20+ Elegant and Effortless Half-Updos for Medium Hair

Women with medium length hair often find themselves somewhere in between short bobs and long flowing manes. Medium hair that hits around the shoulders can be tricky to style in an elegant, polished way. Half updos are a wonderful solution for dressing up medium hair without having it brushed entirely off the face or neck. Half styles incorporate some hair up and some hair down for a versatile look that flatters many face shapes. Here are some favorite half updo styles perfect for medium hair lengths:

The Twisted Knot

The twisted knot is one of the most popular half updos. It's universally flattering and can be worn casually or for dressier occasions. To create this look, start by parting your hair down the center.

Gather the hair from both sides at the back of your head into a low ponytail or twist, securing it with an elastic or bobby pin. Then, twist the two sections together and twist into a loose knot shape before pinning it into place. Let the ends hang down naturally.

Use your fingers to tease and shape the knot foradded dimension and ensure all bobby pins are hidden. A few face-framing tendrils left out in front soften the look. Spray hairspray all over for long-lasting hold. This twisted knot half updo looks elegant yet effortless for medium hair. It can be dressed up with sparkly hair accessories or worn casually with a denim jacket.

The Messy Bun

Taking inspiration from on-trend messy buns seen all over Pinterest and Instagram, a half messy bun makes medium hair look purposefully undone. Start with texturized hair for maximum volume and hold.

Loosely gather the hair from both sides of your head and secure it in a low ponytail or bun shape at the nape of your neck. Let some strands fall freely around the bun for an imperfect finish.

Set in place with heavy-duty elastic bands twisted a few times or overlapping bobby pins which won't be visible. Fluff out the bun with your fingers to loosen any tight surfaces. A few face-framing pieces can be left down or curled with a flat iron to frame your face. Spritz with hairspray and admire your effortlessly cool half up look! This style is ideal for low-maintenance days or pairing with simple outfits for a laidback aesthetic.

Half Braided Updos

Braids are universally flattering and customizable for any hair length. Try a half braided style for medium hair that stays chic yet comfortable. Start with clean, dry hair and section it in the usual way, leaving about 1/3 hanging down on one side.

Then neatly braid the hair from the other side, taking the braid up and over the head like a headband. Pin the braid securely at the back of the head or even wrap it into a low bun shape.

Let the loose ends hang naturally to soften the look. Face-framing pieces can be curled or worn down straight. Set with hairspray for a more refined half up braided style. For variation, french braid the hair instead of a typical three-strand braid.

Experiment with braiding the hair coming from the back to the front and pinning it over in an X shape instead of around the head. Braided half updos are sophisticated yet practically effortless.

The Side Knot

Channel bohemian vibes with this artsy half updo. Begin by parting hair to one side, keeping about 1/3 hanging down. For the hair on the other side, loosely gather it into a low side ponytail. Twist the ponytail into a messy knotted bun shape near your temple. Use multiple pins criss-crossed and hidden to secure the not-too-tidy knot.

Let strands fall out naturally for an undone effect. Consider stringing beads, ribbon or dried flowers through the knot for extra charm.

Wispy bangs and sideswept pieces complement the look. Finish with a texturizing spray or gel to set the "undone" texture. For a dressed down version, pin the messy knot looser with less pins showing for true boho flair. This half up style infuses medium hair with carefree spirit!

The Half Ponytail

Easiest of all, the classic half ponytail is among the most universally flattering half updo options. Part hair down the center and gather the top layer from one side into a low ponytail secured midway down your head with an elastic. Let the remaining hair fall freely, winding under the ponytail for polished separation.

Leave front pieces down to frame your face. Consider braiding the ponytail strands tightly all the way down or twisting them loosely for variation. Spray the style to reinforce the hold. For a finish, accentuate the low ponytail with a scrunchie, ribbon or decorative elastic to take the easy look up a notch. The half ponytail never goes out of style and looks polished yet practical for medium hair.

Final Touches

When styling any half updo for medium hair, remember to use the right products to reinforce hold without making hair stiff or sticky. Soft hold hairsprays, creams or gels work better than hard crunchy ones. Using multiple bobby pins hidden well secures styles throughout the day. Leave face framing pieces down unless you intend to curl them. Consider adding hair accessories like ribbons, barrettes or hair sticks for flair. Most importantly, have fun experimenting with half updos to find your favorites for versatile medium hair!