24 Christmas Hairstyles for Women: Festive Looks for Every Hair Type

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with over a decade behind the chair. I created this collection of 24 Christmas hairstyles to give you quick, glam and timeless holiday looks that work for every hair length and texture. You’ll find everything from cozy, tousled waves and classic low chignons to braided crowns, glittery accents, and polished updos for parties or family photos. These styles suit fine hair (with volume tricks), medium hair (great for curls and braids) and thick or coily hair (where twists and statement buns shine). My goal is practical: each style includes simple prep notes—heat vs. heat-free options, product suggestions for hold and shine, and accessory ideas like ribbons, clips and festive pins. Whether you need a 10-minute hairstyle for a brunch or a show-stopping look for a Christmas ball, these salon-tested styles will help you feel confident and holiday-ready.

Voluminous Sculpted Curly Updo — Vintage Red Hair Styling

This dramatic, sculpted updo works best on medium-to-thick hair with shoulder-length to long lengths; hair with natural wave or pre-cut layers holds shape especially well. Technique: section the hair, apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then set deep, uniform curls with 1 curling iron or hot rollers. Allow curls to cool fully, lightly brush or finger-shape into S-wave formations, backcomb the root area for lift, and pin each curl into place at the crown to build height and movement. Finish by smoothing flyaways and arranging accent curls to create the sculpted, airy silhouette seen here. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, vent brush, sectioning clips, a variety of bobby and long pins, and a fine-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, texturizing powder or spray, a strong-hold hairspray, and a lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: advanced — best achieved by an experienced stylist or practiced at-home stylist. Maintenance tips: reinforce pins before events, carry mini hairspray for touch-ups, avoid humidity, sleep on a silk pillow or wrap, and refresh shape with a light mist and gentle reshaping.

Textured Romantic Updo with Loose Face‑Framing Curls and Berry Accent

Perfect for medium to long hair with natural wave or curl, this textured romantic updo features soft face‑framing tendrils and a seasonal berry sprig or floral accent. Styling technique: prep with heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse, blow‑dry for body, then create loose curls with a 1–1.25 curling iron. Finger‑comb curls and twist/pin sections into a low, textured bun using long bobby pins and U‑pins; slightly backcomb the crown for lift and pull a few strands forward to frame the face. Tools needed: blow dryer, 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins/U‑pins, small elastic and a mini flat iron for touchups. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing/root lift product, sea‑salt or texturizing spray, strong flexible hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty level: moderate — requires precise sectioning and pinning, ~30–45 minutes in salon conditions. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh loose tendrils with a quick re‑curl, spritz texturizer to revive hold, and reinforce any loosened areas with spare pins; avoid heavy oils near pins to prevent slippage.

Voluminous Curly Updo with Festive Ribbon and Ornament Accents

This dramatic, high-volume curly updo suits medium to thick hair and naturally curly or wavy textures; fine hair can achieve the same silhouette with padding and volumizing products. Technique: create defined ringlets with a ¾–1-inch curling wand, lightly backcomb the crown for lift, and sculpt the shape by loosely pinning clustered curls into a soft, elevated bun. Leave a few face-framing tendrils for softness and secure decorative ribbon/ornaments as the final touch. Tools needed: curling wand, rat-tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, hair elastics, strong bobby pins, and optional padding/donut. Products required: heat protectant, root-lift mousse or volumizing spray, texturizing or salt spray for grip, strong-hold hairspray, and a light shine serum for frizz control. Difficulty: intermediate to advanced — expect 45–75 minutes in a salon setting. Maintenance tips: protect the style with a silk scarf or bonnet while sleeping, refresh stray curls with a curl-defining spray and quick heat touch-ups if necessary, re-pin any loosened pieces, and avoid heavy humidity; carry small pins and a travel hairspray for on-the-go fixes.

Voluminous Romantic Updo with Floral Crown and Face‑Framing Tendrils

This soft, voluminous updo suits medium to long hair and works best on medium-to-thick textures; fine hair can be enhanced with a small padding donut or clip‑in pieces for the same lift. Start by applying a root‑lift spray and light texturizing mist to dry hair. Section the crown, lightly backcomb for volume, and smooth the top layer before gathering hair into a loose, low-to-mid bun — secure with elastic and bobby pins, leaving a few face‑framing strands. Use a 1–1½ inch curling iron to shape tendrils and a tail comb to refine the hairline. Anchor a wired floral crown or greenery picks into the bun with U‑pins or floral pins, securing to multiple points so the accessory sits evenly. Tools needed: teasing brush, rat tail comb, curling iron, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U‑pins. Products: root lift, texturizing spray, heat protectant, smoothing serum, and a flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate (20–40 minutes). Maintenance tips: carry extra pins, refresh texture with dry shampoo, retouch tendrils with heat, and remove floral pieces gently to avoid tangling.

Textured Braided Crown Updo for Medium to Thick Hair

This romantic braided crown updo works best on medium to thick hair, shoulder length to long, and is flattering on natural waves or straight hair with some texture. Technique: section hair into three or four panels, create loose three-strand braids or rope twists along the crown, gently pancake them for width, and pin each braid around the head to form a soft crown. Leave a few face-framing pieces and lightly curl ends before pinning for movement. Tools needed: 1 curling wand or iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins (varied sizes) and a fine-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or root-lift spray, texturizing or sea-salt spray, flexible-hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty level: intermediate — expect 30–60 minutes depending on hair density; some practice is needed to get even braids and secure pinning. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo and texturizing spray, re-pin any loosened sections, sleep with a silk scarf to reduce frizz, and use clip-in extensions or padding if hair is fine or needs extra volume.

Romantic Voluminous Curly High Bun with Floral Accents

Suitable for medium-to-long hair and particularly flattering on wavy or naturally curly textures, this romantic voluminous high bun adapts well to fine hair (use padding or extensions) and thick hair (pin in sections). To create: prep with a volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through mid-lengths; diffuse-dry or blow-dry with a round brush for lift. Create loose curls with a 1–1.25 curling wand for texture, backcomb the crown lightly for volume, then gather hair into a high pony. Twist sections into loops, pin with strong bobby pins and secure with an elastic; pull pieces apart for a soft, messy finish and leave a few face-framing tendrils. Add floral accents or sprays by anchoring stems with floral wire and U-pins. Tools: tail comb, detangling brush, teasing brush, 1 curling wand, blow dryer (diffuser optional), elastics, bobby pins, U-pins. Products: volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, heat protectant, flexible-hold hairspray and a smoothing serum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires section control and pinning technique. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, re-pin loose sections, avoid heavy hydration before wear, and sleep on a silk pillow or use a loose wrap to preserve shape.

Romantic Braided Low Chignon with Floral Accents

This soft, romantic updo works best on medium-to-long hair with natural body — medium to thick textures hold the braid and chignon well; fine hair benefits from light backcombing or a texturizing powder and a small padding donut. Technique: create a deep side part, gently twist or Dutch-braid the front sections into a loose crown, gather the remaining hair low at the nape, and form a relaxed chignon by looping and pinning sections; tuck dried or fresh floral accents into the pins for a secure, bridal-ready finish. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, elastic bands, an assortment of bobby pins and U-pins, a small padding donut (optional), and a curling iron to set soft face-framing pieces. Products required: volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray on damp hair, heat protectant, texturizing powder for grip, medium-hold hairspray, and a light shine serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–60 minutes in salon conditions. Maintenance tips: use extra pins for heavy accessories, carry spare pins and travel hairspray, avoid over-manipulating, and refresh with dry shampoo and a light re-spray between events to preserve shape.

Sculptural Beaded High Updo — Ornate Beaded Bridal & Event Hairstyle

Suitability: Best suited to medium‑to‑thick, long hair; fine hair will require padding or extensions to achieve the volume and hold. Works well on straight to slightly textured hair — extra texture helps pins grip. Styling technique: Prep with a smoothing blowout, then section and create structured rolls, braids or padded loops as the base. Secure each section with strong U‑pins, sew on or wire in bead clusters and chains, and camouflage attachment points with woven hair. Finish by sculpting and locking the shape with multiple anchor pins. Tools needed: tail comb, paddle brush, teasing brush, sectioning clips, U‑pins and bobby pins, hair net or padding forms, jewelry wire and pliers, hand needle and thread for bead attachment, optional flat iron. Products required: texturizing powder or spray for grip, smoothing serum, firmhold hairspray, anti‑frizz spray, and setting spray for shine. Difficulty level: Advanced — recommended for experienced stylists; allow 60–120 minutes. Maintenance tips: avoid moisture and heavy movement, carry spare pins and travel hairspray for touch‑ups, relieve tension by repositioning if uncomfortable, and remove ornaments gently to protect hair integrity.

