Christmas Party Hairstyles: 35 Elegant Looks
December’s party calendar fills up fast, and finding christmas party hairstyles that feel elegant rather than overdone can take longer than choosing the dress. This guide does the choosing for you: 35 elegant looks sorted by hair length, plus a neckline-matching section so your hair flatters your outfit. Every style includes a difficulty rating and a realistic time estimate, so you can pick the one that fits your evening, your skill level, and your schedule.
Whether you have a sharp bob, shoulder-grazing layers, or waist-length hair, there is a party look here that works with what you have. No salon appointment required for most of them, just the right technique and a few well-chosen accessories.
Christmas Party Hairstyles for Short Hair
1. Sleek Vintage Finger Waves
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 30 minutes
Finger waves on a bob or pixie deliver instant 1920s party glamour. Work a strong-hold gel through damp hair, sculpt S-shaped waves with a fine-tooth comb, and clip each ridge while it sets. Finish with a shine spray for a lacquered effect that photographs beautifully from every angle.
2. Textured Pixie with Crystal Side Pins
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10 minutes
Short hair shines at parties with the right sparkle. Tousle a pixie with texturizing paste for piecey definition, then press two or three crystal pins along one side above the ear. The asymmetry keeps it modern while the crystals catch candlelight every time you turn your head.
3. Deep Side-Part Glass Bob
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 15 minutes
A severe deep side part turns a simple bob into a red-carpet look. Flat-iron in small sections with heat protectant, tuck one side tightly behind the ear, and let the other side fall forward over the cheek. Smooth the tucked side with edge control on a toothbrush for a true glass finish.
4. Curly Bob with Gold Headband
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 15 minutes
Define natural curls or set a bob on a small-barrel iron, then slide on a slim polished gold headband. The headband adds instant polish and keeps curls off your face while you mingle. A dab of curl cream on the ends prevents frizz as the night goes on.
5. Pinned-Back Front Twist
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10 minutes
Twist the front sections of short hair back from the temples and pin them flat against the head for a faux half-up effect. It opens up the face and shows off statement earrings beautifully. A spritz of flexible-hold spray keeps the twists smooth without stiffness.
6. Wet-Look Sculpted Crop
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
The wet look is the boldest short-hair party move you can make. Comb a high-shine gel through a crop or short bob from roots to ends, sculpting it close to the head with deliberate finger texture. It looks editorial and expensive, and it genuinely lasts all night without touch-ups.
7. Voluminous Blowout Bob
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 25 minutes
Big bouncy volume makes a bob feel festive. Blow-dry with a medium round brush, lifting each section at the root, and flip the ends under for polish. A volumizing mousse at the roots before drying is what gives the style its party lift.
8. Pearl-Studded Faux Updo
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
Pin short hair up at the nape with bobby pins to suggest an updo, leaving soft pieces loose at the front. Scatter small pearl pins through the pinned section in a loose cluster. From the front it reads as a chic crop, and from behind it is pure party detail.
Christmas Party Hairstyles for Medium Hair
9. Classic Low Chignon with Side Part
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
The low chignon is the most dependable elegant party style there is. Create a deep side part, smooth hair into a low ponytail, twist the length into a neat knot at the nape, and pin securely. Pull two face-framing pieces loose and curl them softly for romance.
10. Soft Hollywood Waves
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 30 minutes
Hollywood waves never miss at a Christmas party. Curl medium-length hair in one direction with a 1.25-inch iron, let each curl cool while pinned, then brush through for a unified S-wave. A deep side part and glossy finish make it feel old-glamour rather than beachy.
11. Twisted Half-Up with Pearl Comb
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 15 minutes
Twist two front sections back and overlap them at the crown, securing with a decorative pearl comb. It keeps hair out of your face while showing off your length. This is one of the most forgiving christmas party hairstyles for medium hair because the twists hide any unevenness.
12. Sleek Low Ponytail with Velvet Ribbon
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10 minutes
Flat-iron hair smooth, gather into a low ponytail, and tie a burgundy or forest-green velvet ribbon around the base in a bow. The ribbon is the whole party trick here: minimal effort, maximum festivity. Wrap a strand of hair over the elastic first for a cleaner base.
13. Romantic Loose Braided Updo
Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 35 minutes
A loosely braided updo looks intricate but starts with simple pieces. Braid two low pigtails loosely, pancake them for fullness, then coil and pin them into a low bun shape. Leave tendrils loose around the face and mist with flexible spray. It photographs like a salon updo.
