Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (2024)

Few things in life are truly universal. But the half-up, half-down hairstyle is arare and welcome exception:It works for almost everyone who wishes to rock it, no matter their texture, shade, or preference. It's a true workhorse. If you're looking to conceal greasy roots, a textured pony at the crown can hide them until wash day. If you're doing Pilates or going for a run around your neighborhood and still want to look chic,a sleek pull-backwill keep your strands out of your face. It's the perfect way to show offtrendy makeupby drawing attention to the eyes, and if you're just plain feeling indecisive, the look is versatile enough to inspire a new variation every day.

Best of all, the half-up, half-down hairstyle is the perfect style for day-to-night dressing, so you can hop from grocery shopping to a dinner party without taking a shower or reaching for a brush. This theory is more than proven by our favorite celebrities: contrasting flowing locks with some creativity up top—from asculptural top knotto a chic half-ponytail—can look elegant, playful, or avant-garde, depending on the mood you're in or the event you're attending. Ahead, 36 reasons why some half-up, half-down styling is the best way to break up your hair routine (yes, even you, short-haired gals).

Our Favorite Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyles

Zendaya's Sleek Ponytail

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (1)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Stylist Dimitris Giannetos says his go-to is a "simple sleek pony up top with lots of curls and volume on the bottom," à la Zendaya. Luckily for us, it's easy to recreate. "To achieve this style, section your hair in a ponytail from temple to temple. I recommend the Dae Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream to smooth through your hair and follow up with a detangling/boar bristle brush to slick your hair back," he explains. "Secure the ponytail closer to the top of your head for a high snatched pony look. After you have secured your ponytail, I would use the Kim Kimble Multi-Barrel Auto Curling Iron to create your favorite style of curls."

Emma Watson's Delicate Touch

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (2)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bonus: The length of your hair doesn't matter with this style. While Watson may have a shoulder-grazing bob, tying up half of her hair with a bow instantly lengthens it with volume, while giving it a nice feminine touch.

Jourdan Dunn's Sparkly Embellishment

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (3)

(Image credit: Getty/Stephane Cardinale - Corbis)

Adding some bejeweled clips or accessories to your half-up ponytail is bound to make you shine from head-to-toe. It's also a great addition if you're keeping your makeup a little smokey and dark, like Dunn is here.

Bella Hadid's Off-Duty Curls

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (4)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This style doesn't have to look prim and proper to pull it off, ensures Giannetos. "If you are tight on time, as long as you brush through your hair, you can quickly and easily throw the front up into a ponytail and then you are ready to go! And if you don't have time to brush through your hair, don't worry—Having some texture to your hair gives it a messy but effortless look."

Meghan Markle's Va-Va-Voom Volume

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (5)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A half-up, half-down hairstyle is just asking for some extra volume up top. Make like Meghan Markle and tease your hair at the crown before pulling it back into a pony. This will take your hairstyle to new heights, literally. Extra points if you pull out a few short pieces to frame your face.

Jennifer Lopez's Red-Carpet Pony

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (6)

(Image credit: Getty Images )

For a more formal occasion (got a red carpet coming up?), Giannetos recommends playing with the placement of your ponytail. He says, "Instead of a traditional high pony, I would place the ponytails more towards the middle/back of your head, to elevate the look into a more elegant hairstyle instead of playful and fun."

Hailey Bieber's Baby Braids

A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber

A photo posted by haileybieber on

How adorable is this look from Mrs. Bieber? Try it out at home by braiding two tiny sections near the part of your hair. Pull these baby braids into two ponytails near your crown and you're good to go. If you're wanting an ultra-feminine touch, add some pretty pink bows.

Kourtney Kardashian's Super Sleek Pony

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (7)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you're in a pinch, Better Natured's in-house hair expert, Melessia Wade-Smith recommends a super-sleek half-up ponytail. To start, Wade-Smith says to applyBetter Natured Heat Styling Lotionevenlythrough damp, clean hair prior to blow drying to protect the hair for a smooth long-lasting style. Then section off hair into four sections and straighten with a flat iron, doing ¼ -inch widths of hair at a time. Once all your hair is straightened, use the tip of a comb to part your hair from ear to ear, then sweep this section up into a ponytail and secure the ponytail with a hair elastic of your choice.

