Half Up and Half Down Curly Hairstyle: Embracing Your Curly Hair with Style

I. Introduction

Who said that curls can’t be stylish? Born with wavy and curly hair, I keep experimenting with my hairstyles. For me, one of the most favorite and go-to hairstyles is the half-up and half-down style, which means I pull up some of my curls and tie them into a loose bun or just pin it up and leave the rest of the curls resting on my shoulders. It serves as both a formal and informal look. Let us take a deep dive into the beauty and technique of half-up and half-down curly hairstyle. 

The Allure of Half Up and Half Down Curly Hairstyle

The beauty of half up, half down curly hair lies in them being not fully tied up and not fully loose, perfect for someone who wishes to flaunt their tresses but doesn’t want to manage them or comb them at regular intervals. A small pin or a clip can keep some of our curls in place while the rest of the curls can flow around.

Why Curly Hair Deserves a Unique Style?

There has been a misconception regarding curly hair, that such hair can only have limited forms of styling as they are more difficult to manage as compared to straight hair. Though, curls are the most beautiful form of natural hair that carries its natural look. 

I have seen a lot of my friends who have perfect, straight, and silky hair which often slips down and escapes from a clutch whereas my curly hair stays intact after being tied up. Well, this is where curly hair gets its unique style. 

II. The Beauty of Curly Hair

Yes, it is time for us to accept that curls are beautiful and one should embrace them. The beauty of curls lies in embracing them and taking care of them. Yes, they might turn frizzy quickly and require more care, but they are truly rewarding when you wish to have some unique style. 

Embracing Natural Texture

The natural texture of curls is rough and bouncy. Hence, even if the volume of your hair is less, curls make your crown look heavy and give you a perfect look. 

The texture of the curls is also unique, a bit dry and a bit bouncy which makes you look stand apart from the rest who have almost similar-looking hair – straightened and silky. 

If you learn to embrace your curls, then you will be able to find ways to style them properly. 

The Versatility of Half Up, Half Down Styles

As I wrote above, one of the most sought-after hairstyles if you have curly hair, is the half up and half down style, which means, some of the curly locks are tied up in the form of a bun or just with the help of some clips, while the rest of the curls ]are left loose. 

There are a lot of variations in half-up, half half-down styles. Let us visit some of the common and quirky styles. 

• Simple Twist – Create a center part, gather your hair together into a ponytail, and then flip it
• Half top knot – Gather some of your curls and tie them up into a bun, you can also braid them and then tie them into a bun, secure it with some pins, and let the other curls stay loose
• Braided Half-Up – Take a few curls and make a three-strand braid tie it together using a rubber band and leave the other portion of hair untouched
• Twisted sides – Take some strands from both sides-left and right, create separate braids, and tie them together at the end

III. Preparing Your Curly Locks

Yes, I know that managing your curly locks can be a tough task, but regular maintenance can ensure that your curly locks remain in control. So here are some tips to maintain your curls by using the right combination of hair care products.

Shampoo and Conditioner Tips for Curly Hair 

• A night before you plan to shower your hair, just comb back your hair and tie it up into a pineapple – a simple trick where you tie up your hair into a pony and slide your hairband at the bottom of your pony and let the curls fall around.

• Prep and hydrate your curls before washing them. 

• Sprinkle water, and smoothen and detangle your curls. 

• In case your hair is extremely dry, apply some conditioner or dry shampoo and the curls get softened a bit. While washing, go for some sulfate-free shampoos.

• Apply some shampoo on the scalp and ensure it is clean, then gently apply shampoo on the curls. Rub it gently, then wash it well with the water. 

• Then comes the turn of the conditioner. It is better to opt for the same brand of conditioner as that of shampoo as the base remains the same. Unlike shampoo which is to be put on the scalp, conditioner is meant only for the loose ends of the hair. Take a generous amount of conditioners on your palm, and rub it gently across the loose tresses. Then wash it off. 

Towel Drying vs. Air Drying: What Works Best?

Now comes the drying part. If your hair is wet, it is best to use a towel to puff out that extra water from your hair. It will ensure the removal of extra water without exposing your hair to artificial heat or hot air that comes out of a hair dryer. 

Once you have dried your hair, take a comb and remove all the knots slightly. Then reduce the speed of your hair drier and start blowing your hair part-by-part. Ensure, you don’t overdo it as curly hair tends to get frizzy and dry with time.

IV. Styling Half Up, Half Down Curls 

Let us get back to styling a half-up and half-down curly hairstyle. Here are some other trendy half-up, half-down curls. Once you have dried out your hair, use a brush to gently ease out the entangled curls, you can also use your fingers to part away those stubborn locks of curls. Then try out some different half-up and half-down curls and check what suits you.

Pulled Fishtail 

• Create an inverted braid, just like a French braid.
• Cross the hair strands under each other instead of over each other.
• Then keep loosening the previous curls a bit using your fingers and
• Finally, secure it with some pins.

