With the front typically pulled back from your face, half-up half-down hairstyles are not only a fabulous way to showcase your features, but their versatility is unmatched.
50 Must-See Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles for Black Hair
From buns to ponytails, braids to twists, straight to curly, natural to protective, you’re sure to find half-up half-down hairstyles that you wholeheartedly love. So scroll down and look around and get all the inspo you need for your next look.
1. Half-Up Half-Down Twist Out with Clip-Ins
Perfectly blended with her natural hair, clip-ins for the win with this voluminous half-up half-down twist out.
2. Half-Up Half-Down Headband Wig
Styled on a pre-prepped headband wig, the front half of this hairstyle was originally just a bun that was released and left to hang forward. If you need the full deets on the installation, jump back to the beginning of the tutorial below.
3. Half-Up Half-Down Braid Out Bun
This lovely half-up half-down hairstyle was achieved on an old braid out, where the front section was twisted into a bun.
4. Half-Up Half-Down Dreadlocks with Faux Bangs
Don’t get us wrong, the blonde by itself is banging. But you can enjoy the beauty of bangs without having to cut your luscious locs.
Simply bend each loc to the desired length, creating a loop. Then wrap the loc around itself, pulling through the loop and the end to hold.
5. Half-Up Half-Down Jumbo Knotless Box Braids
Knotless braids are so much easier to manipulate than traditional ones when they’re freshly done. The front half of these gorgeous jumbo box braids were pulled back and secured near the base of her head for a terrific look without the tension.
6. Half-Up Half-Down Butterfly Locs Space Buns
It’s no secret that we love a good butterfly locs look, but we are over the moon about this half-up half-down hairstyle with space buns.
7. Red Half-Up Half-Down Rubber Band Crochet
Featuring a laid criss-cross rubber band style at the front and a kinky crochet at the back, everything about this red half-up half-down hairstyle is fire!
8. Half-Up Half-Down Bantu Knots and Cornrows
This creative 90’s-inspired half-up hairstyle with pigtails, bantu knots and cornrows might be a throwback, but it’s just as appealing today.
9. Half-Up Half-Down Braid Out Bow
Beyond her beautiful texture, let’s get into the literal bow on top. This half-up half-down natural hairstyle is the gift that keeps on giving.
10. Half-Up Half-Down Butterfly Locs Bun
OK, admittedly this half-up half-down hairstyle is technically more like a third-up, two-thirds down. But that’s why it works. A gold-cuffed bun front and center surrounded by butterfly locs on all sides, make this look a must-try.
11. Half-Up Half-Down Stitch Cornrows with Cowrie Shells
When done by the right stylist, stitch braids are truly a work of art. And this half-up half-down cornrowed look with cowrie shells can be counted among the masterpieces.
12. Half-Up Half-Down Flat Twists with Crochet
Flat twists are created in the front half, while the back is cornrowed so the crochet hair can be attached. The result is a cute, quick curly bob any queen can pull off.
13. Half-Up Half-Down Grey Passion Braids
Set aside any preconceived notions you might have about grey hair and get into these passion braids, pinned up into a playful half-up half-down hairstyle.
14. Half-Up Half-Down Roll, Tuck and Pin
While we clearly love a basic bun or ponytail half-up half-down hairdo, this roll, tuck and pin look is a welcome departure.
15. Half-Up Half-Down Wavy Gypsy Locs
A loose, messy half-up bun complements the carefree vibe of these gorgeous, wavy gypsy locs.
16. Half-Up Half-Down Boho Passion Twists Bun
Seven packs of hair and ten plus hours later, and sis is stuntin’ on them with these perfect DIY passion twists.
17. Half-Up Half-Down Medium Knotless Goddess Braids
These beautiful braids are fitting, because sis is looking just like a goddess in them.
18. Half-Up Half-Down Long Curly Crochet
More on the subtle side height-wise, this half-up half-down crochet hairstyle came through with the voluminous cascading curls.
19. Half-Up Half-Down on Straight Natural Hair
If you’re after a sleek half-up style on your natural hair, a flat iron will quickly do the trick. Or you can turn to a blow dryer (see below) for a fuller, more textured take on the same look.
Either way, just remember to use heat protectant in the process to prevent damage.
20. Half-Up Half-Down on Stretched Natural Hair
21. Half-Up Half-Down Flexi Rod Set
To achieve a similar style, separate your flexi rod set minimally and gently secure half of your curls with an elastic band, making sure not to disturb the sleekness, of this chic and chunky look.
22. Half-Up Half-Down Honey Blonde Goddess Braids
Loosely gathered at her crown, these gorgeous honey blonde goddess braids are absolutely divine.
23. Half-Up Half-Down Box Braids with Swoop Bang
A swoop bang takes an already adorable box braided bun up another notch in this half-up hairstyle.