Jodie Comer's Proper Pull-Back

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (8)

(Image credit: Getty/Dan MacMedan)

Texture at the root keeps this look accessible. Curl the ends with a large barrel curling iron, and tease the top of your strands near the scalp for a balanced coif.

Jessica Chastain's Under Action

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (9)

(Image credit: Getty Images )

Instead of your having your top section of hair up, why not switch it up? Take the front half of your hair and tie it underneath the back half of your hair for a modern take on the hairstyle. It's still technically half-down, just with a subtle twist.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Romantic Waves

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (10)

(Image credit: Getty Images )

To create a vivacious or flirty half-up for more formal occasions, Wade-Smith says to go with a curled half-up ponytail look. To achieve the look, the hair expert recommends spraying Better Natured Beachy Texture Spray all over your ends to add volume and a light, brush-able hold before parting your hair into four sections. Then start curling your hair with a medium-size curling iron or wand, working in 2-inch wide sections. Once your hair is curled, use the tip of a comb to part your hair from ear to ear, and use a bristle hairbrush to weep this section up into a ponytail and secure with a hair elastic of your choice. To really dress it up, wrap a small piece of hair around your elastic and secure with bobby pins.

Lily Collins' Bangin' 'Do

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (11)

(Image credit: Getty Images )

Bangs aren't extra baggage—if anything, they're your best accessory, so try leaving them out of your half-up, half-down hairstyle. Face-framing, fringe bangs like Collins' will add a fun flair to any look.

See Also
20 Trendy Half Braided Hairstyles32 Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyles For Any Occasion29 Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyles To Inspire Your Next Styling Sesh - Glam50 Best Half-up Half-down Braid Hairstyles for Women

Kerry Washington's Braided Top-Knot

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (12)

(Image credit: Getty Images )

Box braids are not only a protective, heat-free style that's been around for ages, but they're easy to pull up into a half-up hairstyle. The next time you have braids in, pull the top-half of your hair into a knot for a look just as cool as Washington's.

Nicole Scherzinger's Y2K Space Buns

A post shared by Dimitris Giannetos

A photo posted by dimitrishair on

We all know Y2K fashion is hotter than hot right now, but Giannetos' space bun look on Nicole Scherzinger proves the trend extends into the beauty sphere, too. Try adding spiky space buns to your look for an extra dose of fun, and if you really want to go crazy, streaky highlights will really pull the look together.

Kendall Jenner's Barrette Business

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (13)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Yet another Y2K trend coming back in a big way? Barrettes, if the Versace Spring/Summer 2024 show is any indication. Hide your hair elastic with an extra big barrette. Not only will you look like a bonafide fashion girl, but it's also a nice way to tie your hairstyle into your outfit.

Sydney Sweeney's Claw-Clip 'Do

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (14)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When in doubt, claw clip it out. The hair accessory will be a life-saver when you're in a pinch. It will only take seconds to pull half your hair up into the clip, plus you can make your look more fun with different colors and prints.

Margot Robbie's '70s Waves

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (15)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Leave it to the IRL Barbie to give us major hair envy. Margot Robbie's crimped curls add some fun texture and playfulness to any half-up, half-down styles. Use a hair crimper to get the look, or leave your hair in a French braid for several hours or overnight for similar waves.

Gigi Hadid's Baby Bun

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (16)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gigi Hadid wasn't the only one to rock a half-up, half-down style at the 2023 Met Gala, but hers was certainly innovative. Rather than wrap the top section of her hair into a full-blown knot, she went with a tiny bun and left the tail-end hanging down. The next time you can't get your bun wrapped perfectly so, might we suggest leaving the tail out like Gigi?

