The most versatile hairstyle for every single hair texture, the half-up half-down look rarely disappoints. What we love about this style is that it can be dressed up with fun accessories like scarves, bows, or clips, or can be super dressed down in a classic scrunchie or clear elastic.
You can find the half-up half-down hairstyle on the runways, down wedding aisles, at the grocery store, and at a rowdy club, too. It’s one of those styles that has stood the test of time and can be seen on all ages, too.
To offer up a little inspo, we asked the styling experts for their top picks on different half-up half-down hairstyles, and exactly how to nail each. From the curly half pony, to the elegant braids, to accessorized looks and more, there’s a half-up half-down hairstyle for every occasion.
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Half-Up Half-Down Curly Pony
This is a pretty simple, easy half-up half-down pony look that just requires some curls. Start by giving the hair a few loose waves with a curling iron. After curling, apply texturizing spray to give the hair a textured finish. “From ear to ear, section the hair with a tail comb in half and tie the hair in the middle of the back of the head,” explains Jacelyn Bautista, a senior stylist at the NYC THE TEAM hair salon. “You can leave a few face-framing pieces out in the front to give a softer look.”
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Elegant, Braided Half-Up Half-Down
This half-up, half-down style is made of natural waves, and would be really beautiful for a wedding or formal event. To achieve this look, Lucy Garcia Planck, a hair stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, recommends prepping the hair with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium, then adding some curls with a curling iron. “Add volume on the top of the crown and braid the hair using a big section away from your hairline, pulling the hair back and connecting the two sides,” says Garcia Planck. “Tie with a small, clear, elastic rubber band.”
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Half-Up Half-Down With Clip
According to Gregorry Russell, a hairstylist and global artistic ambassador for Pureology, half-up, half-down hairstyles are easy to create and are extremely versatile. “To create the look that I made for Anya’s The Ellen Show appearance, I prepped her hair with mousse before blowing out her strands. After setting each section with a clip to cool, I sprayed the hair with the Pureology Style + Protect Soft Finish Hairspray.”
Once the hair cooled, Russell removed the clips and sprayed each section with more hairspray, allowing time to set, before brushing each section through. He repeated this step until all the hair was down. “Next, I sectioned off the first 2” from the hairline out and clipped it away,” he explains. “I then brushed the crown section with a brush for volume, smoothing and tying the hair into a half-up style using a hair tie, before following up with more hairspray.” After clipping and parting the hairline section, he used a flat iron on the ends and styled all the front pieces, finishing off the look with Pureology Style + Protect Lock It Down Hairspray.
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Boho Braids Half-Up Half-Down
This style is fun and super easy to do! Once hair is clean and blown out, Mai Hernandez, a hairstylist in Los Angeles, California, recommends applying a heat protectant spray all over your hair and doing a ripple wave (soft wave) by splitting the hair in the middle. “I like to use the Joico Joico Rise Up Volumizing Styler and the Joico Inner Joi Sea Salt Spray at the roots where I need grip and some texture for volume,” says Hernandez. “Take a couple of pieces from the front of your hairline out to frame your face, and from the temple, split the hair down the crown, dividing that section into two.”
Then, take the first section and tie it up with a rubber band. Loosen it up about an inch down, looping it through, and pushing it forward to make it a bit tighter. Do the same with the section right behind it, including the hair leftover from the first subsection. Repeat on the other side. “Pull the twisties out a little bit for volume, and spray some texturizing finishing spray on your hair for fullness and a bit of texture.”
Sleek Half-Up Half-Down With Loose Wave
Garcia Planck likes this style because it’s very comfortable to wear for a night out or a special occasion. “Add some waves to the hair, using a curling iron for more texture,” she explains. “Using a textured hair spray, comb your hair into a half ponytail on top of your head, covering the elastic bands with a small portion of hair from the ponytail, letting the hair fall freely.”
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Accessorized Half-Up Half-Down
To really jazz up a half-up half-down look is to accessorize it with a bow, hair pins, or fun stylish scrunchies with a pop of color. “Section the hair with a tail comb from ear to ear, tie with a stronger hair tie, then tie with your accessorized scrunchies/pins over top,” suggests Bautista. “Style either smooth, curly, or with your natural texture.”