Festive Curly Halo Updo with Berry and Holly Accents

This romantic, textured updo suits medium to thick hair and shoulder‑length to long lengths; fine hair can achieve the same look with light padding, volumizing products and strategic backcombing. Start by prepping with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then blow‑dry with a round brush or diffuser for lift. Create 1

Voluminous Textured Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This romantic, voluminous messy updo with loose face‑framing tendrils is ideal for medium-to-thick, shoulder-length to long hair and works beautifully on naturally wavy or loosely curly textures. For fine hair, add lightweight padding or clip-in extensions for the same impact. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then blow-dry with a round brush concentrating lift at the roots. Create texture with a 1-inch curling wand—alternate directions and cool the curls to set. Tease the crown lightly with a tail comb, gather sections and loosely pin twisted or looped pieces into a high messy bun with elastic and bobby pins, leaving a few face pieces out for softness. Finish with a texturizing spray and medium-flex hairspray for hold without stiffness. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate; allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, touch up front tendrils with a small iron, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap to preserve shape.

Romantic Braided Chignon Updo with Festive Floral Accents for Medium–Thick Hair

This romantic braided chignon is ideal for medium to thick hair and works best on lengths that reach the shoulders or longer. Start by applying a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow-dry with a round brush to build body. Create soft face-framing pieces and a loose Dutch or French braid along the crown, pulling gently to pancake for width. Curl remaining lengths with a medium barrel curling iron for texture, then gather hair into a low chignon, tucking and pinning sections to form a rounded, textured bun. Secure with strong bobby pins and hairpins; strategically place floral accents or berries with wired clips for a finished, seasonal look. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, medium curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, hair elastics, floral pins. Recommended products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires braiding and confident pinning. Maintenance: refresh shape with dry shampoo and light mist of hairspray, re-pin loose pieces, avoid heavy moisture, and remove accessories gently to preserve the style.

Vintage Holiday Updo with Blunt Bangs and Decorative Berry Accents

Suitable for medium to thick straight or slightly wavy hair, this vintage-inspired updo pairs blunt bangs with a textured looped bun and decorative berry accents. Styling technique: start on clean, dry hair—apply heat protectant and blow-dry bangs smooth with a round brush. Add a light mousse or texturizing spray at the roots, backcomb the crown gently for lift, then section the remaining hair into three to five vertical panels. Twist each section into loose loops and secure them into a low-to-mid bun with bobby pins and U-pins, leaving a few soft face-framing tendrils. Thread accessory stems through the pinned sections and crisscross pins for stability. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, flat iron (for bangs), tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins/U-pins, small elastic. Products required: heat protectant, smoothing serum, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light mousse (optional), strong-hold hairspray, shine mist. Difficulty: intermediate (3/5), ~30–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow or loosely wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and re-pin loose pieces, and touch up bangs daily with a flat iron.

Romantic Textured Side Braid Updo with Berry Accent Accessories

This romantic textured side-braid updo works best on long, medium-to-thick hair; fine hair benefits from light extensions or added wefts for fullness. Start with freshly washed, towel-dried hair treated with a heat protectant and volumizing mousse. Blow-dry with a round brush, then use a 1–1.25 curling iron to add loose curls for grip. Backcomb the crown slightly for lift, create a loose, low side braid (French or Dutch into a pulled-apart rope braid), and pin each segment with long pins to build the voluminous shape. Weave decorative stems or berry accents into the braid last, anchoring them discreetly with bobby pins. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, teasing comb, 1–1.25 curling iron, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins, long U-pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, flexible-hold hairspray, small smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: advanced (salon-level; allow 45–75 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow, refresh with texturizing spray and light re-pinning, avoid heavy oils near accessories, and transport decorative pieces separately to prevent damage.

