10 Holiday Hairstyles: Festive and Camera-Ready

Holiday hair needs to do three things: look festive, survive a full day of events, and photograph well. These ten styles deliver on all three.

For long-lasting hold through a full day of events, start with our blow-dry technique and finish with a strong-hold hairspray.

1. Voluminous Holiday Curls

Big, bouncy curls with extra volume — the classic holiday hair. Hot rollers or a large-barrel curling iron create the bounce.

Hot rollers create the most uniform, long-lasting holiday curls — set while doing makeup, remove before leaving, and the bounce lasts all night. See more textured options in our curly hairstyles guide.

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2. The Festive Low Bun

A polished bun at the nape with a jeweled pin or clip — elegant enough for any holiday dinner or party.

The festive low bun works for Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas party, and a New Year gala equally well — just change the pin or clip to match the occasion. More bun ideas in our updo hairstyles collection.

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3. Glitter Roots

Fine cosmetic glitter pressed into the part line — the most festive style for New Year and holiday parties.

Use cosmetic-grade glitter and a strong-hold hairspray to set it — craft glitter is too coarse and can damage the scalp. Concentrate the glitter along the part line for the most impact.

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4. Old Hollywood Waves

Deep, sculpted waves swept to one side — timeless holiday glamour that photographs beautifully.

Old Hollywood waves are created with a marcel technique — clamping a curling iron and directing all the waves in the same direction. This style pairs beautifully with a deep side part and straight hairstyles.

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5. The Velvet Ribbon Ponytail

A ponytail tied with a velvet ribbon in a holiday color — simple, festive, and appropriate for any gathering.

Choose velvet ribbon in deep red, emerald, or gold — the fabric adds a tactile holiday element. More ponytail variations in our dedicated guide.

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6. Half-Up With Sparkly Clips

Top half pinned with jeweled or metallic clips — holiday sparkle without overdoing it.

Sparkly clips transform even the simplest hairstyle into something party-ready — stack two or three along the part for maximum festive impact.

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7. The Braided Crown

A braid wrapped over the crown — fairy-tale elegant and perfect for family gatherings and holiday photos.

The braided crown pairs beautifully with a holiday dress and keeps hair off the shoulders for easier layering with winter coats. See our braided hairstyles for the crown braid technique.

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8. Sleek Glass Hair

Pin-straight and mirror-shiny — under holiday lights, glass hair reflects every candle and chandelier.

Glass hair catches every candle, twinkle light, and camera flash — it is the most photogenic holiday style. Follow our straight hairstyles guide for the technique.

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9. The Textured Top Knot

A high bun with pulled texture — festive enough for a party, relaxed enough for a holiday brunch.

Pull the top knot loose and textured for brunch, smooth and tight for evening — the same structure works for both by adjusting the finish.

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10. The Side-Swept Updo

All hair swept to one side and pinned — dramatic and shows off a bare shoulder or statement earrings.

The side-swept updo works for wedding season holiday parties and black-tie New Year events. A balayage adds dimension that catches light beautifully in the swept arrangement.

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