17 Hair Inspiration for Half Up Half Down Looks

Which half-up works for you depends mostly on how much time you have and whether you’ll be doing it yourself.

A claw clip takes under a minute, while the fishtail needs a calm evening and the cornrow version is one I’d leave to a stylist, since even rows are hard to braid on your own head.

Between those 2 ends sit scrunchies, ribbons, twists and chain-woven braids, and your hair’s texture and the occasion will narrow it down from there.

1. High Pony

A high half-up ponytail keeps the length down and the crown lifted, which makes long hair look polished with very little work.

Highlights show up well here because the pulled-up section catches light and the lower layers fall in a smooth sheet.

I like it smooth rather than teased. Pull the top section up at the crown, fasten it with a snug elastic, and leave the lower hair hanging straight.

It suits a workday or dinner when you want your face open but don’t want to commit to a full updo.

2. Fishtail Half-Up

Fishtail braids look intricate, and that’s the reason this one gets noticed. It also takes the most time of the whole list, so I’d save it for a day when you’re not rushing out the door.

Long, straight hair is the best canvas for a fishtail, since every crossed strand of the weave stays visible. Practice on a quiet evening first; the braid gets easier once your hands know the rhythm.

Pull the braid slightly looser at the end if you want it to look softer and less strict.

3. Knotted Half-Up

2 sections of hair tied into a knot at the back give the classic half-up a twist that feels a little more considered. A knot looks softer when the hair below it has some curl, even loose, easy waves.

I’d pick this for events where a plain clip feels too casual and a full updo feels like too much.

Tie the knot snugly, then tuck in the ends so it stays put. Curl the lower hair first, and the knot will sit more comfortably on top of it.

4. Half-up Flat Braid

Flat braids lie against the head instead of standing off it, so a half-up version wraps neatly around the back and holds wavy hair in place without much bulk.

Wavy hair is a good match. The texture hides small bumps in the braid, so it looks relaxed even when it’s tidy.

I like this for days when you want your hair off your face but still soft around your shoulders. Pin the end under the braid so it disappears.

5. HaiR Bow

A satin bow turns a plain half-up into something dressed up, and it’s one accessory that does the job alone. A white bow stands out nicely against hair that mixes blonde and brown, and waves make that contrast look relaxed.

Secure your hair with an elastic first, then cover it with the bow. That way the bow is for looks and the elastic does the holding.

It works with a striped tee as easily as a dress, which is why I’d keep one in my drawer.

6. Claw-Clip Half-Up

Nothing is quicker than a claw clip. Twist the top section up, press the clip in, and you’re finished in under a minute.

A black clip like this one looks neutral with almost any outfit, so you can grab it without thinking. Long brown hair gives it plenty to hold.

I’d choose a clip sized to your hair thickness. Too small and it slips, too big and it looks heavy at the back of your head.

7. Half-Up Bun

Gathering the top section into a bun leaves the rest of the length loose, so long waves stay full and the style still feels easy. Smooth edges make it look finished without any extra effort.

I like it for a day that calls for something relaxed that still looks put together. Tie the bun snugly at the crown so it holds its shape, then leave the lower hair loose and natural.

8. Half-Up with a Ribbon or Scarf

A black ribbon tied in a bow can sit over any half-up you already do. It adds a finished detail without changing the hair underneath.

Long waves suit it well, since the loose texture makes the bow look soft instead of stiff. Fasten your hair with an elastic first, then tie the ribbon over it so the bow only has to look good.

A scarf works the same way if you’d like more color or pattern.

9. Half-up with Braided Face-framing Pieces

2 thick braids that frame the face turn a simple half-up into something with more shape. Wavy blonde hair shows the braids clearly, and the loose waves keep the look soft.

I’d start with the front sections: braid each one, pull both back, and pin them in with the rest of the top hair.

Keep the braids chunky rather than tight, since thick ones look more relaxed and are quicker to make.

10. Twisted Crown

Twisting works as a gentler stand-in for braiding. You wrap two strands around each other instead of weaving three, so it’s much easier to learn and quicker to finish.

Long, wavy hair with loose curls gives the twist some texture to grip. Twist the top sections back, join them at the crown, and pin them so they stay put.

If braids have never worked for you, I’d start here.