Textured Loose Boho Fishtail Braid for Medium‑Long Wavy Hair

This romantic, textured fishtail is best suited to medium‑to‑thick, wavy or curly hair and works well on long lengths; straight hair can be adapted with added texture. Start with clean, towel‑dried hair or second‑day hair for better grip. Apply a light heat protectant, then a sea‑salt or texturizing spray through mid‑lengths to ends. Create soft volume at the crown by back‑combing lightly or using a root‑lift spray, then gather hair to one side and begin a loose fishtail (or a pulled‑apart Dutch fishtail) from the nape. Work with larger strands for a chunky, boho look and “pancake” each cross‑over with your fingers to broaden the braid. Secure with a clear elastic and gently tug face‑framing pieces for softness. Tools: wide‑tooth comb, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, and a 1

Textured Braided Crown Updo with Loose Face‑Framing Strands

A polished yet relaxed bridal or event look that pairs a braided crown with a low, textured bun and soft face‑framing pieces. Suitability: best for medium to long lengths and medium-to-thick hair; fine hair benefits from a texturizing product or clip‑in pieces for fullness, while naturally curly hair can be worked in for extra grip. Styling technique: start on towel‑dried hair, apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse; loosely wave the lengths with a 1

Textured Low Chignon with Face‑Framing Tendrils and Festive Hair Sprig

This romantic textured low chignon suits medium to thick hair and works best on shoulder‑length to long hair with natural wave or light curl. Start on dry hair with a heat protectant and create loose waves with a 1

Textured Romantic Holiday Updo with Holly Accents and Face‑Framing Tendrils

This elegant holiday updo suits medium-to-long hair and works best on medium to thick textures or wavy hair; fine hair can achieve the same volume with light padding or clip-in extensions. Start by heat-protecting damp hair, then add texture with a sea-salt or texturizing spray and blow-dry loosely. Create soft waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron, backcomb at the crown for lift, and gather hair into a loose, low-to-mid bun using twisted loops and pinned sections to form a slightly undone silhouette. Leave two slim face-framing tendrils and smooth around the hairline. Secure faux holly or berry picks with floral wire and hairpins, tucking them into the bun so they sit flat and comfortable. Tools needed: curling iron, teasing comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins/U-pins, small elastic bands, floral wire/tape. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray, smoothing serum for flyaways, and a flexible yet lasting hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate (30–45 minutes) — salon-level finesse recommended for complex pinning. Maintenance: sleep with a silk wrap, touch up texture with dry shampoo, re-pin any loose accents, and remove accessories gently.

Romantic Textured Updo with Curtain Bangs and Loose Tendrils

A salon-friendly romantic textured updo ideal for medium-to-long hair; medium to thick strands hold the shape best, while fine hair benefits from lightweight extensions or padding for volume. Start on second-day or pre-textured hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift. Create loose S-shaped curls through mid-lengths and ends with a 1

Sculpted Holiday Updo with Rolled Crown and Festive Floral Accents

Salon-ready sculpted holiday updo featuring a tall rolled crown adorned with festive florals and ornaments. Best for medium to long hair with medium-to-thick density; fine hair will need padding or clip-in extensions and heavy texturizing. Begin with a smooth blow-dry using a round brush and root-lifting mousse, then section hair and apply a root lifter and heat protectant. Create volume by backcombing the crown, shape smooth barrel rolls and pin each roll to a reinforced base (use foam padding or a hair rat for height). Secure with long U-pins, hairpins and small elastics; attach decorative foliage and baubles with floral wire or sewn-on clips, anchoring to pins not hair. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, rat-tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, long pins, needle/thread for decorations. Products: volumizing mousse, texturizing powder, smoothing serum, strong-hold hairspray and a shine mist. Difficulty: advanced — reserve 60–90 minutes or book a stylist. Maintenance: avoid excessive touch, carry extra pins and travel-size spray for quick fixes, keep dry and remove ornaments before sleeping; refresh with a spritz and re-pin as needed.

Long Vintage Barrel Curls with Victory Roll — Platinum Glam Hairstyle

This salon-style vintage look pairs a structured victory roll at the hairline with large, glossy barrel curls cascading down long hair. Best suited to medium-to-thick, shoulder-length to long hair; straight or gently wavy textures work well. Fine hair will benefit from lightweight padding or clip-in extensions and a root-lifting mousse for grip. Technique: work on dry, heat-protected hair. Section the hair, create the front victory roll by backcombing lightly at the base, rolling the section under and securing with long hairpins. Set the remaining hair in large barrel curls using a 1.25–2-inch curling iron or large hot rollers, clip each curl to cool for long-lasting shape, then gently brush through to create soft barrel waves. Tools needed: large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, rat-tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, strong bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, medium-to-firm-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum, and purple shampoo for maintaining platinum tones. Difficulty: intermediate; allow 45–75 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow, loosely pin curls at night, refresh with targeted heat on loose pieces, and deep-condition weekly to protect color and manage dryness.

