Im Lena, a professional hairstylist with over a decade in the salon chair. In this curated gallery I present 28 Christmas party hairstyles for women — from glittery updos and vintage waves to sleek ponytails, festive braids, textured lob styles and quick glam looks for every hair length and texture. I design these styles to suit busy hosts, party-goers, mothers, bridesmaids and anyone wanting a polished holiday look without hours of fuss. In the salon I focus on a solid foundation: a healthy blowout, properly layered cuts and the right product balance for hold without stiffness. Across the images youll find practical styling tips: prep with heat protectant, add mousse or root-lift for volume, secure intricate braids with clear elastics, and finish with a flexible-hold spray so your style moves naturally. Try metallic pins, velvet ribbons or tiny ornaments for instant festive sparkle.
Textured Braided Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
A romantic, textured braided updo that works beautifully for medium-to-long hair and suits fine, medium or thick densities when properly prepped. Start by adding volume at the crown with a root-lift or light backcombing, then create a loose Dutch/French braid along the hairline or crown, feeding in sections and pulling gently to broaden the braid. Secure the braid into a low, messy bun at the nape, tucking ends and pinning with sturdy bobby pins; pull out a few soft tendrils around the face and loosen the crown for an undone finish. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, curling wand (for ends), elastic bands and assorted bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray, lightweight mousse or volumizing powder, smoothing serum for flyaways, and medium-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: intermediate — basic braiding and pinning experience recommended; allow 25–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo or texturizer, re-pin loose pieces as needed, and sleep with a silk scarf or pillowcase to preserve shape. For fine hair, add padding or extra powder for grip; for thick hair, work in smaller sections.
Romantic Voluminous Curled Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This style suits medium to thick hair and shoulder‑to‑long lengths; fine hair can achieve the look with lightweight padding or clip‑in extensions for density. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply heat protectant and a root‑lift mousse, then blow‑dry with a round brush for lift. Create 1–1¼ barrel curls with a curling iron or set with hot rollers, pinning each curl to cool for lasting shape. Backcomb gently at the crown for structure, then arrange curls into a loose, textured chignon, securing with long bobby pins and discreet hairpins. Leave a few face‑framing tendrils and soften with finger‑tousling for a natural finish. Tools: 1 curling iron or wand, teasing/tail comb, sectioning clips, long bobby pins, optional hot rollers or padding. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing powder, medium‑to‑strong hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: Moderate — requires careful sectioning and pin placement; allow 45–60 minutes. Maintenance: lock with a final strong‑hold spray, carry travel hairspray and spare pins, sleep on silk, refresh with a quick re‑curl or dry shampoo at the roots, and book trims every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape.
Platinum Blonde Soft Half-Up Waves — Glamorous Retro-Inspired Style
This polished half-up, loose-wave look suits medium to long hair and works best on fine to medium textures or relaxed natural waves. For thicker or very curly hair, smooth and slightly loosen curls first to achieve the same soft wave. Start on clean, towel-dried hair with a small amount of volumizing mousse at the roots; blow-dry smooth with a round brush, creating a deep side part. Use a 1–1.25
Textured High Messy Updo with Full Fringe
Suitable for medium to thick hair and natural waves or straight hair; fine hair can achieve this look with extensions or extra root teasing. Start on towel-dried or second-day hair: apply a root-lifting mousse and a heat protectant. Blow-dry bangs with a small round brush or smooth with a flat iron to create the full fringe, then use a 1–1.25 curling wand to add loose bends through the lengths for texture. Mist with texturizing/salt spray and rough-dry with your fingers. Lightly tease the crown for lift, gather hair into a high pony, secure with a strong elastic, wrap the lengths into a loose, messy bun and pin with bobby pins, pulling out a few face-framing tendrils to soften the look. Finish with light-hold hairspray and a drop of shine serum on the ends. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, small round brush, curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lift, texturizing spray, dry shampoo for grip, light-hold hairspray, lightweight shine oil. Difficulty: Moderate — requires basic curling and teasing skills. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re-smooth bangs as needed, trim fringe every 4–6 weeks and deep-condition weekly if heat-styled.
