Let’s be real: holiday magic isn’t just in the air, it’s in the details. Your festive outfit, the perfect red lip, and of course, your hair. Your hair isn’t just hair during the holidays; it’s the final, sparkling accessory, the exclamation point on your entire look.
And as the calendar fills with parties, dinners, and memory-making moments, there’s no better time to elevate your style. You need looks that feel special, confident, and unapologetically you. Enter the perfect holiday hairstyle.
Why Now? The Power of a Festive Hairstyle
Styling your hair for a holiday event is more than just getting ready. It’s a ritual of self-care.
It signals you’re ready to celebrate, to step into the season with joy and confidence. It can be a powerful mood-lif, making you feel polished and put-together instantly, even after a hectic day of gift-wrapping.
Practically? It’s the ultimate outfit-completer, a way to add glamour and personality that turns heads. It’s a style statement, ready for every photo op.
Planning Your Party Look: Finding Your Perfect Holiday Hair
Before you reach for the hairspray, consider your starting point. What’s your hair length and texture? Straight and fine, bouncy and curly, or a chic short cut?
Think about the event’s dress code and your personal comfort level. Are you heading to a cozy family gathering or a glamorous New Year’s Eve bash?
Most importantly, what’s the vibe you’re chasing? Timeless elegance, show-stopping glamour, or playful and festive?
Dive In: 15 Ways to Shine This Christmas
We’ve curated the ultimate edit of holiday hairstyles. Each one offers a distinct energy, ready to align with your festive spirit.
Let these looks inspire your transformation. Imagine the possibilities, screenshot your favorites, and get ready to bring your holiday hair vision to life.
Effortless & Elegant
These looks are the foundation of holiday chic. They are timeless, sophisticated, and prove that sometimes, simplicity makes the biggest statement.
1. The Velvet Bow Ponytail
- Visual Vibes: Classic Christmas romance in a hairstyle. It’s soft, polished, and effortlessly chic, with a touch of luxe texture from the velvet.
- Best For: Medium to long hair, any texture. Perfect for office parties, family dinners, or a sophisticated evening out.
- Styling Secrets: For a sleek look, straighten hair first. For a softer look, create gentle waves. Gather hair into a low ponytail and secure. Wrap a long velvet ribbon around the elastic and tie it into a beautiful, draping bow.
- Festive Flair: Opt for a ribbon in a rich jewel tone like forest green, burgundy, or deep navy to complement your outfit.
2. Polished Hollywood Waves
- Visual Vibes: Red carpet glamour, pure and simple. These structured, glossy waves exude confidence and old-school sophistication. It’s a timeless show-stopper.
- Best For: Shoulder-length to long hair, straight or wavy textures. Ideal for formal events where you want to feel utterly glamorous.
- Styling Secrets: Create a deep side part. Using a 1.5-inch curling iron, curl sections of hair in the same direction. Once cool, gently brush through the curls with a boar bristle brush to form uniform waves. Finish with a high-gloss spray.
- Festive Flair: Add a single, sparkling barrette just above your ear on the side with less hair.
3. The Embellished Headband
- Visual Vibes: Regal, chic, and incredibly easy. It’s giving “Gossip Girl at a holiday gala.” A statement headband instantly elevates any look, with zero effort.
- Best For: Any hair length or texture. This is the perfect solution for when you’re short on time but need high impact.
- Styling Secrets: Style your hair as you normally would—down and wavy, sleek and straight, or even in a low bun. Simply slide a statement headband into place, positioning it about an inch back from your hairline.
- Festive Flair: Choose a headband adorned with pearls, crystals, or plush velvet for maximum holiday vibes.
4. The Chic Chignon
- Visual Vibes: Understated elegance perfected. This low, polished bun is eternally sophisticated, drawing attention to your neckline and earrings. It’s minimalist yet powerful.
- Best For: Medium to long hair. A go-to for formal dinners, black-tie events, or any time you want to look impeccably put-together.
- Styling Secrets: Gather your hair into a low ponytail. Twist the pony until it coils around itself, then pin it securely at the nape of your neck. Smooth any flyaways with a light-hold hairspray.
