20 Prom Hair Half Up Ideas With Curls, Braids and Pretty Details
Looking for prom hair half up ideas with a little something extra? Think loose curls, a big black bow or tiny flowers tucked into twists.
These looks give you plenty to choose from, whether you want your hair mostly down or gathered into a bun at the crown.
You can keep things simple or go all out with accessories. I especially love the little pearl-like details.
Save your favorite to show your hairstylist, including the front pieces you’d like to keep.
Half Up Hairstyles to Save for Prom
loose bun and cascading curls
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous loose bun and long curls. I love the big loops at the crown and the little curled strand left beside the face.
Read also: 20 Updo With Bangs Ideas From Messy Buns to Pretty Bow Styles
Ask for a loosely gathered top section if you want to follow this look rather than a small, tightly wrapped bun.
black bow and ringlets
How cute is this black bow? The sides sweep back into it while the long brown hair falls into ringlets below.
If you want one accessory to finish your half up prom hair, this is such a pretty option. Keep the bow tails hanging over the curls like they do here.
lifted crown and straight lengths
Don’t want curls and want something a little simpler? Look no further because this straight hairstyle is for you.
The raised crown and crossed sections at the back give it plenty of detail without a single bow or flower.
Read also: 20 Prom Hair Down Ideas With Curls, Braids and Pretty Accessories
side braid and high pony
This braided look may just be one of my favorites here. I love the wide braid beside the high half ponytail.
Those long blonde curls are so pretty underneath.
Keep a curled front section loose if you want the same little detail beside your face.
sparkling branch detail
Bring a little sparkle to your hairstyle with a branching silver-colored accessory. It sits just above the crossed sections of hair, with large curls falling below.
I’d choose this if you want something decorative at the back without adding a whole row of separate pins.
looped bun and spiral ends
I am obsessed with this looped bun. It’s so pretty with the brown curls and lighter streaks running through them.
The sides are swept back while most of the length stays down. Ask for defined spiral ends if that’s your favorite part too.
small knot and blonde curls
If you are looking for a smaller bun, this one is for you. The top section forms a little looped knot above the long curls.
I especially love the lighter strands winding through the darker hair.
side braid and loose front pieces
This is such a pretty way to include a braid without gathering all your hair up. The braid runs from the side toward the back, above the loose curls.
Leave a section down in front of your ear to follow this look. You don’t have to pull every strand into the braid.
twists and scattered pearls
How gorgeous are these little pearl-like accents? They’re scattered across the swept-back sections and overlapping twists rather than lined up in one straight row.
The loose curls look lovely on their own too. Choose a mix of larger and smaller accents if you want this same arrangement.
high blonde pony and waves
If you love a high half ponytail, this one is worth saving. The top section lifts away from the head before falling into long blonde waves.
My favorite part is the wide curled piece beside the face. Ask to leave that section out when the sides are pulled back.
Read also: 20 Wedding Guest Bun Hairstyles With Pretty Twists, Braids and Bows
white butterflies and tiny accents
OMG, how adorable are these butterfly accessories? I love the white shapes against the dark brown waves.
The visible side is swept back with butterflies near the ear and tiny white accents dotted farther down. Try this if you want your accessories to continue through the loose hair too.
low twists and leafy branches
Don’t want to add height at the crown? No problem! This look keeps the top smooth with low twists meeting at the back.
The delicate branching accessories follow the twists on either side. I’d keep that placement rather than moving everything into the middle.
braids and a bubble ponytail
If you are looking for something a little different, then this one is for you. Side braids meet above a bubble ponytail that runs down the center of the loose waves.
I love how full each little bubble looks. Show your stylist this picture if you want those rounded sections rather than a regular braid.
pale pink flowers and loops
This is actually one of my favorite floral looks on this list. The pale pink flowers sit among the wide twists and loose loops down the back.
There are tiny white bead-like accents too. Keep the flowers spread along the center section if you want to recreate this arrangement.
braided bun and sparkling flowers
There is so much to love here, from the different-sized braids to the curled strands beside the face. The braided top sections lead into a large bun with the rest of the textured hair left down.
The little sparkling flower accents are gorgeous. A larger silver-colored ornament sits above the bun for even more decoration.
short curls and a side braid
Looking for inspiration without all that length? This shorter style is so cute with its wide side braid and little bun at the back.
The loose ends curl around the neck while a longer spiral sits beside the cheek. Save this one if you like seeing the braid from the side.
Read also: 20 Easy Second Day Hairstyles With Buns, Braids and Cute Accessories
high tousled bun
I love this high bun with its loose loops and little ends sticking out. The long waves underneath keep the hairstyle from looking too tightly arranged.
Read also: 20 Prom Hairstyles for Medium Hair With Curls, Twists and Pretty Updos
You can skip the accessories here. The gathered top already has plenty going on.
braided band and long curls
The braid fans are going to love this! A wide braided band wraps across the back above long, loose curls.
Ask for the braid to sit around the back of your head like this rather than high on the crown. Keep a few curled front pieces out to finish the look.
Read also: 20 Quinceanera Hairstyles With Curls, Crowns and Pretty Braids
swept-back side and glossy waves
Want to see how a swept-back style looks from the front? This one has an off-center part, one side pulled back and a broad wave framing the other side of the face.
I love the long waves brought over one shoulder. Save this as a front-view reference for your appointment.
a closer look at the looped bun
Last but definitely not least, here’s a closer view of the looped bun from earlier. You can really see the wide sections folded across the top and the loose curl dropping from beside the bun.
The smooth swept-back sides are such a pretty match for those spiral lengths. I’d leave this one without extra decoration.
