Do Your Own Prom Hair and Makeup

julia stiles wavy hairstyle

Do-it-yourself prom hairstyle #1: The down-do

Creating a soft, polished wave is so easy to do at home, because it’s “all about having a pattern,” Potempa says. “You just learn to do one section of hair and then you can do the whole thing.” Here’s how to get the look (you can click here to see how Potempa does it on herself):

1. To make it look more polished and “expensive,” make sure you create a clean, defined part for definition before you begin styling.



2. Next, apply a styling mousse to damp roots and loosely blow dry it straight using a paddle brush. This will set the part.



3. Section out a 1-inch piece of hair and clip the rest of your hair away. Lightly spritz the section with hairspray, and wrap it around a 1-inch or 1 1/2-inch curling iron.



4. Potempa’s secret to perfect waves? “On the left side of the face, wrap it away from the face to the left. On the right side, wrap it away from the face to the right. Something as simple as that changes the entire way it looks.”



5. Also, “the key is to hold the iron upside down,” says Potempa. That way it will just slide off the bottom once the curl is in place. Then repeat this with the rest of your hair in 1-inch sections, with the left, back and right sides of your head.

If you want to add some bling to the look, Potempa suggests going for a vintage hair accessory. “See if your grandmother has an old brooch. Then you can just buy a hairpin and hot glue the brooch onto it for a unique touch,” she says.