20 Velvet Bow Hairstyles for Christmas

Why Velvet Bow Hairstyles Are Christmas 2026’s Easiest Party Upgrade

Velvet bow hairstyles do in thirty seconds what a full restyle takes an hour to do. It makes hair you already know how to style look deliberate and party-ready. Velvet is the texture of Christmas 2026. It is the deep-pile fabric behind the jewel-tone palette of burgundy, emerald, navy and espresso. A single bow carries all of that richness without a dye appointment, a curling-iron marathon or a single sequin. See the full palette in our Ralph Lauren Christmas outfits.

The reason velvet bow hairstyles work for every party on your calendar is range. That same bow finishes a sleek bun for a formal dinner. It also crowns a high ponytail for Christmas Eve drinks. Because the bow does the talking, your makeup can stay simple. These twenty looks start from hairstyles you already own: ponytails, buns, braids, waves. They change only the finish. For the full effect, pair them with our Christmas makeup looks.

Every look below is shown on a real person. You get the exact bow colour, placement and fixing trick that makes it work. There is no stock-photo guesswork. Pick your palette first (jewel-deep or icy-pale), then find your hair length and texture in the list. For the full party-season wardrobe of hair ideas, start with our Christmas hairstyles.

20 Velvet Bow Hairstyles for Christmas

1. Classic Low Ponytail With an Oversized Burgundy Velvet Bow

Gather a low ponytail at the nape. Moreover, smooth it with a boar brush and a drop of shine oil, so the burgundy velvet reads rich, not flat. Tie an oversized burgundy velvet bow at the base, letting the tails fall over the ponytail. The whole style takes five minutes and survives an evening of hugging relatives.

2. Half-Up Half-Down With an Emerald Velvet Bow

Take the top half of your hair back loosely. In addition, keep soft volume at the crown, and clip an emerald velvet bow where the two sides meet. The jewel green pops against dark hair and photographs beautifully under Christmas lights. Leave the bottom half down in soft waves.

3. Sleek High Ponytail With a Black Velvet Bow

Brush hair up into a high, snatched ponytail. For example, use a strong-hold gel at the roots, then add a structured black velvet bow just above the elastic. The contrast of severe shine and soft velvet is very 2026. Wrap a strand of hair around the elastic to hide it.

4. Soft Hollywood Waves With an Ivory Velvet Side Bow

Create deep, uniform Hollywood waves with a large-barrel iron. Next, brush them into one glossy ridge, then pin an ivory velvet side bow just above the ear. Ivory velvet against blonde or silver hair reads like snow on evergreen: quietly luxurious, never bridal. Set the waves with a flexible-hold spray so they move.

5. Low Chignon With a Navy Velvet Bow

Twist hair into a low chignon. In fact, pin it flat and oval rather than round and ballerina-tight. Then finish with a navy velvet bow at the side of the bun. Navy is the insider’s Christmas colour: rich as black, softer on the face. This is the look for the office party where you want polish, not costume.

6. Braided Crown With Mini Red Velvet Bows

Braid a loose crown braid from ear to ear. For example, pancake the edges for width, then clip three tiny red velvet bows along the braid’s upper edge. The mini bows read as berries in the hair: festive without a single bauble. Mist with shine spray to catch the light.

7. High Messy Bun With a Champagne Velvet Bow

Pile hair into a high, deliberately messy bun. First, apply texture spray with no brushing, then tie a champagne velvet bow around its base. The undone texture keeps the look young; the velvet keeps it Christmas. Pull two strands loose at the front.

8. Side-Swept Curls With a Forest Green Velvet Bow

Curl all your hair in one direction. Then sweep it over one shoulder, and secure the swept side low behind the ear with pins. Add a forest green velvet bow where the sweep turns. In fact, the deep green is the 2026 answer to last year’s burgundy. This style loves long hair; on shorter lengths, use a deep side part instead.

9. French Twist With a Burgundy Velvet Bow Clip

Roll hair into a classic French twist. Moreover, keep the seam clean, and slide a burgundy velvet bow clip vertically along the twist’s outer edge. A matte finish is key: use hairspray, not oil, so the velvet’s texture stays crisp. This is the boardroom-to-ballroom look.

10. Bubble Ponytail Tied With Velvet Ribbon Bows

Make a mid-height ponytail. For example, add elastics every few inches to create soft bubbles. Tie a small velvet ribbon bow at each elastic, alternating burgundy, emerald and navy down the length. Keep the bubbles loose and a little uneven for a modern feel. This is a great party trick on second-day hair.

11. Loose Low Braid With a Long Velvet Ribbon Woven Through

Weave a long, thin velvet ribbon through a loose low three-strand braid as if it were a fourth strand. Then tie the ends into a bow. However, the ribbon should be narrow: a wide ribbon overwhelms the braid. Finish with a light-hold spray and pull face-framing pieces free. A tight braid with ribbon reads costume, while a loose one reads romantic.

12. Slicked-Back Bun With a Black Velvet Bow

Part hair sharply in the centre. In addition, slick it back with gel into a low, tight bun. Then finish with a wide black velvet bow across the crown of the bun. This is the velvet bow hairstyle to pair with statement earrings and a bare neckline. The bow is the back view, and the earrings are the front. Keep edges glassy with a toothbrush and gel.

13. Curly Half-Updo With a Plum Velvet Bow

For natural curls and coily hair, gather only the crown section into a half-up puff or twist. Then clip a plum velvet bow at its base. For example, let the curls do the volume work. The bow is the punctuation, not the sentence. Apply your curl cream before styling, not after. Touching finished curls creates frizz.

