Formal hair styles for shoulder-length hair

[brunetka]

I have 1b/f/ii-ii hair and will be attending a wedding this weekend. I usually wear my hair down with a pretty clip or headband for events like this, but I'm thinking of trying an updo or half-up and would love some suggestions. To give you some idea of my updo potential, my hair is just a bit too short to hold in a bun, but holds in simple twists and all sorts of half-ups quite easily. Also, my braiding ability is limited to a regular 3-strand english braid and 2-strand rope braids (no french/dutch variations).

[tinti]

You could, as I said in another thread about formal hairstyles, just make a ponytail and twist sections into swirls and pin/clip them down. If you want it really intricate you can take smaller strands, if yo don't take bigger strands. You could dress it up with hedbands or flowers or whatever. I always got a lot of compliment when I wore that hairstyle, now I rarely do because it's a pain in the butt to twist 6-7 strands of 70 cm hair :p

[Magdalene]

When my hair was that length I used to do a high ponytail, set it in rollers, then pin the curls strategically to look kind of bunlike. If you set them close together it looks kind of like a sock bun, if you let the curls show more it is more like a soft updo. You could add a sparkly hairtoy if it goes with your dress ( I wear sparkles with everything)

[MandyBeth]

What I've done is twist and clip the front back, put a pretty to hide the pins. Then, curl the back. Looks very nice. I'd try curling first, but my hair demands heat to stay.

[emsahib]

how about these

http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/prom_hairstyles_166.php
http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/prom_hairstyles_109.php
http://www.eleganthairstyles.com/updos/courtney.html
http://www.eleganthairstyles.com/updos/gemma.html
http://www.eleganthairstyles.com/updos/maggie.html
http://www.eleganthairstyles.com/updos/rosamund.html
http://www.latest-hairstyles.com/formal/half-updos.html

[brunetka]

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'm going to try a few tonight to see what I can accomplish :)

[triumphator!]

I really like this:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=63

[emsahib]

I really like this:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=63

Oo that was one looks good it kinda disguises how long the hair is, I may have a go at it myself. Habioku has a lot of hairstyles on her youtube channel. I was trying out the dutch braid the other day. http://www.youtube.com/user/Habioku?feature=mhw4

[XcaliburGirl]

I was able to do a Gibson Tuck or French Twist (with a flexi-8 ) around shoulder length.

[Phexlyn]

I'd suggest a French Twist or Gibson tuck as well. If you dress it up, maybe a Peacock Twist would also work (with a nice flexi or barrette). I love Peacock Twists, I've missed them ever since I've outgrown them ;)

[klcqtee]

A gibson tuck with a pretty french barrette above the "tuck" part is very nice, IMO.

[XcaliburGirl]

I'd suggest a French Twist or Gibson tuck as well. If you dress it up, maybe a Peacock Twist would also work (with a nice flexi or barrette). I love Peacock Twists, I've missed them ever since I've outgrown them ;)
Yeah, a peacock twist would work as long as it's neat. If your hair takes a curl well, that might make it seem more formal.

Phexlyn, I know what you mean. I had waist+ hair since I was a kid, so I was always a little jealous of people who could do a peacock twist. I never got to try one until I chopped my hair and then grew it out to shoulder. I've got to enjoy it now while I have the chance. :)