Half-up half-down hairstyles straddle elegant and casual vibes perfectly, so they’re suitable for nearly every occasion. They can embody all kinds of styles: romantic bridal looks, boho-chic festival styles, sleek half-updos for upscale events.
You can opt for quick and easy half-up half-down hair when you’re just running errands, or you can go all out with a styled and coiffed half-up half-down hairstyle for special events. No matter the reason, if you want some ideas and inspiration, we’ve got you covered as always! We’ve collected the prettiest selection of half-up half-down hairstyles for every event.
1. Textured Half-Up Half-Down Waves
This textured and voluminous look is playful and feminine, with a high half-ponytail that puts out princess vibes. The bow with which the hair has been tied up certainly helps drive home the prettiness of the hairstyle itself. The waves themselves are soft with a matte finish that lends sophistication to the look.
2. Half-Up Half-Down Rose Braids
Half-up half-down hairstyles can be just as complex and intricate as typical updos! This gorgeous look involves the most precise, slightly loose Dutch braids, which transform into stunning roses in the middle of the crown. The design ends with a romantic fishtail braid hanging over the loose part of the hair.
3. Modern Half-Bun
A half-bun right on top of the head is oh-so-trendy right now, and it’s also super cute and playful. While normally seen as a more casual half-up half-down hairstyle, this look proves that it can also be fancy as long as the loose part of the hair hangs down in sleek, glamorous waves.
4. Romantic Half-Up Half-Down Crown Braid
Lush crown braids will always make you feel like a princess! The lush Dutch braid wrapped around the crown of the head is the perfect frame, while a little braid hanging down the center helps to connect the updo to the soft waves.
5. Beachy Half-Up Ponytail
In the mood for something flirty? A beachy half-ponytail really does the trick since it gives both the sleekness of a high ponytail and the volume of tousled beachy waves. It’s effortless and casual but with a touch of elegance.
6. Twisted Braid Half-Updo
These simple, twisted braids put out major fantasy character vibes, especially when done to such gorgeous, Daenerys-esque platinum hair. At the nape of the neck, all of those braids were pulled into a stunning rose bun, from which more twisted tendrils fall down.
7. Heart Braids Half-Up Half-Down Hair
These heart braids are totally worth trying when you’re in the mood to get creative! They’re created with a complex fold-over and wrap method, but with a bit of practice, you can nail them down. Just having them hang in a half-up half-down hairstyle is pretty fun, but you can incorporate them into your look in loads of different ways.
8. Quiff Half-Up Hair
Big hair, don’t care! When you want all eyes on you, you gotta go big and bold. This kind of quiff definitely fits the bill. All you need to do is tease… and tease… and tease, and eventually, you’ll reach this massive height! Smoothing and clipping it back is the easy part, but you gotta ensure the rest of your due is styled into smooth waves to bring it all together.
9. Lightly Twisted Half-Updo
This is another lovely and romantic half-up half-down hairstyle that would look great as a bridal look or for any other special event. The hair was styled into meticulous waves and then pulled back softly in a slightly twisted style, with a bit of volume at the crown. Stunning!
10. Rosy Bohemian Half-Up Half-Down Hair
This lovely hairstyle has some bohemian flair thanks to the lovely stretch band that helps reinforce the braid. Paired with the natural flare of rose buns and a hint of tousling at the ends, this look is perfect for festival season or for any springtime event!
11. Middle-Parted Half-Up Hair
Middle parts are still all the rage right, and they pair beautifully with soft half-up hairstyles! We can’t think of anything better for a modern bridal or springtime party look. A few flowers add a lovely touch while styling the tresses into soft, unidirectional waves gives all of the romance needed!
12. Feeling Rosy Half-Pulled-Back Hair
We love that all of the drama in this hairstyle is strictly in the tiny little roses that secure the hair just above the nape. Otherwise, it’s a simple, semi-pulled back look that has a rustic feel. The roses, however, are totally unique – we love the addition of leaves to make everything look even more natural.
