50 Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles That Slay For Any Occasion
The best part? They're simple to achieve.
The half-up half-down hairstyle is truly elite. No matter your hair type, length, or texture, these styles require minimal effort to achieve. Plus, pulling half your tresses up and leaving the remaining sections to sit on your shoulders just works, regardless of the occasion. Whether you're headed to an intense workout class or just want to show off your new pair of killer earrings, the half-up half-down hairstyle will be your new go-to. Having a chill night in with your BFFs? Pull a piece of your hair into a laidback bun á la Billie Eilish. If you're looking for peak prom hair inspo, try ultra-glamorous half-updos constantly rocked by A-listers like Selena Gomez and Chlöe Bailey.
Get ready to screenshot and snag the best products and accessories to slay the timeless hair trend. Ahead, we've included tons of pics and top-tier product recs for the best half-up half-down hairstyles.
Ariana Grande's Adorable Bow
Ari is the reigning queen of the half-up half-down style, and her 2021 variation of the look included this cute oversized bow.
Addison Rae's Straight Pinned Back Hair
Keeps things simple by pinning back your straightened tresses like Addison Rae. Don't forget to use a heat protector before hitting the flat iron to your strands.
Kim Petras' '90s-Inspired Top Curls
Kim Petras is giving us the '90s fantasy with a hairstyle you'd likely find in a vintage issue of Seventeen. Curl the strands in the top part of your style and hold them in place with a strong hold hairspray.
Xochitl Gomez's Laidback Bangs
Xochitl Gomez always comes through with a 🔥🔥🔥 look, and these bangs with pinned-back tresses are no exception.
Lizzo's High Pony with Black and White Streaks
Edge up your look like Lizzo by using black and white clip-in extensions.
Zendaya's Voluminous Waves
Queen Z pulled back a large section of her waves for a voluminous vibe.
Olivia Rodrigo's Girly Mermaid Waves
Liv picked up part of her wavy tresses and left two long pieces in the front to frame her face. Get her shiny finish with a hair gloss.
Marsai Martin's Braided Pony
Switch up your protective style by pulling the top half of your braids into a pony.
Nessa Barrett's High Pony With Face-Framing Bangs
Half-up, half-down styles have been part of Nessa Barrett's signature look as of late. The "Die First" singer rocked this adorable high pony at the 2022 American Music Awards.
Paris Hilton's Top Knot and Loose Strands
Paris Hilton hit the 2023 Grammys red carpet with long, sleek strands and a tiny top knot for the ultimate glam.
Jenna Ortega's Curtain Bangs
It-girl Jenna Ortega let her curtain bangs be the star of the show by loosely pinning back the sides of her hair.
Millie Bobby Brown's Beachy Ombré
The top of Millie's hair is giving off major volume as the rest of her ombré waves rest on her shoulders.
Sabrina Carpenter's Teased Curls
The "Nonsense" singer curled her hair and teased the top half to achieve '60s-inspired glamour.
Halle Bailey's Pulled Back Locs
The Little Mermaid star looks like a real-life princess with this adorable loc-ed out pony.
Callie Haverda's Curled Bangs
If you're in a time crunch, pull back your hair and only curl your bangs for an effortlessly cool style.
Dua Lipa's Waved Ponytail
Dua Lipa wore this snatched pony while performing on her Future Nostalgia World Tour, which means it'll stay put through intense workouts.
Selena Gomez's '60s-Inspired Beehive
Selena rocked a poofed-up beehive while promoting her Rare Beauty brand in London.
Normani's Slicked-Back High Pony With Swooped Edges
Normani's sleek look is chic and uncomplicated. Once you brush your hair back into a high pony, swoop your baby hairs using a small detailed brush and edge control.
Doja Cat's Spikey Updo With Blunt Bangs
Doja Cat is never afraid to try something new, and this Y2K-inspired spiky updo with flared-out ends is proof that beauty risks are worth taking.
Avani Gregg's Face-Framing Bangs
Opt for a chill, classic vibe like Avani's laidback look by leaving your bangs on the sides of your face.
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.
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