10 Gorgeous Christmas Hairstyles for Every Party
Ten gorgeous Christmas hairstyles — velvet bows, sparkling updos, glam waves, and more — that last through every party, dinner, and photo.
In this article · 11
- 1\. Velvet Bow Half-Up Twist
- 2\. Sleek Low Chignon With Crystal Pins
- 3\. Hollywood Glam Waves
- 4\. High Party Ponytail With Wrapped Base
- 5\. Braided Crown With Ribbon
- 6\. Textured Top Knot With Sparkle Comb
- 7\. Defined Curls With Gold Clips
- 8\. Sleek Glass-Shine Bob With Jeweled Barrette
- 9\. Loose Side Braid With Velvet Ribbon
- 10\. Finger Waves With a Deep Side Part
- Narrowing Down Your Perfect Christmas Hairstyle
Christmas hair has to do three jobs at once: look festive in photos, survive a warm crowded room, and still look good at midnight. The styles that manage it share two traits: the hair is anchored in more than one place, so no single pin carries the whole style, and there is exactly one statement accessory, so the look reads elegant instead of costume. Every style on this list takes 20 minutes or less, uses supplies you probably already own, and holds from the first toast to the last dance. Pick by hair length first, party type second, and outfit third.
1. Velvet Bow Half-Up Twist
The velvet bow half-up twist is the fastest way to look Christmas-ready, because the bow does the festive work. Take a section from each temple, twist each one back, cross them at the crown, and pin. Then tie a wide velvet bow over the join. The two twists act as a headband made of your own hair, so the front stays tidy, while the length underneath keeps the look soft. A deep red or forest green bow reads festive against any hair color.
You will need: 3 to 4 bobby pins, one wide velvet bow or ribbon. Works on medium to long hair, straight to wavy. Total time: 10 minutes.
Styling tip: twist each side before pinning, not after — the twist gives the pins something to grip. Pin where the twists cross, not just at the ends, or the crown will loosen as you move. Keep the bow at the crown, not the nape, so it shows in photos.
2. Sleek Low Chignon With Crystal Pins
The sleek low chignon is the most elegant style on this list, and the crystal pins are its jewelry. Brush the hair smooth, gather it into a low ponytail at the nape, twist it loosely, coil it flat against the head, and pin it in a ring. The flat coil is the mechanism: it spreads the weight across the whole nape instead of hanging from one elastic, so the style does not slide down over a long evening. Scatter three or four crystal pins through the coil for sparkle that catches the light.
You will need: one hair tie, 4 to 6 bobby pins, 3 to 4 crystal pins. Works on medium to long hair. Total time: 15 minutes.
Styling tip: build the chignon on second-day hair or with a little dry shampoo at the roots — clean, slippery hair slides out of pins. Cross two bobby pins in an X over each coil section for a grip that holds through dinner and dancing.
3. Hollywood Glam Waves
Hollywood glam waves are the classic down style for Christmas, because brushed-out waves photograph like old film. Curl all the hair in the same direction with a large-barrel iron, let every curl cool completely, then brush through gently with a soft-bristle brush. The cooling step is the mechanism: curls set as they cool, so untouched curls hold their shape for hours, while curls brushed out while still warm fall flat by dessert. A deep side part adds the drama.
You will need: a large-barrel curling iron, a soft-bristle brush, flexible-hold hairspray. Works on medium to long hair. Total time: 20 minutes.
Styling tip: curl on hair with heat protectant and a light mousse worked through it — the mousse gives fine hair something to hold. Pin each curl up as you finish it and release them all at the end, so every curl gets the same cooling time.
4. High Party Ponytail With Wrapped Base
The high party ponytail is the best dance-floor-proof style on this list, because nothing touches your neck. Brush the hair up high, secure it firmly, then wrap a strand of hair around the elastic and pin it underneath. The wrapped strand is the mechanism: it hides the elastic completely, so the ponytail reads polished instead of gym-ready, and the pin underneath keeps the wrap from sliding. Add one sparkle clip at the base if the outfit is plain.
You will need: one strong hair tie, 2 bobby pins, one sparkle clip if desired. Works on any hair long enough for a ponytail. Total time: 10 minutes.
Styling tip: flip your head upside down and brush upward to get the ponytail high and smooth in one pass. For extra volume, backcomb the ponytail lightly at the crown before smoothing the top layer over it.
5. Braided Crown With Ribbon
The braided crown with ribbon is the softest festive style here, and the ribbon is what makes it Christmas. Take a section from each temple, braid each one loosely with a thin ribbon woven through, then cross them over the crown and pin. The two braids act as a headband made of your own hair, so the front stays tidy without a single tight pull. A red or gold ribbon woven through the braids reads festive from across the room.
You will need: two small clear elastics, 3 to 4 bobby pins, one thin ribbon. Works on medium to long hair. Total time: 15 to 20 minutes.
