21 Pretty Side-Swept Hairstyles for Prom

When preparing for your prom, there is nothing more important to think about. It’s the most significant evening of your life, apart from graduating of course! Looking good and feeling amazing are your priorities. Once you have chosen your dress, you can think about your makeup and hairstyles. If you’re adamant on having your hair tied back, we have come up with 21 pretty side swept hairstyles that look amazing.

Side swept hairstyles have been seen on many celebrities that walk the red carpet at movie and music events. They are trending everywhere. Many people tend to opt for this style as they are flattering and can suit any occasion. Don’t go for the boring traditional ballerina bun that many girls do for proms. You want to set the trend and have that “wow” factor. Whether you like the messy look, sleek, chic, elegant or braided hair, take a look at our 21 pretty side-swept hairstyles for prom. Have fun!

1. Braided Hair to the Side

Having your hair to the side is one thing, but teaming it up with a braid is absolutely stunning.

This will look amazing on longer hair. Prom is the perfect time to show off your braiding skills. Take the braid from the side of the top of the head and merge it with another braid. You can have so much fun mixing different types of braids.

2. Curly Hair into a Loose Braid

We love curls.

They create a romantic vibe and this is perfect for prom. Curl your hair and loosely braid it. It will look incredibly elegant and feminine.

3. Big Fishtail Braid

This braid is one of our favourite.

The fishtail braid is truly unique. This style works better with longer hair, so the longer your hair, the better. When you are braiding, ensure you side-sweep it to your best side and continue. You can make it either neat or messy, depending on your style. If you are keen to make it messy, you can still process to make it quite tight as you go down the braid but after you have added your band at the end, you can then start to tug the edges of the braid, all the way to the bottom.

4. Messy Braid into a Side Ponytail

Messy braids look so good.

If you haven’t mastered the fishtail or prefer the standard braid, which we think looks incredible, then go for a messy braid side ponytail. You can add as many braids as you wish but remember to side-sweep.

5. Vintage Curls

Vintage on prom night.

The elegance of seeing vintage curls is amazing. This is a striking and classic style. It makes your hair look healthy and bouncy. You can use bobby pins to grip any loose hair as you side sweep.

6. French Braid to Fishtail Braid

Here is one hairstyle that will make you stand out from the crowd.

If you’ve conquered the French and fishtail braid, why not mix the two together and show your friends how fabulous this can look. This is classy and chic, which will complement your outfit.

7. Side-Swept Curls + Hairpiece

This side-sweep curls works so well with medium to long hair.

Adding a hairpiece to your gorgeous curls will accentuate your hairstyle. If you have dark or light hair, pearls or white beads look magnificent.

8. Inverted Fishtail Braid

This has the “wow” factor!

Of course you want to receive complements all night about your stylish hairstyle and if you choose to have this inverted fishtail braid, the complements will be non-stop.

9. Romantic Half Up, Half Down Style

This hairstyle is screaming love and romance.

Do you love curls and braids and you’re feeling undecided about having your hair up or down? This is the perfect solution for you. This half up, half down hairstyle, looks exquisite and with the added thin hairband, it looks fabulous.

10. Side-Swept Dutch Braid

Go Dutch.

This is one braid that really does stand out, especially when it’s side-swept and comes across your headline and all the way down. If you have long hair, maybe try this and see what you think.

11. Messy Fishtail Braid into a Side Ponytail

This gorgeous long and flowing messy style will get heads turning.

We know that fishtail braids can take a long time to braid. When you have long hair, it’s quite time consuming and when you’re getting ready for prom, time is precious. With this in mind, why not have this messy fishtail braid, which flows into a ponytail. The fishtail stops just below your ear and then you can have a long wavy ponytail. To create the fishtail braid will take no more than 5 minutes, tie it with a band to secure it in place then wrap your hair around the band to conceal it. Ensure you have the height on top of your head. Do not grip your hair tight or else you will lose the lift.

12. Messy, Curly Hair with Flowers

This boho vibe is contagious!

Watch out guys, this hairstyle looks amazing. Are you a secret boho fan? Do you love the beach hair look? This is very feminine and ultra girly. It’s messy, it has curls and you can team it with a cute flower band to add your style.

13. Chunky Fishtail Braid

Having thick hair will be to your advantage when you opt for a fishtail braid.

This chunky braid looks spectacular and you could blend another fishtail coming from the top of your head with that extra twist.

14. Big, Twisted Hair to the Side

Twisted hair is so easy to do.

This big-twisted hair is side-swept and looks as good as a braid. To be honest, many girls want a simple yet effective hairstyle for prom as many tend to do their own hair. If you can save time on your hair, you have more time to apply your makeup! Everyone can twist their hair, but not everyone can braid. This gorgeous style can compete with all the braids out there so bring it on and get twisting.

15. Messy, Pull-Through Braid

A messy pull-through braid has its own style.

It’s looks so detailed and intricate but it’s as simple as a ponytail! Tie your hair in a side-sweep ponytail; add a hairband a few inches down. Then make a hole in the 2-inch section and reach through the gap, pulling through your hair from underneath. Continue to do the same process until you get to the end. Try it today and see for yourself.

16. Simple Side Ponytail

Are you not feeling the braids?

Maybe you want your dress to be the focal point for the evening. If so, this simple and extraordinary hairstyle will suit your needs. Keep the bounce in your hair and tie into a ponytail. Wrap around a few strands and you’re done! How quick and easy was that? Now you can think making your entrance!

17. Messy Dutch Braid into a Tight Fishtail Braid

A messy Dutch braid, which falls into a fishtail – simple yet jaw-dropping.

Fishtail and Dutch braids look chic especially if they are mixed together. This is great as it’s messy so don’t worry about a few strands falling down. The fishtail is kept quite tight so no need to tug at the edges, which will save you time. Once you have finished your fishtail, leave it as is. Add a flower or a leaf hairpiece to complement the two braids.

18. Big & Voluminous  Side-Swept Hair

It’s your prom so why not go big?

Big hair stands out and makes you instantly feel like a princess. Having voluminous hair looks fabulous and releases your inner diva! This girly side-swept hair will look incredible with any style of dress.

19. Braided Headband

Who needs hair accessories?

When you are rocking a braided hairstyle that sweeps across your head, it looks like a hairband so no need to add anything. You hair speaks for itself. This will be loved by many people.

20. Cute Braided Hairstyle

French braids and a fishtail braid look so cute.

Start by braiding your hair to the side. Once you have finished with the smaller braids, then you can start on your lovely long fishtail braid. The small braids will merge into your long fishtail which looks heavenly. Make sure you have a few loose stands hanging down which will frame your face and look super girly. Don’t forget to curl the front strands to finish the look.

21. Big Dutch Braid into a Fishtail Braid

Take a look of this unbelievable mix of braids.

A big Dutch braid seamlessly falls into a side-swept fishtail braid. You may have to ask a friend to help you with the back braiding, as you won’t be able to see what’s going on. Again, this style can be created in a neat or messy way. This will depend on the vibe you are going for. If you have a simple and chic dress, you might want to go messy with your hair. The photo is a neat look with a few strands shaping the face. If you’re new to either the fishtail or a Dutch braid, or even both, you might want to practice this hairstyle as it can be quite fiddly. Practice makes perfect and it will definitely worth it.