3 Cool-Girl Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyles

The perfect going-out hairstyle is all about looking effortlessly stylish while lasting through the night – from nights out with friends, date nights, or work dos. The half-up, half-down look gives you the best of both worlds – keeping your hair off your face while still letting you show off your length and volume. Whether you’re going for something sleek or voluminous, these styles will turn heads while keeping your hair healthy and happy.

TOP TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HAIR FOR A HALF-UP, HALF-DOWN STYLE

Before you start gathering your hair or reaching for the hair accessories, you need a glossy blank canvas to work with. From poker straight type 1 hair to coily curls and everything in between, these are our top tips for getting your hair half-up half-down ready:

Choose heated styling tools that care for your hair

Whether you’re using a hair dryer, straightener, or curling wand, it’s important to choose a heated styling tool with Variable Temperature Control and other expert haircare technology to protect your hair. All CLOUD NINE heated styling tools are designed with healthy hair in mind, so you can achieve the perfect half-up, half-down look. Our straighteners are perfect for all hair types and packed with haircare technology like Revive ModeTM and Spring FlexTM plates to minimise hair breakage. 

• Achieve any style you want with the Original Iron, gentle on all hair types.
• Our Wide Iron is perfect for long hair (past your shoulders) as its two-inch plates cover more hair in less time, reducing the amount of time your hair is in contact with heat.
• Our 2-in-1 Contouring Iron Pro is the perfect all-rounder for achieving multiple styles. Its curved ceramic plates let you straighten, curl or wave your hair with ease. Discover the perfect straightener for your hair type.

Adapt your preparation routine to suit your hair type

How to prepare straight (type 1) hair for a half-up half-down style

1. Start with dry clean hair.
2. Apply Magical Quick Dry Potion to protect your hair during heated styling.
3. Clip your hair into sections using Croc Clips.
4. Discover your hair’s ideal heat setting by visiting our Temperature Calculator, then switch your Original Iron (or Wide Iron for long hair) to the perfect temperature. 
5. Starting at the nape of the neck, take vertical sections about two inches deep and one inch across. Place the hair in between the plates and gently twist the tool clockwise, then anticlockwise as you glide the straighteners down the lengths of the hair. Repeat with the other sections to achieve a wavy look.
6. Alternatively, starting at the nape of the neck, place a horizontal section one and a half inches across and one inch deep in between the ceramic plates. Then roll the hair down twisting forwards at the same time. As you work the hair through and roll the hair down, a horizontal curl will appear. Repeat for all sections, one at a time.

How to prepare naturally curly and textured hair for a half-up half-down style

1. Shampoo your hair as normal and use Magical Remedy as a wash-out conditioner.
2. When the hair is wet, take a pea-sized amount of Magical Remedy and rub it over your fingers and palms. Then run your hands through the hair from the mid-lengths to the ends.
3. Brush through each section with the Wet Hairbrush, leaving each section to form in its own natural curl.
4. For more defined curls or waves, use the Airshot Pro hair dryer with its diffuser attachment. Check out our guide for using a diffuser if you need a little extra guidance. 

Tip: You can also use vertical and horizontal sectioning pattern using the Curling Wand to prepare your hair for a gorgeous half-up, half-down look.

1. HALF-UP BIG VOLUME PONYTAIL

This is the ultimate power ponytail and works beautifully on hair with a natural wave or curl. Follow these steps to achieve it:

1. If your hair is naturally type 3 (curly) or type 4 (coily), blow-dry it straight and run it through with the Original Iron first – or skip to step 6 for half-up, half-down look with your naturally-textured hair.
2. For type 1 (straight) or type 2 (wavy) hair, start with dry hair and a generous spray of a heat protectant like Magical Quick Dry Potion.
3. Set your 2-in-1 Contouring Iron Pro to the ideal temperature for your hair – check this using our Temperature Calculator first.
4. Section your hair using Croc Clips, then glide the straighteners through your hair, twisting your wrist downwards, then upwards, in alternating motions to create a wave. Check out our guide to using straighteners to curl your hair if you need a little more guidance.
5. Once cooled, gently brush through with the Luxury Dressing Brush for a softer look. 
6. To create the half-up half-down ponytail, position your index fingers at the top of the ear and travel upwards to the top of the crown, separating the top section of hair from the bottom.
7. Secure the top of the hair with either a snag-free bungee hair tie or silk scrunchie. Tug the hair at the bobble upwards to spread it slightly and boost volume. 
8. If a little extra volume is needed at the ends of your hair, use your straighteners to add some flicks. 

Tip: Depending on the look, secure your hair to sit either on top of the crown for height directly above the nose. For a more relaxed, looser, and overall softer look, secure the knot just under the occipital bone (at the back of your skull). 

2. HALF-UP BRAIDS

This one’s a dreamy, boho-inspired style that works for any occasion. Here’s what to do:

1. Start with dry hair, styled either straight, wavy or curly. 
2. Part your hair down the middle and take two small sections from either side. 
3. Braid each towards the back of your head and secure them at the back with a hidden bobby pin or small snag-free hair bobble. 
4. Spritz the lengths of your hair with a heat protectant like our Magical Quick Dry Potion and set your Curling Wand to your hair type’s ideal temperature (use the Temperature Calculator to discover this if you’re unsure). 
5. Section your hair using Croc Clips, then use the Curling Want to add soft waves to the rest of your hair, and gently tug on the braids for a relaxed, fuller look. 
6. Smooth over the lengths with some Magical Remedy for a glossy, Insta-worthy finish.

Tip: For a little extra romance, leave some face-framing tendrils at the front and sides of your head.

3. HALF-UP MESSY BUN WITH FACE-FRAMING TENDRILS

This look is sleek yet soft, and great for all hair types. Here’s how to achieve it:

1. Starting with wet hair, apply a heat protectant like our Magical Quick Dry Potion.
2. Blow-dry your hair using the Airshot hair dryer and a round brush for smoothness. If you have type 3 (curly) or type 4 (coily) hair, straighten it with the Original Iron after blow-drying.
3. To create the half-up half-down messy bun, position your index fingers at the top of the ear and travel upwards to the top of the crown, separating the top section of hair from the bottom.
4. Gently gather the top half of your hair into a ponytail and create a messy bun by gently twisting the ponytail round itself and secure with a snag-free hair bobble or silk scrunchie. 
5. Tug out a few extra tendrils from the bun or around the hairline for a looser, romantic look and use your Original Iron to add a slight wave to the tendrils.
6. Set with a light-hold hairspray for movement that lasts.

Whichever half-up style you choose, keep your hair happy and healthy by using a heat protectant like Magical Quick Dry Potion, set your styling tools to the best heat for your hair – use the Temperature Calculator to discover your hair’s ideal styling temperature – and use snag-free or silk hair accessories.

Share your half-up half-down styles on our socials, where you’ll find inspiration and advice in our hair community – TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.