Half Up/Half Down Hair Updos

One interesting variation of hair updos is the half up/half down style. These modified hair updos involve pinning up part of the hair while allowing the rest of the hair to flow around the shoulders or back. These hair updos can look stunning on a wedding day or they can look sexy for a night on the town.

Women with fine hair sometimes have a difficult time with half up/half down style hair updos because the pins holding it in place have a tendency to slip. Therefore, it is generally best to treat the hair ahead of time with plenty of gel and holding spray and to use many bobby pins.

Creating Half Up/Half Down Hair Updos

Even if the hair is not thin, it is best to refrain from washing the hair for at least 24 hours before creating a half up/half down style. This is because the natural oils in the hair help the parts and knots used in these hair updos stay tight and long lasting. If the hair has been recently washed, it needs to be treated with hair spray or gel to prep it for styling.

After the hair is ready for hair updos, it should be brushed thoroughly and made free of tangles and knots. Then, sections of about 1-2″ thickness should be created and straightened with a flat iron. After the hair has been allowed to cool, the tail of a rattail comb should be used to create a side part. This part should extend from the front of the hairline to about 2 inches from the crown of the head.

The hair should then be brushed from the part to the hairline’s opposite side. Then, the new section that has been created should be pulled behind the ear. The stylist should then use her hands and a paddle brush to smooth the hair in order to contain all of the random hairs within the new section.

The hair should then be temporarily clipped behind the ear. One small strand of hair can also be pulled from the new section in order to create an accent piece. This strand should be taken from near the eyebrow and it can be left either straight or slightly curled.

Next, the other side of the hair should be brushed until it is smooth. It should be brushed behind the other ear and also clipped temporarily. Each section can then be unclipped from behind the ears one at a time. The sections should then be separated equally into bottom and top sections, making each section into two new sections. The bottom portion should be pulled into a loose ponytail in order to keep it out of the way for the next step.

Then, one of the top sections should be brushed toward the middle of the back portion of the head and rolled into a fairly flat and horizontal hair roll. It should be pinned securely and flatly against the scalp. It is generally necessary to add a light gel or a setting lotion to each section of the hair at this point. Otherwise, the hair may be too slippery and will not hold well.

The other top section should then also be rolled to the middle and back section of the head. It is important to be sure to slightly overlap the first section that was rolled. The second roll needs to be pinned in a fashion that hides the first roll. The entire area then needs to be sprayed with hairspray in order to keep it in place.

A large decorative clip, a flower, or other hair accessory can then be added. Not only is this attractive, it also helps to hide the overlapping hair rolls. For a little more pizzazz, a bit of glitter gel can also be added to the sides or back.

The sections that were being temporarily held in loose ponytails can then be let out. A curling iron can be used to create a soft bend in the ends of the hair. These will also need to be sprayed in order to hold them in place.

-Ben Anton, 2006

Men’s hairstyle trends have come full-circle from my dad’s day – with crew cuts and butch wax, to a broad range of sophistication; but, the fashion word is clean….clean shaven and clean cut. The hair style can be long or short, but “keep it clean”.

High and Tight

This all time favorite tops the hair trend list as being the base for nearly 75% of most popular styles currently being worn. With maximum versatility allowing for simple or extreme styling, this cut is notorious for its meticulous cropped cut on the sides and back of the head, with enough hair on top to comb or style.

Spike

Known as the sexy ‘messy’ look, this style is easy to achieve and takes less time than you take to brush your teeth. Based off the high and tight, add some gel and use your fingers to give it that ‘just out of bed’ look. Varying lengths of hair on top give great creativity options, leaving room for your own sense of style.

Crew Cut

For a comfortable no hassle style, there’s always the ever present crew cut. Your barber simply buzzes it down to your desired length and shape. Most often associated with military, police, highway patrol, or servicemen, this style offers a sense of strength, authority, and confidence.

Texture Styles

For slightly longer hair, falling in the medium length category, texture is the key. With hair reaching three to four inches and mimicking past hairstyles, the addition of hair pomade or special gels gives you a daring look. Kick the style up a notch with some color or lightening techniques, giving your cut that razors edge appeal.

Adding Length

Taking the textured styles to another level by adding some length is probably the very latest in hair trends for men and one in which tops the list for celebrity hair styles. Giving a slightly messy look with another couple of inches added to the hair, you get a full boost in texture and cut.

The shorn edges give the razor cut new popularity while giving you a chance to relax your style. Pomade, gel, and many natural hair care products help keep those longer locks exactly where you want them.

No more assembly line style haircuts for men today. Those days went out of style along with plastic clothes and phones with cords. Hairstyle trends for men are sophisticated and of a huge variety with the help of sophisticated hair care. You get to celebrate your own sense of style and taste while embracing your differences.

Get your head in gear, choose your style and give the world a glimpse of the inner you. Hair styles are meant to be changed, and half the fun is trying something new.