As far as cute looks go, half up, half down hairstylestake the cake. Not only are half-updos a completely wearable—and on-trend—throwback to ’90s hairstyles, they’re also very practical.
This hairstyle is never too overdone and always has your back. The half updo works on dirty hair or serves as a cute style to make you feel on your game. We also love that you can wear the half-up, half-down look in so many different combinations.
Half Up, Half Down Triple Dutch Braid Tutorial
Keep scrolling for three tutorials you can easily master and 30 of our favorite half up, half down hairstyles for inspo.
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Start with clean, freshly washed hair.
Rinse with a moisturizing, shine-enhancing system to prep your hair for a healthy-looking half-updo. We love the lightweight nourishment we get from Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Damage RepairShampoo and Conditioner.
Suave
Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Shampoo
Suave
Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infusion Damage Repair Conditioner
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Section off the front.
Prep hair with a thermal protectant, like TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat TamerSpray, and blow-dry till hair is almost completely dry. Next, using the end of a rat-tail comb, create a sharp U-shaped sectionfrom your crown to your bang area, as you would when sectioning off your hair fora half-updo. Make sure todefine both yourleft and right part lines!
TRESemmé
TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray
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Set aside the side sections.
Divide your half-updo part into three sections for your braids. Clip up or tiethe left and rightsections off, and leave the middle section loose to start.
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Start Dutch-braiding.
Begin weaving a baby Dutch braid from your hairline to the top of your crown. How to plait: Split your section into three slivers, and cross the sides undereach other towards the middle (instead of over), so you end up with a raised, banana-like braid. Secure with an inconspicuous hair tie.
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Repeat on both sides.
Braid the left, then the right side sections in the same manner, securing each Dutch braid with a hair elastic. Make sure the elastics are all aligned in one row for a neater effect.
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Gather into one pony.
Take the ends of your braids and gather them up into one ponytail. Secure with a hair tie.
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Tease it!
Backcomb your ponytail slightly to give your bun more traction and to create more texture and lift.
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Secure into a bun.
Coil your ponytail around itself to create a top knot. Secure the ends with bobby pins tucked inthe folds, or loop a stretchy hair elastic around your knot to keep it really snug.
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Done!
You’re all set!
1970s Half Up, Half Down Tutorial
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Refresh your hair.
Refresh your second or third-day old hair by spritzing onDove Refresh+Care Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo. Spray the dry shampoo around 8 to 12 inches away from your hair, focusing onthe roots, as it works to revive your locks and soak up any excess oils. Don’t forget to spray your fringe!
Dove
Dove Refresh+Care Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo
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Brush or finger-comb your hair.
Brush or finger-combyour hair to ensure that the dry shampoo has been evenly distributed all throughout your locks.
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Apply serum to the ends of your hair.
For a sleek half up half down hairstyle, apply some serum, like TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum. Apply a tiny pump to the ends of your fingertips and comb it through the ends of your hair to help eliminate frizz as you seal in some shine.
TRESemmé
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum
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Curl your hair.
Use a curling wand to create loose curls throughout your hair. Start by using a small section of your hair and wrap your strands around the wand, working at an angle.
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Separate your hair from your bangs.
Use a comb toseparate apiece of your hair away from your bangs. Repeat this process on each side of your head.
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Tease at the roots.
Using your comb, start at the front of your hair (right at the base of your bangs) and tease at the front and work your way backward.
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Structure your bouffant.
Use one hand to hold hair into a half-up hairstyle while the other hand works to comb your hair. Then, smooth down any flyaways in your half-up bouffant using your comb and your hands.
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Pin your hairstyle in place.
Hold your half-up hairstyle as if you are about to place it in a ponytail. Since you have the extra volume, make sure that you use your hands to lift your hair before you pin it in place.Gather a small section of your hair from the side. Twist that piece of hair and bring it around to the back where your half-up hairstyle is. Pin it in place with a bobby pin. Repeat this on each side. Use some of theTRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hairsprayto lock in your style. Not only will you get a strong hold; it also helps protect your hair against humidity and flyaways.
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Accessorize your look.
Add some festive flair to your look by adding a velvet headband. Start by placing it on the top of your fringe as you carefully place it over your bouffant. Next,bring the back of the bouffant over your headband. Then use your comb to clean up the top of your bouffant.
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Create a center part.
