Christmas hair should feel a little more special than an ordinary day, without turning your morning into a project. Between family photos, a long festive dinner and an evening that usually runs later than planned, the best Christmas hairstyle ideas are the ones that look polished at the first photo and still look good at the last one.
Below you will find 24 Christmas hairstyle ideas, from elegant waves to simple updos and easy half-up styles, grouped so you can choose by the kind of celebration you have planned. Whether you are hosting at home, heading to a formal dinner or just want to look lovely in the family photos, there is a style here that will suit your hair and your schedule. If you are planning the whole holiday season, our Thanksgiving Hairstyle Ideas roundup pairs beautifully with this list for the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Why Christmas Hair Deserves a Little Extra Thought
Christmas is rarely just one event. There is the daytime gathering, the evening dinner, the photos by the tree and the inevitable group shot nobody warned you about. Styles that keep hair off your face, hold their shape through a warm room and a long evening, and photograph well from the side as well as the front tend to work best. A small festive touch — a velvet bow, a gold clip, a deep red scrunchie — is usually all it takes; the hairstyle itself does not need to be complicated to feel like Christmas.
Elegant Christmas Waves and Curls
1. Classic Hollywood Christmas Waves
Deep, glossy waves with a side part feel instantly festive and photograph beautifully under warm evening light. Brush the curls out gently so they fall in soft, connected waves rather than separate ringlets.
2. Soft Curls with a Velvet Bow
Loose, soft curls finished with a small velvet bow at the back feel sweet and seasonal without trying too hard. A deep green or burgundy bow works with almost any Christmas outfit.
3. Warm Golden Waves
Soft waves with warm, golden tones catch candlelight in the loveliest way. This is a forgiving style too — it looks better slightly undone than perfectly neat.
4. Bouncy Blowout with a Side Part
A smooth, bouncy blowout swept over to one side gives instant polish and plenty of movement. It holds up well through a long evening, especially with a light mist of flexible hairspray.
5. Loose Waves with a Sparkly Hairpin
Simple loose waves become party-ready with a single sparkly pin swept to one side. Keep the rest of the hair simple so the pin, not the styling, does the talking.
6. Vintage Pin Curls for Christmas Eve
Soft, vintage-style pin curls feel made for Christmas Eve — romantic, a little old-fashioned and lovely with a dressier outfit. Set them earlier in the day so they have time to cool and settle.
Festive Christmas Updos That Photograph Beautifully
7. Low Chignon with a Pearl Pin
A neat low chignon at the nape, finished with a small pearl pin, is quietly elegant from every angle. Leave two soft pieces loose at the front so it does not look too severe in photos.
8. Sleek High Bun with a Red Bow
A smooth high bun keeps hair completely out of the way, while a small red bow at the base adds the Christmas touch. It is the practical choice that still looks dressed up.
9. Twisted French Roll
Sections twisted and pinned up into a soft roll feel romantic and a little vintage. It suits medium and long hair and holds well with a few crossed pins, even through a long dinner.
10. Braided Crown Updo
A braid wrapped around the head like a crown looks intricate but is really just two braids pinned in place. For more braid inspiration, our Party Hairstyle Ideas post has festive versions that pair well with this look.
11. Elegant Top Knot with Face-Framing Curls
A top knot does not have to look rushed — smooth the top, keep the knot neat, and pull out a few soft curls around the face. Done in minutes, it looks far more considered than the effort suggests.
12. Soft Low Bun with Gold Clips
A soft, slightly loose low bun with two small gold clips feels festive without being fussy. It is a lovely pick for a family dinner where you want to look polished but still comfortable.
Half-Up Christmas Hairstyles with a Holiday Touch
13. Half-Up Twist with Gold Clips
Twist back two front sections and secure them with small gold clips for a hint of sparkle. It keeps hair off your face while leaving the length down, which is ideal for a long evening.
14. Half-Up Bubble Braid with a Red Ribbon
A half-up bubble braid tied off with a slim red ribbon adds playful volume and a clear festive note. Just tie, puff and repeat down the back section, then finish with the ribbon.
