A Christmas party hairstyle should hold up through dinner, dancing, and a glass of something sparkly. This season, texture is replacing rigid polish: think soft waves, twisted sections, and natural movement over flat-ironed precision.
These 24 Christmas Party Hairstyles cover the range from five-minute fixes (a low bun with a velvet ribbon) to salon-level braided updos with jeweled pins. Some work best on fine hair that needs volume, others on thick or coily textures that hold a braid well. If your go-to style always falls flat by the second course, there is a twist here that stays.
Dark Brown Wavy Twisted Updo With Velvet Bows
The large dark green velvet bows sit on top of the twists, so the bows read as part of the design, not something you added in the car. Ask your stylist for: intricate dark brown twisted updo with large velvet bows. The style needs thick, wavy hair of medium to long length; oval, heart and square face shapes handle the volume well. Because the twisting does the holding, you rely on bobby pins and a strong-hold hairspray rather than product grip. Salon-only, and worth the appointment for a Christmas party where the hair works harder than the earrings.
Sleek Dark Brown Low Bun With Jeweled Pins
Does a sleek low bun read as too simple for a party? Not when the finish is this polished and the accessories do the talking. The dark brown hair is pulled back into a low bun from a deep middle part, and the texture is straight and thick enough that not a single strand breaks the line. Two jeweled pins sit at the side of the bun and flash each time you turn your head.
Ask your stylist for: sleek dark brown low bun with a deep middle part and jeweled pins. The middle part elongates round and oval faces, and the style works best on long, thick, straight hair. A smoothing serum and a fine-tooth comb get the surface mirror-smooth. Secure with pins and hairspray, and it holds through dinner, photos and conversation without needing a touch-up. A trim every eight weeks keeps the ends clean enough for the sleek finish.
Thick Wavy Dark Brown Braid With Striped Bow
A single braid to mid-back is a low-effort move, but the large red and white striped bow at the end changes the equation. The braid is thick and wavy, dark brown with enough texture to keep the sections distinct. The common mistake is to braid too tight, which makes the bow look like it is holding on for dear life. Pull the braid sections apart gently after securing for a fuller, softer shape. Ask your stylist for: thick wavy dark brown braid with a large striped bow. Suits most face shapes, needs mid-back length and wavy texture. DIY in about fifteen minutes: braid, mist with texturizing spray, add the bow. It is a holiday party look that takes half the time of an updo and disappears into a ponytail when you are done dancing.
Long Dark Brown Waves With Christmas Ornaments
Hanging actual Christmas ornaments in your hair is a commitment. The long dark brown waves with subtle highlights are loose and glossy, parted in the middle, and the silver and gold baubles are threaded into the lengths. It is eye-catching, it is on theme, and it is also a logistical puzzle. Ask your stylist for: long dark brown loose waves with Christmas ornaments. The ornaments need to be attached with small loops or pins that do not snag the cuticle. Suits long, wavy hair of medium density; oval and long faces balance the visual weight of the ornaments. The honest drawback: they clink. Every head turn has a sound effect. Upkeep is minimal for the waves themselves, but removing the ornaments takes care to avoid breakage. A salon handles the attachment so you are not unpicking knots at 1 am.
Blonde Highlights Intricate Braid With Gold Rings
This braid is styled like jewelry. The thick, wavy blonde hair with highlights is woven into an intricate braid that starts narrow and widens as it travels down to mid-back. Small gold rings and pearls are threaded into the sections at intervals, so the braid sparkles without needing a single pin. Ask your stylist for: intricate blonde braid with gold rings and pearls. The blonde highlights give the braid depth: the lighter pieces catch the gold, the darker base holds the pearls. Suits thick, wavy hair of mid-back length; round and square faces benefit from the vertical line of the braid. A texturizing spray before braiding gives the stylist grip, and clear elastics keep the finish clean. It is a salon-level look for a holiday party or a wedding guest appearance, and the rings stay put through hours of dancing.
Dark Brown Half Up Half Down With Braids
Can you request a half-up style that doesn’t fall out by the second course? This one has the answer. The mid-back length dark brown hair with caramel highlights is divided into two sections: the top half is gathered with two twisted braids meeting at the back, while the lower half falls in loose waves. The side part and wavy, thick texture help it hold its shape through a long dinner. Ask your stylist for: dark brown half up half down with twisted braids. The braids add grip, so the style stays secure without a dozen pins. Create the braids first, then gather them together and secure with a small elastic. Loosen the waves with your fingers for a finish that works for a holiday brunch just as well as an evening party.
Blonde Collarbone Updo With Braided Detail
This is not a loose, romantic updo that risks unraveling. The collarbone length means you cannot hide long lengths in a twist, so the braided detail does the structural work. Thick, wavy blonde hair is pinned into a compact shape with a visible braid running through the back, keeping the whole thing anchored. The side part and layers help the shorter pieces tuck in cleanly. Ask your stylist for: collarbone blonde updo with braided detail. This one suits round and heart faces because the braid adds visual weight at the crown rather than the jaw. Use a texturizing spray on the mid-lengths before styling to give the shorter layers something to grip.