13. Tousled Half-Up Bun
Simple, a little tousled, and yet super fancy – we’re all about this lovely half-up half-down hairstyle that works particularly well for medium-length haircuts! The loose waves pair well with the wispy bun, while pearl-studded hair clips give a hint of bling and glam to the overall look.
14. Woven Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyle
This half-pulled-back hairstyle is truly unusual, so it’s guaranteed to generate some interest. The most interesting aspect of it is the woven effect that comes from a hairstyling technique called twisted waterfall braid. It’s repeated again and again for that basket weave-like look. The entire style is sealed with a big bow and one tiny braid draped over the center part.
15. Zig-Zag Rope Braid
This is a very restrained way of rocking half-up half-down hair, and we’re not just talking about the rope braid! This kind of look pulls all of the hair into that same focal point at the center, keeping it out of the face, but then, at the nape of the neck, everything gets wild and loose. It’s a lovely contrast, made all the lovelier by the addition of some sparkly chains!
16. Rose Bouquet Half-Up Hair
We’re totally obsessed with this incredible look! When crafted out of pink hair, the effect is truly reminiscent of a rose bouquet. It has unparalleled softness and lushness that it remains despite being fairly complex. This kind of look is achieved with a mixture of rose buns and heart twists, while a few pieces of hair jewelry pull it together.
17. Minnie Mouse Half-Up Half-Down Hair
Not all half-up half-down hairstyles have to be elaborate! You can achieve this adorable look in just a couple of minutes with the help of nothing but your favorite set of hair ties. The little set of “ears” at the top of the head is not a typical bun but more like folded ponytails. The key to making this kind of look intentional rather than haphazard is to style the rest of the hair nicely.
18. Five-Part Fishtail Braid
Though it looks like a fishtail braid, the braid that draws all the attention in this hairstyle was actually achieved by weaving together five strands of hair. It’s very sturdy but with an incredible texture that blends in beautifully into smooth, flowing hair. Take note of the little strand wrapped around the bottom to hide a hair elastic and keep this look elevated.
19. Voluminous Half-Up Ponytail
This is one of those half-up half-down hairstyles we’d wanna rock to the hottest party! It’s a sassy look that allows you to get wild. The hair is voluminous and bouncy, but the tight, high ponytail keeps it out of your face and helps you look extra snatched.
20. Linked 4-Strand Braid
4-strand braids have a lush, rope-like appearance, so they offer a nice textural change to the typical 3-strand braid. In this look, more strands were woven in throughout the crown, giving a basket-like effect. We also like the tiny braids added in! The overall look is unique, with some medieval fantasy vibes.
21. Festival Braid Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyle
You can create this kind of braided look in seconds! Just braid two strands near your temples, and pull them back into a messy little twist. It’s a lovely look that works great for festival season, especially if you pair it with piecey or mussed waves. We absolutely love it combined with these intense neon shades!
22. Babydoll Half-Up Half-Down Hair
When you want to feel like a child’s toy come to life, this is the kind of half-updo to try! First things first, you have to start with intensely voluminous curls, ideally all going in the same direction for that retro touch. Then, a bit of teasing and gathering at the top guarantees even more drama. A bow is a must-have accessory for the doll-like effect.
23. Clean Volume Half-Up Hair
A lot of half-up hairstyles have a certain playfulness to them, but this one is totally mature and sophisticated though it’s still imbued with a lot of femininity. Hair from the crown was simply pulled back in a half-ponytail, although it was first given a touch of volume. A few strands were left loose and slightly curled to keep the face perfectly framed.
24. Tousled Half-Up Ponytail
This is a great look for when you want to have a ton of fun! High ponytails are excellent party looks, but having only half of the hair pulled up atop the head allows you to still enjoy the wildness of some loose hair. Tousling the ponytail and spreading the hair adds a bit more energy to the look.
25. Fishtail Braid Trio
This is the perfect look for a woman who wants to live a boho-chic fantasy! The fishtail braids have the most intriguing structure, and we like that they’re a little tousled and lived-in. Adding leaves to complement the look truly creates the illusion that you’ve come straight out of the forest!