Vintage Sculpted Updo with Voluminous Front Roll and Soft Pinned Waves
This polished vintage-inspired updo works best on medium to thick hair and on fine hair that’s been pre-textured with volume. Start with clean, towel-dried hair treated with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry with a round brush or set in large Velcro rollers for body. Create a deep side part, backcomb the crown lightly for lift, then sculpt the front into a smooth voluminous roll—roll hair forward and pin with U-pins or strong bobby pins. Use a large-barrel curling iron to form soft waves in sections, then sweep and pin them into a low, structured chignon, shaping each wave with fingers for a controlled, soft finish. Tools: hairdryer, round brush, large-barrel curling iron, sectioning clips, teasing comb, bobby pins and U-pins, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift spray, texturizing powder, medium-to-strong hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — a stylist-level finish but achievable at home with practice. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose net, refresh with dry shampoo and a few pins, and avoid heavy humidity; re-shape front roll with fingers and a light mist of hairspray for all-day hold.
Voluminous Textured Bridal Updo with Wispy Face‑Framing Layers
This romantic, voluminous updo suits medium to thick hair and long or mid‑length cuts; fine hair can achieve the same look with light extensions or a small padding/rat‑tail cushion. Start on towel‑dried hair with a volumizing mousse at the roots and blow‑dry with a round brush for lift. Create loose curls with a 1
Loose Textured Side Braid with Romantic Face‑Framing Tendrils
This romantic, slightly undone side braid with soft face‑framing tendrils suits medium to long hair and works especially well on wavy or naturally textured hair. Fine hair can achieve the same fullness with light padding or clip‑in extensions; very curly hair should be smoothed slightly for the loose braid effect. Technique: prep damp hair with a volumizing mousse, blow‑dry with a round brush or diffuse to enhance natural wave, then use a 1–1.25 curling wand to create loose bends. Gather hair to one side, loosely three‑strand braid or fishtail braid securing with a clear elastic, then pancake the braid for width. Pull delicate tendrils around the face and pin decorative accessory where the braid starts. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, tail comb, elastics, bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray or powder, light‑hold hairspray, smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate (25–40 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a few curling touch‑ups, and re‑pin any loosened sections; avoid heavy oils at the roots to maintain texture.
Crown Braid Half-Up with Loose Beachy Waves
Suitable for medium-to-long lengths and best on fine-to-medium textures; thick hair works well with long layers to reduce bulk. Begin on towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry smooth with a round brush or rough-dry for texture. Create loose, beachy waves with a 1 curling wand, alternating directions and leaving the ends slightly undone for a natural finish. Section a front panel on one or both sides and French/Dutch braid along the hairline toward the crown, pancake the braid for width, and secure discreetly with a small elastic and bobby pins. Tuck a decorative vine or pins into the braid for an elevated look. Tools needed: hairdryer, round brush, 1 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, anti-frizz serum or shine spray. Difficulty: moderate—salon-level but achievable at home with practice; allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely braid to preserve waves, refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, and check braid pins before wearing.
Romantic Voluminous Spiral Curls with Braided Crown
This look suits medium-to-long hair and works best on fine-to-thick textures with natural wave or relaxed curls. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry with a round brush to build body. Section hair into thirds; create a loose crown braid or rope braid on one or both sides and secure with discreet pins to form the halo effect. Using a 3/4–1-inch curling iron or wand, wrap 1–2 inch sections away from the face for uniform spirals, holding 6–8 seconds for defined curls. Finger-comb gently and set shape with a light texturizing spray before pinning some curls back to maintain the crown silhouette. Tools: curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastic bands, round brush. Products: heat protectant, root-lifting mousse, lightweight texturizing spray, serum for ends, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–60 minutes depending on length. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or loosely braid, refresh with mist and diffuse, touch up front pieces and reapply dry shampoo to preserve volume.