Messy Twist Half-Up Space Buns

It has been one of the most trendy hairstyles opted by people, especially those with curls. 

Lift some of the curls, roll them into a bun, and tie it overhead. Then lift some curls on the opposite end, roll them into a bun, and tie it into a second overhead bun. Leave the rest of the curls loose. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Styling

1. Comb the wet curls from top to bottom to detangle them
2. Dry them with a towel or a smooth t-shirt, don’t rub them, just dampen them
3. Let them get dried naturally, avoid using a hairdryer
4. Trim your hair regularly to avoid split or dead ends
5. Ensure, you use a night cream for your hair and cover them with a cloth by using the pineapple technique
6. Both a curling iron and hair spray can help you set hair 
7. Use some accessories to give curls a perfect look 
8. You can also go for curl highlights 

Half-Up Ponytail

Another amazing half up and half down curly hairstyle which is easy to make and looks stylish too.

Step-by-Step Guide to Styling

1. Comb your hair and make it even.
2. Take some of your hair and tie it in a ponytail.
3. Leave the rest of your hair open.

Choosing the Right Products

You need to try and test some products to arrive at the right combination of products. Consult an expert who can understand your hare better and help you make the right choice. 

It is advisable to use some samples of shampoo and conditioner and use them before buying a full pack. 

V. Curly Hair Accessories 

Curly hair looks can be further accentuated with the right set of accessories. Whether it is for some tie-up looks or loose looks, there are suitable accessories for all.

The Magic of Hair Accessories

Hair scrunchies are the best accessories to stylize your hair into a simple pony. They are available in different colors and sizes. 

Banana Hair clips are also perfect as you can pull in all your hair together and let the curls flow down

Satin Headbands are handy for wet hair. If you have to rush for a meeting just after you have your hair washed, you can slightly detangle your curls pull up a headband, and let the hair flow

A baseball cap is good for nice sunny days. Form a top knot and secure it with a cap.

If you are in the mood to stylize your hair properly, you can go for some metal cuffs. Form multiple braids of your curly hair and secure them with colorful metal cuffs 

Adding Flair to Your Look

Now it is some time to add some flair to your overall look. 

• You can wear some scarves and stylishly tie them. 
• Some hair extensions or removable highlighters can give a new look
• You can also go for some stylish braids done at hair parlors
• Use a curler, yes even though you already have voluminous curls, a curler can help to set your curls perfectly, you can deep curl some of the loose curls on your head, and leave some on both sides of your face. Secure it with a hair spray and gel. 

VI. Maintenance Tips

While the internet abounds with tips to maintain your curls, one size doesn’t fit all, hence you need to figure out which of the tips would suit your hair. Some simple tips to maintain curly hair are – 

1. Keep them moisturized – Curly hair tends to get dry and frizzy. Hence, ensure to use some hair creams before going to bed and apply the pineapple trick to avoid getting your hair entangled. 

2. Don’t wash curly hair too often. Only wash them if needed, as shampoos and conditioners can make the hair drier.

3. Ensure to comb your hair more than twice a day so the curls remain detangled.

4. Try protesting your curls from the sun, especially if you have got some highlights as the sun’s heat will turn curls more dry and frizzy.

5. Always follow a pre-sleep regime for your curly hair. Apply some hair creams, and pull up your hair into a pineapple to avoid a bad hair day the next day.

6. Keep your scalp clean, and massage it gently to ensure the flow of oils across the hair as curls make it difficult for the natural oils on the scalp to travel smoothly through the tips of the hair.

7. As you would have to give longer gaps between washing your hair, chances of developing dandruff increase, hence use an anti-dandruff shampoo followed by non-oily moisturizer for hair.

8. Avoid brushing your hair right after washing it as we are more prone to breakage, run your fingers across the hair to detangle the curls.

9. Avoid using driers regularly or straighteners as too much heat would turn your hair frizzy. Use a good heat protectant spray on your hair before you do any styling using a heating technique.

10. Use cold water to wash hair, avoid using hot water as that will dry out the scalp and make your hair turn frizzy due to heat. In winter, use water at room temperature.

11. Go for natural treatment for hair. Apply some egg-based hair masks or aloe vera-based hair masks weekly to nourish the hair naturally. 

Keeping Your Curls Bouncy

To keep your curls bouncy – 

• Don’t use a lot of shampoo, limit it to twice a week, and try relying on some DIY hair masks given below
• Always condition your hair after using shampoo
• Don’t rub your wet hair, instead dab your hair on a towel lightly, let it get dried in natural air, and avoid using a hairdryer
• Then use a leave-in conditioner or some hair cream and comb your hair

Dealing with Humidity and Frizz

Despite all this, you can never have control over the natural temperature. Humid weather can make your hair frizzy. 