11. Half-up with a Cute Scrunchie

A scrunchie is the easiest way to add pattern to a half-up. Gather the top section, wrap the scrunchie around it, and you’re done.

A bold print scrunchie works best with a plain, solid sweater, and a color that contrasts with your hair makes it pop. I’d pick a scrunchie in a color you already wear, so it goes with more of your closet.

Wrap it a second time if it feels loose.

12. Flower Braid Bun

The top section is braided, coiled around itself, and pinned so the coils read as petals.

Wavy brown hair gives the braid a soft, full look, and the loose lower hair balances the detail at the back. Pin the coils firmly, since a braid that’s coiled loosely tends to droop.

I’d save it for a day when you want people to notice your hair.

13. Cornrow Braid Half-Up

Cornrows across the top with the lower hair left loose and wavy make a half-up that looks intricate but stays practical. The braids hold the front and crown flat, so nothing needs pinning or clipping.

Wavy burgundy hair sets off the pattern nicely, since the loose waves soften the neat, tight lines.

This is a style I’d book with a stylist rather than try on my own, because even rows are hard to braid on yourself.

Plan on a longer appointment than a usual styling.

14. Formal Romantic Half-Up Curls

Big, voluminous curls pinned back from the face are the most formal way to wear a half-up, and they suit black-tie dinners and evening weddings best.

Long brown hair shows the curl pattern well, and the pinned section keeps everything off your face.

Curl the whole head first, then pin the top sections back and leave the rest to fall. I’d skip brushing the curls out afterward, since that loosens the shape you worked for.

It suits a wedding, a dinner or any evening where you’d wear a dress.

15. Half-Up with Floral Accessories

Small white flower pins turn loose, wavy hair into something a little romantic without adding bulk. Three pins are plenty on honey-blonde waves, spaced along the pulled-back section so each one reads clearly.

Slide each pin in at an angle, pointing back toward the secured hair, so it grips instead of dangling.

16. Half-Up with Part Accent Braids

Tiny braids along a center part give curly hair some structure right where the eye lands. The rest stays half-up and loose, so the curls keep their volume.

Start by making a clean part, then braid thin sections on either side and pull them back with the top hair. Keep the braids small so they look like accents, not a second hairstyle.

I like it with a plain dark top, which lets the hair do the talking.

17. Braided Half-Up with Chain Accents

Delicate gold chains woven through a braided crown give a half-up the look of jewelry, with no earrings or necklace required. Long wavy brown hair holds the braid well, and the loose lengths below keep it from feeling severe.

Braid the crown first, then thread the chain through so it follows the weave. Tuck the chain ends beneath the braid and secure them with a bobby pin so they stay hidden.

I’d wear this when the outfit is simple, so the gold is the one detail.

Versatility of Half-Up Styles

Half-up styles work on every hair texture and length, which is why they suit so many people.

Once you’ve learned that one base move, every variation is a matter of finishing.

Change the accessory, the texture of the lower hair or the way the top is secured, and the same hairstyle fits a coffee run or a wedding.

If you can’t decide between pulled back and loose, this is the answer. It keeps hair off your face and still shows off your length.

Half-up, half-down hair might just take the award for the most versatile hairstyle.

— Glam

Accessorizing Half-Up Styles

A bow doesn’t have to be a store-bought clip. A ribbon, a thin silk scarf or a bow clip will dress it up, and the ribbon and scarf run only a few dollars.

Match the material to the season. Linen feels right in summer, and velvet suits colder months.

Texture is what makes an accessory look chosen instead of grabbed. A shiny satin piece reads dressier than a matte cotton one, so pick based on where you’re headed.

Keep to one accessory per look. A single detail looks deliberate, and two or three start to compete with each other.

Tips for Styling

A little teasing at the crown before you gather the hair gives it some body. That bit of volume stops the top from lying flat and keeps the shape looking full.

Spiral elastics grip better than standard ones, so I’d reach for those. They don’t snap or leave dents, and they grip better.

Hair that’s a day or two past washing has more grip, so you can skip the shampoo and start styling.

A quick spritz of hairspray on each bobby pin before it goes in helps it stay put roughly twice as long.

For curly hair, leave the curls in spirals rather than tousling them if you want less volume. A teased crown balances the rest, and a little hairspray before tying up helps it hold.

Hold the can about 12 inches back and set the style with one light mist. You get hold without the crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions