32 Christmas Hairstyles for a Festive Holiday Look
Photo: styleyourbeauty.com
Christmas hairstyles are the finishing touch that turns a nice outfit into a holiday look. Whether you are hosting Christmas dinner, dressing up for the office party, or sitting for the family photo you will look at all year, the right hairstyle does half the work before you have even picked your earrings. The good news: almost every look on this list is built on simple skills — a twist, a braid, a well-placed bow — dressed up with one festive detail.
Below are 32 Christmas hairstyles for every hair length and texture: glossy glam waves, braided crowns, velvet-bow ponytails, jeweled updos, and easy short-hair ideas, plus heat-free options for busy days. Every idea comes with exact wording to use with your stylist, so you can recreate the photo instead of just admiring it.
1. Old Hollywood Glam Curls
Photo: instyluxe.com
Big, glossy curls swept to one side are the definition of holiday red-carpet hair. The uniform curl pattern catches the light with every turn of your head, and the deep side sweep keeps the look soft instead of severe. It is the hairstyle that makes a plain black dress look like a designer gown.
Best for: medium to long hair; all face shapes, especially oval and heart.
Styling tip: curl everything in the same direction with a medium barrel, let the curls cool completely, then brush through once for that sculpted wave pattern. A drop of shine serum on the ends finishes it.
Ask your stylist: “Old Hollywood curls with a deep side part — brushed out into glossy, uniform waves, not separate ringlets.”
2. Sleek Low Bun with Pearl Pins
Photo: hairstylepicks.com
A glass-smooth low bun is the quiet luxury option: nothing to fall out of place between the first toast and the last dance. Slide two or three pearl pins along the bun and the simplest updo in this list suddenly looks like it came from a bridal atelier.
Best for: straight to wavy hair; medium to long lengths; anyone who wants a polished, no-fuss finish.
Styling tip: smooth hair with a boar-bristle brush as you gather it — the brush, not gel, is what gives that expensive-looking shine. Cross two bobby pins under the bun to lock it.
Ask your stylist: “a sleek low bun at the nape, center part, no loose pieces — polished but not tight.”
3. Half-Up Waves with a Velvet Bow
Photo: boldhairstyles.com
Half-up waves give you the best of both worlds: hair off your face for photos, soft length flowing down your back. The velvet bow is the whole Christmas story in one accessory — rich, tactile, and instantly festive against loose waves.
Best for: medium to long hair; wavy or curled textures; romantic and vintage-inspired outfits.
Styling tip: take the top section from temple to temple, twist it once before clipping so the bow sits on a little lift instead of flat against the head.
Ask your stylist: “soft waves with the top section pulled back — leave me enough height at the crown for a bow clip.”
4. High Ponytail Wrapped in Red Ribbon
Photo: viralhairstyle.com
A high, bouncy ponytail is pure energy, and wrapping the base in red ribbon turns a gym staple into a Christmas statement. The ribbon does double duty: it hides the elastic and adds the pop of holiday color your outfit might be missing.
Best for: long hair (or a ponytail extension); straight, wavy, or blown-out textures.
Styling tip: tilt your head back while gathering the ponytail — it keeps the underside tight and lift high. Tie the ribbon in a small bow at the front of the base so it shows in photos.
Ask your stylist: “a high ponytail with volume at the crown and a smooth, snatched base I can wrap with ribbon.”
5. The Classic Crown Braid
Photo: homesoothed.com
A braid that circles the head like a wreath is quite literally Christmas in hairstyle form. It keeps every strand off your face and shoulders, survives wind, hugs, and dancing, and looks more intricate than it is — one continuous Dutch braid, pinned where it meets.
Best for: medium to long hair; thicker hair holds the shape best; works beautifully with statement earrings.
Styling tip: start the braid behind one ear and work around, keeping your hands close to the head for a snug, even circle. Gently pancake the outer edge for a fuller crown.
Ask your stylist: “a Dutch crown braid all the way around, ends tucked and pinned invisibly.”
6. Low Twisted Bun with Crystal Gem Pins
Photo: toppik.com
Two loose twists rolled into a low bun, finished with crystal pins that catch candlelight at the dinner table. This is the updo for anyone who finds sleek styles too strict — the texture is soft, the gems do the glamorous talking.
Best for: medium to long hair; fine hair especially, since twisting adds visible fullness.
Styling tip: twist in opposite directions on each side so the bun looks balanced, and place the gem pins in a scattered cluster rather than a straight line.
Ask your stylist: “a low twisted bun with soft texture — not too neat — and room for decorative pins.”
7. Elegant French Twist with Crystal Pins
Photo: styleyourbeauty.com
The French twist is the most grown-up updo on this list: vertical, architectural, and endlessly elegant with a velvet dress or a tailored suit. A line of crystal pins up the seam turns it into evening jewelry for your hair.
Best for: medium to long hair; straight to wavy textures; formal Christmas dinners and galas.
Styling tip: backcomb the crown lightly before rolling so the twist has a spine to grip. Roll upward, not sideways, and pin the seam in an X pattern for all-night hold.
Ask your stylist: “a classic French twist, smooth on the outside, pinned up the seam — leave the top soft, not sprayed stiff.”
8. Side-Swept Vintage Curls
Photo: dailyhairflow.com
These glossy, uniform curls swept over one shoulder channel 1940s screen sirens — the most timeless party hair there is. The deep side part creates instant volume at the root, so even fine hair looks thick and deliberate.
Best for: medium to long hair; straight to wavy hair that holds a curl; vintage or minimalist dresses.
Styling tip: set the curls with clips while they cool — ten patient minutes here is the difference between waves that last one hour and waves that last all night.
Ask your stylist: “vintage waves, all curled one way, deep side part, brushed into smooth S-shapes.”
9. Textured Low Bun with a Berry Hairpiece
Photo: ayhairstyle.com
A softly textured low bun becomes a Christmas centerpiece with one berry-and-pine hairpiece tucked above it. The colors do the festive work, so the styling itself stays easy — gather, twist, pin, decorate.
Best for: medium to long hair; works on slightly wavy or second-day hair best.
Styling tip: leave two face-framing strands out before you pin the bun, then curl just those — it keeps the look romantic instead of severe.
Ask your stylist: “a textured low bun with loose pieces around the face — and leave space above the bun for a hairpiece.”
10. Voluminous Side Fishtail Braid
Photo: ayhairstyle.com
A fishtail braid pulled wide and worn over one shoulder reads expensive and effortless at the same time. The pulled-out edges catch the light like ribbon, and the style actually looks better as the night goes on and it loosens.
Best for: long hair; thick hair shows the fishtail pattern best; one-shoulder and off-shoulder outfits.
Styling tip: braid snugly first, then pancake section by section from the bottom up. A light mist of texture spray before braiding gives fine hair the grip it needs.
Ask your stylist: “a loose fishtail braid worn to the side — show me how to pull it out for volume without it falling apart.”
11. Textured Bob with a Festive Velvet Hairband
Photo: favoritehairstyles.com
Short hair needs exactly one thing to be Christmas-ready: the right hairband. A padded velvet band in deep green or burgundy over loose bob waves is festive, comfortable, and takes four seconds to put on — no pins, no spray, no salon.
Best for: bobs and lobs; straight to wavy textures; busy hosts who need a five-minute look.
Styling tip: add one bend of a curling wand through the front sections only, and push the hairband back an inch from the hairline so the waves frame your face.
Ask your stylist: “keep my bob textured and piecey — I style it with headbands, so leave the top lengths long enough to sit under one.”
12. Platinum Pixie Bob with a Side-Swept Fringe
Photo: artfasad.com
A pixie bob in icy platinum is a Christmas look all by itself — the color does what accessories do for everyone else. The long side-swept fringe keeps it soft and feminine, and a sparkly earring finishes what the short length shows off.
Best for: short hair; fine to medium textures; anyone already wearing or planning a pixie bob.
Styling tip: blow-dry the fringe forward and then sweep it across while it is still warm; it will hold the direction all evening with just a pea of matte wax.
Ask your stylist: “a pixie bob with a long, sweepy fringe and soft texture — icy blonde if my hair can take the lift.”
13. Voluminous Curly Updo with Pine and Berry Accents
Photo: hairstyleay.com
Natural curls piled high and dressed with real pine sprigs and berries — this is the showstopper of the list. The volume is all yours; the greenery just frames it. It photographs like a winter editorial and needs surprisingly little product.
Best for: curly and coily hair; medium to long lengths; statement Christmas Day looks.
Styling tip: pin curls up in sections rather than gathering everything at once, and add the greenery last with U-pins so it sits on the curls, not crushed under them.
Ask your stylist: “a high curly updo with my natural texture — volume on top, pinned loosely so the curls stay defined.”
14. Voluminous Half-Up with Loose Curls
Photo: hairstyleay.com
A teased crown, a gathered top section, and a waterfall of loose curls: this is the hairstyle of every Christmas movie heroine. The height at the crown balances the length below, and it flatters rounder faces beautifully.
Best for: long hair; wavy or curled textures; anyone who wants glamour without a full updo.
Styling tip: tease the crown in three small sections and smooth only the very top layer over it — that is how the volume looks soft instead of messy.
Ask your stylist: “half-up with real crown volume and loose curls through the lengths — smooth on top, big underneath.”
15. Chic Low Bun with a Deep Side Part
Photo: trendygirlsstyle.com
The deep side part is doing quiet magic here: it adds asymmetry and lift to a simple low bun, making it look styled rather than just tied back. This is the one to pick with a high-neck dress or bold earrings.
Best for: straight to wavy hair; medium to long lengths; minimal, modern outfits.
Styling tip: part the hair on the opposite side to your natural part for instant root lift, and smooth a drop of oil over the part line for that clean, glossy finish.
Ask your stylist: “a low bun with a deep side part — sleek through the top, soft at the bun.”
16. Voluminous Glam Blowout
Photo: trendygirlsstyle.com
A bouncy salon blowout is the hairstyle equivalent of a cashmere sweater: simple, expensive-looking, and right for every single Christmas event on your calendar. Big brushed-out layers move when you move, which is exactly what party photos love.
Best for: medium to long hair; layered cuts show the bounce best; all textures that blow out smooth.
Styling tip: dry in sections over a large round brush, pin each section to cool, and only brush out at the very end. Finish with a wide-tooth comb, never a brush, to keep the volume.
Ask your stylist: “a layered blowout with maximum bounce — face-framing layers that flick out at the ends.”
17. Dutch Braid Melted into a Fishtail
Photo: woman.mozcrew.com
Two braids in one hairstyle: a Dutch braid along the crown that melts into a fishtail down the back. It is intricate without a single accessory, stays put through dinner and dancing, and looks just as good from the back as the front.
Best for: long hair; medium to thick textures; backless and low-back outfits.
Styling tip: keep the Dutch section tight and the fishtail loose — the contrast between the two textures is what makes the style read as intentional.
Ask your stylist: “a Dutch braid on top flowing into a fishtail — tight at the crown, relaxed through the tail.”
18. Twisted Half-Up with a Bow Clip
Photo: ayhairstyle.com
Two simple twists pinned at the back with a bow clip: five minutes, zero heat, endlessly pretty. This is the hairstyle to keep in your pocket for the party you forgot was tonight.
Best for: medium to long hair; all textures; last-minute plans and low-effort days.
Styling tip: twist the sections away from your face and cross them over each other before clipping — the cross keeps the bow from sliding down.
Ask your stylist: “show me a twisted half-up I can do myself — and cut my layers so the twists sit smoothly.”
19. Sleek Bubble Ponytail
Photo: dailyhairflow.com
The bubble ponytail is playful, modern, and secretly practical: the segmented bubbles keep long hair controlled while looking like you spent an hour on it. Add small velvet ties at each segment for a Christmas upgrade.
Best for: long hair; straight to wavy textures; younger, playful party looks and long nights out.
Styling tip: tease each section gently before tying the next elastic — the puff between ties is what makes the bubble shape read clearly.
Ask your stylist: “a high, sleek ponytail I can section into bubbles — smooth at the base, no flyaways.”
20. Jeweled Braided Updo with Snowflake Pins
Photo: femmecrown.com
A braided updo scattered with snowflake and pearl pins, worn in front of a lit Christmas tree — it does not get more festive than this. The pins follow the braid like frost, and the whole style holds for hours because the braid does the structural work.
Best for: medium to long hair; braid-friendly textures; Christmas Eve and formal celebrations.
Styling tip: braid first, pin second: weave the braid, secure it fully, and only then place the jeweled pins along its path so none of them carry any weight.
Ask your stylist: “a braided updo with a smooth crown — I will be adding jeweled pins along the braid.”
21. Half-Up Bun with a Red-and-White Bow
Photo: trendiesthair.com
A small top bun, flowing lengths, and a candy-cane bow: this one is unapologetically cheerful. It suits the family Christmas photo as much as the office party, and younger wearers love it.
Best for: medium to long hair; straight to wavy textures; fun, casual festive gatherings.
Styling tip: make the bun from just the crown section and keep it slightly messy — a too-perfect bun fights with the playful bow.
Ask your stylist: “a half-up top bun with soft lengths — keep the front pieces long enough to frame my face.”
22. Low Ponytail Tied with a Velvet Ribbon
Photo: boldhairstyles.com
The low ponytail is the most wearable style on this list, and a velvet ribbon at the base is all it needs for Christmas. Smooth, swishy, and off your neck while you cook, host, and celebrate.
Best for: medium to long hair; straight hair shows the ribbon best; hosts and cooks who need hair fully away.
Styling tip: wrap a strand of hair around the elastic first, then tie the ribbon over it — the ribbon stays put and the finish looks tailored.
Ask your stylist: “a smooth low ponytail with a glossy finish — I wear it tied with ribbon, so keep the ends blunt and healthy.”
23. Romantic Curly Half-Up with a Festive Accent
Photo: ayhairstyle.com
Soft curls gathered loosely at the back with a hint of festive sparkle: the romantic option for candlelit dinners. Because the gathering is loose, your natural curl pattern stays the star.
Best for: curly and wavy hair; medium to long lengths; date nights and Christmas dinners.
Styling tip: gather with your fingers, never a brush, and pin in an X at the back — brushing breaks the curl pattern you are trying to show off.
Ask your stylist: “a loose curly half-up — pinned, not tied, so my curls keep their shape.”
24. Retro Hollywood Waves with a Deep Side Part
Photo: glamourcorner.net
Sculpted retro waves, a red lip, and a room full of warm light: some looks never stop working. These waves are more structured than the brushed-out glam curls at the top of this list — each S-bend is deliberate, glossy, and evening-only elegant.
Best for: medium to long hair; hair that holds heat styling well; galas, balls, and black-tie Christmas events.
Styling tip: clip each wave into its S-shape while it cools and do not touch it for fifteen minutes. One careful brush-through at the end connects the waves.
Ask your stylist: “retro waves with a deep side part — defined S-bends, high shine, no frizz.”
25. Tucked-In Low Bun with Decorative Pins
Photo: trendiesthair.com
Hair rolled and tucked into a low bun creates that smooth, swirled finish you see in classic portraits. Two decorative pins at the side keep it from reading too plain, and the tucked shape hides the pins doing the work.
Best for: medium to long hair; straight to wavy textures; traditional and formal family celebrations.
Styling tip: roll the ponytail upward and tuck it under itself in small sections, pinning as you go — one big roll rarely stays smooth.
Ask your stylist: “a tucked low bun, smooth and classic — show me the pinning pattern so I can redo it.”
26. Rounded Textured Bun
Photo: hairtical.com
A rounded, softly textured bun sits a little higher and feels a little younger than the classic low bun. The texture keeps it from looking severe, and the round silhouette is flattering in profile photos.
Best for: medium to long hair; fine hair gains the most, since texture fakes fullness.
Styling tip: sprinkle texture powder at the roots before gathering — it gives fine hair the grip to hold a rounded shape without a donut.
Ask your stylist: “a rounded bun with soft texture, sitting mid-height — not a tight ballerina bun.”
27. Braided Crown into a High Bun
Photo: hairtical.com
A side braid that climbs into a high braided bun: all the detail of a crown braid with the drama of height. From the side it is one of the prettiest silhouettes on this list, and it keeps hair completely off the neck.
Best for: medium to long hair; medium to thick textures; high-neck and embellished outfits.
Styling tip: braid the side section first and leave it loose while you form the bun, then wrap and pin it last so it stays visible on top.
Ask your stylist: “a high bun wrapped with a side braid — the braid needs to sit on the surface, not sink in.”
28. Velvet Bow Ponytail
Photo: boldhairstyles.com
A mid-height ponytail finished with one oversized velvet bow is the sweet spot between dressed-up and effortless. The bow hides every imperfection at the base, so the ponytail itself can be soft and simple.
Best for: medium to long hair; all textures; Christmas markets, lunches, and daytime events.
Styling tip: curl just the last few inches of the ponytail — the contrast between the smooth base and the curled ends is what makes it look styled.
Ask your stylist: “a soft mid ponytail with movement in the ends — nothing too sleek or too tight.”
29. High Curly Puff with Gold Accessories
Photo: royaltynatural.com
A high puff celebrates natural curl at full volume, and gold earrings or a gold cuff turn it into a Christmas look in seconds. It is joyful, bold, and genuinely quick — the style is the texture itself.
Best for: curly and coily hair; short to medium lengths; anyone who wants maximum impact with minimum styling.
Styling tip: gather hair upward with a soft brush only at the edges, and fluff the puff with your fingers at the very end for the roundest shape.
Ask your stylist: “keep my curls long enough on top for a full puff — shape the sides so the silhouette stays clean.”
30. Festive Claw-Clip Updo
Photo: dailyhairstyle.net
The claw clip went from lazy-day staple to party accessory, and at Christmas it earns its place: twist, clip, and let the ends fan out like a little firework. A metallic or jeweled clip makes it evening-appropriate.
Best for: medium to long hair; thick hair especially, which clips hold best; effortless, modern looks.
Styling tip: twist the ponytail upward once before clipping so the ends point up and fan out, rather than folding flat against your head.
Ask your stylist: “layers that sit well in a claw clip — enough texture to grip, no pieces slipping out at the nape.”
31. Side Braid into a Braided Bun
Photo: trendediit.com
A smooth side sweep braided into a coiled bun: romantic, tidy, and made for lace and off-shoulder dresses. The braid gives the bun its texture, so even fine hair ends up with a detailed-looking updo.
Best for: medium to long hair; fine to medium textures; weddings-adjacent Christmas formals.
Styling tip: keep the side sweep smooth with a light gel before braiding the bun section — two textures, sleek and braided, make the style.
Ask your stylist: “a side-swept braided bun — smooth on top, the bun itself made from a braid.”
32. Sculpted Ringlet Updo with Festive Ornaments
Photo: ayhairstyle.com
Perfect ringlets pinned into a sculpted updo and dotted with tiny ornaments: the most dressed-up hairstyle on this list, saved for last on purpose. It takes the longest, and for a Christmas gala or a once-a-year portrait, it is worth every minute.
Best for: medium to long hair; hair that holds curl well; black-tie events and formal portraits.
Styling tip: curl small sections, pin each ringlet while hot, and build the shape ringlet by ringlet — never gather first and curl later.
Ask your stylist: “a formal ringlet updo — I need length and healthy ends so the curls stay glossy, not frizzy.”
Christmas Hairstyles FAQs
What is the easiest Christmas hairstyle for beginners?
Start with the twisted half-up with a bow clip or the low ponytail with a velvet ribbon. Both take under ten minutes, need no heat, and the accessory does the festive work for you. If you can braid, the classic crown braid is also easier than it looks — it is one braid, pinned in a circle.
How can I make my Christmas hairstyle last all day and night?
Build on slightly textured hair rather than freshly washed silkiness — day-two hair or a little texture spray grips pins far better. Let curled hair cool completely before brushing, cross your bobby pins in X shapes, and finish with a flexible-hold spray so the style can move without collapsing.
What are the best Christmas hairstyles for short hair?
Bobs and pixies shine at Christmas because accessories sit so visibly on them. Try a velvet hairband over a textured bob, a padded headband with a festive detail, or a side-swept pixie bob with one jeweled clip. Short hair also shows off statement earrings better than any updo.
How do I add a festive touch without any heat styling?
Accessories are the whole trick: velvet bows, pearl or crystal pins, a berry hairpiece, or a length of red ribbon woven through a braid. Braided styles like the crown braid and the Dutch-to-fishtail need no heat at all and hold better than curls on most hair types.
Which Christmas hairstyles work best for curly hair?
Work with your pattern instead of against it: a high curly puff, a voluminous curly updo with pine and berry accents, or a loose curly half-up. Pin curls in sections rather than brushing them together, and add festive pieces last so they sit on top of the curls.
What accessories make a hairstyle feel instantly festive?
Velvet in deep red, green, or black is the fastest festive signal, followed by pearl and crystal pins, jeweled snowflake clips, metallic cuffs, and fresh greenery for a Christmas Day look. One strong accessory beats five small ones — pick a single hero piece and let it lead.
You May Also Like
Keeping the party season going? Our 32 New Year’s Eve party hairstyles for countdown glam pick up right where Christmas leaves off, and these 30 Thanksgiving hairstyles for a polished holiday look are full of softer, family-dinner-perfect ideas you can reuse all winter.
Final Thoughts
The best Christmas hairstyle is the one you will actually wear all evening without thinking about it — so pick the look that matches your plans, your texture, and your patience, then let one festive detail do the celebrating. Save your favorite photo, show your stylist, and enjoy being the best-haired person in every picture this year.