• The best solution is to put some hot oil on the scalp and massage your way through to the tips of your hair. You can leave the oil overnight. Damp your towel into hot water and wrap it around the hair. The next day, wash it with anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner. 
• Put some hair cream to ensure there is enough moisture in the hair.
• Make a quick hair mask with some aloe vera gel, essential oils, olive oil and heat it a bit, and then apply it. Leave it overnight. 
• The next morning, make a paste of curd or yogurt, lemon, and drops of castor oil and apply it on your roots and the lengths of the hair along with the ends. Wash it off after some time. 
• Later on, you can apply mild shampoo.

VII. Special Occasion Styles

Half Up, Half Down looks are perfect for weddings even for a bride. They are also popular among prom night looks. 

Half Up, Half Down for Weddings

• Flip half up, half down look sideways by combing your hair upwards.
• Take some hair and braid it.
• Leave the rest of your curly hair open.
• Use flowers, colorful beads, and even tiaras to support this look

Curly Prom Hairstyles

Prom is known for being bold and elegant. You can get some highlighted curls and leave them loose while the virgin hair can be tied into a half-up, half-side look. 

You can make a loose bun towards the ends and let some strands of curls fall onto both sides – right and left

VIII. DIY Curly Hair Care

Curly hair means a lot of maintenance but doesn’t always mean spending excessive money in salons. You can opt for some easy DIY techniques to take care of your curls. 

Homemade Hair Masks for Curls

For those who fear putting more chemicals or synthetic hair products on your curl, here are some organic do-it-yourself hair mask options.

1. Yoghurt Hair Mask to repair damaged hair and aid hair growth-

Inspired by the age-old remedies for damaged hair, this mask is made up of yogurt, its residue, and some herbs that are easily found at home. 

This is best suited for those who have dry and brittle hair. It can also help to remove split ends. Hair gets damaged due to prolonged exposure to heat and dust and also due to some dietary deficiencies. While this hair mask is enough to provide external care to the hair, it is important to be mindful of what you put on the plate. 

This is a DIY hair mask made up of Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey. You can add some lemon by choice. Greek yogurt will replenish the protein in your hair. Apple cider vinegar will clean your hair from roots to tips, and honey will add moisture and bring shine to the hair. 

Here are some ingredients for this hair mask – 

• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 
• 1 tbsp honey
• One spoon of lemon juice

Directions:

1. Take a bowl and combine yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey and lemon juice
2. Untangle your curls using a brush or comb. Then take a strand and apply the yogurt-based pack using a brush or your fingers. Apple in the downward direction from roots to tips
3. Leave it for around 15-20 minutes
4. Rinse well using water
5. Then wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner 

2. Egg mask for damaged hair–

It is yet another DIY protein treatment for your damaged and undernourished hair. This egg mask is a combination of egg white, coconut oil, aloe vera, avocado, and olive oil, all of which are easily available at home or any local shop. 

Eggs will replenish the protein element in hair, coconut oil will replenish the oil on both the scalp and hair, aloe vera will bring in the required moisture, and olive oil will add the richness of olives. Furthermore, avocado paste will hold the hair pack together and provide biotin to your hair which helps in hair growth and also provides essential minerals like potassium and magnesium. 

Here are some ingredients for this hair mask – 

• 1 or 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ raw avocado and two tbsp of avocado oil 
• 1 tbsp coconut oil 
• 1 tbsp of aloe vera gel 

Directions:

1) Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend them till all of them are turned into a smooth paste leaving no clumps or chunks behind. Avoid using too much water to grind it, as the consistency should be pasty enough so it sticks to your hair 

2) Comb your hair properly to detangle the curls. Separate your damaged hair and clip the rest of the hair

3) Spray some water on the damaged hair to give it some moisture and prep it for the hair mask 

4) Then take a generous amount of mask and apply it in the downward direction from roots to the tips 

5) Keep clipping every strand so it doesn’t fall on your face. 

6) In case you have Type-4 hair also referred to as Afro hair, then untangle the hair and then try to braid it down, or if you have short hair, apply the pack curl-by-curl

7) Cover the hair with a shower pack and keep the hair pack on for about 20 minutes 

8) Then slowly massage your hair so the hair pack starts loosening. Gently move your fingers in a downward motion from the scalp to the hair tips

9) Gently pour water at room temperature on your hair. Rub off the hair pack. Ensure no residue of the hair pack remains behind as it might lead to a foul smell

10) Then take some shampoo and wash off your hair. Finish off by applying some conditioner on the roots of your hair

3) Rice Water and Avocado Hair Mask for bouncy and healthy curls

We often boil rice for food and throw away the leftover water. Well, this rice water packs in some essential nutrients that can nourish your hair and repair damaged roots. 

Rice water consists of inositol, which is a naturally produced sugar in our body and helps in the production of hair cells. 

