Hello, beautiful! Are you ready to turn heads at prom with a hairdo that is both stylish and stunning? As a beauty blogger who has been obsessed with hair since I cut my hair into a bob and felt like a totally new person, I’m here to tell you about the most popular half-up, half-down prom hairstyles for 2025. These ensembles are ideal for partying the night away, taking Instagram-worthy photos, and feeling like the star of the show. From delicate waves to sleek ponytails, I’ve collected 20 contemporary hairstyles to inspire you and make your prom unforgettable. I wore several of these looks to weddings and galas, and believe me, the comments kept coming! Whether you have curly hair or straight hair, there is something here for you. Pin these looks for your next salon visit, and let’s get started!
1. Romantic Half-Up Waves
There is a romantic vibe to this dreamy style, with soft waves that fall into a delicate half-up part. That makes it perfect for prom because it gives your face depth and movement, and looks great on oval or heart-shaped faces. The loose waves made me feel like a lady when I wore this to a friend’s wedding! It’s easy to take care of and can be used on both straight and curly hair. Style Advice: For free waves, curl your hair with a 1-inch curling iron, tie off the top with a clear elastic, and spray it with texturizing spray to give it hold. Picture: A bright picture of shoulder-length hair that is curly and half-up with a sparkly clip. The words “Romantic Waves for Prom 2025!” are written over the picture. This is a trendy half-up, half-down prom hairdo with soft waves. Call to action: Try this airy look and post your prom pictures below!
2. Sleek High Half-Ponytail
Channel your inner Ariana with this chic, high half-ponytail that’s all about polish and poise. Best for medium to long hair, it suits round or square faces by elongating the profile. I rocked this at a summer festival, and it stayed flawless through hours of dancing! It’s high-energy but easy to maintain. Styling Tips: Smooth with a flat iron, use a strong-hold gel for sleekness, and wrap a strand around the elastic for a polished finish. Image: A bold image of a sleek high ponytail with glossy straight hair, text overlay: “Sleek & Chic for 2025 Prom.” Alt Text: Sleek high half-up half-down prom hairstyle 2025. CTA: Pin this for a fierce prom look!
3. Boho Braided Half-Up
This boho-chic style blends loose waves with a delicate braid for a carefree yet elegant vibe. It’s perfect for curly or wavy hair and suits oval or diamond-shaped faces. I tried this for a beachy photoshoot, and it was a total vibe! It’s low-maintenance but needs occasional touch-ups for flyaways. Styling Tips: Create a loose three-strand braid, pull pieces for texture, and secure with a small elastic. Image: A colorful shot of wavy hair with a boho braid, text overlay: “Boho Vibes for Prom 2025!” Alt Text: Boho braided half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Share your boho prom look in the comments!
4. Twisted Half-Up Crown
This regal style twists sections of hair into a crown-like half-up look, perfect for prom royalty. It works for all hair types and flatters oval or heart-shaped faces. I wore this to a gala, and it felt so elegant! It’s moderately easy to maintain with the right products. Styling Tips: Twist two sections from the sides, pin them at the back, and use a shine spray for gloss. Image: A stunning image of a twisted half-up crown on long hair, text overlay: “Crown Your Prom Look!” Alt Text: Trendy twisted half-up prom hairstyle 2025. CTA: Try this royal look and tag me!
5. Voluminous Half-Up Bun
This playful style combines a high messy bun with loose, voluminous hair. It’s great for medium-length hair and suits round or square faces. I wore this to a brunch date, and it was effortlessly cute! It’s low-maintenance but needs a strong hold. Styling Tips: Tease the crown for volume, secure the bun with bobby pins, and use a volumizing mousse. Image: A lively shot of a half-up bun with textured hair, text overlay: “Voluminous Bun for Prom!” Alt Text: Voluminous half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Pin this fun look for prom!
6. Curly Half-Up with Accessories
This vibrant style showcases curly hair pulled half-up with sparkly accessories like pins or clips. Perfect for natural curls and oval faces, it’s a showstopper. I tried this for a party, and the curls bounced all night! It requires curl-defining products for upkeep. Styling Tips: Define curls with a curl cream, pin the top section loosely, and add decorative clips. Image: A bold image of curly hair with jeweled pins, text overlay: “Curly Glam for 2025!” Alt Text: Curly half-up half-down prom hairstyle with accessories. CTA: Share your curly prom slay!
7. Soft Bubble Half-Ponytail
This playful bubble ponytail adds a modern twist to the half-up look, ideal for long hair and oval faces. I wore this to a concert, and it was so fun! It’s easy to style but needs elastics for structure. Styling Tips: Create multiple ponytails, puff each section, and secure with clear elastics. Image: A fun shot of a bubble ponytail with loose waves, text overlay: “Bubble Up for Prom!” Alt Text: Trendy bubble half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Try this bubbly look and comment below!
8. Textured Half-Up Shag
This edgy style pairs a shaggy cut with a half-up section for a rockstar vibe. It suits wavy or straight hair and oval faces. I tried this for a festival, and it was effortlessly cool! It’s low-maintenance with the right cut. Styling Tips: Use a texturizing spray, pin the top loosely, and tousle for texture. Image: A vibrant image of a shaggy half-up look, text overlay: “Shag It Up for Prom 2025!” Alt Text: Textured shag half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Pin this edgy look!
