20 Prettiest Half Up-Half Down Hairstyles For Every Hair Type
Show off your hair volume with these half up-half down hairstyles that suit everyone.
So, you have been staring at the mirror, holding your hair wondering – up or down.
How about both? Options for half up-half down hairstyles give you the power to mix and match, instead of simply sticking to an updo, low hairdo, or leaving your hair loose,
Whether you have to rush to a meeting, head out to a wedding, or go to the gym – there is a half up-half down hairdo for you.These hairstyles are lifesavers for days you forget to wash your hair. They are easy to style in sleek, messy, chic, or elegant. You can even add a personalized twist to these hairstyles.
Scroll down and check out the top up-down hairstyles that are taking the internet by storm.
1. OTT Half Knot
This is a nice twist to the regular half top knot. You will definitely need a whole lot of attitude to pull this off. After all, it’s the grown-up version of the coconut ponytail!
How To Do
- Brush your hair down to remove any knots.
- Hold the top half of your hair and brush it upwards.
- There are two ways you can do this. You can tie a loose top knot with the ends hanging out and then wrap the loose ends around the bun to hold it tight in place. Or, you can wrap your hair around to create the stem of the knot and then tie the ends in the knot.
- Use U-pins to secure the hair in place.
2. High Half Ponytail
This is another take on a classic cute kid hairstyle – the half coconut. If you have thick hair, go for it! It will show off your volume better than most other hairstyles.
How To Do
- Hold your hair as you would a half ponytail and tie it with a big elastic band.
- Make sure it’s tight and secure so that the ponytail stays in place.
3. Semi Crown Half Updo
Sometimes, a simple hairstyle is all you need to feel confident. Try this simple yet sophisticated semi-braided crown hairdo to ooze confidence.
How To Do
- Gather some hair from one side of your head and divide it into three sections: top, middle, and bottom.
- Weave a stitch of the regular braid, then drop the section of hair that was the top section.
- Add a new section of hair from the top, making it the top section, and weave another stitch.
- Continue braiding your hair by replacing the top section of the braid. This will create the waterfall look of your braid.
- Pin the braid on the opposite side of your head.
4. Clipped Half ’Do
Decorative clips can add a graceful touch to a simple hairstyle. Just take a look at this hairstyle. It looks stunning!
How To Do
Using a thin comb, gather the hair from the top and sides of your head and comb it backward. Hold the hair at the back, below the crown, and clip it up with a fancy clip.
5. Flower Half Knot
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Who doesn’t appreciate the beauty of a flower? Not many! So, why not incorporate a flower into your hair to make it look surreal?
How To Do
- Using the pointed end of a rat tail comb, section off a two-inch wide section from the front hairline, up to the crown.
- Weave a Dutch braid with this section until you reach the crown.
- Tie the braid with an elastic band and wrap it around to form a bun.
- Pancake the braid to make it look like a flower.
6. Twisted And Curled
Curly hair and twists add a romantic flair to any hairstyle in all the best ways. Show off this gorgeous hairdo at a wedding or a red carpet event.
How To Do
- This hairstyle can be achieved by some simple twists with alternating sections of hair and hair pins to hold them in place.
- If you have straight hair, curl it with a curling wand before doing the hairstyle.
- If you have curly hair, apply some curl defining cream before styling it.
- Finish off with a few spritzes of hairspray to set the half updo in place.
7. Slanted Braid Half Updo
The braid is a classic hairstyle. Why not style it in a half updo? It sure looks impressive.
How To Do
- Weave a Dutch braid, starting from one side of your head till near the crown.
- Keep adding hair to the middle section of the Dutch braid as you are weaving it.
- Secure it at the end with an elastic band.
- Wrap a small section of hair around the elastic band to hide it from view.
8. Crisscross Half Updo
The zig-zag has inspired so many designs, so we obviously needed to incorporate it into a hairstyle. This half up-half down hairstyle is perfect for making an impression at a big event.
How To Do
- For this hairstyle, you’ll need a braid maker clip. Use a small or medium-sized one, depending on the thickness of your hair.
- Backcomb the hair at the top to add volume to it.
- Place the clip at the back and begin crisscrossing sections of hair from the sides. You need to create two big crisscrossed sections, so make sure you insert enough hair in the clip.
- Curl the ends of your hair and finish off with some hairspray.
9. Donut Half ‘Do With Braid Base
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Buns and braids are the chicest ways to style updos. It’s only right for me to add them to this half up-half down list as well, especially when they create such a beautiful hairdo!
How To Do
- You’ll need a donut bun for this hairstyle.
- Gather the hair from the front and tie it in a half ponytail.
- Place your donut bun at the base of the ponytail by passing the ponytail through it.
- Hold the bun band in place with one hand and arrange the ponytail hair around it with the other.
- Insert an elastic band around the bun band to secure your hair in place.
- Brush the remaining hair down.
- From the ponytail, take two small sections of hair and weave them into braids.
- Wrap these braids around the base of the bun and pin them in place.
10. Simply Twisted
This hairstyle not only looks lovely, but it also accentuates your facial features if you have a thin face.
How To Do
- Part your hair as you would normally.
- Twist the front section of hair from both sides and pin them at the back of your head.
- Curl your hair with a curling iron to add a romantic touch to this half up-half down look.
11. Accessorized Half ‘Do
Accessories can do wonders for your hairstyles. They can transform a simple ‘do (that you would never consider sporting to a wedding) into an elegant one.
How To Do
- Tease your hair at the crown to create a pouf.
- Add hair from the sides to the pouf and pin it just below or at the crown.
- Accessorize with decorative clips or flowers.
