We all know the stress that comes with preparing for a big event. What will you wear? Should you bring a date? And, most importantly, how will you wear your hair. You may believe heading to the salon for an elaborate updo is the only way to truly mark a momentous occasion, but we’re here to tell you it’s time to shake things up!
For your next event, consider swapping your go-to updo with an elegant half-up hairstyle. Not sure which half-up hairstyle is perfect for you? We found five hairstyles we’re sure you’ll love.
Fishtail Braid
To begin, gather the top half of your hair in a ponytail and secure it with a clear hair elastic. Next, divide the ponytail tail into two equal ponytails. To create the fishtail effect, take a half inch section of hair from the outside of left ponytail and cross to the right ponytail. Repeat the process on the opposite side, taking a section from the outside of the right ponytail over to the left.
Continue sections of the hair over until you reach the end of the braid and secure the end of the braid with an elastic. Once the braid is finished, remove the elastic from your nape to give the braid a seamless look. For a final touch, pancake the braid for a voluminous effect.
Tied with a Bow
The easiest way to bring your style to the next level is to add an accessory. The next time you style your favorite half up ‘do, swap out your hair elastic for an on-trend velvet ribbon.
Space Buns
Begin by parting your hair down the middle to the crown of your head. Working with one side at a time, apply a medium hold pomade to your edges and brush through. Then, gather your hair in the desired location of your bun and secure the pigtail with an elastic. Backcomb or fluff the pigtail before wrapping it into a bun shape and securing it with bobby pins. Repeat the same steps on opposite side.
Crimped
If you’re looking for a half up style that’s perfect for a night out clubbing with your girls, add some major texture to your look with a crimper. Crimp your hair before styling it half up and you’ll be rewarded with a style your friends can’t stop talking about.
Pull Through Pony
To start, gather the top half of your hair in a ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic. Then, use your fingers to separate your hair and create a hole just above the elastic. Flip your ponytail up and over, pulling the ponytail through the hole you created. To complete your look, pull your ponytail taut.
Half Up with Full Fringe
Half up styles are the perfect way to put your killer bangs on display. Ask your stylist to cut full, blunt bangs that just graze your eyebrows and you’ll slay all the half up styles your heart desires.
Half Up with Curtain Bangs
When your bangs grow past your usual desired length, it’s really tempting to just pin them away from your face and forget about them until you have time to head to the salon for a trim. Instead of sending your bangs into hiding, use your new length to pull off this year’s most coveted fringe trend: curtain bangs. After you style your hair in the half up ‘do of your choice, simply part your bangs down the middle and sweep them to the sides of your face.
Half Up Rolled Updo
Place your headband on top of your hair so that it wraps around your entire head. The bejeweled part of the headband should sit an inch from your hairline. Then, using only the top half of your hair take the section of hair in front of your right ear and pull it back and tuck it into your headband. Repeat the same steps with the section of hair in front of your left ear. Continue tucking the hair into your headband until the headband is completely covered and your hair feels secure.
Bubble Ponytail
To begin, gather the top half of your hair in a ponytail and secure it with a clear hair elastic. Work a dime-sized amount of texturizing paste throughout your ponytail and backcomb the ponytail to create maximum volume.
Add another clear elastic 2 inches from the base of your ponytail. Continue fastening clear hair elastics in the same way until you run out of hair. To create the bubble effect, gently use your fingers to tug on the hair in between each elastic. Set your look with a medium hold hair spray.
Half Up Rosette
We love the look of flowers in our hair but using real flowers is tricky.If you love flowers in your hair but can’t be bothered to deal with the real thing, use your hair to create a gorgeous floral inspired rosette design.
To begin, gather two 1-inch sections of hair from the nape of your neck. Bring the two sections over the rest of your hair to meet at the back of your head and secure a ponytail with a clear elastic. Using the hair from the ponytail, form a basic three strand braid and fasten its end with a clear elastic. Beginning with the end of the ponytail, roll the braid towards your head creating a rosette shape. Pin the edges of the rosette to the back of your head using several bobby pins.
