up with Flowing Honey Curls

This look features long, flowing hair styled into full, soft waves and curls, beautifully highlighted by warm caramel and honey tones. The upper section is softly twisted and woven into delicate braids that cross the back of the head, adding texture and sophistication. It’s an ideal choice for prom, as it keeps the hair secure around the face while showcasing stunning length and curl volume.

6. Textured Blonde Updo of Defined Curls and Ringlets

This romantic updo is composed of defined, springy ringlets that are carefully pinned and intertwined, creating a soft, dimensional texture all over the back of the head. The loose, clustered pinning gives the style an effortless, voluminous feel that is flattering and never stiff. It’s an elegant choice for prom that works beautifully on medium-length curly hair to showcase bright highlights.

7. Cascading Half-Up with Long, Chocolate Prom Waves

This beautiful look features smooth hair softly swept back and secured with a gentle twist at the crown, keeping the front sections neatly away from the face. The bulk of the hair flows into huge, soft, defined waves that cascade down the back, showcasing the richness of the deep brown color. This glamorous style is perfect for prom, adding major volume and movement to very long hair.

8. High Half-Up Ponytail with Bouncy Brown and Blonde Curls

This style combines a smooth, high ponytail on the crown—featuring a subtle braid detail—with long, heavily curled sections cascading down the back. The large, defined curls are accented by chunky blonde highlights, giving the overall look incredible dimension and bounce. This glamorous and secure style is a fantastic choice for a night of dancing at prom, holding its shape beautifully.

9. Effortless Textured Updo with Loose Romantic Curls

This stunning updo is created by loosely twisting and pinning sections of wavy hair high on the head, forming a beautiful, textured chignon. The style avoids stiffness, allowing natural curls and soft tendrils to fall gently around the neck and ears, giving it a dreamy, ethereal quality. It’s a perfect prom choice that secures the hair while maintaining lots of youthful volume and movement.

10. Voluminous Wavy Half-Up with Delicate Floral Pins

This dreamy style features the top section softly swept back in a simple twist, securing the hair neatly away from the face. The long, voluminous ends are styled into lush, defined waves that transition beautifully from dark roots to bright blonde tips. Adding simple, delicate floral pins instantly elevates this look, making it a perfectly romantic and flowy choice for prom night.

11. Glamorous Mid-Length Curls with Side Crystal Headband

This stunning look features glossy, black hair expertly styled into deep, bouncy spiral curls that cascade over the shoulders. The hair is kept sleek and smooth at the crown with a defined center part, providing the perfect foundation for a dazzling, large crystal headpiece tucked elegantly on the side. This highly polished style offers maximum impact and volume, making it the epitome of prom glamour.

12. High Voluminous Half-Ponytail with Rich Black Waves

This gorgeous style features the top section smoothed back and secured high on the crown to create maximum lift and a voluminous half-ponytail effect. The remaining length is styled into big, soft, undulating waves that spill down the back, showcasing the richness and shine of the dark hair. It’s an incredibly glamorous and secure choice for prom that offers fantastic bounce and impact.

13. Braided High Updo with Messy Platinum Curls

This beautiful updo features a soft braid wrapped around the head, securing the hair while adding beautiful detail. The rest of the hair is styled into high, voluminous curls and pinned loosely, creating a stunning cloud of messy texture on the crown. Soft, spiral tendrils frame the face beautifully, and a tiny sparkle pin adds the perfect touch of prom elegance to this fun, chic style.

14. Elegant Half-Up Twisted Crown with Voluminous Prom Curls

This beautiful half-up style features smooth hair at the crown, neatly secured by interwoven, soft twists that flow into the long, curly sections. The length is styled into defined, bouncy curls that cascade over the shoulders, adding dramatic volume and movement to the look. It’s an elegant choice for prom that offers secure styling in the front while showcasing your gorgeous length.

15. Pearl-Accented V-Braid with Flowing Dark Curls

This gorgeous style features long hair beautifully waved into soft, cascading curls with warm highlights for dimension. The crown is elevated by two delicate braids woven into a stunning V-shape, secured with a dazzling pearl-cluster clip. Small pearls placed along the braid’s edge add a charming, regal touch. It’s a sophisticated and romantic choice for prom that perfectly balances structure with natural curl flow.

16. Bouncy Half-Up Style with Face-Framing Spiral Curls

This style features the hair at the crown softly secured back to create a gentle lift, while the rest cascades down in large, defined spiral curls and waves. Soft tendrils are left out around the face to enhance the natural contours and add a romantic touch. It’s an easy, glamorous choice for prom that ensures fantastic movement and bounce all night long.

17. Pearl-Adorned Waterfall Twist with Loose Blonde Curls

This romantic style features a waterfall of loosely twisted sections that secure the hair at the crown, flowing down into a voluminous, low-set cascade of soft waves and natural curls. The entire look is elevated by individual pearl pins dotted throughout the twists and curls, adding beautiful sparkle and dimension. It’s a gorgeous prom choice that looks stunning on highlighted, medium-to-long hair.

18. Voluminous Natural Spiral Curls for Prom Night

This beautiful look features long, defined spiral curls that are given maximum lift and bounce around the face and shoulders. The hair is kept simple and down, making a huge statement through its sheer volume and rich, dimensional color. It’s a gorgeous choice for prom if you want to skip the pins and structure, allowing your beautiful, healthy natural texture to take center stage.