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Half-up, half-down hairstyles will give you a romantic look. Plus, they keep wavy, thick tresses tamed down. If your hair starts looking messy as the day goes on, no problem -- messy waves are sexy! Half-up 'dos are uber versatile, too. They'll give you simple, no-muss, no-fuss style, or gorgeous locks for a special occasion.
Teased-Up Do with Relaxed Waves
Tease up those top tresses so you have loads of volume at your crown -- as if you don't already. Then grab a chunk of hair from the front and pull it loosely backward over the teased part. Pin it in place, and do the same with other chunks until your front strands are covering the teased tresses. Don't worry about keeping every hair perfectly in place. Finger-comb your waves in the hair that's hanging down, and if you want to define your curl a little more, run them through a big barrel iron.
Side-Swept Updo
Pull those waves up into an uber-romantic side-swept updo that's made for hair with loads of body. But first, get your curling iron. Part your hair at an angle, off to one side. Then use a small barrel iron to create ringlets, or a medium barrel to create slightly larger curls. Now sweep your hair across your forehead and fix your bangs behind your ear, to create a sleek look in the front. Twist chunks of hair from the sides of your head and fix them with pins above and behind your temple, on the side opposite your part. Accent with a fancy barrette or clips.
Messy Bun
Wind your tresses up into a messy bun at your crown, or just below. If you want uber volume, wind your locks around a hairpiece. Your luscious waves will have lots of volume already, though, especially if you wind back one smaller chunk at a time, wrapping them loosely together. Leave some front strands hanging loose, and style the rest of your hair with a big barrel iron or just leave it natural.
Hippie Girl Updo
For that classic hippie look, twist back a chunk of hair from just above each ear, and fasten them in the back with a hair tie. Don't pull back too much hair for this style. Just pulling back these small chunks of hair will keep your locks in line, while letting those thick tresses keep their volume. This 'do looks best with air-dried waves, maybe with a little gel or mousse scrunched in for definition. Accent with a flower tucked behind one ear for a really natural-gal look.