Half Up Bow
Gather two 2-inch sections near your temples, bring the hair to meet at the back of the head, and secure it with a clear elastic. Pull your hair through the elastic one more time, this time stopping half way so that your ponytail forms a loop. Split the looped section in two to create both sides of your bow.
Working with one side at a time, spread the right side of your bow to your desired shape and pin the hair to the back of your head. Repeat the same steps on the left side of the bow. Create a small hole just above your hair elastic and pull the remainder of the ponytail up through the center of the bow and through the hole. Set your look with a flexible hold hair spray.
Half Up With A Twist
Gather a 2-inch section of hair near your right temple and gently wind the hair until it forms one tight twist. Bring the twist to the back of your head and fasten it in place with a bobby pin. Repeat the same steps on the left side of your head. Once both twists are at the back of your head, remove the bobby pins and fasten the twists together with a clear elastic.
Half Braided Crown
To begin, gather a pair of 2-inch sections near your temples and form a basic braid with each section. Wrap one braid around the back of your head (up and over your crown), then fasten the braid to your head. Repeat the same steps with the opposite braid. Set your look with a spritz of shine spray.
Celtic Knot
To begin, gather two 2-inch sections near your temples and bring the hair to meet at the back of the head. Create a loose loop with the left section of hair. Then, pull the right section of hair under the looped strand. Pull the right section up and through the loop and thread it underneath the other side.
Ponytail
This classic style is a go-to for anyone who loves half-up hairstyles. While the style is admittedly fairly casual (one of the reasons it makes such a great go-to style), it can absolutely be dressed up for your next big event.
To pull it off, you’ll want to pick up a glamorous hair accessory. Our personal favorite is a gold hair cuff. Simply gather the top half of your hair in a ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic. Once you’ve added the gold cuff, you’ll have a festive look ready for any holiday party.
Top Knot
If you’d like an upgrade from the simple half-up ponytail, consider swapping out your pony for a top knot. Simply gather the top half of your hair in a ponytail and fasten with a hair elastic. Then, wrap your ponytail around itself until you form a bun and secure the bun with several bobby pins. If you want to give your top knot a little extra glamour, swap out your regular bobby pins for crystal bedazzled pins.
Loose Curls
If you’re looking for a romantic half-up ‘do, loose curls are the way to go. Start at the back of your head, working with 2-inch sections of clean, dry hair. Spray each one with a heat protectant before wrapping it around the curling wand. Hold each section of hair to the wand until it’s just heated through (approximately 30-60 seconds, depending on the thickness of your hair).
Continue curling 2-inch sections of hair until you’ve finished your entire head, raking your fingers through the hair to loosen up your curls. Then, gather the ringlets from the front half of your hair and secure them with a hair clip at the back of your head. Set the style with a medium hold hairspray.
French Twist
French twists are the epitome of elegance and this half-up version is no different. To begin, part your hair to the right or left and clip off two small sections of hair on either side of the part. Then, gather one section of hair, position it in the middle of the back of your head and secure with a bobby pin. Next, take the other section of hair, bring it to meet the pinned section in the middle and twist the hair over itself before securing it with several bobby pins.
Bouffant
Big events call for big hair—and nothing is bigger or better than a half-up bouffant. Channel your inner ’60s siren with this sexy ’do. For this look, you’ll want to start with freshly washed hair. Opt to wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo to ensure lots of volume at the roots.
Once you’ve blown out your locks, section off the hair at your crown and flip it over so it hangs in front of your face. Then, lightly spray the sectioned off hair with a medium hold hairspray and backcomb your locks to create volume at your roots. Once you’ve backcombed the entire section of hair, flip it back over and gently comb the top so it looks smooth. Then gather the backcombed section of hair at the center of the back of your head, and secure with several bobby pins. Set your look with a medium hold hairspray.
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