Anywhere from a date night and brunch to an everyday look, half up hairstyles can make you look effortlessly gorgeous. For very occasion, these looks are sophisticated but still relaxed. From gentle twists to spirited braids, these classic styles are guaranteed to make you shine, and they even say “I Love You” on them.
Every year I am on board with half up styles more and more. I had a bride who came in wanting a full updo, but her hair would not hold any pins. Instead of trying to fight against it, we went with what her hair wanted to do. She ended up looking more like herself than any updo would have allowed. That’s pretty much the entire philosophy behind these hairstyles. You get the prettiness that comes from having your hair styled to the point where it is pulled from your face, but you also keep that softness and movement that makes hair feel like hair and not construction.
Half-up styles are super versatile and forgiving. No matter your hair length or texture, these styles work! They can also be polished or messy depending on what vibe you are going for. Many styles even look better with falling pieces, imperfections, and waves, which is great because these elements are all part of it. The styles in this video are all simple, but some are more advanced. I demo styles from simple twists that you can do in your own bathroom to more advanced braiding, so there is an option for everyone. Hopefully, I gave you an honest review and let you know which styles are worth it and which ones you might want to skip.
#1: Warm Chestnut Layers with a Little Something Extra
This haircut looks great in pictures and even better in person, which is rare. The mid-length haircut hits that perfect point where you have enough hair to style and play with, but it’s not dragging you down. The highlights blend in and look natural and won’t make you look like you just got your hair done. If a client wants to look like they just came back from an all-inclusive holiday, this is the color choice I would make. It has that sun-kissed vibe, but still has some depth to it. The layering is minimal, but it does the job by giving the ends a place to go when the hair moves. Those layers are particularly good for thin hair because they make it look a lot fuller than it actually is. The color needs regular upkeep to keep it this bright, but the haircut won’t require a lot of maintenance.
#2: Big Romantic Curls Pulled Half Back
Cascading curls complemented by a top section that is pulled back has a look that is effortless yet undeniably romantic. It creates a stunning entrance! This is a style that moves with the wearer! The goal is to have people notice the hair as well as the person and that is spot-on for this look. The curls are fully bouncy and awesome. Hair length that is medium to long is best for putting this look together! I love that the bobby pins that hold the twists can easily be disguised! It will take some time to achieve the bounce you desire in the curls since they need to be done with an iron. Personally, I suggest using flexible hold hairspray to keep the bounce going all night!
#3: Smooth Blonde Half-Up Twist Flowing Into Soft Waves
I enjoy the contrasting textures. Especially the sleekness of the roots. The polished look is nice, but not too stiff, which makes all of this very well balanced. The twist at the crown pulls everything back to keep the face open, and bring out those cheekbones! Anyone with medium to thick hair will receive natural fullness from this. For example, a light mousse through damp hair will help to create the wave pattern when dried using a blow dryer. Touching up some pieces with a curling iron will look nice too. It may take time in the morning, but the look will last all day.
#4: Loose Braid Melting Into Tousled Waves
This style is perfect because it takes a braid that could feel young or costume-y and grounds it with loose waves that feel very adult and relaxed. The braid gives the eye something interesting to follow and then the waves continue from where the structure leaves off and just do their thing. This is ideal for a wedding or a nice dinner where you want to look totally put together without a two-hour hair time. The neatness of the braid is really what pulls this together so if that isn’t your strong suit then practice a few times or ask a friend to help. Once it’s in it really holds.
#5: Soft Balayage Twist with Loose, Lived-In Waves
The balayage makes it so that the style can be a bit more relaxed which is clever. It means that with that tonal depth in the hair, a simple twist at the back feels very intentional. The waves are nice and natural and the look isn’t over curled which means this is definitely in the I woke up looking pretty good, rather than, I had an event. This will work beautifully if your hair is on the thicker side as the twist has enough to grip and the waves won’t fall flat. Balayage definitely grows out more gracefully than other techniques but for the colour, you’ll want to check in with your colourist every few months to keep the blend looking good.
#6: Rich Copper Waves with a Twisted Barrette Detail
Oh, this color! This is the type of copper that makes me want to convince everyone to go red, even though I know it’s not for everyone. Fair to medium with a little warmth skin tones will glow with this copper. Plus, the waves are full and purposeful. The barrette where the twist meets the loose hair is a small detail that lifts everything. I especially think the color dimension of copper makes waves look even more dramatic because you see all the different tones shift as the hair moves. My only flag is if your face is on the rounder side, you may prefer the volume concentrated more at the crown and less at the sides just to keep everything balanced. And copper fades faster than almost any other color family, so using a color safe shampoo is a must.
#7: Soft Golden Curls Gathered in an Elegant Twist
I love how all the curls are different sizes; some are tighter and some are way looser, which gives it a really unique look. With uniform curls, they wouldn’t get the same kind of organic texture. It almost looks effortless or unplanned, and that balance between done and laid back is perfect. The top twist is a nice loose twist so it doesn’t look too tight which is great. This is perfect for nights out, weddings, or anytime you want to feel fancy from the neck up. One thing to note is that humidity is really not this look’s friend. If you are going somewhere warm, I suggest getting some anti-humidity spray and remember that the curls are going to loosen as the night goes on, so don’t be too upset about them. I really love the more relaxed curls.
