Prom Hair Dos and Don'ts

Don't Fight Your Hair
Curly girls want to go straight. Straight-haired girls want curls. Why fight Mother Nature? If you're blessed with ringlets, don't spend hours torturing your hair into a straight style -- instead, choose one that enhances your natural texture. Run a lightweight balm that's made for curly hair through your tresses to banish frizz and ensure you've got sleek, spirally curls.

The same goes for those with straight tresses. Play up your sleek style by flattening things out with a straightening iron, or you can use hot rollers to create volume. First, work a golf ball-size gob of mousse through your soaked strands, then blow-dry. Use extra-large rollers to create volume (the little guys will just create curls), and let them set for 10 minutes or so. When you unroll 'em, hands off the brush. Instead, use your fingers to tousle your sexy new do. Tame any flyaways (and enhance your slick style) with a shine-enhancing spray.

Do Treat Your Locks
Curly or straight, give your tresses some extra TLC to ensure maximum loveliness on your big night out. Find a deep conditioner that suits your hair type (heavy-duty for dry, damaged, or color-treated hair; something on the lighter side if you're normal to oily). To maximize the benefits, get out of the shower and use a kitchen timer to be sure you let the goop set for a full five (or ten) minutes. Sure, it seems like an eternity when you're sitting around waiting, but you'll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself (and your great hair) later.

If your hair is in especially bad shape, get a trim to eliminate split ends, then follow a deep-conditioning regimen with a concoction that's cool for frequent use. Limit heat styling, and detangle your strands with a wide-tooth comb (not a brush). If you simply can't live without your blow-dryer, pump up your locks' defenses with a shielding treatment which will protect against the heat.

Don't Over Style
Avoid using too many styling products, like gels, pomades, or shine enhancers. Too much will overload your hair. And while it may seem like the only way to get your tresses to behave, the goop can leave you a greasy mess by the end of the night.

Instead of OD'ing on product, take the time to test out different looks and styles, using just one or two styling aids each time. Chances are, before long you'll hit on a combo that's right for you. And if you are regularly loading your locks with lots of products, consider using a clarifying shampoo once a week. These heavy-duty formulas are too harsh for everyday use, but just right for clearing out all that product buildup once in a while.

Do Accessorize
Whether long or short, up or down, play up your style with a killer accessory that complements your dress. If your look is glam and gorgeous, look for a vintage-style rhinestone barrette or hairpins. Got a more classic style? We love the look of a wide ribbon tied as a hair band to keep long locks from brushing your cheeks all night. And for any style, nothing can beat the glamour of a single flower (real or fake) tucked behind your ear.

Don't Leave Anything for the Last Minute
The day before your big night -- no, make that the week before -- is the absolute worst time to make extreme changes to your hair. If you hate it, you're stuck with it (and you'll have lots of pictures to help you remember exactly how it looked -- or didn't).

That means no color, no chemical process (like straightening or perming), and no cutting your hair (unless it's just a trim). Not only could you walk out with a hairdo you hate, the smell from the chemical treatment will linger for a few days. Plus, giving your locks a little recovery time after any process will let your new 'do soften up a bit and look way more natural.

If you really want a different look, try a test drive a month or two before the party. Grab a friend and spend a girls' night experimenting with a straightening iron, a curling rod, and the blow-dryer. You'd be surprised at the DIY styles you can create at home, no chemicals necessary. If you're looking to try a new hair hue, pick up a temporary color that will wash out after 10 to 12 shampoos. That way, if you love it, you can go permanent, but if you don't, you can leave it.