Rihanna's Side-Swept Style

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (17)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking of Met Gala hairstyles, Rihanna also opted for a half-up, half-down look for the biggest night in fashion. A deep side part and texture at the roots help keep this half-ponytail style looking red-carpet fresh.

Beyonce's Braids

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (18)

(Image credit: Getty/Allen Berezovsky)

Braids welcome texture to a regal updo. French-braid your strands on each side of your head, then plait what's left down your back.

Khloe Kardashian's Long Locks

A post shared by Chris Appleton

A photo posted by chrisappleton1 on

Khloe Kardashian's voluminous waves and snatched ponytail makes her crazy-long hair interesting. While her look comes from celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, you can recreate the look with a large curling iron and some clip-in extensions.

Kate Middleton's Twisted Look

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (19)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Because we can't have her title/husband/wardrobe/tiaras, we might as well try and steal her style tricks. As always, the princess keeps it classy with a twisty half-up style, one of her signature looks, might we add.

Ciara's Bedazzled Middle Part

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (20)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Got a festival coming up? Take inspiration from Ciara's Met Gala look and throw some glitter in your middle part. The spiky top knots add even more of a galactic vibe to this edgy look.

Ashley Greene's Swooping Strands

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (21)

(Image credit: Getty/)

To add some zhuzhingeffect to your half-updo, drape the strands closest to your forehead up and away from your face like so.

Halle Bailey's Curly Edges

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (22)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

See Also
8 Gorgeous Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles

A half-up, half-down hairstyle is the perfect opportunity to show off cool edges. To create Halle's look, comb your edges into mini curls along your hairline for an extra-pretty detail to your look.

Anya Taylor-Joy's Twisted Side

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (23)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

For a look that's as elegant as it is easy, try Anya Taylor-Joy's twisted hairstyle she donned to the Golden Globes. Simply take a front section of your hair and twist away from your face, then pin in the back. For a true half-up style, make sure to twist sections on both sides of your hair.

Ashley Park's Tousled Top-Knot

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (24)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sometimes the messier the better, as is the case with Ashley Park's top-knot style. To get the look, skip brushing and spray your roots with your favorite texturizing spray (we love Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray) to give them some grit, then pull the top section into a loose bun. Feel free to make it messy.

Kristen Stewart's DGAF Floppy Ponytail

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (25)

(Image credit: Getty)

The perfect weekend look: tying back a messy half-ponytail (dark roots and all!) and letting the rest of your hair hang loose.

Issa Rae's Swept-Back Style

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (26)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Leaving little to no hairs free to surround your face will help draw attention to your beautiful face and other parts of your ensemble, like those gorgeous hoop earrings Rae's wearing. You can even add baby braids for a pop of texture.

Hoyeon Jung's Knotty Updo

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (27)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Squid Game star Hoyeon Jung opted for not one top knot, but multiple for her Met Gala look, and we're obsessed. The knotted top half is paired perfectly with cascading beach waves, resulting in a look that's edgy and pretty at the same time.

Rooney Mara's Mini Bun

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (28)

(Image credit: Getty)

Keep a long hairstyle interesting by tying back a mini bun that's placed towards the back of your head rather than on top of it.

Penelope Cruz's Side-Swept Bangs

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (29)

(Image credit: Getty/)

While most people opt to keep their hair away from their forehead for a half-updo, Cruz's side-bangs are a fresh take on the style that frames her face to perfection.

Camila Cabello's Wispy Bangs

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (30)

(Image credit: Getty/Gotham)

Ciara's Waist-Length Locks

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (31)

(Image credit: Getty/Kevin Mazur)

Colored dreadlocks offer an array of styles at your service, including this loose half-up, half-down bun. Ciara looks effortlessly beautiful, and so can you.

Lily Rose Depp's French Girl Waves

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (32)

(Image credit: Getty/ANGELA WEISS)

Soft waves paired with floral jewelry and embellishments are just so pretty. A large barrel curling iron can help you achieve the same chic look.