Short Dark Coily Braided Updo With Pearls
Short coily hair has a reputation for being hard to pin into an updo, but a tight braid pattern changes the math. The dark strands, threaded with gray streaks, are braided close to the scalp and gathered into a compact shape at the back. A delicate floral and pearl accessory sits at the side, adding a holiday finish without extra pins. Ask your stylist for: short dark coily braided updo with floral and pearl pins. The honest drawback: pins can slip in coily hair if the braids are not tight enough. Moisturize the hair well before braiding to prevent dryness, and use a satin-lined cap overnight to preserve the style for a second event.
Short Dark Coily Braided Updo With Floral Piece, Side
Where the previous updo relies on pearls for polish, this one uses a single decorative floral piece as the focal point. The short, dark, coily hair is braided into an intricate pattern that covers the crown, with the floral accessory placed at the temple. The side part and clean hairline keep it from looking busy. Ask your stylist for: short dark coily intricate braided updo with floral accessory. The braid pattern is the difference between this and a standard pin-up: it distributes the hair evenly so the updo looks full from every angle. Use a moisturizing styling cream to define the coils before braiding, then secure with bobby pins placed along the part line.
Black Coily Space Buns With Tinsel
How do you make tinsel look deliberate and not like a craft project? You braid it in. Short, black, coily hair is parted down the middle and divided into two high sections, each braided tightly before being twisted into a bun. The tinsel is woven through the braids and stays in place without overwhelming the shape. The styled baby hairs along the hairline soften the look. Ask your stylist for: short black coily space buns with tinsel and braided detail. Braid each section tightly before forming the bun so the tinsel stays woven in and does not poke out. Secure with pins and a light hairspray. This works for New Year’s Eve and holiday parties.
Ash Blonde Loose Updo With Pearl Accents
A loose ash blonde updo combines fine wavy texture with a pale lilac satin bow and pearl accents for a controlled, undone look. This style suits medium to long hair with natural wave but low density, as very fine strands may appear sparse. Ask your stylist for: loose ash blonde updo with pearl accents and lilac bow. The trade-off involves hold: without a texturizing spray, the soft tendrils around the nape will escape before the first toast. The bow provides the visual focus, so the rest of the style can remain deliberately undone.
Ash Blonde Half Updo With Twisted Sections
A half updo with twisted sections is one of those rare styles that actually respects fine, straight hair. The ash blonde base with a subtle root shadow adds depth where the hair lacks density, and the twists create the illusion of texture without requiring a curling iron. Ask your stylist for: ash blonde twisted half updo with loose waves. This shape genuinely flatters round faces, because the height at the crown draws the eye upward. A mist of dry shampoo keeps the twists from sliding apart by the end of the night.
Ash Blonde Messy Low Bun With Face Framing
A messy low bun sounds like a cheat code, but the ash blonde version with wavy, thick texture proves it can look deliberate without a salon visit. The trick is the face-framing pieces: they soften what could otherwise seem like a tired ponytail coiled once too many times. Ask your stylist for: ash blonde messy low bun with soft face-framing pieces. For a DIY attempt, start with dry shampoo at the roots for grip, gather the hair at the nape, twist loosely, and pin in place. Pull out the front strands last, not first, so they land where you want them.
Dark Blonde Half Up Half Down With Red Bow
Can a single accessory save a busy Christmas party hairstyle? When the accessory is a large dark red velvet bow, yes. The dark blonde base with subtle highlights and loose waves provides a neutral backdrop for the bow to pop against. Ask your colorist for: dark blonde highlights with loose waves. The drawback is that half-up styles with a ponytail at the crown can feel top-heavy on thick, mid-back length hair, so curl the bottom section first to match the volume above. The bow hides the hair tie, which is a mercy if you are doing this yourself.
Blonde Half Up Half Down With Black Bow, Mid-Back
Where the red bow version leans festive, this blonde half up half down with defined curls and a black velvet bow tips toward formal. The lighter highlights catch more light, so the curl definition matters more here than with the darker base. Ask your colorist for: blonde highlights with defined curls. This style suits round and heart faces because the height at the crown elongates the silhouette, and the black bow provides contrast without competing with the hair color. The defined curls hold better if you set them with rollers or a wand.
Collarbone Waves With Braid And White Ribbon
The white ribbon bow is the party, and the braid is just the delivery system. This collarbone-length style starts with a middle part and curtain bangs, then tucks a small braid along one side before the rest is set in loose waves. It works best on medium-density wavy hair with a blonde balayage to give the ribbon contrast. Ask your stylist for: collarbone waves with side braid and white ribbon bow. The braid is a DIY move: section off the front, braid it, tie the ribbon tightly, then wave the rest. The hold relies on the ribbon staying knotted, not a pin in sight.