Styling tip: braid each side loosely and tug the braid edges outward before pinning — the pancaking makes thin braids look twice as full. Weave the ribbon through after braiding, not during, so it sits on top of the braid where it shows.
6. Textured Top Knot With Sparkle Comb
The textured top knot is the best choice if your Christmas involves cooking, hosting, and then a party, because it keeps every strand off your face and neck. Gather the hair high, twist it loosely, coil it into a knot, and pin. The looseness is the mechanism: a loosely coiled knot has texture and volume, while a tight one looks severe, and the texture gives the pins something to grip. Slide a sparkle comb into the front of the knot for the party part.
You will need: one hair tie, 4 to 6 bobby pins, one sparkle comb. Works on medium to long hair, straight to curly. Total time: 10 minutes.
Styling tip: build the knot on hair with texture spray worked through it — slick hair slides out of pins. Pull a few soft pieces loose around the face after pinning, so the knot reads relaxed instead of scraped back.
7. Defined Curls With Gold Clips
Defined curls with gold clips are the curly-hair answer to Christmas, because they add the festive part without fighting the curl pattern. Refresh the curls with a water mist and a scrunch of curl cream, let them dry, then pin one side back with two or three gold clips. The clips are the mechanism: they hold the front tidy and add sparkle, while the curls themselves do the rest of the styling. See our curly hair haircuts roundup for cuts that make this style easier.
You will need: curl cream, 2 to 3 gold clips. Works on curly and coily hair, medium to long. Total time: 10 minutes.
Styling tip: finger-comb only, never brush, before clipping — brushing breaks the curl pattern and causes frizz. If the room is steamy, refresh with a water mist and a scrunch an hour before photos, not right after cooking.
8. Sleek Glass-Shine Bob With Jeweled Barrette
The sleek glass-shine bob is short hair at its most party-ready, because shine and direction do all the work. Flat-iron the bob smooth in sections, work a pea-sized drop of shine serum through the ends, then clip one side back with a jeweled barrette. The single barrette is the mechanism: one statement piece reads deliberate and elegant, while two competing pieces read costume. See our bob haircut guide for the cut underneath this style.
You will need: a flat iron, shine serum, one jeweled barrette. Works on bobs and lobs, straight to wavy. Total time: 15 minutes.
Styling tip: iron in small sections and let each one cool before moving on — the cooling sets the sleek finish. Tuck the barrette side behind the ear first, then clip, so the barrette holds tucked hair instead of fighting loose hair.
9. Loose Side Braid With Velvet Ribbon
The loose side braid with velvet ribbon is the most relaxed style on this list, and the side placement is what makes it practical. Sweep all the hair over one shoulder, braid it loosely, tie the end with a clear elastic, and tie a velvet ribbon over the elastic. The side placement keeps the braid visible in photos and off your back under a coat. The looseness is the mechanism: a loose braid looks thick and soft, while a tight braid looks severe and shows every uneven section.
You will need: one small elastic, one velvet ribbon. Works on medium to long hair. Total time: 10 minutes.
Styling tip: braid loosely and tug the edges outward when you finish — the pancaking makes the braid look twice as thick. Tie the ribbon over the elastic, then roll the elastic once under the braid so it does not show in photos.
10. Finger Waves With a Deep Side Part
Finger waves are the vintage glamour option, and they suit anyone who wants a Christmas look with no accessories at all. Work styling gel through damp hair, comb it into S-shaped waves with your fingers and a fine-tooth comb, clip each wave in place, and let the hair dry completely before removing the clips. The drying step is the mechanism: waves set as they dry, so clipped waves hold their shape for hours, while waves released while still damp fall flat. A deep side part adds the drama.
You will need: strong-hold styling gel, a fine-tooth comb, 6 to 8 wave clips. Works on short to medium hair, straight to wavy. Total time: 20 minutes plus drying time.
Styling tip: set the waves the night before or an hour ahead — rushing the drying is the only way this style fails. Keep the waves on one side of the part only, and smooth the other side flat, so the style reads intentional instead of unfinished.
Narrowing Down Your Perfect Christmas Hairstyle
Start from the party, not the photo. Formal dinner or office party: the sleek low chignon with crystal pins or the Hollywood glam waves, because both read polished under lights. Dancing all night: the high party ponytail or the textured top knot, because nothing touches your neck. Cooking and hosting first: the top knot or the velvet bow half-up twist, because both take ten minutes and keep hair completely off your face. Curly hair: defined curls with gold clips. Short hair: the sleek glass-shine bob with a jeweled barrette, or finger waves if you want vintage glamour.
Whatever you pick, do the trial run the day before, pack two bobby pins and a spare elastic for repairs, and remember the rule that makes every one of these work: anchor first, decorate second. Build the hold, add the one accessory, and the style will still look like the photo when midnight arrives.
More seasonal looks in Occasion Hair.
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