Getting ready for homecoming is exciting, especially coming up with ideas for hairstyles. Some things I’ve noticed include that girls tend to feel happiest with their homecoming hairstyles when they pick a hairstyle that feels like a good amount of work. Two years ago I had a junior. She came in with about 40 pictures of different styles, and she was super stressed out the whole time. I remember her saying it was the first time she had looked in the mirror before a dance and actually liked what she saw instead of feeling like a walking costume. That was a really memorable moment for me.
I’ve put together 15 different hairstyles for you to choose from! I have a variety of options to choose from including updos and styles with loose curls. Generally, most styles are meant to work with your natural curls. I know how much I don’t want to keep fidgeting with my hair during school, and I hope that finding a style that you feel comfortable wearing and won’t have to keep adjusting is important to you too.
#1: Soft Textured Updo with Wispy Fringe
The easiest part about this updo is how it takes only a few minutes to do, yet still looks very complex. The wispy bangs are perfect and help soften the look to keep it from being too tight or formal. If your hair is medium length and finer, this look is ideal. You really want to avoid a lot of bulk and go more for the light and slightly messy look. This hairstyle is good for almost all face shapes since the bangs help to highlight the eyes and cheeks and aren’t too overpowering. If this is a look you are considering, I would highly recommend you do not skip the bangs because the updo will be too plain without them.
#2 Chestnut Waves with Pearl Detailing
I appreciate Looks that are expensive yet effortless and this one takes the cake! Her hair is rich in color and the waves are cut in a way that makes thick hair move as though it isn’t styled. The pearl barrette is worth highlighting because it does not serve a purely decorative purpose. That barette is doing structural shifts while looking comme ci comme ca and that’s smart. This is a style for girls of medium to long, naturally thick hair who want to wear their hair down without it feeling out of control. If your hair is fine or tends to be lackluster, this style will be at odds with you, so I’d recommend something else.
#3 Low Textured Bun with Soft Bangs
Buns can be elegant, but this is not always the case. This example has a low bun and a light fringe which helps soften the overall style and makes it fun. This look works really well for fine to medium length hair since it requires less padding or product to create the bun. Having bangs helps a lot since they are so front and center. This means you want to be extra careful not to have greasy bangs. If you plan to style your bangs but they are oily, dry shampoo is your friend. The less oil, the better when it comes to styling.
#4 High Ponytail with Soft Curls
High ponytails may look simple, but they can take some effort, especially styling them for a more formal event. The added curls are extra classy, and the height can be flattering to oval and heart-shaped faces. This look is ideal for someone with medium to thick hair since some volume is necessary to pull off the style. The biggest enemies of this look are slipping and flyaways. Strong-hold hairspray and bobby pins at the base will be your best friends. This hairstyle is not low-effort, but the payoff will be worth the time spent securing everything.
#5 Twisted Top Knot with Loose Front Pieces
I really appreciate how quick and polished this looks for the effort. I like how the twisted top knot looks on you, it keeps everything clean and off your neck, and the strands framing your face make it less harsh. It is best for medium hair that is straight to slightly wavy with fine to medium density. If your hair is very thick, the knot can get bulky and heavy, plus it won’t hold its shape as well unless you use a good amount of product to keep it tight. Ultimately, though, for the right hair type this is a style you could do in fifteen minutes and feel really good about it.
#6 Braided Crown with Soft Tendrils
To be honest, it’s a lot of practice. If this is the first time you are trying to do a crown braid at home, do not let homecoming night be your first attempt. But it is a beautiful hairstyle, and with the braid, you get great angles and beautiful pictures. The loose pieces soften the look to keep you from looking like you are right out of the Renaissance era, which is especially good if you have angular features that you want to soften. The braid looks really nice on fine to medium hair, and gives a lot of fullness that can be hard to achieve with other updos. Trying this style a week before the dance will save you a lot of trouble.
#7 Side Ponytail with Soft Waves
The side ponytail is once again a trending hairstyle, only this time, it is a lot more refined than your classic eighties side ponytail. The polished waves give this ponytail a soft touch, and the side placement of the ponytail will be flattering on oval and heart face shapes. The ideal hair length for this hairstyle is medium length hair, and the ideal hair texture is straight to wavy. All you will need for this look is a curling iron, some mousse for your roots, and a little bit of time, since this hairstyle will require some upkeep. If you’re looking for a hairstyle that gets your hair out of your face, this is the perfect option for you.