9. Sleek Half-Up with Bangs
This polished style combines curtain bangs with a sleek half-up section, perfect for straight hair and heart-shaped faces. I wore this to a date night, and it felt so chic! It’s easy to maintain with a flat iron. Styling Tips: Smooth bangs with a round brush, secure the top with a clip, and use a shine serum. Image: A sleek shot of half-up hair with bangs, text overlay: “Bangs & Chic for Prom!” Alt Text: Sleek half-up half-down prom hairstyle with bangs. CTA: Share your bang-tastic prom look!
10. Waterfall Braid Half-Up
This intricate braid cascades through loose hair, creating a romantic prom look. It suits wavy hair and oval faces. I tried this for a bridal shower, and it was stunning! It requires some braiding skill. Styling Tips: Create a waterfall braid, secure with pins, and curl the ends. Image: A dreamy image of a waterfall braid, text overlay: “Waterfall Elegance for Prom!” Alt Text: Waterfall braid half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Pin this romantic look!
11. Messy Half-Up Knot
This effortless knot is perfect for a laid-back yet stylish prom vibe, ideal for medium hair and round faces. I wore this to a picnic, and it was so easy! It’s low-maintenance with a messy charm. Styling Tips: Tie a loose knot, pull pieces for texture, and use a light hairspray. Image: A casual shot of a messy half-up knot, text overlay: “Effortless Knot for Prom!” Alt Text: Messy half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Try this chill look and share!
12. Half-Up Fishtail Braid
This intricate fishtail braid adds a boho edge to the half-up style, perfect for long hair and diamond faces. I wore this to a festival, and it was a hit! It needs some practice to perfect. Styling Tips: Create a fishtail braid, secure with an elastic, and loosen for texture. Image: A vibrant shot of a fishtail braid half-up, text overlay: “Fishtail Chic for 2025!” Alt Text: Fishtail braid half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Pin this boho look!
13. Glam Hollywood Waves
These glamorous waves, pinned half-up, scream Old Hollywood elegance, ideal for long hair and oval faces. I wore this to a gala, and it was pure glam! It requires curl-setting products. Styling Tips: Use a curling iron, pin the top section, and set with hairspray. Image: A luxurious shot of Hollywood waves, text overlay: “Glam Waves for Prom!” Alt Text: Glam half-up half-down prom hairstyle 2025. CTA: Share your glam prom moment!
14. Low Half-Up Chignon
This elegant low chignon half-up style is perfect for a sophisticated prom look, suiting straight hair and heart-shaped faces. I tried this for a formal dinner, and it was stunning! It’s easy to maintain. Styling Tips: Create a low bun, pin the top section, and smooth with gel. Image: A chic image of a low chignon, text overlay: “Elegant Chignon for Prom!” Alt Text: Low half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Pin this classy look!
15. Braided Half-Up Space Buns
These playful space buns with braids are perfect for a fun prom vibe, ideal for curly hair and round faces. I wore this to a party, and it was a total conversation starter! It’s moderately easy to style. Styling Tips: Create two braids, form buns, and secure with pins. Image: A fun shot of space buns with braids, text overlay: “Space Buns for Prom 2025!” Alt Text: Braided space buns half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Try this quirky look!
16. Sleek Twisted Half-Up
This sleek twisted style is modern and chic, perfect for straight hair and square faces. I rocked this at a work event, and it was so polished! It’s easy to maintain with a flat iron. Styling Tips: Twist side sections, pin at the back, and use a shine spray. Image: A sleek image of twisted half-up hair, text overlay: “Twisted Chic for Prom!” Alt Text: Sleek twisted half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Share your sleek prom look!
17. Half-Up with Curtain Bangs
This trendy style pairs curtain bangs with a soft half-up section, ideal for wavy hair and oval faces. I tried this for a brunch, and it was effortlessly chic! It’s low-maintenance with the right cut. Styling Tips: Style bangs with a round brush, pin the top loosely, and use a texturizing spray. Image: A vibrant shot of curtain bangs half-up, text overlay: “Curtain Bangs for Prom!” Alt Text: Half-up half-down prom hairstyle with curtain bangs. CTA: Pin this trendy look!
18. Floral Half-Up Crown
This romantic style incorporates floral accessories into a half-up crown, perfect for curly hair and heart-shaped faces. I wore this to a garden party, and it was magical! It needs gentle handling. Styling Tips: Pin flowers into a half-up section, curl the ends, and use a light hairspray. Image: A dreamy shot of a floral crown, text overlay: “Floral Vibes for Prom!” Alt Text: Floral half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Share your floral prom slay!
19. Half-Up Rope Braid
This unique rope braid half-up style is bold and modern, ideal for long hair and oval faces. I Tried this for a photoshoot, and it was so striking! It requires some braiding skill. Styling Tips: Create a rope braid, secure with an elastic, and loosen for texture. Image: A bold image of a rope braid half-up, text overlay: “Rope Braid for Prom 2025!” Alt Text: Rope braid half-up half-down prom hairstyle. CTA: Pin this bold look!
20. Textured Half-Up with Pearls
This glamorous style adds pearl accessories to a textured half-up look, perfect for wavy hair and round faces. I wore this to a holiday party, and it was a total showstopper! It’s moderately easy to maintain. Styling Tips: Pin pearls into the half-up section, tousle for texture, and use a shine spray. Image: A luxurious shot of textured hair with pearls, text overlay: “Pearl Glam for Prom!” Alt Text: Textured half-up half-down prom hairstyle with pearls. CTA: Share your pearl-adorned prom look!
Maintenance Tips
To keep your prom hairstyle looking fresh, trim every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends. Use a heat protectant before styling and a lightweight hairspray for hold. For curly hair, a curl-defining cream is your best friend. Invest in a good shampoo and conditioner for your hair type to maintain shine and health.