14. High Polished Ponytail
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 15 minutes
A snatched high ponytail is party hair with attitude. Brush everything up smoothly, secure high on the crown, and wrap the base with a strand of hair. Curl the ponytail ends under for bounce. It elongates the neck and shows off earrings and necklines.
15. Face-Framing Curtain Blowout
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 25 minutes
Curtain bangs and layers blown out with volume are quietly glamorous. Use a round brush to sweep the front sections away from the face, rolling them back for bounce. Give the rest of the hair soft bends rather than full curls. It moves beautifully in person and in photos.
16. Modern Undone French Twist
Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 30 minutes
The French twist gets a softer update: less severe, more romantic. Gather hair low, twist upward loosely against the head, and let the ends fan out slightly instead of tucking them perfectly. Secure with U-pins and pull a few pieces loose. Elegant without looking stiff.
17. Side-Swept Vintage Curls
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 30 minutes
Sweep everything to one side for drama. Curl hair with a medium iron, brush out for softness, then pin the lighter side flat behind the ear so all the volume cascades over one shoulder. A crystal clip on the pinned side adds the party finish.
Christmas Party Hairstyles for Long Hair
18. Bombshell Blowout with Flipped Ends
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 35 minutes
The ultimate long-hair party style is pure volume. Blow-dry with a large round brush, directing everything up and back, then flip the ends outward with a flat iron for that signature flick. Set the crown in velcro rollers while you do your makeup for extra lift that lasts.
19. Sleek Wrapped High Ponytail
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 15 minutes
Flat-iron long hair pin-straight, pull into a high ponytail, and wrap a thick strand around the base to hide the elastic. The sleek length becomes the statement. A shine serum on the lengths gives that expensive liquid finish.
20. Glamorous Old-Hollywood Side Waves
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 30 minutes
Set long hair in same-direction curls, let them cool completely, then brush into deep glossy waves swept over one shoulder. The one-shoulder sweep is what makes it party rather than everyday. It pairs perfectly with a strapless or one-shoulder dress.
21. Low Twisted Knot with Gold Vine
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 25 minutes
Twist long hair into a low, slightly loose knot at the nape and wind a delicate gold hair vine through it. Pull a few tendrils loose at the front. It has heirloom-jewelry energy and holds through hours of celebrating.
22. Bubble Braid Ponytail with Pearls
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
A bubble ponytail turns length into a celebration. Secure a high ponytail, add clear elastics every two inches, puff each section into round bubbles, and dot pearl pins along the length. Mist each section with strong-hold spray as you go so it survives the dance floor.
23. Fishtail Braid Over One Shoulder
Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 30 minutes
A thick fishtail braid worn over one shoulder is romantic and intricate-looking. Keep the braid loose and pancaked for fullness, and pull a few face-framing pieces free. It works beautifully with high-neck or embellished dresses because the hair stays to one side.
24. Voluminous Half-Up Crown
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 25 minutes
Tease the crown for height, smooth the top layer over it, and pin a half-up section high on the head. The height at the crown is the party element, and the loose length keeps it soft. Add a jeweled clip at the pin point for extra sparkle.
25. Silky Straight with Crystal Part Pins
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10 minutes
Sometimes the most elegant choice is the simplest. Wear long hair pin-straight with a sharp middle part, then press three small crystal pins along each side of the part. The crystals do all the festive work. This is the fastest of all christmas party hairstyles on this list.
26. Romantic Waterfall Braid
Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 35 minutes
The waterfall braid lets strands cascade through the braid like a garland. Work it across the crown of long hair, letting the dropped pieces fall into soft curls. Curl the fallen pieces with a wand for a finished look. It is the prettiest way to wear long hair half-up.
27. Elegant Low Ponytail with Scarf Wrap
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10 minutes
A low ponytail wrapped with a jewel-toned silk scarf reads instantly festive. Smooth hair into a low pony, wrap a deep emerald or burgundy scarf around the base, and let the ends trail. It is the easiest way to wear holiday color in your hair.
28. Big Soft Curls with Deep Side Part
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 25 minutes
Big, soft, brushed-out curls with a deep side part are reliably glamorous. Curl large sections away from the face, let them cool, then brush through for softness rather than ringlets. A flexible-hold spray keeps the movement without crunch.