26. Half-Up Hair with Side Braid
We’ve been keeping it quite symmetrical so far, but it’s time to break the pattern! This stunning side braid certainly does the trick. This gorgeous look really benefits from just how thick and lush the side braid is because it feels utterly romantic and blends in with the wavy hair nicely.
27. Boho Princess Half-Up Half-Down Hair
This kind of look is quite striking due to the contrast of the faux braid and side infinity twists against the very soft-looking hair. The rope-like texture of the half-pulled-back hair is excellent for a rustic, boho look, while the soft waves give princess vibes.
28. Twisty Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyle
You don’t need to get twisted, but you can absolutely add a few twists and turn to your half-up hairdo! This look shows that hair twists can be romantic and soft, especially if they’re added to already curled hair. This is a perfect bridal party hairstyle!
29. Lush Twisted Braid Half-Updo
Now, this look is more than suitable for the bride herself! The lush braid looks simple, but it’s anything but, with additional strands of hair twisted over and within the braid to add bulk while keeping the look soft. Threaded with flowers, this look is bountiful and feminine.
30. Infinity Braid Half-Up Hair
Infinity braids are truly stunning, and they offer a nice change of pace from more traditional braids. They remind of fishtail braids a little, but they don’t require working with as many strands. In this lovely look, a couple of braids come around to overlay the big central one, creating a gorgeous frame.
31. Baby Braid Waterfall Half-Updo
Some half-up half-down hairstyles are easier to create than full-on updos, but this one is as extra as can be. The slightly loosened braids are perfect for twisting over and creating a waterfall effect, while tiny twisted braids falling below add the subtlest texture.
32. Curly Bun Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyle
Curly queens can also enjoy the marvel of half-up hair! This stunning look centers a simple top bun that looks extra charming on curly hair, with a magnificent mane spreading out below it. It’s the kind of style that’s easy to achieve but has a big impact.
33. Center-Parted Half-Pulled-Back Hair
This stunning look pulls the hair back from just above the temples, creating volume above the forehead in a way that elongates the face nicely. Paired with a middle part, it’s a very flattering look that emphasizes facial symmetry. This hairstyle, created by Dvir Tvik, features his signature unidirectional waves.
34. Rainbow Infinity Braid
Here’s another infinity braid for you to marvel over, this time done with rainbow-colored hair, which only helps to emphasize the complexity of the style. This look proves that this braiding technique works even with teeny-tiny strands of hair and that it looks nice with medium-length haircuts.
35. Star Knot Half-Updo
We love how the little star accessory decorates the knotted half-updo, which itself goes in a few directions like a star. It’s a smooth look with a lot of twists but no tiny textured elements. As a result, it’s soft and romantic.
36. Diagonal 4-Strand Braid Half-Up Hair
This look breaks away from anything traditional by combining the already complex 4-strand braid with a bow-like appearance by playing with size. Then, to make things even more fun, the braid’s on a diagonal, which keeps the romance of waterfall half-updos while adding some asymmetry. Get inspired by this style when you want to do something out of your comfort zone!
37. Blue Rose Half-Up Half-Down Hair
Every new rose bun half-updo makes us gasp as though it’s the very first time we’ve seen the style. In blue, the rose bun is mysterious and ethereal! It was achieved right at the nape, so curls can fall below like the softest waterfall cascade.
38. Tucked-in Soft Half-Updo
If you’d like a unique look that keeps things understated, this half-pulled-back look has the strands tucked in and under each other, which keeps lines clean without protrusions. It would be quite striking if the hair was straight, but since it was styled into waves, it still retains some femininity and romance.
39. Clean Waves Half-Updo
When you feel truly gorgeous, you don’t need too much hair and fuss around your face! This kind of pulled-back half-updo is perfect because it lets your face be the star while still allowing some gorgeous Marcel-style waves to hang down and add drama around the shoulders.
40. Tri-Braid Boho Half-Up Hair
What’s better than two braids? Three braids, of course! This stunning three-braid look features two infinity braids and a traditional braid, all pulled sideways to allow for a waterfall effect with the loose hair. Speaking of, the slightly tousled, piecey styling adds a boho touch to the whole look!
41. Neat French Braid Quad
French braids aren’t as common as they used to be, but they’re still worth rocking if you want the interesting texture without the intense volume of a Dutch braid. The quad of French braids in this half-up hair is small and elegant, which is a pretty contrast against the shiny waves.
42. Half-Up Half-Down Hair with Accent Infinity Braid
Side braids always set our hearts aflutter, but this infinity braid accent is on another level! It’s so thick and lush that it looks almost like an accessory. It definitely adds a lot of interest to this otherwise soft and voluminous half-up hairstyle.
43. Tousled Double Dutch Braids
These double Dutch braids surround the head like a crown, so they’re excellent for a bridal look. In this instance, the look is intentionally a little tousled, which is playful and sexy. If you want to put out wilder vibes, this is definitely a hairstyle to get inspired by!
44. Violet Rope Half-Updo
These rope-like braids give us private vibes! It’s the kind of half-updo you can try on Halloween, but it’s also classy enough to work for upscale events. The long braids flowing down the back look thick and durable, while the twisty pieces at the top almost mimic a headwrap.
45. Half Pulled-Back Lob
Even long bob haircuts can be styled into half-up half-down hair! This look adds volume to the sensible cut by pulling hair back directly over the crown, adding a ton of lift to the look. The piecey styling keeps things dynamic and fun!
46. Rose Trio Half-Updo
Like a rose bouquet in your hair! This gorgeous look isn’t too complicated, so we love it as an option for date nights or Valentine’s Day! The trio of roses is the perfect little decoration at the nape of the neck, and they look stunning even on their own.
47. Double Bun Half-Up Hair
In the mood for something cute? Double buns always deliver the adorable! With this look, the double buns were done a little further back on the head, which allows the strands near the face to truly shine! The addition of a few crisscrossed bobby pins adds extra quirkiness to the already quirky look.
48. Faux Pull-Through Half-Up Hairstyle
This fascinating braiding technique looks like pull-through strands, but according to the stylist, it was achieved differently. The result is ethereal and queen-like, with a ton of volume! It also has a natural, boho-feel, even though the hair is a little more gathered than in other half-up half-down hairstyles.
49. Side Crown Braid Half-Up Half-Down Hair
You can wear your braid crown crooked if you want to! This braided half-updo puts “devil-may-care” vibes out to the world, like a queen who doesn’t need to impress anyone. For this type of style to work, it’s important that the rest of the hair be styled meticulously, and creating a thicker braid also helps.
50. Delicate Twist Half-Pulled Back Hair
Grab a couple of strands from around your temple, give ‘em a twist, and connect them right at the back of your crown. There’s not a lot to this pretty, rustic look! When you combine it with stunning curls, the result is still special.
51. Lush Half-Bun Hairstyle
This is another simple stunner. It’s the kind of half-up half-down hairstyle that feels a little architectural, despite its simplicity. The top part of the hair was pulled back cleanly as one piece, the bun is another structure, and finally, we have the tresses falling below.
52. Braids and Hoops Half-Up Hair
The hoop trend is one of our favorites for half-up half-down hairstyles! We’ve seen a few braided looks similar to this one, but threading hoops through the braids give it a special touch that’s a little glam and a little edgy. A few roses right at the center bring it closer to glam, of course!
53. Rose Over Braid Half-Updo
We can’t get over how striking braids can be! This braid starts straight above the forehead, and we can just imagine how well it lengthens the hair. It goes all the way down the back of the neck, with a few roses at the nape of the neck overlaying and adding prettiness.
54. Double Braid Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyle
Two braids are better than one! Two braids go straight over the center of the head in this look, which keeps things pretty restrained. A couple of fishtail braids crisscross right over those main braids, adding a change of texture as well as a place to pop in some lovely big flowers.
55. Under Braid Half-Up Ponytail
It seems like a full updo at first, but this half-up half-down look actually features some hidden hair as well as a few under braids. On top, two ponytails are sexy yet girlish, especially because the hair is colored as such a vibrant rainbow.
