Prom and Event Hair in Monmouth County: How to Prep

TL;DR Book your prom or event styling at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead, and even earlier for groups. Special occasion styling runs $97, a downstyle is $65, and makeup application is $75. Come with clean, dry, product-free hair, bring a photo of what you want, and plan your arrival time around your event start. Reserve your spot here.

By Nancy, Level 4 stylist at Styling Company

Prom season and event season get busy fast around here. I have done more updos than I can count over the years at our chair on Main Street, and the ones that turn out best always start the same way: with a little prep. So let me walk you through how to get ready, what to book, and how to keep your hair looking sharp from the first photo to the last song.

How far ahead should you book prom or event hair?

Book at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead, and sooner if you can. Prom weekends and big event dates fill up quickly, and the popular time slots go first. If you want a morning appointment before an afternoon event, or a spot right before an evening dance, those are the ones people grab early. When you have a firm date, lock it in. You can always adjust small details later, but the slot itself is the hard part. Grab your time here so you are not scrambling the week of.

What if you are booking for a whole group?

Book the group as one block and let us know how many people are coming. When you have four or five friends all getting ready together, we need to plan the timing so nobody sits around waiting and nobody feels rushed. Alycia coordinates our group bookings and she is great at building a schedule that flows. Tell her the event start time, how many are in your party, and who wants hair only versus hair and makeup. The more she knows up front, the smoother the morning goes. Reach out through our booking page and mention it is a group.

Which service should you pick?

It depends on the look you want. Here is how our event options break down:

• Special occasion styling ($97): This is your full updo or a detailed, pinned-and-set style. It holds all night and it is what most people book for prom and formal events.
• Downstyle ($65): Think soft waves, curls, or a half-up look worn down. Romantic and a little less structured.
• Blowout ($36 to $53 and up): A smooth, polished finish if you want your hair sleek and simple rather than pinned up.
• Makeup application ($75): Alycia handles this, and it pairs perfectly with any of the styles above.

Not sure which one fits your dress or your vibe? Peek at our full services list, or ask when you book and we will point you the right way.

How should you show up for your appointment?

Come with clean, dry hair that has no product in it. Wash the night before or that morning, then let it dry fully. Skip the leave-in creams, oils, and heavy conditioners the day of, because they make hair slippery and harder to pin. If your hair holds a style better on day-two texture, tell us and we will work with that. Dry, product-free hair gives Nancy or Dana the best canvas to build on, and Nancy and Dana lead our upstyling here so you are in good hands.

Should you bring a photo?

Yes, always bring one or two photos of the look you are picturing. Words like "loose" and "messy" mean different things to different people, so a picture saves us both time and gets you closer to what is in your head. Bring a shot of your dress or outfit too if you can. Seeing the neckline and color helps us decide whether an updo, a downstyle, or something in between will frame everything best.

How do you make the style last all night?

Plan your timing and trust the finish. A style set a few hours before your event has time to settle, which actually helps it hold. Once you leave the chair, resist touching and re-pinning. If you booked a blowout instead of an updo, the same rules that keep any smooth style fresh apply, and I broke those down in this guide to making your blowout last. For updos, we set with pins and spray built to survive dancing, humidity, and a warm room full of people. Bring a couple of bobby pins in your bag just in case, but you likely will not need them.

What about weddings and other big events?

The same prep works for any formal event, not just prom. If you are in a wedding party or you are the one getting married, the planning gets a little more involved with trials and timing, and I wrote a full piece on wedding hair in Monmouth County that covers all of it. Galas, milestone birthdays, holiday parties, and reunions all follow the same playbook: book early, bring a photo, and arrive with clean dry hair.

Good to Know

How long does prom or event hair take?

Plan on about an hour for most styles, and a bit more for detailed updos or if you are adding makeup. When you book, tell us your event start time and we will set an arrival time that gives you a comfortable buffer.

Can I get my hair and makeup done together?

Yes. Makeup application is $75 and Alycia does it right here, so you can knock out hair and makeup in one visit. Just add it when you book so we set aside enough time.

Do you do makeup only?

Yes, you can book makeup on its own. Learn more on our makeup application page, then reserve a time that works for you.

What is the difference between an updo and a downstyle?

An updo pins your hair up and off your neck, like a classic special occasion style at $97. A downstyle keeps your hair worn down in waves or curls at $65. Both look beautiful. It comes down to your dress and the feel you want.

Should I get a haircut or color before the event?

If you want fresh color or a trim, book it a week or two before, not the day of. That gives the color time to settle and lets you live with any new length before the big night. Ask us and we will help you time it.

What if I need to change my appointment?

Reach out as early as you can. Event dates book up, so the sooner you tell us about a change, the better chance we have of holding a good spot for you or your group.

Do you style hair for men and events too?

Yes. We style adults of all kinds for events, and a sharp blowout or finish works for anyone heading somewhere special. Just tell us the occasion when you book.

Where are you located?

We are at 902 Main Street in Belmar, and we style clients from across Monmouth County, including Spring Lake, Avon-by-the-Sea, Manasquan, Point Pleasant, Asbury Park, and Wall Township.

Ready to book your event hair?

The best thing you can do right now is claim your date. Prom weekends and event season fill up, and I want you to have the time slot that fits your schedule, not whatever is left over. Book your appointment here and let us know your event and your group size so we can plan it right. I will see you in the chair.