15. Half-Up Waves with a Velvet Headband
Soft waves gathered halfway up and held with a velvet headband look festive in seconds and keep shorter layers out of your face. Choose a deep burgundy or forest green for a holiday feel.
16. Half-Up Braided Crown
Two small braids from each side, pinned at the back, create a soft crown effect over loose waves. It is one of the most forgiving styles if your braid is not perfect.
17. Half-Up Ponytail with Soft Curls
Gather the top half into a small ponytail and let soft curls fall underneath for a style that feels both relaxed and dressed up. A wrapped strand around the base makes it look finished.
18. Half-Up Claw Clip with a Festive Clip
The half-up claw clip is the fastest festive style here: gather the top half, twist once, clip and go. A gold or tortoiseshell clip makes it feel intentional rather than thrown together.
Easy Christmas Hairstyles for Busy Holiday Mornings
19. Low Ponytail with a Satin Scrunchie
A low ponytail gets a holiday upgrade from a satin scrunchie alone. Smooth the top, wrap a strand of hair around the base if you like, and you are done in minutes. See also our Trendy Winter Hairstyle Ideas for more cold-weather versions of this simple classic.
20. Sleek Straight Hair with a Deep Side Part
Sometimes the simplest choice is the right one: smooth, straight hair with a deep side part looks clean and intentional. Add a shine serum through the ends for a finished feel.
21. Side Braid with Loose Waves
Sweep your hair over one shoulder into a loose side braid, leaving waves soft around the face. It keeps hair tidy during the meal and looks lovely from the side in photos.
22. Slicked-Back Low Bun
Slicked back and pinned low, this bun is the most weather-proof option on the list — no frizz, no falling pieces, no fuss. A little gel and a fine-tooth comb do all the work.
23. Simple High Ponytail with Curls
A high ponytail with curled ends feels playful and polished at the same time, and it holds up well through hours of celebrating. Curl just the ends to keep it quick.
24. Cozy Messy Bun with a Satin Bow
For a relaxed Christmas at home, a soft messy bun finished with a small satin bow is comfort first — and it still looks charming in photos. This is the style to pick if you are hosting and cooking all day.
Tips to Make Your Christmas Hairstyle Last
Start with hair that is not freshly washed if you can — a little texture helps pins grip and waves hold. Use fewer, stronger pins rather than a handful of weak ones, and finish with a light mist of flexible hairspray instead of a heavy coat that stiffens everything. If your celebration runs from day into evening, keep a spare scrunchie and two pins in your pocket so you can refresh the style before photos without starting over.
Christmas Hairstyle FAQ
What is the best Christmas hairstyle for long hair?
A low chignon or a half-up braid works best — both keep hair off your face during a long celebration and still show off your length.
Can I do a Christmas hairstyle in under 10 minutes?
Yes. The half-up claw clip, the low ponytail with a satin scrunchie and the cozy messy bun with a satin bow all take under ten minutes.
What Christmas hairstyle lasts all day?
Updos like the low chignon with a pearl pin and the slicked-back low bun last longest, because the hair is pinned close to the head and out of the way.
Should I wash my hair on Christmas morning?
It is usually better not to — slightly lived-in hair holds styles better. If you do wash it, add a texture spray before styling.
Final Thoughts
Christmas hair should make the day easier, not add to the stress of it. Pick the style you feel most like yourself in, do a quick trial run the day before if it is new to you, and then stop worrying about it — the best photos come from a relaxed host, not a perfect bun. Whichever of these Christmas hairstyle ideas you choose, a little preparation goes a long way, and you will look back at the photos glad you made the effort.
More Hairstyle Ideas to Try Next
- 23 Thanksgiving Hairstyle Ideas for a Warm, Polished Holiday Look — Plan the whole holiday season with polished styles for the family table.
- 23 Party Hairstyle Ideas You’ll Want to Save for Every Event — Find a glamorous look for Christmas parties and New Year gatherings.
- 28 Trendy Winter Hairstyle Ideas to Refresh Your Cold-Weather Look — Keep your hair looking good through the cold weeks after Christmas.
[…] that will suit your hair and your plans. If you are building a whole holiday-season lineup, our Christmas Hairstyle Ideas roundup pairs beautifully with this list for the weeks leading up to the big […]