If you’re looking to take a break from your everyday ponytail, but classic updos feel too staid and businesslike, you might want to consider a half-up half-down style. It is a great way to brighten up a look, and often looks more polished than leaving your hair completely loose.
This is an elevated everyday look that works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for a special occasion. To give you some ideas, I have put together a collection of 45 stunning examples for medium length hair that feel modern and current.
1. Super Glossy Bridal Waves with Half Up Twist
I am obsessed with how the twist detail instantly elevates this look. If the shine on those waves caught your eye, you aren’t alone—it’s honestly stunning.
The creative twist in the back gives it that little something special that makes the whole vibe feel incredibly alluring.
2. Half Up Half Down with Bangs and Curls
Just when I thought I couldn’t find another adorable black hairstyle for medium length hair, this one stopped me in my tracks.
The lengthy bangs are impossible to ignore and frame the face perfectly. It’s a total winner in my book.
3. Simple Half Up Half Down for Mid-Length Wavy Hair
We haven’t seen a ton of brown hairstyles on this list yet, but this one is doing the heavy lifting. I love the different shades of brown working together here—it adds such a nice dimension.
Plus, the wavy texture and that cute braid give it just the right amount of flair.
4. Braided Half Up Half Down with Bangs
Even without seeing the front view, you just know those bangs set this look apart from the rest.
The braids in the back are executed beautifully, making this a top-tier choice for anyone looking for bridal inspiration for medium length hair.
5. Super Cool Wavy Half Up Half Down Hair
The only way I can describe these brilliant waves is super cool. It’s honestly marvelous how they achieved this texture.
I might not go to this effort for a daily look, but if I were prepping for a wedding, this would be high on my list.
6. Boho Side Braided Half Down Hair
Back to the blonde vibes, this style is bordering on long hair territory, but it’s too adorable not to include.
The perfect waves combined with those alluring braids give it such a chic finish, making it an excellent pick for a wedding guest or bride.
7. Half Up Half Down with 3 Stitch Braids
I am always drawn to unique ideas, and these three stitch braids definitely count as unique in my book.
The bouncy curls add such an enticing element to the whole look. I would totally rock this hairstyle whenever I got the chance.
8. Classic Wavy Half Up Half Down
We see so many blonde and white ideas, but there is always that one black style that just rules them all.
This looks like a standard wavy half-up style, but those perfect waves make it anything but ordinary. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, boom—perfection.
9. Half Up Half Down Subtle Wavy Bridal Hair
This copper hairstyle is working for anyone chasing a captivating brown color for their bridal look.
I’m a big fan of the wavy texture here, but I can also imagine how much it would pop with a simple ponytail for a little extra flair.
10. Textured Half Up Half Down
Who knew wearing a textured bob in a half-up style could look this adorable?
It might not be the lengthiest option on the list, but it manages to implement excellent waves. It’s easily one of my favorite shorter hairstyles here.
11. Half Up Half Down Brazilian Deep Wave Hairdo
Whether you call them deep waves or curls, one thing we can agree on is that this hairstyle is nothing short of adorable.
The half-up style is a key reason for that, along with the braids and the model’s great smile. Can you even imagine this look without the half-up?
12. Rose Gold Glam Wavy Half Up Half Down Hair
Since we haven’t seen too many unconventional colors yet, I say we get the party started.
And what is a better way to do that than with this rose gold beauty? The brown highlights and adorable wavy look make it a total standout.
13. Ponytail Half Up Half Down Hair
I think half-up styles really shine when you combine them with a proven classic, like this adorable ponytail.
I’m already in love with the structure here, but the curly texture just makes it look so much better. I could honestly show up to my own wedding like this.
14. Super Curly Half Up Half Down Hairdo
These might be the most intensive curls I have ever seen on brown hair, which makes it a perfect addition to this list.
The half-up half-down vibe works so naturally here, and that smooth finish provides just the right amount of extra flair.
15. Half Up Half Down with Bangs for Thick Hair
This stunning look ticks all my boxes and is something I would certainly love to wear myself.
Between the bangs and the center parting, something about this hairstyle feels just right.
16. Modern Blonde Half Up Glam
This subtle, modern blonde style manages to look effortlessly beautiful.
It excels in both casual and professional settings, making it a simple no-brainer for blonde ladies.
17. Glam Wave Tucked Half Up Half Down
This is exactly what happens when you combine an excellent glam wave with a tucked style—personally, I think it looks amazing.
If you have naturally lengthy blonde hair, you don’t need to look any further for inspiration.
18. Half Up Half Down Curly Hair
Curly hair already has a natural allure, but you can really accentuate it by pulling it into a half-up style like this.
The model’s smile is a huge part of the beauty here, but that orange hue is also doing some heavy lifting.
19. Tousled Half Up Hair
If you are into textures that are a bit more relaxed, this tousled hairstyle has the perfect elements of messiness.
With a few hairpins and bridal accessories added in, I can see this doing really well for ladies on a bridal train.
20. Curly Bridal Half Half Down Hairstyle
Curls and half-up styles have proven to be a match made in heaven so far, and this hairstyle only confirms it.
I also love how she combined brown and black here—it’s an adorable heaven of combinations that I rate 10/10.
21. Mid-Length Half Up Half Down with Soft Waves
Intertwining two or more colors correctly can give you the benefits of both, and I think that is exactly what is happening here.
The half-up style is equally as impactful as those beach waves in making this look fundamentally excellent.
22. Super Blue Half Up Half Down with Bangs
If you are into flashy colors, this super-bright blue option should work for you.
The color itself isn’t my usual go-to, but even I have to admit that it looks exceptional here.
23. Twisted Half Up Half Down Hair
A complicated twist isn’t required for your half-up style to look adorable, but if you can pull it off, why not?