Textured Low Tousled Ponytail with Face‑Framing Pieces
This romantic textured low ponytail with loose face-framing pieces suits medium-to-long hair, especially wavy or naturally textured types. Fine hair responds well when prepped with mousse or dry shampoo and light teasing; very thick hair benefits from slight thinning for manageability. To style: apply heat protectant and texturizing spray, rough-dry while lifting at the roots, then create loose waves with a 1 curling iron. Gather hair at the nape and secure into a low pony, or make a series of small elastics and gently pull through sections to build a pulled-through, bubble-like texture. Loosen the crown with light backcombing and pull out two or three face-framing strands. Use bobby pins to tuck and shape the tail into a soft, tousled bun or leave as a textured ponytail. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling iron, elastic bands, bobby pins, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, lightweight mousse or dry shampoo, flexible-hold hairspray, shine serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, retouch waves as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and avoid heavy oils that weigh texture down.
Textured Loose Side Braid with Soft Face‑Framing Wisps
Suitability: Best for medium to thick hair with natural waves or loose curls; fine hair can achieve the look with texturizing products or lightweight extensions. Technique: Prep hair with a sea‑salt spray or texturizing mousse and rough‑dry to enhance grip. Create volume at the crown by lightly backcombing, then gather hair to one side and braid loosely (3‑strand or fishtail). Pancake the braid by gently pulling at the edges to open it and tease for that undone, romantic shape. Pull out small face‑framing strands and secure stray pieces with discreet bobby pins. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser (optional), curling wand for extra texture, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins. Products required: texturizing spray or salt spray, lightweight mousse or root lift, dry shampoo for hold, light‑hold hairspray, and a small smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty level: Moderate — approachable for confident DIYers; 15–30 minutes depending on practice. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap braid; refresh with dry shampoo or mist of texturizer and touch up strands with a curling wand. Avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.
Textured Voluminous Curly Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This romantic, textured updo works best on medium to thick hair with natural wave or loose curl; fine hair can achieve similar volume with root-lifting products and clip-in wefts, while very curly hair should be smoothed slightly before styling for defined tendrils. Start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse at roots, blow-dry with a round brush or diffuse to keep texture. Create loose curls with a 1 curling wand, brush lightly, then backcomb the crown for lift. Gather hair into a low or mid-height messy bun, secure with pins and an elastic, then pull out face‑framing tendrils and loosen sections for softness. Tools: 1 curling wand, blow dryer (diffuser optional), round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt or texturizing spray, medium-hold hairspray, small amount of smoothing oil. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic curling and pinning skills; allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer, re-curl fallen pieces, sleep in a loose silk scarf or pineapple to preserve shape, and avoid heavy serums that weigh hair down.
Voluminous Side-Swept Hollywood Curls — Long, Thick Hair Styling
This glamorous side-swept curl look is ideal for long to very long hair and responds best on medium to thick textures; fine hair can achieve similar volume with extensions or a root-lifting mousse. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and lightweight volumizing mousse, then blow-dry using a round brush to create lift at the roots. Create a deep side part, section the hair, and wrap 1¼–1½ inch sections around a large-barrel curling iron or wand, curling away from the face. Pin each curl to the scalp to cool for longer hold, then release and gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to form soft, sculpted waves. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray for hold and a pea-sized shine serum on ends to tame frizz. Tools needed: large-barrel curling iron/wand, clips, round brush, blow dryer, paddle/boar-bristle brush, comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, medium-hold hairspray, light shine oil, dry shampoo. Difficulty: intermediate. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pin curls, refresh with dry shampoo, and touch up with the iron as needed; deep-condition weekly and trim every 8–12 weeks to keep ends healthy.
Vintage Hollywood Waves with Deep Side Part and Sparkle Clip
This classic vintage Hollywood wave is ideal for medium to thick, straight-to-wavy hair and can be adapted for finer hair with the right prep. Start with clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots. Create a deep side part, then section hair into 1–1¼ vertical panels. Use a curling iron or Marcel iron to form uniform S-shaped curls, or set with hot rollers for longer hold. Allow curls to cool fully, then gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to form smooth waves. Sweep one side back and secure with bobby pins and a decorative clip for a polished finish. Tools: 1–1¼ curling or Marcel iron, sectioning clips, tail comb, paddle/boar brush, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, flexible-hold hairspray, light serum or shine spray, optional texturizer. Difficulty: intermediate — requires consistent curl size and careful brushing to achieve smooth waves. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose satin scarf, refresh with a light mist or touch-up a few sections with heat, avoid heavy oils that weigh waves down, and deep-condition weekly if hair is color-treated or heat-styled frequently.