Emilia Clarke's Bob

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (33)

(Image credit: Getty)

Clarke's look proves that you don't have to possess long hair to master the half up/half down style. To copy her look, part hair in the center, tease the hair at the crown of your head, and leave some pieces out (or wrap them around a curling iron) for a wavier effect.

Meet the Experts

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (34)

Dimitris Giannetos

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.

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (35)

Melessia Wade-Smith

Melessia Wade-Smith is a Hair Artistry Education Manager at Zotos Professional and serves as Better Natured’s in-house Hair Expert.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

The half-up, half-down hairstyle is a versatile and popular choice that works for almost everyone, regardless of hair texture, shade, or preference. It offers a range of styling options and can be adapted for various occasions and looks. Celebrities often showcase different variations of this hairstyle, demonstrating its versatility and appeal.

Zendaya's Sleek Ponytail

Stylist Dimitris Giannetos recommends a sleek ponytail with lots of curls and volume on the bottom, similar to Zendaya's look. To achieve this style, section your hair in a ponytail from temple to temple. Use a styling cream to smooth through your hair and a detangling/boar bristle brush to slick your hair back. Secure the ponytail closer to the top of your head for a high snatched pony look. Use a curling iron to create your favorite style of curls [[36]].

Emma Watson's Delicate Touch

The length of your hair doesn't matter with this style. Tying up half of your hair with a bow instantly lengthens it with volume, while giving it a nice feminine touch [[36]].

Jourdan Dunn's Sparkly Embellishment

Adding bejeweled clips or accessories to your half-up ponytail can make you shine from head to toe. It's a great addition if you're keeping your makeup smokey and dark [[36]].

Bella Hadid's Off-Duty Curls

For a more casual look, you can quickly and easily throw the front of your hair up into a ponytail. Having some texture to your hair gives it a messy but effortless look [[36]].

Meghan Markle's Va-Va-Voom Volume

Adding extra volume at the crown can elevate your half-up, half-down hairstyle. Tease your hair at the crown before pulling it back into a ponytail to achieve this voluminous look [[36]].

Jennifer Lopez's Red-Carpet Pony

For a more formal occasion, you can play with the placement of your ponytail. Instead of a traditional high pony, place the ponytails more towards the middle/back of your head to elevate the look into a more elegant hairstyle [[36]].

Hailey Bieber's Baby Braids

Create two tiny braids near the part of your hair and pull them into two ponytails near your crown for an ultra-feminine touch. You can also add pretty pink bows for added flair [[36]].

Kourtney Kardashian's Super Sleek Pony

For a super-sleek half-up ponytail, apply a heat styling lotion evenly through damp, clean hair prior to blow-drying. Section off hair into four sections and straighten with a flat iron. Part your hair from ear to ear and sweep this section up into a ponytail, securing it with a hair elastic [[36]].

Jodie Comer's Proper Pull-Back

Curl the ends of your hair with a large barrel curling iron and tease the top of your strands near the scalp for a balanced coif [[36]].

Jessica Chastain's Under Action

Take the front half of your hair and tie it underneath the back half of your hair for a modern twist on the hairstyle [[36]].

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Romantic Waves

To create a vivacious or flirty half-updo for more formal occasions, spray beachy texture spray all over your ends to add volume and a light, brushable hold. Part your hair from ear to ear, curl your hair with a medium-size curling iron or wand, and sweep this section up into a ponytail. Wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic to dress it up [[36]].

Lily Collins' Bangin' 'Do

Leave your bangs out of your half-up, half-down hairstyle for a fun and flirty look [[36]].

Kerry Washington's Braided Top-Knot

If you have braids, pull the top half of your hair into a knot for a cool and stylish look [[36]].

Nicole Scherzinger's Y2K Space Buns

Try adding spiky space buns to your half-up, half-down hairstyle for an extra dose of fun. Streaky highlights can also enhance the overall look [[36]].

