Gabrielle Ulubay
I give myself a pat on the back if I have the energy to wash, blow dry, and use a curling iron on my hair once per week. The rest of the days? The best half-up, half-down hairstyles are my grease-disguising, easy-to-execute saviors. Some of my go-to looks are intuitive—a messy top knot with my top layer, a sky-high pony, or little bubble braids.
But I also get so much inspiration from the red carpet. Ariana Grande, Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Issa Rae—all my favorite celebs can be seen rocking this versatile style. “The half-up, half-down is a go-to for so many,” says Marty Harper, celebrity hairstylist and FEKKAI Five ambassador. “It’s exactly as it’s named, pulling half the hair up and allowing [the other] half to be down. It’s a casual look that can keep hair out of the face loosely or snatched.”
The appeal is that it combines the elegance of an updo with the free-flowing beauty of loose hair, making it perfect for any occasion, adds celebrity stylist and Matrix brand ambassador Castillo Bataille. You can wear it curled, sleek and straight, super long, or in a protective style. Anything goes, and you can tailor it to your own preferences (and even add some fun accessories for some added finishing touches, but more on that later).
I have you covered if you want to elevate your messy bun or ponytail. Here, I found 30 celebrity-approved half-up hairstyles—and tips from Harper, Bataille, and other experts on executing them from the comfort of your own home.
The Best Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyles
The Half-Up, Half-Down With a Deep Side Part
Ariana Grande wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Channeling her Wicked character Glinda the Good Witch, Ariana Grande wears her half-up, half-down ‘do prim, proper, and polished. It’s also styled with a deep side part and a perfectly curled tendril framing one side of her face.
The Clean Half-Up, Half-Down
Hailey Bieber wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Hailey Bieber goes for the classic, clean half-up, half-down look that gathers hair entirely out of her face. For these tighter half-up styles, Harper recommends using a brush like the Mason Pearson Brush with a bit of the FEKKAI Super Strength Protein Powerbond Mist and Brilliant Glossing Styling Crème to gather the hair and slick it down to perfection.
The Half-Up, Half-Down Bouffant
Anne Hathaway wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Opting for retro vibes, Anne Hathaway adds major volume to the top of her half-up, half-down style thanks to a little (ok, a lot) or backcombing. For a more effortless finish, she leaves layers out in front.
The Platinum Half-Up, Half-Down
Beyoncé wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Leave it to Beyoncé to make me consider dyeing my hair platinum blonde. She sweeps her hair in a simple yet chic half-up, half-down pony.
The Half-Up, Half-Down Sky High Ponytail
Halle Bailey wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos says his go-to half-up half-down look is a "simple, sleek pony up top," which can be achieved with all hair types, curl patterns, and protective styles. To get the look like Halle Bailey, Giannetos says: "Section your hair in a ponytail from temple to temple. Secure the style closer to the top of your head for a high, snatched pony look." Then wrap a piece of your hair around your scrunchie.
The Half-Up, Half-Down With Fringe
Jenna Ortega wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Styling your hair in a half-up, half-down look really makes your bangs stand out—in the best way possible. Jenna Ortega wears her loosely pulled back, with a few face-framing layers left out to help define her long, eye-grazing bangs.
The Red Hot Half-Up, Half-Down Pony
Dua Lipa wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
While hair color doesn’t necessarily make or break a specific hairstyle, Carlyn Griscti, hairstylist at the White Rose Collective in New York City, says that a red half-up, half-down look on super straight and shiny hair is especially striking. Pro tip: Griscti will add a fun hair accessory, like a black velvet bow or a pretty hair comb, to elevate the style.
The Half-Up, Half-Down Pigtails
Kendall Jenner wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Pigtails aren't just a sleepaway camp stable. Do loose, romantic pigtails like Kendall Jenner’s for an elevated take on the easy hairstyle. Giannetos recommends tying your half-pigtails up into space buns, noting that the style is popular among Gen Z. Part your hair down the middle and create large or small top knots out of two sections. The strands sticking out of your buns are no problem if you have layered hair—they add personality.
