Christmas Hairstyles That Last All Party Long

Christmas hairstyles that last all party long, from glossy waves and velvet bow ponytails to braided buns and half-up styles, with prep tips that keep them in place.

The holiday season is full of parties, dinners and family photos, and that means plenty of reasons to do something special with your hair. The best Christmas hairstyles look festive but also hold up through hugs, dancing, cooking and hours of wear. These ideas are easy enough to do yourself, work for different hair lengths and stay put from the first toast to the last song.

Prep: the secret to hair that lasts

Before any party style, a little preparation goes a long way.

• Start with second-day hair if you can. Freshly washed hair is slippery and lets curls drop.
• Use a heat protectant if you are curling or straightening.
• Add texture. A texture spray or dry shampoo at the roots gives grip for pins and elastics.
• Let curls cool before touching them. Pin each curl up while it cools for longer-lasting waves.
• Finish with flexible hairspray, which holds without making hair stiff.

Christmas hairstyles for long hair

Glossy Hollywood waves

Curl hair in large sections away from the face, let it cool, then brush out gently with a wide brush for soft, glamorous waves. Pin one side back with a sparkly clip. Perfect for formal parties.

Velvet bow low ponytail

A sleek low ponytail with an oversized velvet bow in red, emerald or black. Elegant, quick and very on trend. Our guide to hair bow hairstyles has more bow ideas.

Half-up twist

Twist two sections from each side of the head, pin them together at the back and curl the rest. Add pearl pins for a festive touch.

Braided crown

Braid around the head like a halo. It keeps hair out of your face and looks magical with a few tiny star pins.

Christmas hairstyles for medium hair

Textured low bun

Loosely curl, then twist into a low bun, leaving face-framing pieces out. Pull a few strands loose for softness.

Double braid bun

Two French braids twisted into a bun at the nape. It holds for hours, so it is ideal for a long day of family gatherings.

Sleek tucked bob or lob

Straighten and tuck behind the ears, then add a statement barrette. Simple and chic.

Bubble ponytail

Make a ponytail, then add elastics every few centimetres and gently pull each section wider. Fun and festive, especially with a ribbon.

Christmas hairstyles for short hair

Side-swept with a sparkly clip

Part deeply on one side and pin the shorter side behind the ear with a jewelled clip.

Glossy slicked back

Comb a light gel through and slick hair back for an editorial party look.

Mini braids

Two small braids along the hairline, pinned behind the ears, add detail to short cuts.

Textured waves

Use a flat iron to make bends in short hair, then rough it up with texture spray.

Accessories for Christmas hairstyles

Accessories make any simple style feel festive:

• Velvet and satin bows
• Pearl pins and clips
• Jewelled barrettes
• Velvet headbands
• Sprigs of faux holly or tiny ornaments (for fun parties)
• Metallic hair ties

Keep accessories in one colour family so they look elegant.

Hairstyles for Christmas Day itself

Christmas Day is often long and busy, with cooking, children, gift opening and lots of photos. Choose something that lasts and does not need touching up. Braids, low buns and half-up styles are ideal. If you want waves, curl the night before and sleep on a silk pillowcase, then refresh in the morning.

Hairstyles that survive a party

If you are dancing or going from dinner to a party, choose updos and braids over loose curls. Use two elastics on heavy ponytails and cross your bobby pins in an X for extra hold. Bring a small kit: a few pins, a mini hairspray and a small comb.

Matching hair to your outfit

• High neckline: an updo or ponytail shows off the neckline.
• Off-shoulder or strapless: loose waves or a half-up style.
• Sequins or lots of sparkle: keep hair simple and sleek.
• Simple dress: let the hair be the statement, with a bow or accessory.

Quick five-minute options

Running late? Try:

1. A sleek low ponytail with a bow.
2. A claw-clip twist with a few loose pieces.
3. Hair tucked behind the ears with a velvet headband.
4. A messy bun with a sparkly pin.

Planning your holiday hair

With so many events in December, it helps to plan your hair around your calendar.

• Office party: a sleek low bun or polished ponytail.
• Family dinner: soft waves or a half-up style with a bow.
• Christmas morning: an easy braid or claw clip twist.
• New Year's Eve: glamorous waves, a high ponytail or sparkly accessories.

Prep for holiday hair

Second-day hair holds styles better than freshly washed hair. If you must wash on the day, use a texturising spray or dry shampoo to add grip.

Use heat protectant and a light hairspray. Bring bobby pins in your bag for touch-ups.

Accessories

Accessories make a hairstyle feel festive instantly:

• Velvet bows in red, green or black.
• Pearl clips.
• Glitter barrettes.
• Satin headbands.
• Gold hair cuffs for braids.

Holiday hair for short hair

Short hair can be just as festive. Try sleek tucked styles with a jewelled clip, soft waves with a side part or a velvet headband.

Step by step: the velvet bow half-up

This is one of the easiest festive styles and works on almost any length.

1. Curl or wave your hair loosely, or use leftover waves from the day before.
2. Take a section from the temples back to the crown.
3. Secure it at the back of the head with a small clear elastic.
4. Gently pull the top for volume.
5. Clip a velvet bow over the elastic.
6. Pull out a couple of face-framing strands.

It takes about five minutes and looks polished in photos.

Step by step: the twisted low bun

1. Part your hair in the middle or to the side.
2. Twist each front section back toward the nape.
3. Gather everything into a low ponytail.
4. Twist the ponytail and coil it into a bun.
5. Pin with crossed bobby pins and finish with hairspray.

Add a pearl clip or a sprig of faux berries for a Christmas touch.

Key takeaways

Plan styles around your events and keep bobby pins handy.

One last tip

Do a quick trial run of your chosen style a few days before the event. Note which pins and products you used, how long it took and how well it held, so you can repeat it confidently on the night without any last-minute surprises.

FAQ

What is the easiest Christmas hairstyle?

A low ponytail with a velvet or satin bow. It takes about five minutes.

How do I keep my curls from falling out at a party?

Start with second-day hair, use a heat protectant with hold, pin curls while they cool and finish with hairspray.

What hairstyles are best for Christmas photos?

Soft waves, half-up styles and polished low buns all photograph beautifully.

Christmas hairstyles should make you feel festive and confident without needing constant fixing. Choose a style that suits your hair length and the day ahead, add a little sparkle, and enjoy the celebrations.

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Some posts may contain affiliate links; see our disclosure. Photography: Javier Flores; Nastyysha Shvedovaa; Kissa; Adrienne Andersen; Miguel Rodríguez; Ali Pazani via Pexels.