style | Mia Alexander Salon

Greetings to all! We’ve missed you! Know it’s been a while but we have been busy, busy, busy, making clients happy, happy, happy. In case you haven’t been to Red Lobster, The Peddler, or The Melting Pot…Prom season is upon us. So I thought, what a perfect time to pay homage to some of the Prom looks of the past and present. Surely there will be something to learn from this.

As we have seen through the decades most trends seem to come full circle just with a different twist. Some, however, would be better left in Hair Heaven or Hell (you decide). We have decided to show some of the popular looks in the past and some more current reproductions of these looks. So put on your time warp glasses and let’s go for a ride.

We could go back as far as time will allow…but we are going to start with one of my personal faves. The Eighties. This, I understand, may seem like an ETERNITY to our current “Prom Goers” but about as far back as breakfast time for me.

**a side note before our presentation** All stylist were asked to contribute a prom picture for analysis…but…apparently Kari and I (Lisa) were the only ones up for a little self humiliation…so here it goes. Chickens!

Exhibit #1

Curls and Poof in a ponytail! Curls and Poof! Ah… those bangs. The bigger the hair, the more popular you were. Like a lion in the jungle. This look was The Jam! Two very important tools were needed to achieve this look…

A Banana Clip!!! Get outta town! While writing this article I wondered if this most powerful of hair accessories still existed? To my surprise!…there is a Pin on Pinterest giving a step-by-step on the Banana Clip braid. And I must say…I think its pretty cool. But then again, I am no stranger to a Banana Clip.

Go figure! A modern twist on an eighties stigma. Who knew?

A more modern pony is a BIG trend this season. No banana clips or Ogilvie needed. Pulled low. high, or to the side…a dramatic ponytail makes a lovely statement.

For those wilder girls leaving all that luxurious (yeah right) hair down was the way to go. No need to pin that home perm back. It’s your flag of glory…Let it WAVE!! Who didn’t love that style? It was rock and roll. It was radical. It was HILARIOUS!!!

Exhibit #2

Ha ha ha! Please take note of picture number three. She brought her hairspray to dinner!!! That chick means business!

I’ll be the first to say that I am not above Big Hair. It’s in my blood…deep in my soul. I think a little rock n roll edge is kinda sexy and still modern. I have become recently obsessed after watching Rock of Ages. Great hair. I swear…I could have given Tawny Kitaen a run for her money!! Anyhow…here are three great examples of a current long-haired rock star vibe.

I can’t resist showing a few pictures of possible 80’s Prom Dates..so here goes…

Wow! What to say? If anyone happens to know any of these fine gentleman…shake their hand for me. They deserve it!

If you have a date who would needs a more retro look to go with your “totally awesome” style, perhaps you could suggest one of these looks..

Not too shabby eh?

Moving along into the nineties!!!!

This is where the stereotypical “prom do” may have been born. Take note…you’ll recognize it.

Exhibit #3

Dookie Rolls on top of a French Twist (there is no other way to describe it). Then BAM!…add just a little more activity with some jewels and two very “natural” looking tendrils down each side of the face. I attempted this look on my own for my junior prom. Observe…

prom 1

Here’s a little hidden lesson (told you there might be one). DON’T ATTEMPT AN UPDO OF HIGH CALIBER AT HOME! It’s a special night. Treat yourself. Besides, I had no one else to blame for this except myself…

This “prom do” hair crime is still being committed on beautiful heads to this day. I have seen a few walking the malls here lately. We must band together and put a stop to this madness. If you must have a French Twist, which is still a timeless look, try one that is less contrived and tight. It’s a pretty sexy “I just woke up in this updo” look.

Get back here you short-haired ladies. You are not immune to a few formal hair blunders yourselves…

Exhibit #4

Oh ho ho. I could have a field day with this! We all had a good laugh at how Kari pulled her bangs through her crown. Was she trying to fool us into thinking that this lovely tiara sprouted from her scalp? A bona-fide princess! Yeah we know her!!!!

Short Hair is Hot! You are not exempt from more formal options. The right combination of product and styling can turn one from Pixie to Vixen in a skinny minute.

No Crown Needed!

Exhibit #5

Let it be.

Sometimes no bobby pins are needed. I learned this on accident in 1995. I decided to go to a salon for my senior prom…if you remember, my junior year hair did not pan out so well. When the stylist asked what I wanted, I replied “I guess half up half down. Do whatever.” WARNING!!!! Do Not Ever Say This! We hair stylists HATE this. We are good, mind you, but not mind readers. Anyway, my stupid answer resulted in a look that looked somewhat like this…(here’s the big lesson gals).

And I’m being kind.

So I went home, pulled out 4,325 bobby pins…brushed…cried…brushed…cried…cried a little more…And came up with this.

Not bad. I can still look back at this picture and not be too embarrassed. Enter Mande…She had her prom pic on standby and I insisted that she share her hair decision made not too long ago. 😉

Clearly a genius at Hombre even in her earlier days…

So…sometimes less is more. Leaving your hair down does not mean casual. Quite frankly, its SUPER GLAM. Try pulling it over one shoulder or create some undulating waves for a 1940’s starlet look.

It really is fun watching the styles evolve and learning new tricks and techniques for special occasion hair. Here are some of the popular styles we are being asked for today.