51 Christmas hairstyle ideas for every party in your diary

This time of year it's all about celebrations – whether it's the office party, toasting the season with friends or gathering with family. So it's worth having some Christmas hairstyle ideas up your sleeve – this is not the time to have bad hair day, after all!

We also know it's one of the busiest times of the year, so allow us to take ‘easy-yet-chic hairstyles’ off the agenda with our edit of sexy updos, smart ponytails, bedazzled braids and phenomenal blow dries to keep you looking incredible.

The best piece of advice if you've only got minutes to upgrade your hair is to gift wrap it. “Think accessories,” says hair stylist and founder of Logli Hair, Limoz Logli. “It’s the season to go a little extra – metallics, pearls, velvet bows, sculptural clips… this is the moment to have fun. Even a simple blow-dry feels instantly festive with the right accessory. Just remember, accessories should feel weightless – if they tug, scratch or pull, they're not coming to the party.”

Best Christmas hair accessories

Logli Zadi

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Logli Aurelia

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Loxx Hair Inc The Hero Clip in Merlot

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Ahead, the best Christmas hairstyle ideas…

SKIP TO:

• The pro guide to Christmas hair
• 5 biggest Christmas hairstyle ideas for 2025
• More Christmas hair inspiration

There are a few things to consider before styling your hair. Here are Limoz's tips:

Prep makes or breaks the final look. So start by reading the hair – is it fine, dry or a little fragile from the year’s styling? Fine hair loves lightweight lift: think a volumising shampoo, the tiniest touch of conditioner on the ends and a mousse or root-lift spray for body.

Aveda Pure Abundance Volumising Shampoo

£27

LookFantastic

£27

Selfridges

£27

John Lewis

Chāmpo Pitta Volumising Conditioner

£20

Chāmpo

Larry King Haircare My Nanna's Mousse

£22

Cult Beauty

Dry hair craves moisture so be sure to use a hydrating shampoo, a nourishing mask on the lengths and a drop of oil through the ends.

Coco & Eve Super Hydrating Shampoo

£23

LookFantastic

£23

Sephora

£23 £17 (26% off)

Amazon

UKLASH Hair Repair Mask

£30

UKLASH

£30

Sephora

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil

£43.50

Boots

Fragile hair needs strength courtesy of a bond-building or protein mask 48–72 hours beforehand, a silky serum for slip and low-heat drying. Heat protectant is non-negotiable for everyone.

Courtesy of brand

K18 Leave-In Hair Mask

£70

Cult Beauty

Kérastase Genesis Hair Serum

£49.50 £32.85 (34% off)

Sephora

£47 £32.85 (30% off)

LookFantastic

Courtesy of brand

Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield Thermal Protection Hair Mist

£30 £20.30 (32% off)

Sephora

Match the hair to your neckline. High collars and sequins love a sleek bun; open or softer necklines shine with waves and movement.

Choose the vibe early – either ruched, lived-in texture or glossy, liquid shine – and then build your product wardrobe around it.

Plan your ‘architecture’. Know where pins, grips and elastics will hide before adding bows, pearls or festive sparkle.

Long evening ahead? Start with a flexible hold hairspray for movement, then pinpoint exactly where a strong-hold spray is needed.

Sculpted waves

S-waves are always a good party-coded look but a high-shine finish adds extra polish. “Soft curves and a subtle festive sheen look incredible under flash photography or by candlelight,” adds Limoz.

Works well with: “Any look that involves sequins, off-the-shoulder gowns or satin slip dresses.”

How to create the look: “Work a medium-hold mousse into the roots of towel-dried hair,” recommends Limoz. Only apply a smoothing cream to the lengths, then blow-dry smooth with a round brush until your hair is almost dry. “Create a deep side part, tuck the smaller side behind the ear and curl 1-inch sections of hair away from your face in uniform waves," he adds.

For the finishing touch, Limoz recommends brushing through the hair with a soft bristle brush “to sculpt the signature S-waves before smoothing the surface with a shine serum. You can even trace the parting with a touch of silver pigment or micro-glitter before finishing with a glossy setting spray."

'90s minimalist wet look

“This Christmas hairstyle is the season’s power statement: slicked, sharp and sculptural,” says Limoz. “It's inspired by clean, modern, model-off-duty glamour and Prada’s ’90s minimalism.”

Works well with: “Tailored trousers, plunging necklines and strong shoulders for minimalists who want maximum impact.”

How to create the look: “On damp hair, apply high-shine gel from the roots to mid-lengths and use a fine-tooth comb to sweep the hair sharply back,” advises Limoz. Key to this look is the absence of a parting.

Instead, Limoz recommends securing the hair behind the ears with chic festive pins before adding a drop of hair oil to the lengths “for a glass-like sheen” and running a comb through the hair again to perfect the mirror-smooth finish. Lock with a strong-hold spray.

Textured low chignon

This look is romantic, modern and effortlessly undone, which is why it's a popular choice with celebrities on the red carpet.

Works well with: “Cashmere, silk blouses and pearl earrings. It's ideal for anyone who wants elegance with personality,” Limoz notes.

How to create the look: “Prep your roots with a volumising spray and rough-dry for airy lift," he recommends. “Using a 1¼ inch tong, create soft waves and brush them out. Work a matte texturising spray through the mid-lengths for grip and twist into a loose low chignon, leaving some ends soft and wispy. Gently stretch the hair on the crown for lived-in lift and add an off-centre cluster of pearls or tiny metallic pins.”

Modern high bun

Buns have moved away from being that classic slickback to feeling simultaneously fluffy and soft but also sculptural and impeccably chic. “This look takes its cues from the part-free buns seen on the Tibi catwalk – no flyaways, just pure polish," says Limoz.

