Hey loves, it’s Belle here! Can we just take a moment to talk about prom hair? Because honestly, choosing the right hairstyle for prom might feel just as stressful as finding the perfect dress — and I get it completely. I remember the first time I worked on a prom client, this sweet girl who came into my chair completely panicked because she had no idea what to do with her hair. She had a gorgeous rose gold gown, and she kept going back and forth between a full updo and wearing her hair completely down. And that’s when I introduced her to what I believe is the most magical middle ground in all of hairstyling — the half up half down look.
This style has been my go-to recommendation for prom for years now, and there’s a very good reason for that. It gives you the elegance of an updo while still letting your hair flow freely and beautifully. It frames your face, works with almost every dress neckline, and photographs absolutely stunningly. Whether you have long, short, curly, straight, thick, or fine hair, there is a half up half down style that will make you feel like the most confident version of yourself walking into that venue.
So today, I’m sharing 14 of my absolute favorite half up half down hairstyles for prom. I’ve broken each one down for you so you know exactly what it is, how it works, who it’s best suited for, and how to actually pull it off at home or communicate it clearly to your stylist. Let’s get into it!
Classic Half Up With Soft Curls
What it is and how it works
The classic half up with soft curls is the original queen of prom hairstyles, and it has stayed relevant for decades because it simply works every single time. The concept is beautifully simple — the top section of your hair is gathered and secured at the crown or slightly below, while the remaining bottom half flows down in loose, romantic curls. It’s effortless looking but incredibly polished, and that combination is what makes it so timeless.
What makes this style work so well is the balance it creates. The gathered top section adds structure and keeps hair away from your face throughout the night, which is a practical blessing when you’re dancing, eating, and taking a thousand photos. The curly bottom half softens the entire look and brings in that dreamy, romantic energy that just feels right for prom.
Best for these hair types and face shapes
This style is genuinely one of the most universally flattering hairstyles in existence, but it particularly shines on people with naturally wavy or slightly textured hair because the curls tend to hold better and look more effortless. It works beautifully on oval, heart, and round face shapes because the volume from the curls lengthens and balances facial features. If you have fine hair, don’t worry — with the right products and technique, you can absolutely achieve this look.
How to make it work for you
Start by curling your entire hair before you do anything else. Use a one-inch or one-and-a-quarter-inch curling wand and work in sections, alternating the direction of each curl so they don’t clump together. Once your whole head is curled, let everything cool completely before touching it. Then take the top section — from temple to temple and back to the crown — and gently gather it without disturbing the curl pattern too much. Secure it with a clear elastic or a beautiful clip or pin. Finish with a light-hold hairspray and gently loosen a few face-framing pieces with your fingers for that effortless, lived-in look.
Twisted Crown Half Updo
What it is and how it works
The twisted crown half updo is one of those hairstyles that looks incredibly intricate and complicated but is actually much more achievable than people think. In this style, sections of hair from each side of the head are twisted back and then joined together at the back of the crown, creating a beautiful twisted crown effect across the top of the head, while the rest of the hair falls freely below.
The twist detail at the crown adds a sculptural, almost artistic quality to the look. It has a bohemian-meets-elegant feel that works really well for outdoor proms or garden-style venues. The hair that falls below the twist can be worn straight, wavy, or in soft curls depending on your personal preference and the overall vibe of your look.
Best for these hair types and face shapes
The twisted crown half updo works especially well for those with medium to long hair because you need enough length to create the twist and still have a flowing section below. It’s particularly flattering on people with longer face shapes or stronger jawlines because the width created by the twist across the crown balances and softens those features beautifully. It also works wonderfully for people who have naturally textured or slightly wavy hair since the texture actually helps the twist grip and hold throughout the night.
How to make it work for you
Section off your hair by parting it horizontally from ear to ear. Leave the back section loose and work with the front and sides. Take a section from the left side, near the temple, and begin twisting it back toward the center. Do the same on the right side. When both twists meet at the center back of the crown, secure them together with bobby pins, tucking the ends under neatly. You can add small decorative pins or a delicate hair jewel right at the joining point to make it feel more formal and polished. Finish by styling the lower half however you love it best.
