Hair How-To: This Criss-Cross Half-Up Hairstyle is Your Party Season Secret Weapon

Party season is upon us, but your holiday hair doesn’t have to involve some complicated situation only a professional can achieve. Half-up hairstyles have long been a babe’s best friend: They look effortlessly pretty for special occasions and just ‘done’ enough. Our current favorite take on the MVP hairstyle? This criss-cross half-up, half-down look that’s sexy, sleek, and surprisingly easy to do at home.

The beauty of this half-up hairstyle from our go-to stylist, Erin Ryser, lies in its clean simplicity. The entire ‘do is held in place with bobby pins, carefully concealed with just a loop and swoop of side hair sections. No really, it’s that easy.

Holiday fetes, New Year’s Eve, weddings, or bridal showers–it’s hard to think of a special event this clever style doesn’t work for. For a pretty party-perfect look you can totally DIY, scroll on. You’ll find instructions and a complete hair tutorial video ahead.

Criss-Cross Half-Up Hairstyle:

1. Spray hair with medium hold hairspray, brush through and curl to achieve loose waves.
2. Gather hair at the crown, pinch to the center, and secure with pins.
3. Gather hair from on side, pull across the back of the head, covering pins, and secure.
4. Gather hair from the other side, pull across the back of the head and loop through.
5. Secure with more pins where needed.

See the full video on Instagram!

Did you try this criss-cross ‘do? We want to see your half-up hairstyles–tag us on Instagram @lulus using #lovelulus!

(Images via Erin Ryser. Model is wearing Adilee Black Embellished Backless Bodycon Dress)

(This post was originally published in April 2014 and has been updated with new content.)