The Ultimate Summer Hair Trend: Half-up, Half-down

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with our hair, from going all out with unique colours and styles for festival season to simply lightening it for a more ‘summery’ look. 

The downside to summer hair is dealing with the heat. When it's warm outside, as much as we want our hair to look the part, wearing it down can feel overwhelming and irritating. Frizz is also a big summer hair issue for many of us due to the humid weather.

However, it's still possible to have cute hair without feeling overstimulated! The half-up hairstyle is a go-to for many in summer, as it allows part of the hair to be down, making us feel more put together, whilst avoiding the hair getting in our face. 

Half-up styles are a huge summer hair trend for 2026, according to Pinterest Trends. In June, ‘half up hairstyles’ saw a 5,500% month-on-month increase on Pin saves, showing that half-up styles are more popular at this time of year. According to Google search data, searches for ‘half up hairstyles’ have increased by 26% in the past three months. 

Below are some half-up hairstyle inspirations that might become your best friend this summer.

A simple ponytail

Putting half the hair up into a ponytail is the standard version of this style, which is both practical and effortless, perfect for warm weather. If you feel your hair isn’t voluminous enough for this style, you can use clip-in hair extensions to add thickness to the bottom layer, or a clip-in ponytail to make the top layer more dramatic. Add to this look by curling the hair or incorporating hair accessories to create the perfect beer garden-to-bar vibe! 

An effortless, textured bun

Instead of a ponytail, putting the top layer in a bun can work really well and looks just as cute. This style may be better if you have finer hair, as the bun can add fullness, but again, hair extensions can be used for more volume. Make this look more relaxed by opting for a tousled bun, letting small sections of hair drop around the bun.

Beach-ready braids

Braiding the top layer can add a beachy look to this style. You could leave some front pieces out and plait them into micro braids. Alternatively, French-plait the top section, either all the way down, twisting it into a bun, or just plait the start, leaving the rest to go into a ponytail. You could even opt for two plaits in the top layer rather than just one. To elevate the look further, add some hair rings into the plaits for some details, and add a loose wave to the down section for the ultimate beach-ready look.

Accessorised half-up styles

The half-up style can also be enhanced with accessories. Claw clips are already a summer staple for easily clipping our hair out of the way, while still looking effortlessly chic. Claw clips are also ideal for creating half-up styles, simply clipping half up when it starts to become annoying. Opt for patterned or coloured claw clips for added interest. Bandanas are a great accessory to add too. They protect your scalp from the sun and keep hair out of your face, but still look very on trend for beach days and festivals. 

Half-up styles are perfect for summer; they’re practical yet stylish. Whether you’re attending a festival, watching the World Cup in a beer garden, or attending a beach party, this look is extremely versatile.