This twisted style works just as well as any for a wedding, and if you already have brown hair, this alluring look is a no-brainer.
24. Bridal Half Up Half Down with Flower Pins
I have noticed a sizable number of ladies rocking this bridal look with flower pins lately.
You probably shouldn’t bother if you are just a guest, but if you are on the bridal train, you will need something similar to this.
25. Simple Tired Half Up and Wavy Half Down Hair
Back to our conventional colors, this blonde and black combo is working wonders for the overall look.
It is undoubtedly one of the best hairstyles for medium length hair we have seen so far. The waves definitely help, but who knows—it might look just as good on straight hair.
26. Glam Ponytail Hairdo with Bangs
The bridal ideas just keep coming, and here is another excellent one.
The wavy ponytail is such a subtle touch, but it really makes the hairstyle look just right.
27. Boho Fishtail Bridal Hair
We saw an adorable bohemian style earlier, but if you want something different, check out this fishtail version.
Naturally, I wouldn’t wear this unless I was on a bridal train, but in that context, I would consider it one of the best options for medium length hair.
28. Cute Half Up Half Down with Long Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs aren’t usually as long as the rest of your hair in a medium length style, but this model begs to differ.
With the lengthy bangs, subtle ponytail, and excellent center part, this hairstyle is just perfect.
29. Braided Updo Waterfall Half Down Hair
This waterfall braid look might as well be the poster child for this post because of its alluring look.
It’s on the lengthier side compared to most styles here, and I love how it seamlessly uses several colors to achieve such an extraordinary result.
30. Braided Half Up Half Down Hair
Who hates a well-braided half-up style? Certainly not me, and probably not you either.
If you are after a style in grey, this look is a total no-brainer.
31. Pink Half Up Bun Half Down with Bangs
Speaking of unconventional colors, this pink bun with bangs is one of the best hairstyles you will see on this list.
While it isn’t a color you see every day, the style’s allure makes it look so natural that you almost wouldn’t notice.
32. Curly Half Up Half Down with Side Swept Bangs
Here is another quick weave to rule them all, incorporating the side-swept bang idea to accentuate the look.
Throw in those adorable curls and it becomes obvious why this style made the cut.
33. Half Up Ponytail with Tribal Braids
Older ladies can certainly rock these styles too, and this model is a stunning example.
Combining a half-up ponytail with tribal braids is something I couldn’t have imagined, but look how amazing it turned out.
34. Mint Green Fierce Half Up Half Down
I am not usually into unconventional colors, but I understand some people aren’t into conventional ones.
If brown, black, and blonde don’t work for you, consider this alluring mint green look. Plus, it has a bonus ponytail for extra awesomeness!
35. Textured Braided Half Up Bridal Hair
We have seen several bridal hairstyles on this list, but here is another idea if the others didn’t appeal to you.
I am personally not wearing those gigantic braids anytime soon, but if I were on a bridal train, I might just consider it.
36. Super Classic Half Up Half Down Wavy Hair
This golden wavy look is the kind of hairstyle you wear to your wedding, but it’s missing the usual heavy accessories.
Its simplicity is a virtue, and it will have people asking how such a simple style can look so pretty.
37. Gray Blonde Knotted Half Up Hairdo
This style and the one before it look similar to me, which is totally fine as it gives you more styling options.
If it is the same, making the cut twice just shows you how adorable this style truly is.
38. Simple Half Up Half Down with Flowers
If your mind is set on something simpler, this style with flowers should work for you.
It doesn’t have many bells and whistles other than the flowers and the half-up, but that is exactly why it’s so good. Not many hairstyles are this effortlessly pretty.
39. Blonde Half Updo Hair
It is hard not to include a hairstyle like this when it combines alluring waves with such an amazing view from behind.
The question here is simple: if it looks this good from the back, imagine how excellent it would be with the model smiling.
40. Classic Ponytail Half Up Half Down with Side Bangs
Half-up styles with a ponytail will never cease to amaze me, and here is another example of that amazing idea.
The concept is already adorable, but that side-swept look adds an extra touch that makes it one of the most fashionable ideas on this list.
41. Bouncy Half Up Half Down with Volume
Bouncy hair can make for excellent half-up styles too, and this picture is a perfect illustration of that concept.
Black-haired ladies looking to buy into this trend will love this, especially those with medium length hair.
42. Textured Half Up Bob Haircut
Blonde and black aren’t exactly unconventional colors, but combining them in the same hairstyle is pretty unique.
If more people knew they would look this pretty together, I think we would be seeing more textured half-up bobs like this.
43. Summer Quick Weave Half Up Half Down
Most of the quick weaves we have seen are in black, but that is definitely not a requirement.
Here is an example of the same style in blonde, and honestly, it looks almost as good as its darker siblings.
44. Quick Weave Half Up Half Down Bob Haircut
If you are after a sleek weave, here is the perfect hairstyle idea for you.
I have never been a huge fan of the swoop bang, but this style is opening my eyes to the truth. Plus, the ponytail works wonders in making the style enticing.
45. Messy Boho Half Up Half Down
Bohemian hair worn in a half-up style can be adorable, like the model above, but you can also help make it even more alluring.
The wavy hair, chic color combination, and the braid behind the style are all ways you can make your bohemian hair look its best.
46. Blonde Half-Up Ponytail
Why choose between black and blonde when you can have both like the model in this picture?
I love the seamless flow from black to blonde, as well as the stunning ponytail hanging towards the back. With that alluring partial center part, this style is the closest thing to perfection.
47. Effortless Whimsical Half Up Half Down Hair
A more realistic idea for ladies on a bridal train is this wavy and effortless style that combines an alluring base brown color with black highlights.
With those flowers added in, it is one of the best styles on this list for weddings.