- Festive Flair: Tuck a sprig of baby’s breath or a small, jeweled pin into the side of the bun for a delicate touch.
5. Sleek High Ponytail
- Visual Vibes: Sharp, powerful, and fiercely modern. This isn’t your gym ponytail; it’s a high-fashion statement that lifts and defines your features.
- Best For: Medium to long straight hair. Amazing for cocktail parties or New Year’s Eve, when you want a look that’s both chic and dance-proof.
- Styling Secrets: Brush hair up to the crown of your head, ensuring there are no bumps. Secure tightly with an elastic. Take a small section of hair from the ponytail, wrap it around the base to hide the elastic, and pin it underneath.
- Festive Flair: Use a shine serum for a liquid-hair effect and add a metallic ponytail cuff for a futuristic touch.
Glamorous & Show-Stopping
These styles are for making an entrance. They play with volume, texture, and sparkle, ensuring you are the main event.
6. The Crystal-Studded Side Part
- Visual Vibes: A celestial goddess at a winter solstice party. This look is pure magic, using tiny hair gems to create a sparkling constellation right in your hair.
- Best For: Any hair length, but especially effective on sleek, straight styles. Perfect for a New Year’s Eve party or any nighttime celebration.
- Styling Secrets: Create a sharp, deep side part. Using eyelash glue and tweezers, carefully place tiny, self-adhesive hair gems along the part line.
- Festive Flair: The gems are the flair! Coordinate their color with your jewelry for a cohesive, dazzling look.
7. The Voluminous High Bun
- Visual Vibes: Ballerina beauty meets red carpet drama. This is a fuller, softer take on the classic bun, creating a statement silhouette that’s both romantic and grand.
- Best For: Long hair with medium to thick density. An unforgettable look for a formal holiday wedding or a glamorous gala.
- Styling Secrets: Pull hair into a high ponytail. Use a hair donut at the base, spreading the ponytail over it and tucking the ends under to create a perfect shape. Gently pull at the bun to add volume and softness.
- Festive Flair: Leave a few face-framing tendrils out and curl them for a soft, romantic finish.
8. The Braided Crown Updo
- Visual Vibes: Ethereal, romantic, and fit for a winter queen. This intricate-looking style is surprisingly achievable and keeps your hair perfectly in place all night.
- Best For: Medium to long hair. Wonderful for Christmas Day celebrations or a romantic winter date night.
- Styling Secrets: Part your hair and create two Dutch or French braids, one on each side. Drape each braid over the top of your head to the opposite side, creating a crown effect. Pin securely.
- Festive Flair: Weave a thin, metallic ribbon into one or both of the braids before you start for a subtle hint of shimmer.
9. Pearl-Adorned Waves
- Visual Vibes: Mermaid-core meets holiday elegance. Soft waves are scattered with delicate pearls, creating a dreamy, enchanting look that’s both trendy and timeless.
- Best For: Any hair length with waves or curls. This adds a special touch to a holiday photoshoot or an artsy cocktail party.
- Styling Secrets: Style your hair into soft, beachy waves. Use small, adhesive-backed pearls and scatter them randomly throughout your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.
- Festive Flair: For a more secure option, find small pearl hair pins or clips and strategically place them to catch the light.
10. The Glam Half-Up, Half-Down
- Visual Vibes: The best of both worlds. This style offers the elegance of an updo with the glamour of long, flowing locks. It’s voluminous, flirty, and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Best For: Medium to long hair. A versatile choice that works for almost any holiday occasion, from casual to formal.
- Styling Secrets: Tease the hair at your crown for volume. Gather the top half of your hair, from your temples back, and secure it with a clear elastic or a decorative clip. Curl the remaining hair for a full, bouncy finish.
- Festive Flair: Use a beautiful, ornate clip—think gold, silver, or crystal—to secure the half-up section.
Playful & Trendy
These looks are fun, festive, and full of personality. They embrace modern trends and add a youthful, celebratory energy to your holiday style.
11. The Bubble Braid Ponytail
- Visual Vibes: Modern, graphic, and effortlessly cool. This segmented ponytail is a high-impact, low-effort style that looks chic and stays put all night.
