10 Christmas Hairstyles for Women (Easy Festive Ideas)
You have a party on Saturday, family photos on Christmas morning, and about twenty minutes to get ready. Your hair has other plans. Finding Christmas hairstyles for women that look special without a trip to the salon every time is harder than it sounds.
Below are ten styles I recommend to clients, from soft waves to a sleek bun. Each one comes with the exact words to use at the salon, plus an honest note on upkeep and who should skip it.
Quick-pick box
- Long, straight or wavy hair: Hollywood waves (#1), the braided crown (#6) or the half-up bow (#3).
- Short or chin-length hair: the glass-hair lob (#7) or the pearl-clip pixie (#8).
- Curly or coily hair: defined curls with gold clips (#9) or a low chignon (#2).
10 Christmas Hairstyles for Women
1. Soft Hollywood Waves: Classic Christmas Party Hair for Long Hair
Think glossy, brushed-out S-shaped waves with a deep side part. The shine does most of the work, so a gloss treatment a week before is worth booking.
This suits oval and heart-shaped faces best, and works on medium to long hair with at least some natural movement. Fine hair holds the shape well with a light mousse.
Ask for: “a blowout with a 1.25-inch barrel curl, brushed out, finished with shine serum.” Maintenance is low once styled, and the waves last one evening, maybe two with a silk pillowcase. The drawback: very curly or coarse hair will need heat to get this smooth, which means extra time and extra prep.
2. Low Sleek Bun with Face-Framing Strands: Elegant Christmas Updos
A low bun sits at the nape, pulled smooth, with two thin strands left loose at the front. It looks polished with a velvet dress or a knit jumper.
It flatters round and square faces because the loose strands soften the jawline. It works on any length from just past the shoulders, and on straight, wavy or curly hair.
Ask for: “a low chignon with a clean center part and curtain pieces left out.” You can do it at home with a boar-bristle brush and a little gel. Maintenance is nothing beyond washing. Skip it if your hair is very short or heavily layered, since the ends will keep escaping.
3. Half-Up Half-Down with a Velvet Bow: Easy Christmas Hairstyles
This is the one I suggest when someone says, “I have ten minutes.” Gather the top section, clip it back, and tie a velvet bow in red, green or black.
It suits almost every face shape and works on shoulder-length hair and longer. Straight hair looks sleek, while waves look softer and more romantic. Warm skin tones look lovely with burgundy; cool tones suit emerald or navy.
Ask for: “a face-framing cut with long layers” so the lower section falls nicely. Trim every eight to ten weeks. The drawback is that fine, slippery hair can slide out of the bow, so use a small clear elastic underneath.
4. Copper-Cranberry Gloss: Holiday Hair Color Ideas for Warm Skin Tones
Imagine a deep copper base with a cranberry tint that shows up in the light. It reads as rich auburn indoors and slightly redder near the Christmas tree.
This suits medium to deep skin with warm or neutral undertones, and works on natural brown or dark blonde hair. Very light hair needs pre-lightening first, which adds time and cost.
Ask for: “a copper gloss over my natural base, with a cranberry tint, no bleach.” Red tones fade fast, so book a refresh gloss every four to six weeks and use color-safe shampoo. Be honest with yourself: if you dislike regular salon visits, this will fade into a dull orange.
5. Champagne Money Piece: Subtle Holiday Hair Color for Blondes and Brunettes
Two bright strands frame the face, in a soft champagne blonde. A money piece adds light where it matters, without lightening your whole head.
It works well on oval, long and heart-shaped faces, and on light brown to dark blonde hair. Cool undertones look best in ash champagne, while warm ones suit golden. Pair it with a shadow root so regrowth looks planned.
Ask for: “a money piece with a lived-in balayage blend and a toner.” It needs a toner refresh every six to eight weeks. The catch: bleached face strands are more prone to dryness, so skip it if your hair is already damaged.
6. Braided Crown: Festive Hairstyles for Long Hair That Stay Put
Two Dutch braids wrap across the head like a halo, with the ends pinned out of sight. It looks pretty with a dress and holds through dancing, hugging and a long dinner.
This is made for long, thick or medium-density hair. Fine hair can work if you tug the braids wider for volume. It flatters oval and long faces, though a round face may prefer a bit of height at the crown.
Ask a stylist for: “two Dutch braids, pancaked, pinned into a crown.” Practice it once before the day. Expect a short learning curve and about 30 minutes at first. Avoid it if your hair is shorter than collarbone length.
7. Glass-Hair Blunt Lob: Short Christmas Hairstyles With Serious Shine
A collarbone-grazing lob cut straight across, with a mirror-like finish. It needs no accessories, which is why I love it for office parties.