Braided Half Updo With Flowing Waves
What it is and how it works
If you want a hairstyle that feels genuinely unique and editorial without being over the top, the braided half updo with flowing waves is your answer. This style takes the half up concept and elevates it by incorporating one or more braids — usually a three-strand braid, a fishtail, or a Dutch braid — along the crown or sides, which then connect into the gathered half up section. The lower half of the hair is styled in soft, flowing waves that contrast beautifully with the more structured braid detail.
The combination of the braid’s texture and the waves’ softness creates this really beautiful contrast that makes the hairstyle look layered and thoughtful. It feels like a lot of effort went into it, which is always a good thing for prom, but once you know the technique, it comes together surprisingly fast.
Best for thick or medium hair with longer lengths
This style truly shines on people with thicker or more voluminous hair because the braid has more substance and the waves look fuller and more lush. Medium to long length hair is ideal since you need enough to braid and still have a generous flowing section below. It’s flattering across most face shapes, though people with oval or heart-shaped faces tend to find it particularly stunning. If you have fine hair, you can still rock this look — you’ll just want to add some texturizing spray before braiding to give the hair more grip and body.
How to make it work for you
Prep your hair with a light texturizing spray or mousse to help with grip. Begin by creating your braid or braids — starting either at the front hairline and working back, or along the side section near the temple. Once your braid reaches the back of the crown, secure the end temporarily. Take the corresponding section from the other side — either a matching braid or a simple gathered section — and join everything together at the back. Secure with a small elastic, then loosen the braid slightly by pulling the edges apart gently to make it look fuller and more relaxed. Style the lower half with a curling wand in loose, flowing waves and finish with a light flexible hairspray.
Romantic Messy Bun Half Up
What it is and how it works
There is something so undeniably romantic about a perfectly imperfect messy bun sitting right at the crown of your head while the rest of your hair cascades down below. The romantic messy bun half up style is for the girl who wants to look effortlessly put together — like she woke up beautiful, which is truly the highest compliment in the beauty world if you ask me.
The upper section of the hair is gathered and twisted into a bun that’s intentionally loose and slightly undone. Pieces are pulled out softly around the face and at the nape of the neck, and the whole thing has this tousled, lived-in quality that feels genuinely chic. The lower half can be worn in loose curls, waves, or even straight depending on the overall aesthetic you’re going for.
Best for long hair and free-spirited personalities
This style works best on longer hair simply because you need enough volume and length to create a full-looking bun while still having a generous flowing section below. It’s particularly wonderful for people who have a more relaxed, bohemian, or romantic personal style because the undone nature of the bun aligns with that aesthetic beautifully. Heart and oval face shapes tend to look stunning with this style, but honestly, with the right face-framing pieces loosened around the face, it works for almost everyone.
How to make it work for you
Start with slightly texturized hair — either second-day hair or freshly washed hair with a texturizing spray worked through it. Gather the top half loosely and twist it into a bun without being too precise about it. Secure it with bobby pins rather than an elastic for a more seamless look. Then deliberately pull out small sections from the sides and around the nape of the neck. The key here is intentional imperfection — every piece you pull out should look like it escaped naturally. Curl the lower half loosely and finish with a light flexible spray. Less product is more with this style — you want movement, not stiffness.
Sleek Half Up Straight Hair
What it is and how it works
Not every prom look needs to be curly and romantic, and that’s something I really want people to embrace. The sleek half up with pin straight hair is a strikingly modern, sophisticated style that feels clean, polished, and incredibly intentional. The top section of hair is smoothed back sleekly and secured, while the bottom flows down in perfectly straightened sheets of glossy hair. It’s minimal and powerful, and it photographs beautifully against elegant formal gowns.
This style is all about precision and polish. There are no flyaways, no texture, and no softness — everything is intentionally smooth and clean. It’s the kind of hairstyle that communicates confidence without saying a word, which I personally find so powerful about it.
Best for straight or easily straightened hair
This one works best for people whose hair naturally straightens easily or who have naturally straight hair. If your hair tends to hold a lot of natural texture or waves, you’ll want to invest some time in thorough blowdrying and flat ironing before attempting this look. It’s incredibly flattering on longer face shapes and oval face shapes, and works really beautifully on people with striking features they want to highlight rather than soften. Strong cheekbones? A beautiful jawline? This sleek style will showcase those features magnificently.