14. Twin Low Buns With Double Velvet Bows

Part hair down the middle. For instance, make two low buns behind the ears, and tie a matching velvet bow at the top of each bun. Use deep emerald green on both sides. The symmetry is playful; the velvet keeps it grown-up. This is the look for Christmas morning photos.

15. Vintage Waves With a Red Velvet Bow Accent

Set hair in sculpted vintage waves with a deep side part. Then pin a medium red velvet bow at the part’s highest point. The look channels old-Hollywood Christmas cards: structured, glossy, and a little dramatic. In fact, red velvet on dark hair is the most classic combination on this list.

16. Glass Hair With a Velvet Bow Barrette

Wear long hair bone-straight and mirror-shiny for the full glass-hair treatment. Moreover, keep a centre part, then clip a velvet bow barrette low at the nape, hidden until you turn. The surprise back detail photographs beautifully. Use a shine serum, not oil, to keep the glass finish.

17. Tousled Waves With a Cinnamon Velvet Bow

Work with second-day, tousled waves. For example, rake them back loosely with your fingers, and tie a cinnamon or rust velvet bow at the crown. This warm spice tone is the cosiest corner of the 2026 palette, made for cream knits and fireside photos. The messier the waves, the better the bow looks.

18. Top Knot With a Gold-Trimmed Velvet Bow

Twist hair into a high top knot. In addition, smooth the sides. Then wrap a velvet bow with a thin gold edge or gold centre knot around the knot’s base. The metallic trim catches candlelight and reads instantly festive. Keep the knot neat, since this is a polished look, not a messy bun.

19. Short Bob With Mini Velvet Bow Clips

Short hair wears this trend as an accent, not an anchor. For example, tuck one side of a bob or lob behind the ear. Then stack two mini velvet bow clips just above the tuck. Use one burgundy and one black. The clips do all the festive work; the cut stays the star. On a pixie, place one slim bow barrette at the side part.

20. Romantic Low Updo With a Pearl-Edged White Velvet Bow

Finish with the bridal-adjacent one: a soft, romantic low updo of loose twists and pinned curls. Finally, crown it with a pearl-edged white velvet bow at the back. Save this for the most dressed-up night of your season: Christmas Eve, a winter wedding, or New Year’s Eve itself. The pearls catch light in photos like tiny stars.

Velvet Bow Hairstyle Tips That Make It Stay Put

Anchor the bow, do not just clip it. In fact, velvet is heavy and slippery hair lets it slide. Therefore, cross two bobby pins under the bow’s clip, or tie the bow to a ponytail elastic for real staying power.

Match the bow to one thing only. Pick up the colour of your dress, your lip or your nails. One match looks intentional, while three look costumed. Jewel velvet in navy, cream and tartan is the season’s most reliable formula. See our old money hairstyles.

Size the bow to the hairstyle. For example, oversized bows need simple hair, like a plain ponytail or bun. Intricate hair (braids, twists, vintage waves) needs mini or slim bows. When bow and hairstyle are both the statement, neither wins.

Steam, never iron, a crushed bow. In fact, velvet pile flattens in a drawer. Hold the bow over a kettle’s steam for a few seconds and reshape it with your fingers. A hot iron will crush the pile permanently and leave a shine mark.

Prep texture before, not after. Bows grip best on hair with a little texture: day-two hair, texture spray or a light mousse. If your hair is freshly washed and silky, braid it for twenty minutes while you do your makeup. These velvet bow hairstyles hold best with a little grip. Then add volume with our bouncy blowouts guide.

Velvet Bow Hairstyle FAQs

What colour velvet bow is best for Christmas?

Burgundy and emerald are the classic Christmas choices. Moreover, they suit the most outfits, while navy and black velvet read more formal and expensive. In fact, for the icy 2026 palette, choose ivory, champagne or white velvet. If you buy only one bow for your velvet bow hairstyles, make it burgundy. It works with black, cream, tartan, gold and denim.

How do I stop a velvet bow sliding out of my hair?

For example, secure the hairstyle first with an elastic or pins. Then attach the bow to that anchor rather than to loose hair. Moreover, a strip of velvet ribbon tied around a ponytail elastic will hold through an evening of dancing. So will two crossed bobby pins under a bow clip. In addition, a light mist of texture spray where the bow sits adds grip on fine, silky hair.

Can I wear a velvet bow hairstyle with short hair?

Yes, short hair wears the trend as an accent. For instance, mini velvet bow clips stacked above a tucked-back side of a bob (look 19) give the festive finish. In fact, they work without needing length to tie. So does a single slim bow barrette on a pixie-length side part. Moreover, choose mini or slim bows so the scale suits the cut.

Are velvet bow hairstyles suitable for formal Christmas events?

Absolutely, in their sleeker forms. For example, a French twist with a burgundy bow clip (look 9) is black-tie appropriate. Moreover, the low chignon with navy velvet (look 5) is too. So is the pearl-edged white bow updo (look 20). In addition, keep the hair polished, the bow structured, and let the velvet’s richness do the formal work.

How do I choose the right bow size for my hair?

Match scale to volume and simplicity. For instance, thick or long hair in a plain ponytail or bun can carry an oversized bow. Moreover, fine or short hair suits mini and slim styles. In fact, detailed hairstyles like braids need small bows so the pattern stays visible. When in doubt, hold the bow against the finished style. It should read as the finishing touch, not the whole hairstyle.

Your Velvet Bow Christmas Starts Here

Twenty hairstyles, one roll of velvet, zero salon appointments: that is the quiet luxury of velvet bow hairstyles. Pick your palette (jewel-deep or icy-pale). Then choose the bow that matches the dress you are most excited to wear. Save this list for party season. Tell us in the comments: are you team burgundy, team emerald, or team ivory this Christmas? For healthy hair under all that styling, see these hair care tips from the American Academy of Dermatology.