56. Platinum Glam Half-Up Hair
Perfect waves always look glamorous, but when the hair is platinum blonde, they feel even more remarkable! This look makes them a little more youthful by adding a half-ponytail right on top, but thankfully it doesn’t take away from the drama of the style.
57. Rose Bun and 4-Strand Braid Half-Up Hair
There’s a lot going on with this stunning half-up half-down hair, and we’re very much into it! Two 4-strand braids come together into a lovely rose bun, which descends down the back as another braid. It’s lush and textured over the loveliest bottleneck curls.
58. Ringed Half-Up Hair
If you can get your hands on a set of hair rings, you too can create this simple look. The hair is looped over the rings, so it stays secure while still looking smooth. Pulling a few strands together into the rings can create all kinds of unique half-up half-down hairstyles!
59. Basket Weave Half-Up Hair
This basketweave transforms hair into something almost fabric-like that protects the crown of the head! This look is quite intense, so a few strings of pearls add romance to it. It can be pulled down at the nape of the neck with any kind of accessory, but we love the passion of a big red woven piece of thread.
60. Multi-Braid Half Pulled-Back Hair
It takes some practice to be able to combine a few braids into one, but it’s a really nice skill to have for half-up half-down hairstyles. Note how the braids come from slightly higher on the crown, which creates an elongating effect. Some plant-based hair accessories glam up the look nicely!
61. Simple Knot Half-Up Hair
There is something about half-up half-down hairstyles that just works remarkably well with balayage and ombre hair colors. The style, even if it’s just a simple little knot like in this look, emphasizes the separation between the hair colors while also adding some softness to the overall look.
62. Spreading Love Half-Up Half-Down Hair
Show the world that love is in the air with your half-up half-down hairstyle! This gorgeous style includes hair that’s just slightly pulled back and then twisted and manipulated into the prettiest heart. It can be secured with a simple ponytail, but we love the texture that a fishtail braid adds instead.
63. Ringed Half-Up Hairstyle
Rings and loops are another way to get really creative! You don’t need the hair jewelry to create this fascinating look, in which hair was looped over the pulled-back strand, adding a woven effect. The rings attached to each of those loops do make things a little more special!
64. Simple and Voluminous Half-Up Hair
It’s okay to keep your half-up half-down hair simple, especially if you can add a ton of volume to your look! These gorgeous curls are large and lush, so they give all the drama to the look. The twist at the crown is just as voluminous and soft-looking, so the entire effect is harmonious.
65. Knotted & Jeweled Crown Braids
You’ll need some help because this kind of look is impossible to create by yourself. The knotted braids are deceptively complex, but they come together to look neat and soft. The whole look is totally elevated by the addition of some stunning hair jewelry! Part of the reason why it works so well is because of the variation in hair color – without streaks, the complexity of the braids might totally blend in.
66. Half-Up Half-Down Braided Bows
There are some serious boho vibes to this look, thanks to the slightly tousled waves. However, the bow braid itself is all girlish glamour! We think it’d look just as pretty with the loose part of the hair styled to look a little sleeker.
67. Side-Slicked Half-Updo
The pairing of the super-high half-ponytail with a side-slicked look is unexpectedly glamorous. Having the ponytail blend with smooth, loose waves also helps! The Chanel logo pearl embellishments are not mandatory, of course, so you can leave them out altogether or experiment with other designs.
68. ‘90s-Inspired Half-Up Half-Down Hair
This is the half-updo to try if you’re feeling kind of edgy and very quirky. Sectioning the hair so cleanly takes work, but it keeps the face clear and gives off some intense ‘90s vibes. What keeps this look from seeming too retro is the long, expertly highlighted hair styled into totally modern waves.
69. Clean Knot Half-Up Hair
To finish off, something beautiful yet simple! With such stunning pastel hair, you really don’t need to get too dramatic. This gorgeous look features a simple, stylish knot that hangs down cleanly over softly brushed-out waves.
Photos via @jessicadomoney, @samirasjewelry, Instagram