How to make it work for you
The foundation of this style is a perfectly smooth blowout. Use a round brush to blowdry your hair until it’s completely smooth, then go over it with a flat iron in small sections to get that mirror-like finish. Apply a very small amount of serum to create shine and eliminate frizz before you begin. Once your hair is perfectly straight, section off the top half neatly from temple to temple and secure it at the center of the back of the crown with a sleek elastic or a polished clip. The parting should be precise — either a clean center part or a clean side part — and there should be no bumps or unevenness in the gathered section. Finish with a light shine spray for that glass-like polish.
Half Up With a Floral Crown Detail
What it is and how it works
This is one of my personal favorites to create because it feels so genuinely special and celebratory. The half up with a floral crown detail combines the classic gathered half up with fresh or artificial flowers placed strategically along the gathered section or woven through the hair near the crown. It creates this gorgeous, garden fairy feel that is absolutely magical for spring and early summer proms.
The flowers can be small and delicate — like tiny baby’s breath or mini roses — or slightly more dramatic, like larger blooms tucked behind the ear or woven through a loose braid. The point is that the florals should feel like a natural part of the style, not like they were simply dropped in as an afterthought. When done well, this hairstyle looks like something out of a dream.
Best for outdoor venues and romantic aesthetics
This style is perfect for outdoor proms, garden-themed venues, or anyone with a romantic, whimsical personal style. It works beautifully on medium and long hair and is particularly stunning on people with waves or loose curls because the textured hair provides a natural resting place for the flowers. Oval, round, and heart face shapes all look gorgeous with this style. If your prom dress has floral or nature-inspired details, this hairstyle will create the most beautiful cohesive look from head to toe.
How to make it work for you
Start by styling the lower half of your hair in whatever texture you love best — loose waves work beautifully here. Then gather the top half and secure it loosely, leaving some texture and movement rather than pulling it too tightly. This gives the flowers something to nestle into. If you’re using fresh flowers, prepare them by cutting the stems very short and wrapping the ends in small pieces of floral tape to help them last throughout the night. Use bobby pins to secure the flowers along the gathered section. Work from one side to the other, placing flowers at varying depths to create dimension. Finish with a light flexible spray to keep everything in place.
Half Up With a Ribbon or Bow Detail
What it is and how it works
There’s been such a beautiful resurgence of ribbons and bows in hair styling recently, and I am absolutely here for it. The half up with a ribbon or bow detail takes a simple gathered half up style and transforms it into something playful, sophisticated, or romantic depending on the ribbon you choose. A satin ribbon in a rich jewel tone feels luxurious and formal. A sheer organza ribbon gives a floaty, ethereal quality. A velvet ribbon communicates drama and richness. The ribbon is typically tied around the gathered section into a large, beautiful bow.
This detail is so impactful for the amount of effort it requires, which is genuinely part of what I love about it. You’re doing most of the visual work with a single accessory, and when the ribbon is chosen beautifully, it elevates the entire look to something that feels thoughtfully styled.
Best for people who love vintage or fashion-forward aesthetics
The ribbon or bow detail has this wonderful dual quality — it can feel vintage and nostalgic, or it can feel incredibly modern and fashion-forward depending on how you execute it. It works wonderfully on medium and long hair and is particularly stunning on people who have a statement dress they want to complement with a hairstyle that has its own personality. It works across face shapes and suits most hair textures, though the gathered section looks cleanest and most deliberate on smoother hair.
How to make it work for you
Choose your ribbon carefully — the width, material, and color all matter enormously. For most prom looks, a ribbon that’s about one to one and a half inches wide creates the most proportional bow. Gather the top half of your hair and secure it with a small clear elastic. Then take your ribbon, center it against the elastic, and tie it into a generous bow, adjusting the loops until they look full and balanced. If you want the bow to be extra full, you can create a pre-made bow separately and then pin it into place on top of the elastic. Pull out two small face-framing pieces and gently wave them with a curling wand for that final soft touch.
