Prom night is your moment to look and feel like the main character — and the right hairstyle can instantly make your whole look feel luxury, polished, and expensive.
The best part? You don’t need a celebrity stylist to achieve that high-end vibe. With the right curls, sleek finishes, accessories, and clean shaping, even simple styles can look like they cost a fortune.
Below are 20 prom hairstyles that look expensive,
1) Sleek Low Bun (Clean Girl Glam)
A sleek low bun is one of the most expensive-looking prom hairstyles because it’s simple, structured, and ultra-polished. Brush hair smooth, part it in the middle, and secure a low bun at the nape. Add gel or pomade to eliminate flyaways and create a shiny, sculpted finish.
This hairstyle gives high-fashion energy and highlights your makeup, earrings, and neckline beautifully. Pair it with statement jewelry for extra glam. It’s also long-lasting and stays perfect all night. If you want a timeless and rich-looking style, this one is unbeatable.
2) Hollywood Waves (Old Money Glam)
Hollywood waves are pure luxury. These waves are smooth, structured, and glossy — giving you that “red carpet” finish. Use a curling iron and brush the curls into soft waves, then set with hairspray for hold. A side part makes it even more classic and glamorous.
This hairstyle pairs perfectly with strapless or off-shoulder dresses. Add shine spray to enhance the expensive look. Hollywood waves photograph beautifully, making them perfect for prom pictures. This style screams elegance and makes you look like a celebrity instantly.
3) High Sleek Ponytail
A high sleek ponytail gives you that bold, confident, luxury vibe. Smooth hair upward using gel, secure it tightly, and wrap a strand around the hair tie for a clean finish. The polished look makes your cheekbones pop and gives a “model” energy.
To upgrade it, add soft curls to the ponytail ends or use extensions for extra length. This hairstyle looks expensive because it’s clean and sharp. Pair it with dramatic earrings and a fitted dress — it’s one of the best glam prom looks.
4) Voluminous Blowout Curls
Blowout curls look like you just stepped out of a luxury salon. These curls are big, bouncy, and full of volume. Use rollers or a curling iron, then brush curls softly to create a smooth blowout effect. This style works best with layered haircuts.
The key to making it look expensive is shine and softness, not frizz. Use heat protectant and finishing oil for smooth results. Blowout curls are super photogenic and look amazing with long gowns. This is the ultimate “expensive hair” prom vibe.
5) Textured Low Chignon
A low chignon looks expensive because it gives effortless elegance. Gather hair low, twist into a chignon bun, and pull a few face-framing pieces. The style feels soft and romantic while still being polished enough for a formal event like prom.
To elevate it, curl the face-framing strands and use hairpins with pearls or crystals. This hairstyle works beautifully with dresses that show shoulders or back. It’s classy, timeless, and looks like it was done by a high-end stylist.
6) Half-Up Half-Down with Curls
Half-up half-down hairstyles give the best of both worlds: polished on top and romantic curls below. Pull the crown section back and secure it neatly with pins or a clip. Then curl the remaining hair into soft waves for a dreamy prom look.
This hairstyle looks expensive because it adds volume and dimension without looking messy. Add a rhinestone clip or pearl barrette for luxury vibes. It’s perfect for anyone who wants glam curls but still wants hair away from the face for photos.
7) Sleek Middle Part + Loose Waves
A sleek middle part instantly makes any hairstyle look high-end. Pair it with loose, glossy waves and you get a “rich girl” prom look. Smooth the top with gel and keep the waves soft and defined. The clean part makes everything appear intentional and polished.
This hairstyle looks amazing with bold makeup, contour, and statement earrings. It’s also flattering because the waves soften the face while the sleek part keeps everything sharp. If you want effortless luxury, this hairstyle is perfect and Pinterest-worthy.
8) Braided Crown Updo
A braided crown updo gives princess energy — but make it expensive. The braid wraps around your head like a halo, creating a detailed and elegant look. This style works best with medium to long hair or with added extensions for fullness.
The braided detail makes it look like a professional salon updo. Add pearl pins or tiny crystals for extra glam. This hairstyle is perfect for prom because it stays secure all night and looks stunning from every angle. It’s romantic, stylish, and timeless.
9) Glam Side Swept Curls
Side-swept curls are classic prom glam. Hair is curled and swept to one side for a dramatic, elegant look. This hairstyle shows off your neckline and earrings beautifully, especially if your dress has one strap or a deep neckline.
To make it look expensive, keep curls soft, defined, and glossy. Pin one side cleanly with hidden bobby pins. Add shine spray for that luxury finish. This hairstyle looks stunning in photos and feels super “old Hollywood” — perfect for prom.
10) Sleek Bun with Pearl Accessories
Pearl accessories instantly elevate a sleek bun and make it look expensive. Create a smooth bun at the back or low at the nape, then place pearl pins or pearl strings into the bun. This gives bridal-level elegance but still fits prom perfectly.