Then avocado, which is referred to as a superfood is full of vitamin B-complex which further helps in the growth of hair cells. It also gives added moisture to the surface of the hair. 

A combination of rice water and avocado will give both vitamins and moisture to your hair and help you attain some thick and strong curls.

Here are some ingredients for this hair mask – 

• 1 cup of rice
• 2 cups of water
• ½ avocado

Directions:

1) Soak 1 cup of rice in a bowl for about half an hour or one hour

2) You can also save some water while boiling the rice while cooking and refrigerate it to use later for this hair mask

3) Mash half an avocado in a bowl

4) Dilute the avocado pulp using some rice water and create a sticky paste

5) Detangle your curls and put some water to moisten them

6)Then either use a brush or your fingers to apply the hair pack

7) Then apply the avocado and rice water hair pack from top to bottom until the ends of your hair

8) Ensure all the damaged strands are covered with the pack. You can use some hair clips to partition your hair and secure the covered hair 

9) Leave it for half an hour before washing it with lukewarm water and some light shampoo

10) Then dab your hair with the help of a towel, don’t rub the hair as the curls often are brittle after washing and prone to breakage

4) Banana and Avocado Hair Mask For Limp and Dry Hair

Sometimes the use of bad-quality hair products has a damaging impact on your hair leaving it limp and dry with broken ends and lacklustre a surface. 

If you have curly hair, the problem is bound to be faced in case you don’t get time to treat your hair properly. Here is a DIY hair mask to reverse the damage done to your hair. 

Bananas are rich in potassium and we have already discussed the good quality of avocados above. Further, Mayonnaise contains vegetable oil which can be used as an alternative to shampoo. 

 Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• ½ avocado
• 3 tsp mayonnaise 
• 2 tsp castor oil
• 2 tsp virgin coconut oil
• 1 egg (optional)

Directions:

1) Mash banana and avocado in a bowl. Add some mayo, castor oil, coconut oil, and if required an egg. Mix it well to create a smooth paste

2) Comb your hair properly to detangle your curls, then form partitions in your hair and start applying the pack from roots to ends 

3) Keep the hair pack for about half an hour

4) Then rinse it with cold water. You can use mild shampoo and conditioner to remove the residual oil and smell 

DIY Curl Enhancing Sprays

If you are going to a party and want your curls to speak for you, then there are some DIY curl-enhancing sprays. 

1. Lemon Spray – Add some lemon juice in water and heat it a bit. Add an essential oil to it, maybe some aromatic oil along with some vodka. Then put it into a mixer and use it
2. Aloe Vera Spray – Mix some aloe vera gel, glycerin, and rose water and dilute it with water. Add a Vitamin E capsule to it, shake it and use it
3. Sugar-salt spray – This is one of the easiest DIY setting sprays. Boil some sugar and salt in the water. Add some essential oil and use it 
4. Coconut oil spray – Add some coconut oil to water and bring it to a boil. Then add an essential oil and it is ready to be used
5. Orange DIY spray – Add some orange zest and juice to some water and also add some essential oils

IX. Troubleshooting 

Despite all the care, the curls can still turn out to be unruly on a bad hair day. Here are some quick tips to fix your curls over some time. 

Taming Unruly Curls

Take your time to figure out which DIY hair masks and shampoos work for you. Try some samples over some time and notice the results to see what suits you. You can also visit an expert to figure out the texture of your hair. 

Keep a wide-tooth brush handy to peacefully detangle your hair after washing. Let them dry naturally. 

Avoid using too much heat for some time until the curls get settled. 

Refreshing Your Style Throughout the Day

• If you want to have different looks throughout the day. You can leave them loose with a headband while your hair is wet. 
• Carry a hair tie and a clutch. Use the clutch to pull up some hair into a half-up, half-down style while your hair is half-dry. 
• You can tie them into a ponytail towards evening after combing down your curls properly.
• By night, you can tie them into a pineapple and let the hair flow or pull them into a loose bun.

X. Confidence and Curly Hair

Curly hair has often been associated with being untidy and ugly. But increasingly, people are getting drawn towards the beauty of curls after their positive representation in popular culture. You must know that people with straight hair often find their tresses as boring and long for natural curls.

Embracing Your Natural Beauty

Embrace yourself the easy you are. While straightening machines are a good fix to get a new look, curly hair also allows you to experiment with your looks. 

Curly Hair Empowerment

Curls can make you stand out. There are so many known personalities who regularly appear on the camera as they embrace their curls like no one else.

XI. Conclusion

Half Up, Half Down: Your Statement of Curly Hair Confidence

Now, we are coming back to where we started. Half up, half down is a go-to hairstyle for curly-headed. It adds some oomph to your personality and gives this perfect bounce to your hair. 

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• Mithila Palkar Curly Hair Secret: Tips and Curly Hair Routine