Use a mini hair straightener to create a center part for your bangs. Then, use a comb to tease the bottom of your hair and your bangs to create a messy look. Then, lock in your half up, half down curlsby using some more hairspray.
Optional: add some glitter to your face tofully rock this party look!
Sexy Twisted Half Updo Half Down Hairstyle from the Runway
Try this half updo half down hairstyle from the runway:
Step 1: Start in the shower.
TRESemmé
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo
TRESemmé
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Conditioner
Wash and clean your hair with a smoothening system that imparts a pretty, healthy-looking shine and bounce, such as TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo and Conditioner. Rinse well and towel-dry.
Step 2: Create your waves.
Use a flat iron to create soft, deconstructed waves—don’t forget to urge in a bit of texture at the fringe area too! A curling iron can be used for bigger, more structured bends at the back of your head.
Step 3: Hack your way around all this with dry shampoo.
TRESemmé
TRESemmé Clean Pro Pure Dry Shampoo
If you’re on the go or want a quick day-to-night hairstyle, the twisted half updo can also be achieved on day-old hair with the help of some dry shampoo. Apply TRESemmé Clean Pro Pure Dry Shampoo while lifting the hair slightly to refresh the scalp and help urge in some freshly washed traction and volume.
Step 4: Create your twists.
Part hair in the middle, and then grab a strip of hair from each side, a few inches from your forehead (leave thetendrils free around the fringe area). Twist yourstrips around your finger and bring each to the back of your head. Fasten them together with bobby pins.
Step 5: Finish with hairspray.
A firm-control hairspray that also has a non-sticky finish is key to locking down this look without looking overdone. Spritz a bit of TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray on a toothbrush or spooley, and gently smooth down any errant frizz or flyaways away from the face. Spray all over your head around 12” away for good measure, and your twisted half updo is done!
Half Up Half Down Hairstyles to Try
Consider trying these half up half down styles:
1. Simple Twist
Creating a center part, gather your hair back and secure it with a clear hair tie, flipping the ponytail in through itself to create an elegant twisted style. This style is understated and chic on its own or the perfect base for summery floralhair accessories.
2. Half Top-Knot
It doesn’t get any easier than this half up half down top knot. Gather your hair into a ponytail and wrap the ponytail around itself before securing it with a hair tie. Loosen the bun with your fingers and pin any loose strands in place.
3.Braided Half-Up
A braid within a braid? Sign us up. Grab a two-inch section from the back of your part and braid it in a three-strand braid all the way to the ends. Using this braid as one of the three strands for the next one, take two thick pieces from either side and loosely braid all the way down. Secure the end with a clear hair tie.
4. Twisted Sides
The key to getting this looklicorice-like tight on both sides? Wrapping the twisted strands in theoppositedirection. Taking two thick strands from above your ears, twist them both around your fingers down towards your shoulders. When you’re ready to wrap them around each other start up towards your ears. This will lock the twists into place for all-day wear. Repeat on the other side of your head and secure them together in the back.
5. Pulled Fishtail
Starting at the front of your hair, create an inverted frenchfishtail braid. What does that mean exactly? Cross the strands under each other instead of overand add more hair as youwork your way down. Pull each strand tightly and every few inches use your fingers to lightly pull at your previous work. This will create the ever-popular boho vibe, making it look like you spent hours on your hair.
6. Messy Twist
Check out this messier version of a classic twisted style that features some carefully placed wisps pulled out along the sides of your face. This will soften the style and add a romantic twist to your look in just a few seconds.
7. Half-Up Space Buns
A fun style for the modern gal, we love this take on the space bun trend that features two signature buns. Consider using hair ties that match your hair color to create a super blended and seamless look.
8. Voluminous Top Knot
Up your top knot game by including more hair in your bun. When paired with a pop of color, this look gives your hair some serious dimension and texture. We love this pale lavender hue and the way it complements a range of skin tones.
9. Accessorized
Enhance your half updo with a fun accessory! When in doubt, this is a great way to liven up any look and add a touch of glam to an otherwise simple style. Consider a pearl-studded clip or a something more unique like a seashell themed accessory.
10. Retro Half Up Half Down
Take notes from classic 60s-inspired half up half down hairstyles for long hair. We love how polished and elegant this style is – it’s perfect for weddings or special events!
11. Middle Part Half-Up
For another take on a classic polished look, try out this middle-parted style where you pull your hair to the back for a slightly looser half-up style. Wear your strands in a center part to add extra edge to this style.