The Teased Half-Up, Half-Down
Sarah Jessica Parker wears a half-up half-down hairstyle.
Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons Haircare, says that creating volume is essential for thin hair to stand out. Fitzsimons recommends lightly teasing the crown of the head with a fine-tooth comb to add height and then spritzing a texture spray to add dimension and fullness. If all fails, follow Sarah Jessica Parker’s lead and add a dramatic hat as a fun, height-enhancing accessory.
The Face-Framing Half-Up, Half-Down
Zoe Saldana wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
To give your half-up, half-down hairstyle a more playful vibe, Fitzsimons says to pull a few pieces from the front. Case in point: Zoe Saldaña. For the bouncy aesthetic, Fitzimonsrecommends spritzing a round brush with a soft-hold hairspray during your blowout.
The Retro Half-Up, Half-Down Teased Crown
Jessica Chastain wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
If your front pieces are too greasy to leave out (and dry shampoo just won't cut it), channel Jessica Chastain's oil-disguising method. Slick back the front half of your hair and then fasten it with a hair tie underneath the back section. It provides a cool, retro vibe that oozes '60s energy.
The Half-Up, Half-Down Top Knot
Kerry Washington wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
The half-up, half-down top knot is perfect for when you’re short on time. As seen on Kerry Washington, pull half of your hair up to the crown of your head and create a small top knot, leaving the rest of your hair falling down your back.
The Accessorized Half-Up, Half-Down
Gigi Hadid wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Add a little *spice* to your looks with a barrette, bow, scarf, hair comb, etc.—anything goes. I especially love this metallic metal bow on Gigi Hadid as she walks the Versace Spring/Summer 2024 show.
The Half-Up, Half Down with Velvet Bow
Sydney Sweeney wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Nothing is more romantic than a black velvet bow. I've been eyeing Sydney Sweeney’s take on the jumbo accessory trend for months—and finally broke out my own for a fun dinner with friends.
The Half-Up, Half-Down With a Curtain Bang
Sabrina Carpenter wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Whether Sabrina Carpenter is wearing a wig or not, I think we can all agree that her bangs are perfect for a half-up half-down hairstyle. Plus, if you're hair is on the greasy side, just wash your bangs and no one will be wiser that you're squeezing an extra day or two out of your blowout.
A Romantic Half-Up, Half-Down Pony
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Not all half-up, half-down looks involve pulling your hair back. For a softer look, Melessia Wade-Smith, Hair Artistry Education Manager at Zotos Professional, suggests pulling the top layer of your hair towards the back of the head and then curling the lengths for added bounce. To dress it up a la Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, wrap a small piece of hair around your elastic and secure it with bobby pins.
The Super Long Half-Up, Half-Down
Megan Thee Stallion wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
For longer lengths like Megan Thee Stallion’s, you'll get better dimension if you use more hair in the half-up portion of your style, according to Griscti. Bonus: This technique makes you're hair appear extra long.
The Half-Up, Half-Down With Blunt Bangs
Dakota Johnson wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
As previously mentioned, half-up, half-down hair and bangs make for an iconic duo. Queen of Bangs, Dakota Johnson, sports a blunt cut with her hair neatly pulled back in a sleek half-up, half-down. Combine this style with a glass hair finish (I love the Davines Shine Spray) and you'll have a winning look.
The Wavy Undone Half-Up, Half-Down
Hoyeon Jung wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
This hairstyle doesn't have to be perfect and polished. Hoyeon Jung’s take is a little messy and a little edgy but still gets the hair out of her face. This wake-up-and-go take has an ethereal, whimsical vibe that's perfect for a special occasion or a fun night out.
The Half-Up, Half Down With Sleek Edges
Normani wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
While a half-up, half-down style that sits at the crown typically comes along with a curl for added body, it certainly doesn't have to. Achieve a super sleek finish like Normani by using the tip of a rat-tail comb to smooth edges with a gel or edge control.
The Braided Half-Up, Half-Down
Yara Shahidi wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Lean into your natural texture like Yara Shahidi. She mixes braids with curls for an intricate style that can be dressed up with jeweled accessories (it's giving '20s flapper) or dressed down for running errands around the city.