Textured Messy High Bun Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This elegant, textured messy high bun suits fine to medium hair and works well on thicker or curly hair when prepped correctly; lightweight extensions can add fullness for very fine or short lengths. Start by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the roots. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron to add grip and movement, then gently backcomb the crown for extra volume. Gather hair into a high pony, twist sections loosely and pin into a disheveled bun, leaving a few face‑framing tendrils out. Tools: 1–1.25 curling iron, tail comb, teasing brush, hair elastics, an assortment of bobby pins and duckbill clips. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, light-hold hairspray, and a small shine serum for flyaways. Difficulty: Moderate — achievable at home in 30–45 minutes; quicker if prepped by a stylist. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo, retuck loose pieces with pins, mist lightly with flexible-hold spray, and sleep with a silk scarf or loose topknot to preserve shape.

Textured Braided Messy Bun Updo — Boho Casual Wedding Hairstyle

This textured braided messy bun is ideal for medium to long hair and works well on fine to medium-thick textures; very thick hair can also be styled but may require extra pins. Start by prepping dry hair with a texturizing spray or sea-salt spray and a light mist of dry shampoo for grip. Create two or three loose Dutch/rope braids or twisted sections across the crown, then gather the remaining hair into a low-to-mid messy bun, wrapping and pinning the braids into the bun to create the braided crown look. Pull small face-framing pieces and gently pancake the braids for volume. Tools: tail comb, 1–2 elastic bands, lots of bobby pins, curling iron (optional to add waves), and a fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray, lightweight smoothing serum for flyaways, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — expect 15–30 minutes depending on experience. Maintenance tips: sleep with a silk scarf or loose bun, refresh with dry shampoo and a bit of texturizer, and re-pin sections as needed. Ask your stylist for long layers and subtle highlights to enhance braid definition.

Textured Romantic Low Curly Updo with Face-Framing Tendrils

This elegant textured low updo suits medium-to-long hair and flatters fine, medium and thick textures — wavy or naturally curly hair will take the style easiest, while straight hair benefits from pre-curling. Start by applying heat protectant and a volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift. Section and curl the hair with a 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, alternating directions for natural movement. Lightly backcomb the crown for volume, gather hair at the nape, and form a loose twisted bun made of pinned curls and loops; leave a few face‑framing tendrils softened with a curling iron. Tools: curling iron/wand, sectioning clips, tail comb, teasing brush, bobby pins and small elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing spray or powder, flexible-hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home with practice, quicker in-salon. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo or texturizing spray, secure loose pieces with spare pins, touch up tendrils with a curling iron, and protect the style from humidity with an anti-frizz mist.

Festive Vintage Rolled Updo with Holly Crown

This polished vintage rolled updo suits medium-to-thick hair and shoulder-length to long lengths; fine hair can be boosted with volumizing products or padding/extensions. Technique: create a deep part, set the hair with hot rollers or a 1 curling iron for uniform waves, backcomb lightly at the crown, then form smooth barrel rolls or pin curls and secure each roll to the scalp with U-pins and strong bobby pins. Finish by anchoring a pre-constructed holly crown (prefer faux holly or protect the hair/skin with tape if using fresh foliage) with discreet pins or floral wire wrapped in tape and a decorative ribbon. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, round brush, curling iron/hot rollers, rat-tail comb, U-pins, bobby pins, wire cutters and floral tape. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or setting lotion, medium-to-strong hold hairspray, light shine serum and anti-frizz spray. Difficulty: advanced — best handled by a stylist or an experienced home stylist; allow 60–90 minutes. Maintenance tips: avoid humidity, carry spare pins and travel hairspray for touch-ups, and store fresh foliage cool until last minute.

As a professional stylist, my best tip is always to start with healthy, prepped hair: use a hydrating mask a few days before, protect with heat spray, and apply a lightweight texturizing mist for grip. Match the hairstyle to your outfit and venue—soft waves or a low bun for intimate dinners, dramatic updos or jeweled clips for formal events. For longevity, pin sections while cooling, finish with a flexible-hold spray, and tuck bobby pins under layers for a clean look. If you’re short on time, a braided side-sweep or embellished ponytail gives instant polish in minutes. Finally, care for your hair after the holidays: sulfate-free shampoo, weekly deep conditioning, and a trim to remove holiday-season split ends. Use these 24 ideas as templates—adapt for your length and texture, and don’t be afraid to add one personal accessory to make the look yours.