Kendall Jenner's Barrette Business

Hide your hair elastic with an extra big barrette to add a fashionable touch to your half-up hairstyle [[36]].

Sydney Sweeney's Claw-Clip 'Do

Use a claw clip to quickly and easily pull half of your hair up into a stylish and effortless look. You can experiment with different colors and prints for added fun [[36]].

Margot Robbie's '70s Waves

Create crimped curls with a hair crimper or leave your hair in a French braid for several hours or overnight to achieve similar waves. This adds fun texture and playfulness to any half-up, half-down style [[36]].

Gigi Hadid's Baby Bun

Instead of a full-blown knot, try a tiny bun with the tail-end hanging down for a unique twist on the half-up, half-down style [[36]].

Rihanna's Side-Swept Style

A deep side part and texture at the roots can help keep your half-ponytail style looking red-carpet fresh [[36]].

Beyonce's Braids

French-braid your strands on each side of your head and plait what's left down your back for a regal and textured updo [[36]].

Khloe Kardashian's Long Locks

Voluminous waves and a snatched ponytail can make long hair more interesting. You can achieve this look with a large curling iron and clip-in extensions [[36]].

Kate Middleton's Twisted Look

Create a twisty half-up style by parting your hair in the center, teasing the hair at the crown, and twisting sections away from your face. This is one of Kate Middleton's signature looks [[36]].

Ciara's Bedazzled Middle Part

For a festival-inspired look, throw some glitter in your middle part. You can also add spiky top knots for a galactic vibe [[36]].

Ashley Greene's Swooping Strands

Drape the strands closest to your forehead up and away from your face to add some zhuzhing effect to your half-updo [[36]].

Halle Bailey's Curly Edges

Show off cool edges by combing them into mini curls along your hairline. This adds an extra-pretty detail to your half-up, half-down hairstyle [[36]].

Anya Taylor-Joy's Twisted Side

Create an elegant and easy look by twisting a front section of your hair away from your face and pinning it in the back. Make sure to twist sections on both sides of your hair for a true half-up style [[36]].

Ashley Park's Tousled Top-Knot

For a messy and effortless look, skip brushing your hair and spray your roots with a texturizing spray. Then, pull the top section into a loose bun [[36]].

Kristen Stewart's DGAF Floppy Ponytail

Tie back a messy half-ponytail and let the rest of your hair hang loose for a relaxed weekend look [[36]].

Issa Rae's Swept-Back Style

Leaving little to no hairs free to surround your face can help draw attention to your beautiful face and other parts of your ensemble. You can even add baby braids for added texture [[36]].

Hoyeon Jung's Knotty Updo

Create multiple knotted top knots for an edgy and pretty look. Pair them with cascading beach waves for a unique hairstyle [[36]].

Rooney Mara's Mini Bun

Tie back a mini bun towards the back of your head for an interesting twist on a long hairstyle [[36]].

Penelope Cruz's Side-Swept Bangs

Instead of keeping your hair away from your forehead, try side-bangs for a fresh take on the half-updo. This frames your face beautifully [[36]].

Camila Cabello's Wispy Bangs

Add wispy bangs to your half-up, half-down hairstyle for a soft and romantic look [[36]].

Ciara's Waist-Length Locks

Colored dreadlocks offer a range of styles, including a loose half-up, half-down bun. This style can be effortlessly beautiful [[36]].

Lily Rose Depp's French Girl Waves

Create soft waves with a large barrel curling iron for a chic and feminine look. Floral jewelry and embellishments can add an extra touch of prettiness [[36]].

Emilia Clarke's Bob

Even with a shorter bob hairstyle, you can still master the half-up, half-down style. Part your hair in the center, tease the hair at the crown, and leave some pieces out or wrap them around a curling iron for a wavy effect [[36]].

These are just a few examples of the many variations and possibilities for the half-up, half-down hairstyle. Whether you're attending a formal event or going for a casual look, this versatile style can be adapted to suit your preferences and personal style.

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle (2024)
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