by Sarah E. Sanuth

Created on: May 09, 2008

With all the costs that are associated with Prom, going to the salon can be pretty pricing and doing your hair yourself can help you cut costs; and you can look just as good. Why spend all that money when you can achieve the same look for a nothing more than the cost of a few accessories? Whether you have long hair or short, curly or straight; your oprtions are endless and it doesn't take a cosmotology degree.

But before you decide to go ahead and do your head on the night of the Prom, you should always experiment first to make sure that you are getting the right look. You don't want to wait until last minute and get frustrated and spending all your time the night of to realize that you don't have it right.

There are many products available that will help aid in getting "that" look that you have pictured in your head. Everything from special and designer styling products to curling irons and blow dryers. Make sure that you have the proper "arsenal" before you begin.

A proper arsenal would include the products you plan to use, tools, and of course a variety of pins, clips, barrets and elastics. You can never have too many bobby pins. If you think that you might need it, get it.

The formal "messy" ponytail one look that is so simple to achieve and can be done in almost no time at all.

1. Take your hair loosely in your hand and place it in an elastic. You can achieve this with one, two or even three individual ponytails. You can first part your hair in any manner you chose. Use an elastic that is similar in color to your hair, so it will hide easily.

2. Take pieces of your hair, whether they are hanging out in front or hanging out of the ponytail, and pin them in some random places. You can curl these pieces if you chose before pinning them. Take a large barreled curling iron and curl individual pieces in different directions. Don't worry if you make a mistake, you can always go back and fix any that may look out of place.

The French twist a classic that will never die. And very elegant.

1. Start by parting your hair in the way you wish, or comb it all back. Place the hair in the palm of your hand at the bottom, near your neck. Start by twisting at this point and slowly twisting up until all your hair is up towards the crown of your head. Start using bobby pins to pin from the bottom up, ensuring that you have a seemless twist. The more bobby pins you use, the tighter the twist and the less of a possibility that it will fall out.

2. If you have long hair you can choose to tuck all the hair under the twist, or leave the top hanging out and placing a clip at the top. If you choose to leave the rest of the hair out, you can curl it so you have a sleek, yet whimsical effect. If any hair falls out toward the front of your face, don't worry. You can either leave it like this or curl it. Use your combs to lightly comb in any pieces that you want tucked in and pin in place. Now all you have to do to finish is lightly spray with some hairspray or other product to reduce frizz.

If you have long hair and you choose to wear some of it down, you can always go with one of the above options and just leave the bottom half down and do something creative with the bottom, curl it or give it a twist-type look

If you want to use a decorative clip of some sort, always chose something that will go with what you are wearing and keep it simple. A nice clip with some sparkle will always go well with whatever you are wearing.

No matter which method you chose, you will always have something different each time, and your hair will never look the same as anyone else's. Take your time and have fun with it, your end result might be better than what you thought, or what you might have received from the salon.

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