The Super Sleek Half-Up, Half-Down
Bella Hadid wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
The key to a sleek, straight style is all in the prep. To copy Bella Hadid's exact look, Fitzsimons says to apply a few drops of hair oil to enhance shine and create a smooth, polished finish.
The Short Half-Up, Half-Down
Lana Condor wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Who says short hair can’t take on this style? Just take a cue from Lana Condor. Griscti recommends leaving more hair in the down half to make hair appear fuller
The Classic Half-Up, Half-Down
Lili Reinhart wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Zero frills are the way to go when racing against the clock. Take a page out of Lili Reinhart's playbook and finger-comb the top half of your hair back into a messy pony. Use a pony cuff or bow for a juxtaposed finish.
The Curly Half-Up, Half-Down
Issa Rae wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Half-up, half-down ‘dos are perfect for showing off your natural curls. Here, Issa Rae wears her hair slicked back at the top and lets her natural curl pattern serve as the focal point. If you're copying this look, Bataille recommends using a curl cream to define your curls.
The Formal Half-Up, Half-Down
Gemma Chan wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
For a formal occasion, Giannetos recommends playing with the placement of your hair tie. "Instead of a traditional high pony, I would place the hair band more towards the middle or back of your head. This elevates the look into a more elegant hairstyle," he explains. Here, Gemma Chan secured her half-up half-down look at the nape of her neck.
The Loose Half-Up, Half-Down
Camila Mendes wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
For a more casual vibe like Camila Mendes, you'll want a looser-hold ponytail. Use bobby pins, U-pins, chopsticks, French hair pins, or claw clips to gather hair so it looks appropriately disheveled.
The Long Pony Half-Up, Half-Down
Rihanna wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Regal and elegant, a super-long pony adds a heavy dose of personality to any half-up, half-down look. Rihanna went for a beachy look and extra inches for a red carpet appearance, but I personally want to copy this for my next tropical vacation.
The ‘60s-Inspired Half-Up, Half-Down
Selena Gomez wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Pay homage to the '60s by adding volume to your half-up hairstyle. Tease your hair at the crown (see: Selena Gomez’s short ‘do) before pulling it back into a loose ponytail. Frame your face with a few loose strands and finish it off with a medium or strong-hold hairspray.
The Half-Up, Half-Down Loose High Pony
Zendaya wears a half-up, half-down hairstyle.
Zendaya is my constant source of hair inspiration, and this fountain ponytail hairstyle proves my point. To recreate this look at home, Giannetos recommends prepping the hair with a styling cream to add some texture. "Follow up with a boar bristle brush to slick your hair back," he adds.
Why Trust Us
Marie Claire is a hair authority, having reported on the latest trends, interviewing top experts, and testing countless of brands for all hair types and textures. Audrey Noble and Gabrielle Ulubay have each reported on dozens of hair stories, including an exclusive interview with Blake Lively on her recent haircare launch and roundups of the best bobs, layered cuts, and more.
Meet the Experts
Dimitris has worked behind the scenes at fashion shows around the world including Paris, Milan and New York. He has worked with brands such as L’Oreal and has styled many notable celebrities including Camila Cabello, Ciara, Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Cindy Crawford, Joey King, Alessandra Ambrossio, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, Amal Clooney, Rosalia, Maria Menounos, and many more.
Melessia Wade-Smith is a Hair Artistry Education Manager at Zotos Professional and serves as Better Natured’s in-house Hair Expert.
Marty Harper is a celebrity hairstylist, whose clients include Camila Cabello, Naomi Osaka, and Halsey. Harper is also a member of the FEKKAI Five.
Carlyn Griscti is a New York City hairstylist at the White Rose Collective.
Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist, whose clients include Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Megan Fox, and Khloe Kardashian. Fitzsimons is also the founder of his own hair care line, Andrew Fitzsimons hair care.
Castillo Bataille is a celebrity hairstylist, whose clients include Bella Poarch and Erika Jane. Bataille is also a Matrix brand ambassador.