It suits straight and fine hair best, since a blunt line makes thin ends look fuller. Oval, square and heart-shaped faces carry it well. Cool and neutral skin tones look great with a deep brunette or black.
Ask for: “a blunt lob with a one-length perimeter, a gloss treatment and a smoothing blowout.” Trim every six to eight weeks to keep the line crisp. The drawback: humidity and very curly hair will fight the finish, so skip it if you won’t use a flat iron.
8. Pearl-Clip Pixie: Festive Short Hair with Minimal Effort
An easy pixie, side-swept and lightly textured, with one pearl clip tucked above the ear. The clip does the dressing up, so the cut can stay simple.
This suits oval, heart and diamond-shaped faces, and works well on fine to medium hair. Strong cheekbones help, but a longer fringe softens a rounder face. Any undertone works if you pick the right clip metal: gold for warm, silver for cool.
Ask for: “a textured pixie with tapered sides and a longer, swept fringe.” You’ll need a trim every four to five weeks. Skip it if you’re growing out your hair, because the in-between stage can feel awkward.
9. Defined Curls with Gold Clips: Christmas Hairstyles for Curly Hair
Here your natural curls take center stage, shaped into clear spirals and pinned on one side with two small gold clips. Nothing about it is forced.
It suits curly and coily hair from 3A to 4B, at any length. Round and oval faces both look great with the volume at the sides. Gold complements warm and deep skin tones, though silver looks sharp on cool ones.
Ask for: “a curl-specific trim, like a dry cut, and a diffuser dry with a light gel.” Refresh curls with water and leave-in cream between washes. The drawback is time, because proper curl definition takes about an hour, so start early.
10. Twisted Low Ponytail with a Ribbon: Easy Christmas Hairstyles for Busy Mornings
Pull your hair into a low ponytail, split it in two and twist the sections around each other. A thin satin ribbon covers the elastic, and the twist makes it look far fancier than it is.
This works on medium to long hair of any texture. Square and long faces appreciate the lower placement, because it doesn’t add height. Choose red for fair or olive skin, and forest green for deeper tones.
Ask a stylist to show you: “a rope-twist low ponytail with texture spray.” It takes about five minutes at home. The honest downside is that it can look flat on very thin hair, so add a few loose waves first.
How to Choose Your Christmas Hairstyle
Start with the event, not the Pinterest board. A sit-down dinner calls for something that stays tidy, like a low bun. A dance-heavy party needs a braid or a secure pony.
Next, think about your real hair texture. A style that fights your natural pattern needs heat and time, and you might not have either on the day. If you can only spend ten minutes, choose the half-up bow or the ponytail.
Then consider your outfit. A high neckline suits an updo, while an off-the-shoulder top looks lovely with loose waves. Hair color matters too, so pick a ribbon or clip that works with your undertone.
Finally, plan your timeline. Color treatments such as a gloss or money piece should be done one to two weeks before Christmas, so you can fix anything before the big day. Always do a trial run of any complicated updo.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking color too late. Do it at least a week ahead, so there’s time to adjust the tone.
- Trying a new style on the day. Practice any braid or updo once beforehand.
- Ignoring your hair type. Pin-straight styles on very curly hair, or the reverse, rarely hold up.
- Overloading with product. Too much hairspray or serum looks heavy and attracts dust in photos.
- Skipping a trim. Split ends show up in every sleek style, so book your cut two to three weeks before.
FAQ
What is the easiest Christmas hairstyle for women?
The half-up bow is the easiest. Gather the top section, clip or pin it back, and tie on a ribbon. It takes under ten minutes on most hair lengths and doesn’t need heat tools. A twisted low ponytail is a close second.
What hairstyle looks best for a Christmas party?
It depends on your hair length and the dress. Soft waves and a low chignon are classic choices for evening wear. If you plan to dance, a braided crown or secure ponytail stays tidy longer and survives a long night.
What hair color is popular for Christmas?
Deep reds, copper and cranberry tones are popular for the season, along with champagne blonde highlights. Rich chocolate brown with a glossy finish also looks festive. Choose a shade that suits your skin undertone, and book a gloss for extra shine.
How far ahead should I book a hair appointment for Christmas?
Book four to six weeks ahead if you can, because December fills quickly. Plan color treatments one to two weeks before the event, and a trim two to three weeks before. That leaves time for any fixes.
Can I do a Christmas hairstyle on short hair?
Yes. A glass-hair lob or a textured pixie with a pearl clip looks lovely, and short hair is quick to style. Add a small accessory, such as a barrette or a headband, to make it feel festive.
Conclusion
The best Christmas hairstyle is the one that fits your hair, your outfit and the time you actually have. Pick one or two ideas from this list, try them before the big day, and take the salon phrases with you.
If you found a style you love, save this article to your Pinterest board so you can find it again in December.
