Ok, I'm really new here but I was hoping to get a little help for an idea for an updo for my prom on May 21. The really big problem is that I have fairly long, straight hair. It now reaches about 2-3 inches below my tailbone (about 34 or 35 inches) but I'm going to trim it back to my tailbone. I would really like to put my hair up because my dress has a really cool back and I don't want my hair to cover it. At the same time I need hair around my face in some way or else I look kind of boyish. I don't really have much of any idea about what to do about my hair so any suggestions would be absolutely wonderful. Thanks!

Welcome! Prom!  What fun!

Style ideas - a simple bun or figure eight bun with pretty hair sticks would a simple, elegant style.  

A braided bun would also work well with your length.

You say you need some hair around your face - how do you usually wear your hair?  This might help us come up with other ideas.

I usually wear a single braid in the winter and two braids in the summer. I don't really care that I look boyish during the school year and during the summer the two braids make me look very childish but more feminine.

I don't think a bun or figure eight bun  would make you look boyish, in fact the styles usually make young gals look older and more sophisticated.

Making a bun is not difficult, even with your length of hair.  Just pull the hair back like you are going to make ponytail, then twist the hair until you have a "rope".  Then coil the rope around the base.  When you get to the ends, wrap them closer to the base to tuck them under the bun.  Use one or two hairsticks to secure.

For some hair around your face, just take one or 2 sections from the front of your hair and curl.  I'll often use my bangs which are below my shoulders now, or a smaller section more to the side.  If it is a small section, I curl it by wrapping it around a straw, then pinning the straw at the hairline.  I can leave that in until I'm ready to go.