12. French Half Knot
This is one of my favorite hairstyles. My hair tends to get greasy at the top, so I use this hairstyle to cover it up. It allows me to flaunt the rest of my hair, and I don’t need to wash my hair every other day (thank God!).
How To Do
- Section off a 4-inch section of hair from the front hairline to the crown, and clip off the rest of your hair.
- French braid this section of hair.
- Once the French braid reaches the crown, weave a regular braid the rest of the way down.
- Secure the end of the braid with an elastic band and wrap it around at the crown to form a bun.
- You can pancake the braid before tying it in a bun to make it look bigger.
13. Alternate Half ‘Do
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There’s something about alternate hairstyles that pulls us in. They’re simple and convenient to do when you’re in a hurry.
How To Do
- Gather the hair at the front and top of your hair and tie it in a regular half ponytail.
- Pick up a section of hair from the side, pass it over the half ponytail, and pin it a little on the other side.
- Do the same on the other side.
- Repeat the two previous steps to finish off the look.
14. Braided Switch
Half updos and braids really go hand in hand! Take this lovely hairstyle, for instance. The braids look like nautical ropes and oh-so-perfect.
How To Do
- Comb your hair back, so it falls behind your shoulders.
- Gather some hair from one side at the front and weave it into a regular braid.
- Repeat the same on the other side.
- Secure both braids with elastic bands.
- Join both the braids at the back, placing one over the other, and pin them at the crown to hold them in place.
15. The Twisted Crown
This is a very simple hairstyle that is quite underestimated as a regular ‘do. But, once you add in some elegant accessories, it looks stunning.
How To Do
- Take some hair from one side at the front and twist it. Pancake the twist to make it look bigger.
- Pin the twist near your ear on the opposite side.
- Repeat the same on the other side.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 with thin sections of hair and pin them right under the first pair of twists.
- Don’t forget to accessorize with some fresh flowers.
16. Hair Tie Half Updo
Elastic bands usually look unseemly and cannot be flaunted. That’s why I always use this tip to keep my hairdo looking on point. After all, why should something as simple as a hair tie ruin my look?
How To Do
- Gather some hair at the top of your head to form a high half ponytail. Secure it in place with an elastic band.
- Take some hair from the half ponytail and wrap it around the elastic band to cover it up.
- Tuck the ends under the elastic band or use a hair pin to secure it in place.
17. Knotted Half Updo
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Some knots can be good for your hair! Try this simple hairdo when you are in a hurry and make heads turn.
How To Do
- Curl your hair with velcro rollers. You can leave them on overnight.
- Brush your hair back after detangling it.
- Take some hair from both sides and tie it in a knot below the crown.
- Use pins to secure the knot in place.
- Spritz on some hairspray to secure the knot in place.
18. Braided Pouf Half ‘Do
This beautiful hairstyle has a vintage feel to it. Can you picture those old-school parties where all they thought about was dressing up and dancing? This hairstyle would be perfect for those kinds of events.
How To Do
- Backcomb the hair at the top of your head, making it as big as you’d like. Pin it at the back along with some hair from the sides.
- Take some hair from the side at the front and weave it in a French braid, adding more hair only to the bottom strand. Pin it at the back of your head.
- Do the same on the other side.
- Pancake the braids, so they look like strings of hearts.
- Curl the ends of your hair to add a soft touch this hair look.
19. The Bouffant
The bouffant is another half updo that has stood the test of time. It’s the perfect blend of art and sophistication.
How To Do
- Brush your hair back so that it falls behind your shoulders.
- Divide your hair into two sections: top and bottom. Clip off the bottom section of hair.
- With the help of a rat tail comb, section off an inch of hair from the front, from ear to ear. This hair will act as the bangs for this hairdo.
- Tease the rest of the hair in the top section.
- Smoothen down the top of the teased hair with a comb.
- Gather and hold this hair below the crown, twist it twice, lift it up, and pin it in place to create a bouffant.
- Part the hair used for the bangs in the middle and curl it to frame your face.
- Curl the rest of your hair as well.
20. Pull Through Half Updo
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I know you’re thinking this hairstyle looks complicated, but it really is not. It’s simple, and once you get the hang of it, I’m sure you’ll love it!
How To Do
- Section off hair from the center to form a center half ponytail and secure it at the crown of your head using an elastic band.
- On one side of the half ponytail, gather some hair and weave it in a French braid, keeping it parallel to the ponytail, until you reach the crown.
- Once you reach the crown, weave it a regular braid the rest of the way down.
- Repeat the same on the other side as well.
- Gather some hair from both sides and tie it into another half ponytail a little below the first half ponytail.
- Part the first ponytail in half, and pass the braids and second half ponytail through it at the center. Tie the first half ponytail with another elastic band under the braids and the second half ponytail.
- Repeat the same with the second half ponytail as you did with the first one.
- Continue this until you reach the end.
- Pancake the half ‘do to make it look elegant.
Half-up, half-down hairstyles have become quite popular these days, and why wouldn’t they? These hairstyles are perfect for all types of hair types and lengths. They are cute yet gorgeous and classy, all at the same time. You just need the right tools to achieve the best half-up, half-down hairstyle. But do not be disheartened if you fail to create your desired look on the first go. Practice till you succeed. Now, without any delay, take the tips from above, follow the tutorials religiously, and prepare to look amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were half up half down hairstyles popular?
Half up-half down hairstyles were most popular in the ’90s, though they are making a comeback now.
How long can a half up half down hairstyle last?
A half up-half down hairstyle can last all day if you secure it with an elastic band/bobby pins and hairspray.