This hairstyle is perfect if your dress is simple and you want your hair to add the glam. It also looks very classy in pictures. The pearls add detail, making the look appear high-end and professionally styled.
11) High Bun with Face-Framing Curls
A high bun looks sleek and snatched, but face-framing curls make it soft and glamorous. Pull hair into a high bun, smooth it perfectly, then curl two front pieces to frame the face. This gives a modern red carpet vibe while still feeling romantic.
The balance of clean bun + soft curls makes it look expensive and elegant. Add crystal pins for extra glam. This hairstyle is perfect if you want your makeup to shine and want hair off your shoulders. It’s trendy, chic, and prom-perfect.
12) Twisted Rope Braid Ponytail
This hairstyle looks expensive because it’s sleek, clean, and detailed. Create a high or mid ponytail, then split it into two sections and twist them into a rope braid. Secure the ends neatly and finish with shine spray.
It gives a classy, modern look and stays in place for hours. You can also add hair extensions for length and drama. This is perfect for prom if you want something different from curls but still glamorous. It’s minimal, chic, and very Pinterest-worthy.
13) Classic French Twist Updo
A French twist is one of the most luxury hairstyles ever. It’s clean, structured, and gives “old money” elegance. Hair is twisted upward and pinned smoothly, creating a classic updo that looks extremely sophisticated for prom.
This hairstyle pairs best with sleek dresses, pearl earrings, and a clean makeup look. Add shine spray to keep it glossy. It’s also long-lasting and secure, perfect for dancing all night. If you want a truly expensive hairstyle, the French twist is unmatched.
14) Braided Low Bun
A braided low bun combines elegance and detail — making it look high-end. Start with a braid (or two), wrap it into a bun at the nape, and secure with pins. The braid makes the bun look more luxurious and salon-done.
This hairstyle works beautifully with lace dresses or backless gowns. Add a rhinestone comb or pearl clip for extra glam. It’s a secure hairstyle that stays perfect all night and looks gorgeous from every angle. Pinterest loves this because it looks expensive but timeless.
15) Waterfall Braid with Waves
Waterfall braids instantly make hair look detailed and elegant. The braid flows across the head while pieces fall through like a waterfall. Combined with soft waves, this creates a dreamy fairy-tale prom hairstyle that looks expensive and unique.
This style works great for long hair and looks best when curled. Add shine serum to prevent frizz. You can also add tiny pearl pins along the braid. It looks beautiful in prom photos and gives that high-end romantic Pinterest aesthetic.
16) Low Ponytail with Loose Waves
A low ponytail can look extremely expensive when it’s done sleek and styled. Smooth the top, tie the ponytail low, and curl the ends into soft waves. This look feels modern, clean, and luxurious — perfect if you want something simple but glam.
Wrap a strand of hair around the elastic for a polished finish. Add shine spray for glossy waves. This hairstyle looks amazing with long dresses and statement makeup. It’s also easy to dance in and stays neat all night.
17) Glam Curls with Rhinestone Clip
Adding a rhinestone clip to glam curls instantly makes them look expensive. Curl hair into soft waves, then clip one side with a sparkly accessory. This adds luxury detail without needing a complicated updo. It’s a simple upgrade that makes a huge difference.
This style is perfect for anyone who loves wearing hair down but still wants prom-level glam. The clip keeps hair controlled for photos and dancing. Pinterest loves this look because it’s easy, trendy, and gives instant “expensive hairstyle” vibes.
18) Sleek Wet Look Waves
Wet-look waves are super high fashion and look extremely expensive when done right. Hair is styled sleek and glossy, with defined waves close to the scalp. This hairstyle gives runway vibes and looks bold, confident, and modern for prom.
To achieve it, use gel and a comb to shape waves, then set with spray. It pairs best with dramatic makeup and sleek dresses. If you want a unique prom hairstyle that stands out, wet-look waves are a Pinterest trend that screams luxury.
19) Braided Side Updo
Braided side updos look expensive because they combine curls, structure, and detail. Create a braid on one side, then pin it into an updo with curls tucked in. The result is a romantic hairstyle that looks like a salon masterpiece.
This style is perfect for strapless or one-shoulder dresses. Add pearl pins in the braid for extra glam. It stays secure all night and looks beautiful from every angle. Pinterest loves it because it looks elegant, feminine, and very luxury.
20) Low Bun with Crystal Hair Vine
A crystal hair vine turns any bun into an expensive hairstyle. Create a sleek or textured low bun, then wrap a crystal vine around it for sparkle. The accessory makes the hairstyle look luxurious, like bridal-level glam, but it’s perfect for prom too.
This hairstyle pairs beautifully with glitter dresses or satin gowns. It also photographs amazingly under prom lighting. If you want your hairstyle to look professionally done and ultra expensive, crystal accessories are the secret Pinterest trick for instant glam.