Vintage Voluminous Updo with Soft Finger Waves and Low Chignon
This elegant vintage-inspired updo pairs voluminous, sculpted front waves with a low, pinned chignon — ideal for formal events. Best suited to medium to thick hair and natural waves or straight hair; fine hair will benefit from padding or small extensions to build bulk, while very curly hair needs a smoothing blowout first. Technique: prep with heat protectant and a root-lifting mousse, blow-dry with a round brush for lift, then form soft finger waves at the forehead using a 1 curling iron or flat iron and set with clips. Lightly backcomb the crown for volume, smooth the surface, gather hair into a low chignon at the nape and secure with long bobby pins and hairpins. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling iron or flat iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastics. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, lightweight pomade or styling cream for wave definition, medium-to-strong hairspray, and a shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate; allow 45–75 minutes. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, re-spray hold areas, sleep in a silk scarf or bonnet, and touch up waves with a small comb and a dab of pomade.
Textured Low Twisted Updo with Side‑Swept Fringe
This soft, textured low updo with a side‑swept fringe suits fine to thick hair at medium-to-long lengths and works best on straight to slightly wavy textures (very curly hair should be smoothed or loosely blown out first). Styling technique: create volume at the crown with light backcombing, section the hair, and form loose twists or small braids that are pinned together at the nape to build a soft chignon; leave a few face‑framing pieces for a relaxed finish. Tools needed: tail comb, paddle or round brush, small elastics, assorted bobby pins (U‑pins and flat pins), curling iron or flat iron for shaping, and a blow dryer. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root lift, texturizing spray or sea salt spray, smoothing serum for ends, and a medium‑to‑firm hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — achievable at home with 20–35 minutes practice; easier with a second mirror or an extra set of hands. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and re‑texturize with spray between washes, re‑pin loose pieces, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and trim fringe every 6–8 weeks to keep the shape.
Textured Romantic Side Fishtail with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This romantic, textured side fishtail is ideal for long, medium-to-thick hair and works beautifully on natural waves or straight hair pre-textured with heat. Begin by applying heat protectant and a volumizing mousse to damp hair; blow-dry then create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand for grip. Section a soft Dutch/French braid at the front hairline on one side and feed it into a low, slightly off-center fishtail or pull-through braid, securing with a clear elastic. Gently pancake the braid and tug face-framing pieces to soften the look, tucking and pinning the tail under for a finished low profile. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, curling wand, small elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for flyaways, and dry shampoo for second-day wear. Difficulty: intermediate (about 30–45 minutes). Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-pancake or tighten the braid as needed, touch up loose waves with a wand, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely re-braid to preserve shape.
Textured Braided Messy Low Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils
A romantic, textured braided low bun that works best on fine to medium hair with natural waves or light curls, and on longer bob to long lengths. From salon experience: prep the hair with a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray on damp hair, then blow-dry with a round brush to create body. Add loose curls with a 1–1.25 curling wand to build texture if hair is straight. Create one or two loose side braids or twisted sections, pancake them slightly for width, and gather hair into a low messy bun, securing discreetly with pins and small elastics. Pull out soft face‑framing tendrils and lightly tug at the crown for a lived‑in finish. Tools: curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, clear elastics. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, flexible-hold hairspray, and a lightweight serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 20–35 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow, refresh volume with dry shampoo, retwist or re-pin loose pieces as needed, and avoid heavy oils near the roots to keep texture intact.
Romantic Boho Crown Braid with Loose Textured Side Braid
This soft, romantic crown-to-side braid works best on medium to long hair with natural texture — fine hair will benefit from light texturizing, while thick or wavy hair will hold the shape beautifully. Start on damp hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then rough-dry to create body. Use a 1
Voluminous Romantic Side Braid with Face‑Framing Tendrils
Best for medium-to-long lengths with medium to thick density and natural wave or relaxed curl. Fine hair can achieve this look with volumizing products or clip-in extensions; very tight curls should be smoothed and loosely retextured first. Start on clean, dry hair with texture: create a deep side part, mist roots with dry shampoo or volume spray, then lightly backcomb the crown for lift. Use a 1 curling iron to add soft S-bends through mid-lengths, finger-comb them open. Gather hair to one side and create a loose three-strand or fishtail braid from the nape; secure with an elastic and pancake the braid by gently pulling at looped sections for fullness. Pull a few face-framing tendrils free and wrap a small section around the elastic, pinning underneath for a polished finish. Tools: tail comb, curling iron (1), sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins, teasing brush. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray, lightweight styling cream or serum for ends, flexible-hold hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: moderate—salon-friendly but requires basic braiding and shaping. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and texture spray, re-pancake braid each day to revive shape, touch up tendrils with the iron, sleep on silk and trim ends every 8–12 weeks.
