The simplest hair trends are often the chicest. While the Met Gala 2026 brought forth some interesting headdresses and accessories via the Costume Art theme, wearable hairstyles stole the show. Half-up, half-down updos, in particular, were spotted on numerous A-listers, from Zoë Kravitz to British Vogue cover star, Charli XCX and Amanda Seyfried. The best thing about the hairstyle is how polished it looks with minimal effort – plus it looks divine on all hair textures.
A breeze to master, the half updo is all about “the angle at which you lift the hair away from the face,” Frankie Pullen, stylist at Larry King Marylebone, previously shared with British Vogue. Always begin by brushing out your hair to eliminate any knots, and then decide how high you’d like the updo to sit. For a lifted, “snatched” look, use the tips of your ears as a guide and sweep your hair backwards, securing it with a few hair ties.
When it comes to selecting the parting, there are endless options. A free, backcombed parting, like Charli XCX and Seyfried’s, gently pushes your hair out of your face, which not only puts any evening glam on full display but can be more comfortable for longer events and daytime excursions. Kravitz often wears her tumbling micro braids in a floaty middle parting and obscured it slightly for an ethereal touch at the 2026 Met Gala, with the front few wispy curls framing her forehead and cheekbones.
With wedding season in full swing, the half-up, half-down is ideal to bookmark and share with your hairstylist. Easy to elevate, popular iterations of the style include adorning the ponytail with flowers and dainty clips, or twisting a bun into a braided pattern. One styling trick is universal: the finish can make all the difference. Sleek, smooth roots will always make the style feel sophisticated and romantic at the same time, which The Princess of Wales, another notable proponent of the style, knows very well.
Read More: Met Gala 2026 Red Carpet
