Seven Half-Up/Half-Down Updos for Any Occasion

In a general sense, updos are most often associated with formal events like weddings or dances, but the setting may call for a softer, looser style. Half-up/half-down updos are especially versatile, as they can look formal or more laid back depending on the clothing that accompanies them.

Here at the Cutting Lounge, our stylists can put together a number of different hybrid updos for any occasion, and the following are some of the most popular requests we receive:

Fishtail Braid Half Updo

Fishbone braids look great in hair with highlights, but the look is incredibly classy regardless of hair color, as the thick braid twists back from the front into a “V” in the back. It’s tied off at the crown and then runs a fishtail braid down the rest of the back.

Braided Half Updo

There are other intricate braids that can work in similar ways, and there are some styles that allow for multiple braids along the top and sides of the head to keep hair out of your face and add some flourish to what would have been a standard hairstyle otherwise.

Braided Headband

There are a number of ways to do this style, but the idea is to create a faux headband by braiding one into the hair. You can locate the banded braid toward the front of your head or toward the back depending on your taste, but it’s a nice flourish.

French Braid Half Updo

Any French Braid can look great, but this one starts up high on one side and twists around in a “C” shape so that the entire back of the head is wrapped in a gravity-defying braid. Leave the hair under the braid loose to create the half updo.

Waterfall Braid

The waterfall braid is a gorgeous look that runs braids around the back of the head in ways that let the remaining hair tress down through the braids and make the hair flow beautifully and look longer than it is.

Half-Up Top Knot

For women with shoulder-length hair, this style runs braids down the top portion of the head, leading to a small messy knot at the crown, while the rest of the hair hangs naturally at the shoulders. It’s definitely a unique look that will stand out no matter what the occasion may be.

Celtic Knot

Like many other half-up, half-down styles on this list, the Celtic Knot takes advantage of some styling around the back of the head—a Celtic Knot, in this case—while the rest of the hair hangs down around the shoulders and the back.
​
If you would like to schedule an appointment for any of these updo hairstyles, give us a call and we’ll be happy to get you on the schedule. Whether it’s a formal occasion or something more laid back, we’re happy to make you look beautiful. Hairstyles for women are so varied, and finding the right one can be challenge. The stylists at Cutting Lounge can make that decision much easier.