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Braided Half-Up Half-Down
Don’t let braids intimidate you—they’re easier to achieve than they look! For this elegant hairstyle, Bautista suggests sectioning the hair from ear to ear, then dividing the top half of the hair into two. “Braid one braid on each side, and then tie loosely to the back of the middle of the head,” she explains. “You can soften the look by holding the end of the braid and pulling the braid lightly apart.” Applying some texturizing spray or dry shampoo onto the braid helps give the braid some hold.
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Half-Up Half-Down With a Bun
To achieve a half-up half-down look with a bun, prep damp hair with detangling spray and blowout creme. Then, blowout your hair and make a half ponytail, but on the last loop don’t pull it through all the way. You can use an elastic or a fun scrunchie to create this super-laid-back look.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in hairstyling and trends, I have extensive knowledge and experience in various hairstyles, including the versatile half-up half-down look. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the enduring popularity of this style, as it can be effortlessly adapted to any hair texture and worn for any occasion.
One of the reasons why the half-up half-down look continues to be a favorite among individuals of all ages is its ability to be easily customized with accessories. Whether it's scarves, bows, clips, or even a classic scrunchie or clear elastic, these embellishments can elevate the style, making it suitable for both formal events and casual outings.
To inspire you further, I have consulted with styling experts who have shared their top picks for different variations of the half-up half-down look, along with the necessary techniques to achieve each style flawlessly.
For those with curly hair, a half-up half-down curly pony is a simple and elegant choice. Start by creating loose waves using a curling iron, then apply texturizing spray to give your hair a textured finish. Section the hair from ear to ear and tie it in the middle of the back of your head, leaving a few face-framing pieces for a softer look.
If you are attending a wedding or a formal event, an elegant, braided half-up half-down style made of natural waves can be an excellent choice. Prep your hair with a medium-hold hairspray and add curls using a curling iron. Create volume at the crown and braid a big section away from your hairline, pulling the hair back and connecting the two sides. Secure the braid with a small, clear elastic rubber band.
For a sleek and polished look, consider a half-up half-down style with a clip. Prep your hair with mousse before blow-drying, then set each section with a clip to cool. Once cooled, spray each section with hairspray, allowing time for it to set. Brush through each section and section off the first 2 inches from the hairline, clipping it away. Brush the crown section for volume, smooth the hair, and tie it into a half-up style using a hair tie. Finish off the look with a flat iron on the ends and style the front pieces, using hairspray for hold.
If you're looking for a fun and easy style, the boho braids half-up half-down is a great choice. After washing and blow-drying your hair, apply a heat protectant spray and create soft waves by splitting the hair in the middle. Use a volumizing styler and sea salt spray for added grip and texture. Divide the hair into two sections, tie each section up with a rubber band, loosen it about an inch down, loop it through, and push it forward for a tighter look. Pull out the twisties for volume and finish with texturizing finishing spray.
For a sleek and comfortable style suitable for a night out or a special occasion, try a sleek half-up half-down with loose waves. Add waves to your hair using a curling iron, then comb your hair into a half ponytail on top of your head, covering the elastic bands with a small portion of hair from the ponytail. Let the remaining hair fall freely.
To add a unique touch to your half-up half-down look, accessorize it with bows, hairpins, or stylish scrunchies. Section the hair from ear to ear, tie it with a stronger hair tie, and then add your chosen accessories over the top. You can style your hair smooth, curly, or embrace your natural texture.
If you're interested in a more intricate style, consider a braided half-up half-down look. Section the hair from ear to ear, then divide the top half into two sections. Braid one braid on each side and tie them loosely to the back of the middle of the head. For a softer look, hold the end of the braid and pull it lightly apart. Applying texturizing spray or dry shampoo to the braid will provide additional hold.
Finally, for a laid-back and effortless half-up half-down look with a bun, start by prepping damp hair with detangling spray and blowout creme. Blow-dry your hair and create a half ponytail, but don't pull it through all the way on the last loop. You can use an elastic or a fun scrunchie to achieve this super-laid-back style.
With the variety of half-up half-down hairstyles available, you can easily find the perfect look for every occasion and hair texture. Whether you prefer a simple and casual style or an elegant and intricate one, the half-up half-down look offers endless possibilities to express your personal style and enhance your overall appearance.
