There are three main kinds of formal hairstyles: up, down, and half-up, half-down. Half-up hairstyles are sometimes called "half updos" or "partial updos."

"Half" isn't necessarily an accurate description; it's just the popular expression to describe a lady's hair when it is at least partly up. It could be only a little up or mostly up and it would still be called a "half" updo.

Most half-up hairstyles are up at the back and down at the front and/or sides. Some are neat; others are messy. And some are big whereas others are small. Some have a lot of texture but others have none. There are many different kinds of half updos that look elegant and even sexy for special events like proms or weddings.

What kind are you looking for? What is your source of glamour hairstyle ideas? How about Hollywood? The epicenter of refined elegance and luxurious glamour.

Hollywood hairstyling

In Hollywood there is about as much interest in all three primary hairstyle categories on special occasions. At just about every red carpet show today you see formal celebrity hairstyles that are up, down, or half up.

Some famous women have a signature formal hairstyle and prefer to wear their hair down all the time, while other stars usually wear it up. A few like Nicole Kidman often look their best when it is half-up.

Here on this website are some half-up prom hairstyles suggestions for teen girls looking for ideas and older women in their 30s or 40s (or older) who need to select classy evening hairstyles for a gala, ball, dance, or even a wedding.

Half updos for long hair are available for viewing in the new photo gallery (accessible via the navigation menu at the top on the left) that went live on May 1, 2008 just in time for the 2008 prom and just ahead of the summer 2008 weddings.

Some of these formal half updos are from 2008 whereas others are from 2007 and slighter older. You couldn't tell which are the latest because there is nothing that dates them. They are all high-quality photos of the top modern formal hairstyles.

The appeal of the half-up hairstyle

Why choose a half-up hairstyle over a classic updo or a simple down style? At least one reason is updos can look too tight or too formal. The half updo is an easy way to soften your evening hair look and make it more romantic. It is easy to add dimension and depth (and even personality) when some of your hair is loose.

Tendrils are one of the most popular ways to style formal half-up hair for a prom. Those wispy or loose strands or sections of hair that fall down on both sides of your head to help frame your face with gentle, graceful and feminine style.

Perhaps you were planning to wear one of those pretty prom updos many girls wear, but before you've made up your mind, view the gallery and see if in fact you find a fantastic half-up hairstyle that will make you look and feel just as glamorous.

Verona Feldbush has the cutest half-up hairstyle. The big, wide, sweeping curl that crosses over and goes down to one side as far as her chin looks cool. It is a new partial faux bob hairstyle that makes a decent prom hairstyle for girls with short hair. The fun style looks even cuter with the dark red haircolor in the dramatic section. You couldn't wear this fancy little formal hairstyle and not feel young and cute.

Nicole Kidman likes half-up formal hairdos. We see her dressed up on the red carpet with her hair up and again in her new fragrance ad (Courtesy Chanel).