Works well with: “Sharp tailoring, dramatic earrings, sequins, shoulder-pads and high necklines."

How to create the look: The key to this look is to keep tension in the hair when using a round brush and hairdryer. “Use straighteners for added sleekness before brushing everything straight back and securing your hair into a high pony,” says Limoz. Then twist into a bun, pin tightly and mist with hairspray. “You can also wrap the base of the bun with a satin ribbon or a sleek hair wrap to create a subtle festive detail,” Limoz adds.

Soft glow bouffant

“This bouffant has a vintage-meets-TikTok vibe with soft crown bounce and flirtatious curtain bangs,” says Limoz. “Think Christmas with a hint of French It-girl.”

Works well with: Ribbons and bows, velvet dresses and statement headbands with a retro twist.

How to create the look: “Blow-dry bangs with a round brush and lightly tease the crown for volume, smoothing the top layer for polished height,” says Limoz. “Pin the upper section into a half-up twist or mini bouffant before smoothing the sides with a light serum for soft shine. Add dry shampoo under the bouffant for invisible hold, then finish with a medium-hold hairspray.”

Mermaid pearls

Add interest to a wet-look crop by adding delicate pearls to face-framing kiss curls.

Gift-wrapped half-up hair

Simple loose hair can be pulled back in seconds – add a glitz accessory to wrap it up and you've got some dreamy Christmas hair inspo.

Sleek knotted bun

This sleek bun is beautiful, sophisticated and ideal to add style kudos to a soirée outfit.

Embellished plait

How to level-up a simple plait? Raid your jewellery collection and weave a sparkly necklace through. Instantly elevated hair.

Waterfall updo

These pretty, loose waterfall waves look equal parts romantic and sophisticated scooped up into an updo.

Dual-textured curls

Let your natural hair have its day with a sleek crown and textured ends. A statement gold barrette completes the look.

Mix and match bejewelled hair

Stagger different styles of diamante hair clips to transform a simple low ponytail.

Half-up mini beehive

Pull your hair into a half-up ponytail, accessorised with a bow, and add extra lift to the roots for a modern take on the '60s beehive.

The ‘FroHawk’

Celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen's stunning ‘FroHawk’ manages to be simultaneously architectural and soft.

The flirty bob

With it's flicked-out bellbottom ends and playful vibes this is the perfect hairstyle for a night out with friends.

The side-swept bow

Hair accessories don't always have to look neat or perfectly placed. The off-kilter placement of this velvet hair bow keeps the look modern and bang on trend.

The futuristic claw clip

Claw clips are great for throwing your hair up but mixing and matching different designs takes a casual up-do to a whole new level.

Side-swept waves

Pair side-swept Hollywood waves with an oversized bow for some old-school glamour.

Tinsel hair

Tinsel's not just for the tree. The ‘90s trend is back to embellish our strands and it couldn't be more perfect for a Christmas party look.

Coquette waves

These cutesy coquette waves pair up with a doll-like makeup look like a dream.

Bow bob

If you think your options are limited if you chop your hair above your shoulders, think again. The volume at the crown and bow detail take an everyday bob and make it party ready.

Wrapped topknot

Take a simple topknot up a notch with the addition of a velvet ribbon, plus these side-swept curtain bangs help to keep it feeling modern.

Pimped ponytail

This delicate headband adds extra drama to a simple ponytail.

The beehive ponytail

Take a classic low ponytail, then tease the top section at the crown to create height and a faux beehive effect (because beehives are back and big).

Modern beehive

Speaking of beehives, if you want to jump on the trend, keep it feeling fresh with a looser texture. And for extra embellishment, add a headband.

Braided half updo

We love the small details that make this braided half updo extra glam, like wrapping a braid round the hairband to keep it all looking seamless.

Relaxed chignon

This hits the smart-casual vibe perfectly. It's an elegant style, but paired with a more relaxed messy texture.

High half-up

Taking a half-up ponytail higher makes it feel fresh and more fun, but the immaculate waves still feel super glam, pair it with statement jewellery and it'll feel extra luxe.

Gift-wrapped ponytail

When in doubt, add a giant bow. This low pony looks adorable.

Flipped ends

The flipped ends add an extra edge (quite literally) to this neat centre-parted look.

Disco curls

This gives us retro ‘60s vibes but made modern, and we’re always here for Big Hair Energy.

Butt-grazing braid

If you want to make a statement, go big – or in this case long. Though you will need XXL hair (or extensions).

High puff

This curly puff looks super cute, plus the metallic scrunchie is a cool way to nod to Christmas without going too twee.

Flicked ponytail

The flicked ends on this sleek ponytail keep it interesting and adds extra movement, plus the pearl headband makes it feel extra fancy.

Bejewelled buzz

This delicate buzzcut looks beautiful with a pretty starscape headband.

Glossy waves

Glossy hollywood waves are classic for a reason. Case in point: this rendition on Phoebe Dynevor.

Sleek high pony

This silky straight ponytail is minimal but effective.

Wet-look lengths

Slicked wet-look hair is a cool alternative to trad party hairstyles.

Sleek ponytail

One of the easies ways to upgrade a basic (but beautiful) ponytail is to add a statement pin or brooch. And it takes seconds to do.

Sexy tousled updo

This phwoar updo on Ciara is total goals.

Statement headband

No time to fuss around with something complicated? A statement headband will do the work for you.

Fancy pins

These pretty star pins add an extra dimension to XXL braids.

Glossy rope braid

Switch out a regular plait for a rope braid to keep things interesting

Twirled bun

Twirl a low pony, then loop it for a loose bun.

Cool-girl tendrils

Pull some front-sections looks to give your ponytail a more relaxed vibe.

For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk

For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.