Collarbone Waves With Star Hair Clip
Can a single star clip carry a whole party look? Yes, when the hair underneath is already styled. This collarbone-length style uses a middle part and loose, wavy blowout with subtle blonde highlights. The star clip sits near the temple. Ask your colorist for: subtle blonde highlights on a collarbone-length wavy blowout. Ask your stylist for: collarbone blonde waves with a star hair clip. Medium-density wavy hair holds the wave pattern best, and a texturizing spray keeps it from falling flat. The clip is the anchor, so place it where it can actually grip a side section.
Dark Brown Chin Bob Twisted Half Up
A chin-length bob is already a low-maintenance cut, but adding a twisted half-up section gives it party mileage without losing the shape. The back view shows the twist gathering the top sections and pinning them, leaving the rest in soft, defined waves. Ask your stylist for: chin-length dark brown bob with a twisted half-up style. Thick, wavy texture holds the twist best; fine hair may need a few extra pins. The real drawback is that the twist can loosen after a few hours, so pack a backup bobby pin or two. A trim every six to eight weeks keeps the bob line sharp and the twist clean.
Ash Blonde Voluminous High Ponytail
A high ponytail at the crown is packed with loose waves and framed by wispy bangs and a side part. The ash blonde color is bright enough that the ponytail becomes a statement, not a quick pull-back. Ask your colorist for: bright ash blonde with wispy bangs. Ask your stylist for: voluminous ash blonde high ponytail with wispy bangs. Fine hair of mid-back length benefits from crown teasing, which adds height that balances long faces. This style works for a holiday party or New Year’s Eve, anywhere you want the hair to stay up and out of the way until midnight.
Platinum Blonde High Ponytail With Waves
Building a high ponytail on thick, mid-back length hair means every wave has to earn its spot. The technique starts with curling the whole head first, then gathering it high on the crown so the waves stack, not flatten. Ask your colorist for: platinum blonde with highlights. Ask your stylist for: platinum blonde high ponytail with loose waves. A side part and a few loose strands around the face keep it from looking too severe. The thick density means the ponytail holds its shape without extra teasing, but the platinum shade requires a purple shampoo every two weeks to keep brassiness away. A salon blowout is the fastest route to this finish.
Ash Blonde Ponytail With Braided Elements
A high ponytail with a braided base has a polished look, and this version takes that logic to its logical end. The ash blonde ponytail with highlights falls to mid-back, with loose waves softening the structure below. Thick, wavy hair of mid-back length has enough heft to support this shape without collapsing. Ask your stylist for: ash blonde high ponytail with braided base and loose waves. Braid sections of the ponytail base before securing the main tail, then spray the intricate details into place. The braided foundation keeps the volume from looking top-heavy, so the whole thing holds its line through a dinner and dancing.
Mid-Back Blonde Balayage Loose Waves
Loose waves with star hair accessories look festive, but here is the honest trade-off: those metal clips can snag if the waves are too small or the hair is fine. The blonde balayage starts mid-shaft and lightens toward the ends, so the middle part draws the eye down the length. Thick, wavy hair of mid-back length holds a large-barrel curl without heat-styling every strand, a blessing for holiday prep. Ask your colorist for: mid-back blonde balayage loose waves with star accessories. Use a large barrel curling iron for the waves, then slide the stars into already styled sections. The real drawback: the accessories shift if you move a lot, so check your placement before the photo line.
Dark Brown Textured Low Updo
What makes a low updo look polished? Volume at the crown and texture through the body, both of which this dark brown textured updo has in abundance. The back view shows soft curls piled low with loose tendrils at the nape, softening the silhouette. Thick, wavy hair of mid-back length is ideal, anything shorter or finer struggles to create that internal structure. Ask your stylist for: textured dark brown low updo with loose tendrils. This is a salon-only proposition: securing the pins so the volume lasts through a formal party requires two hands you do not have. Save it for New Year’s Eve or a seated dinner where the back of your head is on display.
Party Hairstyles For New Year’s Eve Accessories
A half-up style is a classic for the holidays, but this one earns its party pass by letting the accessory take center stage. Thick, wavy ash blonde hair with subtle highlights is slicked back into a half-up, with the rest falling in loose waves to mid-back. The blue beaded headband sits across the crown, and because the hair is pulled back cleanly, nothing competes for attention. Ask your stylist for: long layers, slicked-back half-up with headband. All hair types and lengths can borrow the logic: the headband does the work, so the styling only needs to be clean at the roots and wavy through the body.
Final Thoughts
For fine hair, styles that build visible volume hold best: a high ponytail with backcombing or a braided updo with added padding. Thick hair can handle the weight of multiple braids, jeweled pins, and a low bun without slipping. Coily texture shows its best side in embellished updos that lock in moisture and shape. One decision rule applies to all: test the hold before the party. A few extra bobby pins and a spritz of texture spray are better than a bathroom emergency at eleven.
- Trim split ends every 6-8 weeks to maintain shape.
- Toning blonde shades every 4-6 weeks keeps brassiness at bay.
- Use heat protectant spray before styling with hot tools.
- Wash hair 1-2 times per week to preserve color and natural oils.
- Refresh updos and braids by securing loose strands with bobby pins.
Find your perfect festive hairstyle to shine this holiday season.