#8: Long Layered Waves with a Floral Accent
While the flowers are a standout detail, the fun part is the long waves underneath! Those layers help create the structure and movement in the waves, and the half-up style takes it a notch away from casual. I’ve done variations of this for outdoor weddings and garden party hairstyles, and it just photographs so well; something about a tucked in floral detail with waves just does it! If your hair is on the thicker side, this will be easier for you with the volume and texture. If you have finer hair it can be more challenging to keep that fullness throughout the length which can turn the flower from looking like a compliment to a compensation. When it comes to the bloom, make your choice count, especially one that won’t compete with other features in terms of scale.
#9: Golden Blonde Waves with a Pearl Twist
I personally love this style because it looks expensive but is actually easy and simple to do. The waves are more of a bend than a full curl. The pearl accessory twist is just enough to elevate the hairstyle to event level rather than everyday. I believe I could do this style in about fifteen minutes, especially if you have hair that has some natural texture to work with. The warm, healthy color of the golden blonde looks amazing, especially with dimensional color (highlights) through the mid-lengths. If your hair loses curls or waves quickly, a light hold product applied before you start creating the waves will help. Just avoid applying too much because it will make your hair feel crispy instead of soft and pretty, and that’s exactly what this hairstyle is looking for.
#10: Twisted Highlights Falling Into Luminous Loose Curls
Placement of highlights is done exceptionally well, especially around the face and through the pieces that are pulled into the twist, so when everything falls into place, a stunning combination of lighter and darker shades is achieved. It adds a great deal of interest to what is structurally a very simple half-up style. If you have fine hair and have been looking for a way to achieve the look of more hair without needing extensions or loads of product, this technique, right highlights in the perfect spots, and some soft curls will work wonders. Loose, shiny waves are best achieved using a curling wand so you have the most control and can vary the size of the barrel and the tension to create waves of different shapes and sizes.
#11: Rose-Gold Waves Swept Back with a Sleek Cross Twist
Some trends seem to stick around longer than others, and rose gold hair seems to be one of those trends that for good reason, has become recognized as a beautiful hairstyle because of its unique look. The shade used in this hair color is especially brilliant because it creates a glowing look to the hair. The half-up, half-down style is very clean with the crossed twist section added. She also has nice waves and a good blowout to keep the hair looking smooth and frizz-free, which is probably where the good blowout is hiding. When considering if this color is for you, take into consideration the maintenance that is involved with this look, as it will likely keep you in the salon due to how quickly rose gold hair fades. You should also consider the products that you will be using because they will cause uneven fading. To keep it an even color, you should use a color-depositing conditioner to keep it looking good until your next appointment.
#12: Chestnut Braided Knot with Woven Detail
To be clear, this is not an attempt to recreate the style in a bathroom. The complexity of the braiding and the creativity in the knot is something the vast majority would never be able to do on their own heads. If you’re going to an event and want to style your hair, this is a great reference image to show your stylist. The beautiful use of the chestnut tones comes from how each braid captures light differently and is enhanced by the way the individual pieces have been braided, twisted, and layered. This style is definitely on the pricier side, but it offers a great return on investment as it will be unforgettable.
#13: Braided Crown Trailing Into Soft, Undone Curls
What stands out most about this crown braid is how loose it is. Enough definition is shown to give the style its shape, but the braid isn’t pulled tight. The loose curls below the braid are tousled which creates a sense of movement instead of looking perfect. This look is romantic and relaxed which is what many of my clients request. However, achieving this style tends to be more difficult than most would expect because the more the hair is styled, the more the overall vibe of the style can change. If your hair is medium in density with some natural waves, then you are in a really good place to start. The crown braid adds the illusion of more volume at the top while the curls at the bottom keep the ends from feeling heavy while also giving the look enough fullness. To help the curls last all evening, I recommend trying a lightweight curl cream. It’ll keep the curls defined without creating a stiff crunchy texture.
#14: Brunette Waves Scattered with Butterfly Clips
I understand that the butterflies might be your favorite part of the design, or the exact reason that you choose to not go for this one. Fairly more on the positive side of things, the design without the butterflies base looks great! Most people achieve that long, wavy, brunette look with ease, and having the hair open is best to show the jawline and let the hair do its thing. If the butterflies are not your style, swapping them out for little pearls or flowers completely different vibe. These little hair clips are more secure in thicker hair too!
#15: Caramel-Kissed Twists with Natural Texture
This is also where I would send someone to compliment the natural waves or texture and then get to work. The twists look very loose and natural, and the back pin looks like a casual little tuck that was done with a bit of thought. The effect is all there. The caramel highlights are blended and placed perfectly to look like sun damage in all the best ways and give the twists a lot of contrast, especially where the lighter pieces wrap around the darker ones. This look is easier to maintain on hair that is straight, with some texture spray, you just need to have some patience.
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