24. Half-Up Half-Down Twist Out with Flat Twists
Old twist out where? Two large flat twists, created at the crown, are pulled back and pinned over her still captivating curls, resulting in this stunning half-up half-down style.
25. Half-Up Half-Down Pompadour
A low pompadour up front is the perfect complement to a defined wash and go in this adorable half-up half-down hairstyle.
26. Half-Up Half-Down Large Box Braids Bun
When in doubt, go bigger with your bun.
27. Wavy Half-Up Half-Down on Stretched Natural Hair
For a similar charming, chunky look, try a twist out on your stretched natural hair. You’ll likely end up with less definition, but you’ll get more elongation, not to mention exquisite results.
28. Half-Up Half-Down Spring Afro Twists
Our good sis shows us how to create a variety of looks with her twists, but she calls this half-up half-down hairstyle “The Lord’s Work,” and we couldn’t agree more. Check out the tutorial below for the step-by-step to style salvation. Won’t he do it!
29. Half-Up Half-Down Dreadlocks with Bantu Knots
This bold pumpkin spice color combined with half-up bantu knots proves there’s truly no limit to what’s possible with locs.
Not quite committed to dreadlocks? No problem. A similar, sexy style is made possible below with wavy box braids.
30. Half-Up Half-Down Wavy Box Braids with Bantu Knots
31. Half-Up Half-Down Ombre Box Braids Bun
Hands-down one of the best braided wigs we’ve ever seen, now you can get beautiful ombre box braids in an instant.
32. Half-Up Half-Down Short Passion Twists
Whether you opt for chunky passion twists or more compact crochet spring twists, half-up half-down hairstyles still look bomb on short braided hair.
33. Half-Up Half-Down Crochet Spring Twists
34. Half-Up Half-Down Three-Color Twists
These Senegalese Twists stand out thanks to the unique three-color combo. The loosely gathered half-up ponytail is just a bonus on top of an already fabulous look.
35. Half-Up Half-Down Havana Twists Bun
As you’ve seen from the previous couple of looks, no matter what type of twists you have your heart set on half-up, half-down hairstyles are not only possible, but they’re too pretty to pass up.
36. Half-Up Half-Down Crochet Mambo Twist Out
Get creative by playing around with colors like the red ombre below to switch up your half-up hairstyle.
37. Half-Up Half-Down Dreadlocks Pigtails
Pigtails and tendrils make this half-up half-down blonde dreadlocks look even more adorable.
38. Half-Up Half-Down Sisterlocks Top Knot
This top knot is a chic look any short-haired natural can rock, with or without Sisterlocksā¢.
39. Half-Up Half-Down Goddess Twist Faux Locs
Lightweight and lovely, this faux locs look with a goddess twist in a half-up bun is simply breathtaking.
40. Half-Up Half-Down Ghana Twists Bun
Whether you opt for Ghana twists or Fulani Braids, you can’t go wrong with a tribal take on a half-up half-down bun hairstyle.
41. Half-Up Half-Down Burgundy Fulani Braids Bun
42. Half-Up Half-Down Dreadlocks Side Ponytail
A simple side pony upfront makes this half-up dreadlocks hairstyle, drop dead gorgeous.
43. Half-Up Half-Down Ombre Two Strand Twists
Daring and delightful, there’s nothing basic about these pumpkin spice ombre two strand twists.
44. Half-Up Half-Down Long Mini Goddess Braids
The length of these mini goddess braids are giving us, and this half-up half-down hairstyle, life.
45. Half-Up Half-Down Kinky Crochet
To achieve this stunning half-up half-down hairstyle, her natural hair was cornrowed in the back and slicked down into a secure bun in the front. 3X Water Wave 18″ crochet hair was then freely added until she reached the desired thickness, making sure to conceal all of her hair except for the laid section upfront.
She then cut the hair on an angle to create layers and remove some of the bulk and fluffed it to finish this fab look.
46. Half-Up Half-Down Chunky Two Strand Twists
Chunky two strand twists are a hit in this half-up half-down hairstyle.
47. Half-Up Half-Down Purple Cornrow Crochet
Clearly, we’ve shared variations on this half-up half-down hairstyle, but none as vibrant as voluminous as this one.
48. Half-Up Half-Down Box Braids Victory Roll
For a twist on the typical bun in a half-up half-down hairstyle, try a victory roll instead for the win.
49. Half-Up Half-Down Cornrows in a Jumbo Braid
While this isn’t exactly a half-up half-down hairstyle, this classy, cornrowed look is close enough.
50. Half-Up Half-Down Blue and Purple Box Braids Bob
Colorful meets carefree in this bold, half-up, box braided bob with a messy bun.
As far as we’re concerned, no matter how you slice it, half-up half-down hairstyles are all good.