Half Up Dutch Braid Crown
What it is and how it works
The Dutch braid crown half updo is one of the most technically impressive looking styles on this list, and it consistently gets the most compliments in my experience. In this style, Dutch braids — which are essentially inside-out braids that sit raised above the surface of the hair, creating a beautiful three-dimensional effect — are created along both sides of the head starting from the hairline, traveling back along the sides, and then joining together at the center back of the crown. The rest of the hair flows freely below.
The raised, sculptural quality of the Dutch braid creates a crown-like effect that feels genuinely regal and formal. It’s the kind of hairstyle that makes people ask “how did you do that?” which is always such a fun reaction to receive.
Best for those comfortable with braiding techniques
This style does require some braiding skill, so if you’re planning to do it yourself, I’d recommend practicing a few times before prom night. It works best on medium to long hair with a bit of natural texture or grit — completely freshly washed, silky hair can be harder to braid neatly. It’s universally flattering across face shapes and hair types, though people with thicker hair tend to find the finished result most dramatic and impactful.
How to make it work for you
Start with texturized hair — a light dry shampoo or texturizing spray worked through the roots helps enormously. Begin a Dutch braid at the front hairline on one side, picking up sections as you move along the side of the head toward the back. The key to Dutch braiding is crossing sections under rather than over, which creates that beautiful raised effect. When you reach the back of the crown, secure the braid temporarily and repeat on the other side. Join both braids at the center with bobby pins, tucking the ends under. Loosen the braids by gently pulling the edges apart — this creates fullness and makes the braids look more dramatic. Style the lower half in soft waves or curls and finish with hairspray.
Waterfall Half Up Braid
What it is and how it works
The waterfall braid is one of those hairstyles that genuinely looks like a piece of art. In this style, a braid travels horizontally across the side of the head, but instead of incorporating all the hair as you go, sections are deliberately dropped out and left to fall freely through the braid, creating the cascading “waterfall” effect that gives this style its name. It’s then pinned at the side or back of the head as part of a half up arrangement, with the rest of the hair falling below in waves or curls.
The result is this incredibly romantic, ethereal look where soft waterfalls of hair appear to be flowing through the braid. It’s genuinely one of the most beautiful braiding techniques in existence, and it creates a hairstyle that looks completely unique and artistic without being overwhelming or too complicated.
Best for romantic, dreamy aesthetics
The waterfall braid is made for people who love a romantic, fairytale aesthetic. It works most beautifully on longer hair with natural waves or soft curls, since the flowing sections look most stunning with some texture. It’s particularly flattering on round and square face shapes because the horizontal movement of the braid across the side of the head creates a visual widening effect that beautifully balances rounder or more square jawlines. It also photographs incredibly well, which is always a priority consideration for prom.
How to make it work for you
Prep your hair with light waves using a curling wand before you begin — this makes the waterfall sections look more beautiful as they flow through. Start near the front hairline on one side and begin a three-strand braid. With each stitch, instead of incorporating the bottom strand into the braid, drop it and pick up a new section of hair from above to replace it. This dropping creates the waterfall. Continue this across the side of the head until you reach the back, where you can pin the remaining braid section to secure the half up shape. Practice this technique a few times before prom — once you get the rhythm of the drop-and-replace motion, it becomes much more intuitive.
Half Up With Vintage Victory Rolls
What it is and how it works
If you want a hairstyle that is genuinely unlike anything else anyone at prom will be wearing, the half up with vintage victory rolls is your moment to shine. Victory rolls are a classic vintage styling technique where sections of hair at the front are rolled up and back into large, sculptural tube shapes that sit proudly at the front of the crown. Combined with flowing hair below, this creates a look that’s part vintage glamour, part modern elegance.
This style has such a distinctive, confident energy to it. It’s for someone who isn’t afraid to stand out, who loves vintage aesthetics and Old Hollywood glamour, and who wants their hairstyle to be just as much of a statement as their dress.
Best for confident, fashion-forward individuals
Victory rolls suit people who are drawn to bold, vintage-inspired fashion choices. They work best on medium to long hair and tend to look most polished on people with straighter hair or hair that can be smoothed and shaped easily. They’re particularly stunning on oval and oblong face shapes, as the width and height of the rolls create beautiful proportion. Heart-shaped faces also look wonderful with this style because the fullness at the top balances a narrower chin.
