Half Up Half Down Bridal Hairstyles

Doing your do for the wedding

Finding the right bridal hairstyle is almost as important as choosing the perfect wedding dress. The bridal 'do that's best for you will be one that complements your dress, face, hair and is comfortable for you to wear. Half up and half down hairstyles are ideal as they are a natural compromise between full updos and leaving your hair down. Best of all, these hairstyles complement any texture of hair and face shape.

Curly Styles

Curly hair, whether natural or curled, can be done in a number of ways. Curls or waves tend to add a romantic, fairytale-like feeling to a bride's appearance. Leave small wisps and curls out to frame the face, while pulling half of the hair up into a loose bun or ponytail. The back part of the hair can fall in curly locks.

Another option is to create soft curls and pin them around the front of the head. Twist thin sections of the hair, then pin them in circular shapes to the head. This works for long or short hair.

Make small cornrows or tight French braids by parting the front of the hair into small sections, 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, going back to about the crown of the head. Use pins or small rubber bands to hold the hair in place where the part ends at the crown. Allow the remaining hair from the rubber band to fall into curls in the back. Curl the hair that was left down in the back to match, or leave it straight. This also works with long or short hair.

Create elegant updos using only the front half of the hair as well, such as traditional French twists.

Straight Styles

Straight, sleek styles work well for half up and half down wedding hairstyles as well. Pull the front half of the hair into a tight ponytail or bun and leave the back super straight and shiny. This elegant look works extremely well in the evening or for ultra-formal events.

Leave bangs that either hang straight down across the forehead or create a part on one side and sweep the remaining hair behind the ears. Pin the bangs in place if you opt to sweep them away from the face.

Pulling the front half of the hair back into a ponytail works whether you pull it straight back tight, loose or part the hair creatively.

Accessories

Incorporate hair accessories into wedding half up half down hairstyles. Brides who want to wear a tiara or headband attached to a veil can pull their hair away from their faces by using a half-ponytail with the back of their hair left flowing down. You can wear bangs, although it's not necessary.

Insert rhinestone barrettes and clips throughout the hairstyle to dress it up.

Another option is placing flowers--real or silk--throughout the hair, both on the top and woven into the locks left down in the back.

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