Loose Textured Side Fishtail with Braided Crown
This romantic look suits medium to long hair and works best on naturally wavy or thick hair; fine hair will benefit from light extensions or root texturizing for grip. Start on second‑day hair: apply a heat protectant and texturizing spray, then create loose waves with a 1–1.25 inch curling wand for body. Section a small front panel and create a Dutch/French crown braid along the hairline, pinning it toward the opposite side. Gather all hair to one shoulder and braid into a relaxed fishtail, securing with a small elastic. Pancake the braid (gently tug outer loops) for width and softness and pull a few face‑framing pieces free. Tools needed: curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or texturizing spray, finishing serum for flyaways, flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires comfortable fishtail and crown braid technique but is salon‑friendly with practice. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, retighten or pin loosened sections, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap with a silk scarf to preserve shape.
Soft Romantic Braided Crown Updo with Loose Curls
This polished, romantic updo is ideal for medium-to-long hair and suits fine, medium or slightly thick textures — natural waves give the best hold but straight hair can be pre-textured. In-salon technique: start with a volumizing blow-dry, create a loose braid or rope braid from the temple across the crown, then curl 1 sections away from the face. Gently backcomb the crown for lift, twist and pin curled sections into a low, off-center chignon, and pull small pieces from the braid and curls to soften the shape. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, bobby pins, small elastics. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight volumizing mousse or root lift spray, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, flexible-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–50 minutes in the chair depending on length/density. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a few targeted spritzes of texturizer, re-pin loosened pieces as needed, and touch up stray curls with the iron to retain shape over 1–2 days.
Silver Retro Victory Rolls and Sculpted Hollywood Waves
This elegant vintage look suits medium-to-long hair best and works particularly well on medium to thick textures; fine hair can achieve the shape with volumizing products or lightweight padding/extensions. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then blow-dry smooth with a round brush. Create a deep side part and form the front victory roll by rolling a pre-curled section inward, securing with a clip and pins. Use a 1–1.25 curling iron or Marcel iron to form uniform S-waves through the lengths, setting each curl with clips to cool for long-lasting hold. Once cooled, gently brush into soft waves and anchor with bobby pins where needed to maintain the sculpted shape. Tools: curling iron/hot rollers, tail comb, boar-bristle brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins, clips. Products: heat protectant, mousse or setting lotion, light shine serum, strong-hold hairspray, and optional texturizing spray for grip. Difficulty: intermediate–advanced—requires timing and careful pinning. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with light hairspray or touch-up curls, and avoid humidity; deep-condition regularly to keep color and shine vibrant.
Textured Low Romantic Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This elegant textured low updo suits medium to long hair and works well on fine, medium, and thick textures — fine hair may benefit from light extensions or extra texturizer for fullness, while coarse hair responds best to smoothing serums before styling. Start by applying heat protectant and a lightweight texturizing spray to dry hair. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron for movement, then lightly tease the crown for volume. Gather hair at the nape, create soft twists and a low bun, securing sections with bobby pins and U-pins to maintain an airy, undone look; leave two to four face‑framing pieces and soften them with a small barrel or finger waves. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U-pins, small elastic. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum or cream, dry shampoo. Difficulty: Intermediate — expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or wrap, refresh volume with dry shampoo, tighten any loosened pins and re-curl stray tendrils; avoid heavy products that weigh the style down.