How to make it work for you
Section off the front portion of your hair — roughly from temple to temple and about two inches back. Divide this section into two halves. Working with one side at a time, apply a light-hold styling cream to help with shaping. Roll the section upward and forward, tucking the ends under to create a smooth, cylindrical roll shape. Secure it firmly with bobby pins from the inside so that no pins are visible. Repeat on the other side, making sure both rolls are symmetrical in size and height. The rest of the hair below can be worn in soft curls, waves, or straight. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the rolls crisp and in place throughout the night.
Half Up Space Buns
What it is and how it works
Space buns are having such a wonderful moment in fashion and beauty, and I love seeing them interpreted for formal settings like prom. The half up space buns style takes the playful, youthful energy of space buns and refines it just enough to make it prom-appropriate. Two small to medium buns are created at the upper sides of the crown, sitting symmetrically on either side of the center part, while the rest of the hair flows freely below.
The result is this fun, fashion-forward look that has genuine personality and style. It feels youthful and celebratory without being childish, and when the buns are neat and the lower hair is styled beautifully, the overall effect is genuinely chic.
Best for people with bold, playful personal style
Space buns are perfect for someone whose personal style leans toward the bold, playful, or fashion-forward. They work beautifully on medium and long hair and tend to look particularly cute on round and heart face shapes, as the width created by the symmetrical buns is very flattering on those face shapes. If you have a prom dress with a fun, unexpected detail — an interesting color, a playful silhouette — space buns will complement that energy perfectly.
How to make it work for you
Create a clean center part running from the front hairline to the crown. Section the hair above the ear on each side and secure each section into a high ponytail. Twist each ponytail and then wrap it around its own base to create a bun, securing with bobby pins. You can make the buns neater and more polished for a formal look, or slightly messier and more relaxed for a more editorial feel. The remaining hair below can be worn in loose waves or straight. Add a few face-framing pieces loosened from each bun for a softer, more romantic finish.
Half Up With Crystal Pin Details
What it is and how it works
Sometimes it’s the small details that make the biggest impact, and this is exactly the philosophy behind the half up with pearl or crystal pin details. This style takes a classic, simple half updo — whether gathered, twisted, or loosely knotted — and elevates it dramatically through the strategic placement of pearl or crystal bobby pins and hair pins throughout the arranged upper section and scattered into the lower flowing hair.
The pins catch the light as you move, creating this beautiful, sparkling effect that looks absolutely stunning in the kind of lighting you typically find at prom venues. It’s elegant, romantic, and has this genuinely magical quality that photographs beautifully. I’ve done this style on so many clients and without fail it always receives tremendous compliments.
Best for classic, romantic, and glamorous aesthetics
Pearl and crystal pin details align beautifully with classic, glamorous, and romantic aesthetic preferences. This style works on virtually every hair type and length, though it’s most impactful on hair that has some texture or waves since the pins nestle into the hair more naturally and stay in place more easily. It’s universally flattering on all face shapes and works beautifully with almost every prom dress style, from princess ball gowns to sleek column dresses.
How to make it work for you
Create your half up base first — a soft, slightly undone gathered style or a loose twisted half bun works beautifully with this concept. Then begin placing your pins. The key is to scatter them in a way that feels organic and deliberate at the same time. Group two or three pins close together in some areas, then space individual pins more widely in others. Place some pins in the gathered upper section and scatter others through the lower flowing hair. Step back every few placements to assess the overall balance. You want the pins to look like they were naturally woven into your hair, not lined up in a row. Finish with a light flexible spray.
Half Up With a Dramatic Side Sweep
What it is and how it works
The half up with a dramatic side sweep is a style that has a real cinematic quality to it — it feels like the kind of hairstyle you’d see in an old Hollywood film, worn by someone completely in command of the room they’re walking into. In this style, the upper half of the hair is gathered and swept dramatically to one side, where it’s secured and allowed to cascade down along with the lower half, creating a beautiful asymmetric sweep of hair across one shoulder.
The asymmetry is what makes this style so striking. Instead of the traditional centered half up gather, everything is pulled and swept to one side, creating movement and drama that catches the eye and creates a really dynamic silhouette.
