23 Elegant Prom Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair to Elevate Your Style

Finding that magical prom hairstyle for medium length locks can feel overwhelming.

Your dress is ready, shoes are picked, but your hair deserves something extraordinary too!

These 23 stunning styles will transform your medium mane into a head-turning statement that captures your personality and makes you feel absolutely radiant on your special night.

1. Twisted Crown Braid with Loose Waves

This elegant style features a delicate twisted braid that wraps around like a crown while leaving the rest of your hair in soft, romantic waves. The braid adds structure while the waves create movement and dimension, framing your face beautifully. This versatile look works with any dress style and adds a touch of bohemian romance.

2. Side-Swept Vintage Hollywood Curls

Channel your inner silver screen goddess with glamorous, deep-set curls elegantly swept to one side. This classic style brings dramatic volume at the roots while maintaining bounce and movement throughout. The side-swept arrangement draws attention to your neckline and earrings while creating a timeless, sophisticated look.

3. Half-Up Bubble Ponytail

This fresh take on the half-up style uses small, clear elastics placed evenly down a section of hair to create a “bubble” effect. The remaining hair falls in gentle waves or straightened strands to balance the structured top. This eye-catching style offers modern flair while keeping hair out of your face for dancing.

4. Twisted Low Chignon with Face-Framing Tendrils

This refined updo features a twisted bun sitting low at the nape of your neck with a few carefully selected strands left loose around your face. The contrast between the sleek, gathered back and the soft face-framing pieces creates a romantic yet sophisticated silhouette. The low placement works beautifully with backless or detailed dresses.

5. Braided Halo with Floral Accents

This enchanting style weaves your medium-length hair into a crown-like braid that encircles your head. Small, delicate flowers or crystal pins nestled throughout the braid add magical dimension and personalized sparkle. The all-up arrangement showcases your facial features and complements dresses with intricate necklines.

6. Textured Messy Top Knot with Volume

This effortlessly chic style piles your hair into a deliberately undone knot positioned high on the crown. The key lies in creating plenty of texture and volume before gathering, leaving wisps and pieces artfully “falling” out. This contemporary look balances formal dresses with its cool-girl vibe and frames your face with softness.

7. Waterfall Braid with Curled Ends

This stunning technique creates the illusion of strands “falling” like a waterfall horizontally across the back of your head. The remaining hair below the braid gets curled into soft, bouncy waves that catch the light beautifully. This half-up style keeps hair controlled while maintaining romantic movement for dancing all night.

8. Twisted Rope Updo

This sophisticated style twists sections of your hair into rope-like strands before pinning them in an asymmetrical arrangement at the back. The dimensional twists create fascinating texture and catch the light differently from every angle. This architectural yet soft style works wonderfully for highlighting statement earrings or necklines.

9. Sleek Middle Part with Tucked Ends

This minimalist approach features a razor-sharp middle part with hair smoothed down and tucked behind the ears, with ends curled under slightly. The glass-like shine and structural simplicity make a bold, fashion-forward statement. This style beautifully complements angular features and allows elaborate dresses to take center stage.

10. Voluminous Half-Up Bouffant

This retro-inspired style creates dramatic height at the crown while leaving the lower sections free-flowing in soft curves. Teased roots and strategic backcombing create that coveted 60s volume that photographs amazingly. This bold yet feminine look balances modern and vintage elements for standout prom photos.

11. Looped Side Ponytail

This creative style gathers hair into a low side ponytail, then loops and folds sections back into themselves to create a sculptural effect. The asymmetrical placement draws the eye and creates a unique silhouette unlike standard prom styles. This architectural approach works beautifully with one-shoulder or asymmetrical dresses.

12. Woven Updo with Ribbon Accents

This intricate style weaves sections of hair together in a basket-like pattern before securing into a low, structured arrangement. Thin ribbons in complementary colors to your dress are threaded through the weave for personalized detail. This technique transforms medium hair into what appears to be a much more elaborate style.

13. Slicked Back with Voluminous Curls

This dramatic contrast style features sleekly brushed back sides while the top and back sections explode into voluminous, defined curls. The juxtaposition of textures creates visual interest and a modern edge to a classic curly look. This confident style keeps hair off your face while maintaining statement-making volume.

14. Double Dutch Braids into Low Bun

This sophisticated style begins with two Dutch braids running along the sides of your head before merging into a textured low bun. The dimensional braiding creates beautiful detail when viewed from all angles. This secure style stays put through hours of dancing while offering unique braided elements that stand out from typical updos.

15. Twisted Side Braid with Scarf Weave

This bohemian-inspired look features a loose, voluminous side braid with a thin scarf or ribbon woven throughout its length. The colorful textile addition brings personality and coordinates with your dress or accessories. This relaxed yet structured style offers comfortable wear while maintaining a distinctive, artistic appearance.

16. Rolled Vintage Victory Rolls

This retro-glam style adapts classic 1940s victory rolls for medium length by creating structured, rolled sections at the front while the back remains softly curled. The dramatic front height and smooth, rounded shapes create fascinating structural elements. This vintage-inspired look brings confident glamour and photographs beautifully from every angle.

17. Asymmetrical Bob with Hidden Braid

This edgy style for medium bobs features a deeply parted, sleek appearance with a hidden, tight braid tucked underneath one side. The unexpected detail reveals itself with movement and head turns. This contemporary approach offers sophistication with a surprising element that sets it apart from conventional prom styles.

18. Pulled-Through Fishtail with Volume

This technique creates the appearance of an intricate fishtail braid but uses a series of small ponytails pulled through each other. The style is then gently tugged to create incredible volume and texture. This deceptively simple approach gives medium hair dramatic presence while maintaining a secure style for all-night wear.

19. Sculpted Waves with Deep Side Part

This glamorous style carves your hair into defined, glossy waves set into a specific pattern, starting with a dramatic deep side part. Each wave is precisely placed to create a sculpted, almost architectural effect. This controlled yet flowing style brings Old Hollywood drama while flattering all face shapes magnificently.

20. Knotted Half-Up Style

This innovative approach uses small sections of hair tied in actual knots rather than braided or twisted, creating fascinating texture and visual interest. The knotted sections secure the top half while allowing the bottom to flow freely. This conversation-starting style offers unique texture that catches the light beautifully.

21. Faux Undercut with Jeweled Pins

This bold style creates the illusion of an undercut by tightly braiding or twisting one side very close to the scalp while the opposite side remains full and flowing. Decorative pins or jeweled clips accentuate the braided section. This edgy yet formal approach balances daring design with prom-appropriate elegance.

22. Wrapped Ponytail with Crimped Texture

This elevated ponytail style uses a section of hair wrapped around the elastic for a polished base, while the ponytail itself features crimped texture for extraordinary volume and movement. The height of the ponytail elongates the neck and creates a striking silhouette. This style combines sleek and textured elements for fascinating dimension.

23. Twisted Faux Hawk Updo

This daring yet formal style creates the shape of a mohawk using twisted sections of hair pinned vertically down the center of the head. The sides remain sleek and tight against the head for dramatic contrast. This statement-making style offers edge and sophistication simultaneously, working beautifully with modern, streamlined dresses.

Make Your Prom Hair Magic

Your medium-length hair holds endless possibilities for prom night! These styles transform ordinary locks into extraordinary statements that will have you feeling confident and looking stunning.

Remember to schedule a trial run with your stylist before the big day so you can dance the night away without worrying about your gorgeous creation.

Which of these unique styles speaks to your personality and prom vision?