Romantic Low Textured Updo with Side-Swept Fringe
Suitable for medium to long hair, this soft romantic low updo with side-swept fringe and pinned textured curls works best on fine-to-medium hair that’s been texturized or thick hair that’s slightly thinned for manageability. Start by applying a heat protectant and volumizing mousse to damp hair. Blow-dry with a round brush to create lift at the roots and smooth the fringe. Create a deep side part, section hair, and set 1 barrel curls (or hot rollers) working away from the face. Lightly backcomb the crown for additional support, then loosely gather curls at the nape and pin into a low chignon leaving a few face-framing tendrils. Use bobby pins and U-pins to anchor textured sections without over-smoothing for a romantic feel. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray and a light shine serum on the ends. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins/U-pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray/dry shampoo, flexible-hold hairspray, light serum. Difficulty: moderate—allow 45–60 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh volume with dry shampoo, retouch loose tendrils with a curling iron, and carry spare pins and mini hairspray for quick fixes.
Vintage Side-Swept Pin Curls with Festive Low Chignon
This polished, vintage-inspired side-swept style combines defined pin curls and a low, textured chignon accented with a festive clip. Suitability: works best on fine-to-medium hair for clean curl definition; thick hair will also hold the shape but needs smaller sections and more pins. Technique: establish a deep side part, apply heat protectant and setting lotion, and create uniform pin curls using a 1 curling iron or hot rollers; let curls cool fully then brush into S-shaped waves for the front and shape remaining curls into a low side chignon, securing with bobby pins and hairpins. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or Marcel iron (or hot rollers), tail comb, boar-bristle brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins and hairpins. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or lightweight mousse, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum and optional texturizing spray. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning and precise pinning; expect 45–75 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on silk or wrap, refresh with a light mist and finger reshape, touch up the front wave with a curling iron and resecure loose pins as needed.
Voluminous Side-Swept Loose Braid with Soft Waves
This romantic side-swept loose braid works best on long to mid-back lengths and medium to thick hair; fine hair can achieve the look with added texture and padding. Start by creating soft, face-framing waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron, then backcomb lightly at the crown for lift. Gather hair to one side and form a loose three-strand or rope-style braid, pulling open (“pancaking”) each section to amplify volume and movement. Secure with a small clear elastic and hide the band with a wrapped strand pinned underneath. Tools: curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, round brush, bobby pins, and small elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, texturizing/sea-salt spray for grip, smoothing serum for ends, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home with patience; a stylist will finish and pin for longevity. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow or re-tie loosely, refresh texture with dry shampoo or mist of sea-salt spray, and re-pancake the braid as needed. Avoid heavy oils near the roots to maintain lift.
Textured Romantic Low Updo for Wavy or Curly Hair
This soft, textured low updo with loose tendrils is ideal for medium to long naturally wavy or curly hair, or straight hair that’s pre-textured with curling. It flatters fine to medium-thick hair—fine hair benefits from added product and teasing; thick hair should be sectioned and pinned to reduce bulk. Styling technique: start on second-day hair or apply dry shampoo for grip. Add heat protectant and create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand or diffuse natural curl with a blow dryer. Section hair, loosely twist or braid multiple pieces and pin them into a low, messy bun, pulling face-framing pieces free for softness. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift and secure with long hairpins and small elastics. Finish with a festive floral or berry accessory for a seasonal look. Tools needed: curling wand or diffuser, blow dryer, rat-tail comb, teasing brush, bobby pins, long U-pins, small elastics. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray, lightweight pomade for ends, medium-hold hairspray and dry shampoo. Difficulty: intermediate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk scarf, refresh with a light mist and texturizer, re-pin loose pieces and avoid heavy conditioning before styling to preserve grip.
Thanks for browsing these 28 Christmas party hairstyles. As a stylist I recommend choosing looks that match your outfit, face shape and how long you need the style to last. Prep is everything: start with a hydrating but lightweight shampoo, follow with a smoothing conditioner on mid-lengths and ends, and use a heat protectant before any hot tools. For thin hair, add root-volume products and light texturizing spray; for thick or curly hair, work with smoothing creams and firm-hold pins. When recreating an intricate updo at home, section hair and use plenty of bobby pins placed in an X for secure hold. Finish with a flexible hairspray so movement stays natural, and touch up with a shine serum on ends. If you’re unsure, bring a screenshot to your salon visit—I’ll happily customize one of these 28 looks to your hair type and schedule.