Best for those who love drama and asymmetry
This style is for someone who loves a more dramatic, editorial look. It works beautifully on medium and long hair and is particularly stunning on people with an asymmetric prom dress or a one-shoulder neckline, as the sweep of the hair complements that design beautifully. It’s also incredibly flattering on people with a beautiful neck and shoulders they want to highlight. The asymmetric quality of this style is particularly striking on oval and oblong face shapes.
How to make it work for you
The key to this style is commitment — you really have to sweep everything dramatically to one side for the effect to read properly. Style the lower half of your hair in soft, flowing waves or curls first. Then take the upper section and instead of gathering it at the center back, sweep it all to one side and secure it with pins at the side of the crown, allowing it to flow down along the side and merge with the lower hair. You can add a beautiful clip or pin at the securing point to make it feel more formal. Pull out a single face-framing piece on the side that the hair is swept away from to balance the look, and finish with hairspray.
Half Up Upside Down French Braid
What it is and how it works
Saving one of the most uniquely beautiful options for last — the half up upside down French braid is a style that genuinely turns heads because it’s so unexpected and different. In this style, a French braid begins at the nape of the neck and is braided upward, traveling up the back of the head, before being folded over and secured at the crown, with the braid appearing to travel upward from below. The remaining hair above and to the sides falls freely as the half down portion.
The result is this stunning architectural effect where the braid seems to appear from nowhere and travel upward with beautiful intention. It’s the kind of hairstyle that people can’t quite figure out at first glance, which is honestly one of the most exciting reactions a hairstyle can provoke.
Best for people who want something truly different
This style is for the person who truly wants to stand out and wear something no one else will be wearing. It requires some braiding skill and flexibility to execute, so having a friend or stylist help is definitely recommended. It works best on medium to long thick or wavy hair, as the braid has more substance and the flowing upper section looks fuller. It’s beautiful on round, square, and oval face shapes and creates a particularly elongating effect on rounder faces due to the vertical movement of the braid.
How to make it work for you
This style is easiest with help from another person since you’ll be working at the back of your own head. Start at the nape of the neck with a small section of hair and begin a French braid, picking up sections from the sides as you move upward. Keep the tension even as you braid upward toward the crown. When you’ve incorporated all the hair from the lower section into the braid, secure the end at the crown with a small elastic. Fold the remaining braid tail over and tuck it under the secured point, pinning it in place. Loosen the braid by gently pulling the edges apart for fullness. The remaining upper hair and sides can be softly waved or left in natural texture.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from everything I’ve shared today, it’s this — your prom hairstyle should feel like you. Not a version of someone else you saw online, not whatever everyone around you is doing, but a genuine, beautiful expression of who you are right now at this exciting moment in your life.
As someone who has spent years helping people prepare for their most important moments, I can tell you that the most stunning looks I’ve ever created weren’t necessarily the most technically complex ones. They were the ones where the person in my chair chose a style that truly resonated with their personality, their dress, their spirit. When your hairstyle feels authentically yours, you carry it with a confidence that no technique or product can replicate.
Half up half down hairstyles are, in my professional opinion, the smartest choice for prom for so many reasons. You get the elegance and polish of having your hair styled and arranged without losing the movement and flow of wearing it down. You get the practical benefit of hair staying out of your face all night while still having that beautiful, lush look in photos. And you get an enormous range of stylistic options — from the most romantic and soft to the most bold and editorial — all within the same fundamental structure.
Whether you fell in love with the dreamy waterfall braid or the confident vintage victory rolls, whether the sleek and sophisticated half up spoke to you or the playful space buns felt most like home — every single one of these styles can be adapted, personalized, and made completely your own.
My advice as you prepare for prom? Do a trial run of your chosen hairstyle at least a week before. Gather your products, your pins, your accessories, and practice. Take photos in different lighting. Move around, dance a little, and see how the style holds. This practice run will not only give you confidence on the actual night, it will also help you identify any small adjustments that will make the style work even better for you.
And most importantly, walk into that venue knowing that beauty truly is about confidence, creativity, and feeling empowered to express yourself however you choose. That’s something I believe with my whole heart, and it’s something I want every single person getting ready for prom to carry with them — not just in their hair, but in everything.