12. Flower Updo
This style truly shows how versatile the half up half down hairstyle look is where you can rock two (or more) braids that you wrap around into a bun. The rest of your hair is free, gorgeous, and flowing as your buns take center stage. Master how to create this look in our Celtic knot hair tutorial.
13. Beehive
Mix up your short hair with this fun beehive style. Be sure to have some hairspray on hand to lock this look into place. This voluminous style is a great way to make a major statement with your half up half down style.
14. Box Braids Updo
Another take on the top knot half up-half down hairstyle, this look is all about twisting your box braids up into a bun and then showcasing them on the side of your head.
15. Middle Top Knot
Yet another take on top knot, this look is all about its unicorn style middle part where you leave some hair out on the sides. Paired with some crimps, this look makes for a very trendy style to try out.
16. Curly Half Up Style
We also adore this half-up half-down hairstyle on curly hair as it allows you to showcase your unique curl pattern. Make sure to let your curls air dry for maximum bounce and definition!
17. Face-Framing Pieces
Rock your half-up hairstyle by taking out pieces from the front of your hair! This loose and laidback style is chic and undone, and requires zero upkeep! The deep side part offers an unexpected and unique edge to the style.
18. Rope Braid
One of the more romantic half-up half-down hairstyles out there. All you have to do is create twists on both sides of your head and then gather them back into a half up half down style to finish!
19. Dutch Braid Half Updo
Create a Dutch braid but stop gathering and braiding about halfway down to create this fun look! This look blends a braided style with a simple half up look for a beautiful finished product.
20. Celebrity-Inspired Half-Updo
This hairstyle was recently made popular again by some of our favorite celebs! Grab inspo from them when trying a high half-updo. Make sure to use a comb to create a sleek and streamlined style.
21. Half-up Half-Down Claw Clip Style
A simple claw clip like this can dress up a half-up, half-down style so much. It’s chic, easy to wear, and creates effortless looks in no time. This trending style has made a comeback from its 90s fame and this accessory isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!
22. Boho Half-up Half-Down Hairstyles
This braided half-updo is perfect for anyone who is channeling a boho-inspired look! Consider sleeping with braids in your damp hair to wake up with this fun texture!
23. Twisted Half-Updo
Twist two braids together for a voluminous half-updo. Make sure to use your fingers to pancake the braid and add some extra volume to the style. This look is chic and romantic, and perfect for just about any occasion!
24. Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles with Box Braids
Have fun with your box braids and try a half up half down look. Twist the top half of your braids up into a simple knot to keep your strands out of your face and look cool doing it!
25. Pull Through Braid Half-Updo
We love a style that looks a lot more complicated than it is. This pull-through braid is ideal for any braid beginners as it only looks complicated but is actually really easy to create.
26. ’90s-Inspired Half-Updo
The ’90s styles are still going strong! Try out the trend with a half-updo scrunchie look. Use a contrasting colored scrunchies to add some visual dimension to your style!
27. Half-Up Hald Down Pancake Braid
Looking for an elegant style? Try out a half-updo pancake braid. Double up on your braids for an extra thick and voluminous style. This multi-dimensional look seems more complicated than it is. But it should only take you a few minutes to create!
28. Half-Up Hald-Down French Braid Hairstyle
This half french braid is perfect if you want the look of french braids from the front, but don’t want all of your hair pulled back. Leave the bottom half of your strands loose around your face to ensure a soft and undone finished look.
29. 5-Strand Half-Updo
Ready to take on a challenge? Try out this 5-stranded braided look. We recommend this style for those who are used to creating more advanced braided styles as it’s on the more complicated side.
30. Accessorized Half-Updo
This is one of those ultra girly half up half down styles and we really love it! Use a hair bow to accessorize your style for a super feminine look. It’s a great way to add some personalization to your half up half down style.
31. Textured Half-Up Hairstyle
Twist your strands into your half-up style and use a curling iron to add some volume to the strands on the bottom of the style. This will result in an all-over textured style that has major personality.
32. Twisted Half-Updo on Curly Hair
Whether you have fine hair, curly hair, or box braids, there are so many half-up, half-down hairstyles you can try. Plus, who doesn’t love an easy yet cute style?! This twisted style allows you to use your volume in your favor!
Are you thinking about trying out one of these styles? Be sure to grab a picture and tag us over @AllThingsHairUS!