#8 Textured Updo with Face-Framing Tendrils
This updo is simple and suits many different styles and hair types. Textured buns are great and the loose strands help to keep the look tidy. This style works best for fine and medium density hair as it creates volume without unnecessary bulk. Having a style that looks good 3 hours into a part is what really matters and that is especially true for homecoming. To keep the loose strands in place, a light spray of flexible hold hairspray will do the trick.
#9 Soft Waves with Lavender Highlights
With this style, you will have to commit to the color. If you have dark hair and want lavender highlights, that will involve bleaching your hair. Also, the light lavender tone fades out quickly, so you will need to come into the salon a lot for maintenance. If you’re wanting to lighten your hair, or if you’ve thought about adding color, homecoming is a great reason to go for it! The waves are stunning with medium to thick hair, and they look nice on oval shaped faces! The color will also give your hair a multi-dimensional look that you can’t achieve with one color. If your hair is really fine, though, it can feel a bit more fragile after some more processing. Be careful with really long waves because they can pull out a lot of the volume. I ask that you understand the commitment before booking.
#10 Long Cascading Waves with Subtle Ombre
Ombre styles are still incredible, and seem as though they will remain a good idea for the foreseeable future. It begins dark at the roots, and gradually gets lighter at the tips. The waves give adds movement to the hair which is what helps the photo to look amazing. Whether you have straight or wavy hair, styling will be super simple with a large-barrel curling iron and a bit of patience. It is particularly favorable on oval and heart shaped faces. Just about everyone looks great with long, soft waves. The longer the hair, the more frequent the maintenance. If your hair is long, and you are planning to grow it out for homecoming, be sure to get regular trims to prevent the ends from looking thin and ragged, and then do a clean-up on the ends about a week or two prior to the event.
#11 Low Bun with Romantic Face-Framing Pieces
I appreciate the details in this look! The bun has an adorable little twist in it that one might overlook, but it’s that little detail that elevates this hairstyle above a basic Tuesday low bun. The face framing pieces are soft and romantic, and they look especially good with fine, lower-density hair since the whole style appears delicate and intentional. My only concern with this style is how long it will last. If you intend to dance, a bun this light might loosen up, so keep that in mind. A strong hold hairspray misted on before and after should help!
#12 Textured Bob with Soft Waves
Having a bob doesn’t mean you’ll have to stress about having short enough hair for your homecoming hairstyle. Take a look at how well collar bone hair can hold its own. The extra movement from the waves and the layers creates the appearance of more hair, which is an advantage for fine hair. This look works nicely with an oval or heart-shaped face and takes less work than most of the others on this list. The use of texturizing spray on the mid lengths will hold the waves in place without becoming crunchy. Simpler is often better, and the best styles are the simplest.
#13 Loose Waves with a Side Twist
This is a nice option for wearing your hair down and feeling complete. The side twist is flattering and practical because it pulls hair away from the face on one side. Loose waves are easy and give an undone vibe. It is one of the simple styles on this list. It works best on fine to medium density hair at mid-length. Waves will relax as the evening goes on, and that’s fine because this style is meant to feel effortless. I wouldn’t overthink this one.
#14 Curly Half-Up with Braided Crown
I suggest this one for naturally curly hair. Many homecoming styles assume your hair is straightened and then curled, so trying to fit your natural curls into those styles is annoying, and the styles never last. This half-up style celebrates natural hair because it lets curls do their thing, while the braided crown gives it some structure, and keeps everything out of your face. It’s especially flattering on round and heart-shaped faces because the added volume on top and the pulled-back crown help create good proportions. If you want some definition, a little curl-enhancing spray is a good idea. Honestly, the less you touch your hair, the better it will look.
#15 Long Layers with Feathered Bangs
This is more of a homecoming haircut than a hairstyle, and that’s a large distinction to make. Most people look good with long layers framing the face and soft feather bangs, but the emphasis here is on the cut, not a sophisticated styling approach. If you are getting a haircut before the dance, this is a good reference for your stylist. The end layers create movement and bounce, but without too much thinning, and it’s better on hair that is straight to slightly wavy, medium density. The downside is that if you want to maintain this cut, you’ll need to get regular trims every 6 to 8 weeks, which is quite frequent, since otherwise it can lose shape and the bangs lose their purpose. But when it’s fresh, the cut looks really good and is super easy to take care of.
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