29. Twisted Rope Ponytail
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
Divide a high ponytail into two sections, twist each in the same direction, then wrap them around each other in the opposite direction and secure. The rope texture looks far more intricate than it is. It holds up well on the dance floor.
Match Your Christmas Party Hairstyle to Your Dress Neckline
The right hairstyle does not just suit your hair length, it flatters your outfit. Use this quick guide to pair your christmas party hairstyle with your dress neckline.
30. Strapless Dress: Sculpted High Bun
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 25 minutes
A strapless neckline begs for an updo that shows off shoulders and collarbones. Pull hair into a high, smooth bun, sculpted close to the head for polish. The clean lines balance a dramatic dress without competing with it.
31. High Neckline: Sleek Low Bun
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 15 minutes
High necklines already bring drama, so keep hair quiet and low. A sleek low bun at the nape keeps the focus on the neckline and elongates the neck. Tuck everything smooth with gel and a boar-bristle brush for a lacquered finish.
32. V-Neck: Face-Framing Waves with Center Part
Difficulty: Easy | Time: 20 minutes
A center part with soft face-framing waves mirrors the V of the neckline beautifully. The symmetry draws the eye down in the most flattering way. Keep the waves soft and brushed out rather than tight.
33. Off-the-Shoulder: Romantic Updo with Loose Tendrils
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
Off-the-shoulder dresses show skin, so an updo with softness works best. Pin hair into a loose low updo and pull tendrils loose around the face and nape. The undone texture keeps the look romantic rather than severe.
34. One-Shoulder: Asymmetric Side Sweep
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
Balance a one-shoulder dress by sweeping all the hair to the opposite side. Curl the lengths, pin the heavy side low behind the ear, and let everything cascade over the bare shoulder. The asymmetry looks intentional and striking.
35. Cowl Neck: Polished Low Chignon
Difficulty: Medium | Time: 20 minutes
Cowl necklines drape softly, so a polished low chignon keeps the overall effect elegant. The smooth knot at the nape contrasts beautifully with the soft drape of the fabric. A middle part keeps it modern.
Holiday Hair Tips That Make Every Style Last
- Style on second-day hair. Freshly washed hair is slippery. Updos, braids, and pins all grip better with a day of natural texture. If you must wash the same day, rough-dry with texturizing spray first.
- Do a trial run for anything marked Advanced. French twists, waterfall braids, and fishtails deserve one practice session a few days before the party, so there are no surprises at 7 PM.
- Pack a party kit. A mini hairspray, five bobby pins, two clear elastics, and a few blotting papers fit in the smallest clutch and rescue any style by midnight.
- Protect before heat. Every blowout, curl, and flat-iron pass needs heat protectant. Holiday styling is heavy styling, and fried ends show up in photos. Healthy, well-kept hair also holds these christmas party hairstyles far better, so keep up with your regular hair care routine through the season.
- Match your metals. Gold accessories flatter warm hair tones and jewel-toned velvet, while silver and crystal suit cool blondes and icy looks. Pick one metal and carry it through your hair pins, jewelry, and clutch for a pulled-together finish.
Christmas Party Hairstyle FAQs
What is the easiest elegant christmas party hairstyle?
The silky straight look with crystal part pins (idea 25) takes ten minutes and no real technique. The sleek low ponytail with a velvet ribbon (idea 12) is a close second.
How do I make my party hairstyle last all night?
Start with second-day hair or a texturizing spray for grip, pin updos in an X formation with bobby pins, and finish with a strong-hold spray. Bring the party kit from the tips section for midnight touch-ups.
Should I wash my hair the day of the party?
Ideally not. Hair washed the day before holds curls, twists, and pins much better. If your hair gets oily fast, wash the morning of, rough-dry with texturizing spray, and avoid heavy conditioners at the roots.
Which hairstyle suits a formal Christmas party dress?
Match the neckline: a strapless gown pairs with a sculpted high bun, a high neckline with a sleek low bun, and an off-the-shoulder dress with a romantic updo. See ideas 30 through 35 above for the full pairing guide.
With 35 elegant christmas party hairstyles to choose from, the hardest part is picking just one. Save your favorites, do a trial run the night before for anything ambitious, and keep that mini kit in your clutch. For more relaxed holiday options, browse our 25 easy Christmas hairstyles for 2026. Happy party season.
