Tutorial: 2 Hip and Classic Half Up-Half Down Braid Styles for Every Ocassion
Braided hairstyles are here to stay. Add these half braided styles to your list of braids to try.
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Braids have become a mainstay in our list of hairstyles to wear on the regular, and one of our most coveted braided hairstyles is the half up half down braid. The best thing about this classic style is that it can be styled up or down. Read on to learn how you can get half braided hairstyles in two completely different ways:
Look 1: Half Up Half Down French Braid Style
If you can’t decide whether to wear your hair up or down for your upcoming string of parties or casual outings, the good news is: You don’t have to choose! The normcore half-up braid, one of our latest street-style discoveries, is the perfect mix of practicality and cheeky style. For look number one, we’re teaching you how to create this super easy half up half down French braid style.
Step 1: Wash and condition your hair.
Firstly, start off with clean hair. For a fuller texture, wash hair with Dove Nutritive Solutions Coconut & Hydration Shampoo followed by Dove Nutritive Solutions Coconut & Hydration Conditioner. Then dry your hair completely using a tried and true air-dry method or by using a blow dryer.
Step 2: Create texture.
Now that your hair is clean, you’ll need a super easy technique to make your hair look more worn-in to give it that second-day hair look. Spray Bed Head by TIGI Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray onto the roots and throughout your hair to give it body and lift. Use your fingers to work the product through your hair.
Step 3: Create tight braids on each side.
For a more undone look, skip the perfect center part and opt for an off-center option. After creating your part, section hair on each side behind your ears to create your top half. Clip away the back section of hair, then work on the front. Create a French braid on each side, braid hair as tightly as you can, and seal the ends with an elastic band. Pro tip: Use a clear rubber band to blend in with your hair color.
Step 4: Add texture to your braids.
To create a textured and effortlessly undone “bed head” look, start by pancaking your braid. This involves gently flattening and spreading out the sections of your braid, which gives it a lived-in appearance. Once you’ve achieved the desired level of pancaking, take it a step further by delicately pulling the braid apart. This action loosens the strands even more, enhancing that casual and tousled effect that’s perfect for a relaxed, chic style. These simple steps can transform your braid into a beautifully undone and effortlessly stylish hairdo.
Step 5: Set your style in place.
Finally, to complete this half up braided hair look, you’ll need a hairspray that sets your braid in place while also keeping flyaways at bay. Apply a spritz of Dove Style+Care Compressed Flexible Hold Hair Spray all over your hair to ensure these issues are taken care of!
A perkier, more casual variation on the regular half-pony, the braided half-updo also has a slight trompe l’oeil effect, where the tail of your ponytail hides any and all seams from view—giving your mane a bit more texture and personality. Some can view this look as the gateway to box braids or other more complex rope styles; we call it our new go-to look for the winter, especially since we’re all jonesing for that tropical vacay and also need a braid that makes room for beanies.
Look 2: Half Up Half Down Accent Braid Style
A perkier, more casual variation on the regular half-pony, the braided half-updo also has a slight trompe l’oeil effect, where the tail of your ponytail hides any and all seams from view—giving your mane a bit more texture and personality. Some view this look as the gateway to box braids or other more complex rope styles; we call it our new go-to look, especially since we’re all jonesing for that tropical vacay!
Start with clean, freshly washed hair.
Prep your hair before braiding by washing with a nourishing system. We like the zesty island scent of Dove Nutritive Solutions Coconut & Hydration Shampoo and Dove Nutritive Coconut & Hydration Conditioner, which gently remove prior buildup while protecting against dryness.
Create your half-pony.
Detangle and comb hair until smooth, and gather the top section into a high ponytail on the crown of your head. Secure with a neutral-colored hair tie.
Create your accent braids.
Flip your half-pony towards your forehead and out of the way for now. Next, create two to three accent braids across the back of your head (one on each side, or on the left, center and right of your head), just below your ponytail. Plait till the mid-lengths or way down till the ends; the shorter or more incomplete the braid is, the more “boho” it looks.
Knot them together.
Tie the braids together via a literal Celtic knot, criss-cross them over each other or even braid them together to form one giant plait. Note: Just do one to two chains, and keep it flat on the head.
Secure with pins.
Secure the style to your head with pins on each side, as well as underneath the knot.
Done!
Finally, flip your half-ponytail back down against your crown, aligning the ponytail so it hides the knot of your twisted braids. Smooth down any flyaways on the base of your half up half down braid style, and you’re all set!