- Best For: Long, straight, or wavy hair. Perfect for a trendy holiday get-together with friends or a fun New Year’s Eve party.
- Styling Secrets: Pull hair into a high or low ponytail. Place clear elastics every two inches down the length of the pony. Gently pull apart each section to create rounded “bubbles.”
- Festive Flair: Tie a thin, satin ribbon around the base of each bubble for a pop of color and texture.
12. Sparkly Hair Tinsel Strands
- Visual Vibes: You wished upon a star, and it landed in your hair. Hair tinsel adds subtle, fairy-like flashes of light as you move. It’s pure, unadulterated holiday fun.
- Best For: Any hair length or color. Amazing for adding a surprise element of sparkle to your look for any festive event.
- Styling Secrets: Ask your stylist to tie in a few strands of hair tinsel for a look that lasts for weeks, or use clip-in versions for a single night of shimmer. Style your hair as usual.
- Festive Flair: Choose tinsel that complements your hair color—gold and copper for warm tones, silver and iridescent for cool tones.
13. The Flipped-Out Bob with a Barrette
- Visual Vibes: ’60s mod meets modern cool girl. This retro-inspired style is playful and chic, especially on shorter hair, adding movement and personality.
- Best For: Bob or lob-length hair. A super stylish choice for a holiday brunch or a cocktail party.
- Styling Secrets: Use a flat iron to smooth your hair, flipping the ends outwards with a flick of the wrist. Create a deep side part and add a single, statement barrette above your temple.
- Festive Flair: Choose a tortoiseshell or pearl barrette for a classic look, or a brightly colored one for a fun, modern twist.
14. Messy Bun with a Silk Scarf
- Visual Vibes: Effortlessly chic Parisian girl on her way to a holiday market. This look is relaxed yet incredibly stylish, adding a pop of color and pattern.
- Best For: Medium to long hair. Perfect for a more casual Christmas gathering, ice skating, or a festive day out.
- Styling Secrets: Create a loose, messy top knot or low bun. Take a small, square silk scarf and either tie it around the base of the bun or wrap it around your head like a headband.
- Festive Flair: Choose a scarf with a festive pattern or in holiday colors like red, green, or gold.
15. The Double Dutch Braid Pigtails
- Visual Vibes: Cute, sporty, and festively fun. This is a youthful and practical style that’s perfect for an active holiday season.
- Best For: Medium to long hair. Ideal for a Christmas tree farm visit, a gingerbread house decorating party, or a cozy night in.
- Styling Secrets: Part your hair down the middle. Create a Dutch braid (where you cross the strands under instead of over) on each side, braiding all the way to the ends. Secure with clear elastics.
- Festive Flair: Tie small, festive bows at the end of each braid or weave a glittery hair string into the braids for a touch of sparkle.
Accessorize to Mesmerize: Your Holiday Toolkit
The right accessory can instantly elevate a simple style into a holiday masterpiece.
- Velvet & Satin Ribbons: The quintessential holiday texture. Use them for ponytails, braids, or half-up styles.
- Pearl & Crystal Clips: Add instant glamour and a touch of vintage charm. Perfect for pinning back one side or decorating an updo.
- Statement Headbands: An entire look in one piece. Choose plush velvet, knotted satin, or embellished designs.
- Metallic Accents: Gold or silver cuffs, pins, and threads add a modern, festive shine to any hairstyle.
Keep It Brilliant: Holiday Hair Prep & Care
Your hair will shine its brightest with a little prep. Before heat styling, always use a protectant spray. To make your style last through a long night of celebrating, finish with a flexible-hold hairspray.
After the parties are over, give your hair some love. A deep conditioning mask will help restore moisture and shine, getting you ready for the next celebration.
Your Holiday Glow-Up Awaits
This isn’t just about styling your hair. It’s about stepping into the holiday season feeling like the best, most radiant version of you.
Whether you gravitate toward timeless waves, a playful ponytail, or a glamorous updo, this guide is your inspiration for a season of shine. Use it to find a look that makes you feel confident and joyful.
Ready to light up the room? The mirror is waiting. Embrace the festive spirit, turn some heads, and enjoy your brilliant holiday transformation.