Few things in life are truly universal. But the half-up, half-down hairstyles is a rare 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-back will keep your strands out of your face. It’s the perfect way to show off bold or experimental makeup by 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, it’s 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 a sculptural top knot to a chic half-ponytail—can look elegant, playful, or avant-garde, depending on the mood you’re in or the event you’re attending (even if it is virtual, for now) Ahead, 20+ Celebrity Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles reasons why some half-up, half-down styling is the best way to break up your hair routine (yes, even you, short-haired gals).
Celebrity Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles
Lucy Boynton’s Delicate Touch
Bonus: The length of your hair doesn’t matter with this style. While Boynton may have a chin-grazing bob, tying up half of her hair with a bow instantly lengthens it with volume, while giving it a nice feminine touch.
DAN MACMEDAN/GETTY IMAGES
Jourdan Dunn’s Sparkly Embellishment
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.
STEPHANE CARDINALE – CORBIS/GETTY IMAGES
Lana Condor’s ’60s Volume
As Condor proves, curling your ends upward for a ’60s-esque flip instantly adds volume. Don’t forget to go extra Mad Men-style and clip the hairs on the back of your head together a little higher than usual to score that iconic movie star look.
GEORGE PIMENTEL/GETTY IMAGES
Kelly Rowland’s Swept-Back Style
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 drop down earrings Rowland’s wearing.
LEON BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES
Zooey Deschanel’s Bangin’ ‘Do
Bangs aren’t extra baggage—If anything, they are your best accessory. Face-framing, fringe bangs like Deschanel’s will add a fun flair to any style.
FREDERICK M. BROWN/GETTY IMAGES
Camila Cabello’s Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs + long waves = the perfect cool-girl combination. Spritz your roots with volumizing spray to really make that pony pop like Cabello’s.
GOTHAM/GETTY IMAGES
Ciara’s Waist-Length Locks
Colored dreadlocks offers an array of styles at your service, including this loose half-up, half-down bun. Ciara looks effortlessly beautiful, and so can you.
KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES
Bella Hadid’s Off-Duty Curls
After a long day, nothing sounds better than putting your hair up. Let those sun-kissed waves you wish you had year-round shine with this simple style. Bonus points if you swap your regular hair band with a silk scarf for a kick of color.
VALERY HACHE/GETTY IMAGES
Tessa Thompson’s Voluminous Moment
The extra minutes it may take to create this statuesque updo are totally worth it. A sturdy hairspray will make it easier to build up the height.
MATT WINKELMEYER/GETTY IMAGES
Florence Pugh’s Beachy Waves
Textured waves paired with coral jewelry practically screams “beach party.” Use a comb to take back the hair without making the pony too tidy.
MATT WINKELMEYER
Beyonce’s Braids
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.
ALLEN BEREZOVSKY
Hailey Bieber’s Crowning Achievement
Half-up styles can give a lifted appearance to the contours of your face, and placing your pony at the crown maximizes this effect. Add a cat eye to lift the look even more.
GEORGE PIMENTEL/GETTY IMAGES
Gigi Hadid’s Top Knot
Day 4 hair has never looked so enviable. If you want to hide greasy roots, massage some dry shampoo into the scalp, shake it out, then wind the hair up top into a cute lil’ bun.
ILYA S. SAVENOK
Sophie Turner’s Sleek Look
Pairing a perfected pull-back with an elegant necklace can instantly refine a deep neckline.
FRAZER HARRISON
Kendall Jenner’s Easy Pony
This is a weekend pony if we’ve ever seen one, especially for short- haired ladies. A tiny rubber band will do the trick, and don’t bother using a brush. This look is better a little messy.
JAMES DEVANEY
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source: marieclaire
