I Hate Styling My Hair, But These 21 Looks Are So Easy To Copy

If you're anything like me, you might find doing your hair a bit of a chore. Which is a shame, as I love a hairstyle that ties a whole look together and makes you feel polished. The problem is that doing your hair (especially if you have long hair) can be time consuming, and we don't always have time to do a full-blown '90s blowout, or try that viral TikTok trend that looks easy, but in reality leaves you huffing in frustration while trying to get out of the door in the morning. 

Well, dear reader, there is one look which is a stylish—yet easy—hairstyle that won't make you late in the mornings. Enter the half up, half down hairstyle. It's fuss-free, simple and quick to do and suits every hair texture. It's also the perfect hairstyle if you're stretching out the days until your next hair wash day, or just don't know what to do with your hair if it's not playing ball. It's the hairstyle equivalent of a throw-on blazer that instantly elevates your look. What's more, this hairstyle works on medium length hair through to long hair.

Ahead, I have saved the 21 best half up, half down hairstyles that I'm saving for when a bad hair day strikes, and they are bound to give you a dose of inspiration too.

1. Half Up Hairstyle With Hair Clip

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(Image credit: @andreasteen)

If you want to add a little more pizazz to a half up half down hairstyle, simply add a barrette to secure your lengths in place.

2. Half Up Lopped Braid Top Knot

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(Image credit: SPOTLIGHT)

Switch up your braided hairstyle by looping the top section of your into a loop and securing with a hair band.

3. Half Up Bun

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(Image credit: SPOTLIGHT)

Take the top section of your hair and twist in to a bun—were love this spiky '90s-inspired bun with the ends left out.

4. Half Up Claw Clip

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(Image credit: @trecholopis)

It takes less than 30 seconds to do, but adding a claw clip to your half up half down hairstyle will make it look like you've put in more effort.

5. Half Up Hairstyle with Fringe

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(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

A half up half down hairstyle looks seriously chic with a fringe.

6. Half Up Rope Braids

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(Image credit: @hannalhoumeau)

Take a couple of rope braids and pin them at the top of your head with hair slides.

7. Half Up Messy Bun

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(Image credit: @chrissyford)

As you pull your hair into a bun, let a couple of strands fall free for a off-duty half up half down hairstyle.

8. Braided Top Knot

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(Image credit: @olanthamoran)

A braided top knot is the ultimate casual hairstyle that instantly changes up your look.

9. Wavy Half Up Hairstyle

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(Image credit: @andreasteen)

If curling your entire head of hair feels like a colossal feat, then tie half your hair up and just curl the lengths to save on time.

10. Curly Top Knot

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(Image credit: @janailourdes)

A half up top knot looks so chic with curly hair.

11. Straight Top Knot

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

Equally, we love this look on straight hair too. It's an ideal holiday hairstyle, too.

12. Middle Part Half Up Hairstyle

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(Image credit: @joannacoops)

Part your hair down the middle and sweep hair back with a comb to recreate this slick half up half down hairstyle.

13. '90s Half Up Hairstyle

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(Image credit: SPOTLIGHT)

The key to achieving this '90s-inspired half up half down hairstyle is to secure your ponytail high on the top of your head. Bonus points for adding flicks ends.

14. Half Up Plaited Hairstyle

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(Image credit: @michellerosedrumm)

Give your standard half up half down hairstyle by plaiting the length of your ponytail.

15. Half Up Hairstyle with Scarf

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(Image credit: @michellerosedrumm)

Take the top section of hair and secure with a scarf for an effortless (and effortless-looking) take on your half up half down hairstyle.

16. Top Knot with Scrunchie

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(Image credit: @monamali_)

A simple top knot is given a hit update with the addition of a scrunch. 

17. Simple Half Up Half Down Hairstyle

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(Image credit: @haileybieber)

Hailey Bieber shows us that sometimes a simple half up half down hairstyle is all that is needed.

18. Half Up with Ribbon

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(Image credit: @rayan.xasan)

How pretty is this ribbon-tied half up half down hairstyle?

19. '90s Updo

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(Image credit: @symphanisoto)

Pile the back section of your hair up into a bun, leaving face-framing tendrils loose and pulling a couple of strands to keep it feeling modern.

20. Braid Tendrils

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(Image credit: @teefscorner)

You really get the best of both worlds with this braided ponytail with long braided tendrils left loose.

21. Straight Half Up Half Down Hairstyle

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(Image credit: @virginiegrossat)

Straight and sleek hair looks so cool in a half up hairstyle tied high on top of the head.

Up Next, From J.Lo's to Jennifer Aniston's, These '90s Hairstyles Need to Come Back

Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor of Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.

Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards and also contributed to Powder, winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards for her work in beauty journalism.

Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.

When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner.