26 Festive Christmas Hairstyles for Women — Holiday Hair Ideas

Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over a decade behind the salon chair. For the holidays I’ve curated 26 festive Christmas hairstyles for women that span quick glam looks, elegant updos, playful braids, and cozy textured waves. These styles suit every hair length and texture: short bobs become chic with jeweled clips, medium layers pop with soft curls, and long hair shines in braided crowns and low chignons. In the salon I balance wearable beauty with longevity — prepping with the right products, securing with discreet pins, and finishing with flexible hold spray. Throughout the 26 images you’ll find variations for thin, thick, and curly hair plus timing estimates and simple tool lists. Whether you need a last-minute party style or a statement look for a holiday photoshoot, I’ll help you choose a version that complements your outfit, face shape, and the evening’s vibe.

Vintage Sculpted Barrel Curls Updo with Festive Ornament Accents

This vintage-inspired sculpted updo features structured barrel curls and decorative ornament accents, ideal for formal events. Suitability: best on medium to thick hair with natural wave or shoulder-length to long hair; fine hair will benefit from extensions or hair padding to achieve the same density. Styling technique: section hair into defined panels, set pin curls or large rollers to create barrels, backcomb the roots for lift, shape curls with a comb and pin each barrel into place, then strategically attach lightweight ornaments using hair pins or wired clips. Tools needed: tail comb, paddle brush, 1–1.5 curling iron or hot rollers, blow dryer, plenty of bobby pins, long U-pins, small jewelry wire and alligator clips. Products required: volumizing mousse at the roots, setting lotion or spray during setting, medium-to-strong hairspray for hold, shine serum for finish, and a light texturizing powder for grip. Difficulty level: advanced — allow 60–120 minutes and consider a stylist for secure ornament placement. Maintenance tips: carry extra pins and spray, avoid overhandling, protect with a loose net when travelling, and remove ornaments carefully to prevent breakage.

Festive Voluminous Curly Updo with Berry & Ornament Accents

This voluminous curly updo is ideal for medium to thick hair and for naturally wavy or curly textures; fine hair will work after adding clip‑in extensions or strong texturizing to build bulk. Technique: prep with a root‑lift mousse and heat protectant, then diffuse or use a 1–1.25 curling wand to create defined, loose curls. Lightly tease the crown for height, gather hair into a messy elevated bun and pin in several anchor points, leaving soft face‑framing tendrils. Weave seasonal greenery and berry picks into the top and secure small ornaments close to the scalp using floral wire and U‑pins; reinforce with strong bobby pins to prevent slipping. Tools needed: curling wand, diffuser/blow dryer, teasing brush/comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U‑pins, floral wire, small elastics. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, texturizing/sea‑salt spray, anti‑frizz serum, flexible‑hold hairspray and a final setting spray. Difficulty: intermediate to advanced — 45–75 minutes; second stylist recommended for detailed accessory placement. Maintenance tips: avoid heavy ornaments, pack spare pins and wire, refresh loose curls with a wand touch‑up, and use humidity‑resistant hairspray to keep shape all event long.

Sleek Beehive Bouffant Updo with Blunt Fringe and Jeweled Side Accent

This elegant bouffant updo pairs a high, sleek beehive with straight blunt bangs and a jeweled side accent. Best suited for medium-to-thick straight or slightly wavy hair and shoulder length or longer — fine hair will need a padding donut or teased rat-tail section for volume. Technique: prep with volumizing mousse at damp roots, blow-dry smooth with a round brush, then backcomb the crown in 2–3 horizontal sections to build height. Smooth the top layer with a soft-bristle brush, wrap and pin the teased hair into a compact roll or bun, secure with long pins and concealed elastics, and set the accessory over the side seam. Keep bangs flat with a small flat iron and finish edges with a light serum. Tools: round brush, paddle brush, teasing comb, sectioning clips, rat-tail comb, flat iron, bobby pins, hair donut (optional). Products: root-lift spray, texturizing powder, medium-strong hairspray, anti-frizz serum, shine spray. Difficulty: moderate — takes 30–45 minutes and improves with practice. Maintenance: carry travel-size spray for touch-ups, avoid humidity, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and trim bangs every 4–6 weeks.

Textured Holiday Side Braid with Loose Waves and Festive Accents

This romantic, textured side braid is ideal for medium to long hair and works well on natural waves, loose curls, or straight hair pre-textured with heat. Start by creating soft volume at the crown through light backcombing, then form a loose three-strand or slightly pulled-apart fishtail braid down one side, leaving face-framing pieces out for softness. Weave decorative sprigs or a comb of faux berries and pine into the braid and secure with discreet bobby pins. Tools: 1 curling wand or iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, hair elastics, and plenty of bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray for grip, lightweight mousse for hold, small amount of smoothing serum for ends, and a flexible-hold hairspray to set. Difficulty: moderate — a stylist can finish in 20–30 minutes; at-home stylists should allow extra time to pin accents. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-twist and pin loose pieces as needed, avoid moisture to keep decorations intact, and sleep with a silk scarf if you plan to reuse the style. For long events, attach heavier accents to a hair comb or small wire frame for extra security.

Festive Crown and Double Braids with Ribbon Accents (Holiday Hairstyle)

Suitable for long to mid‑length hair and most textures (fine to thick), this look combines a small crown Dutch braid with two loose three‑strand braids tied with sheer ribbon for a romantic, festive finish. Prep with a detangling brush, volumizing mousse or light texturizing spray on damp hair, then blow‑dry for grip. Create a shallow Dutch braid along the hairline to form the crown, pinning the end behind one ear; divide the remaining hair into two and French/Dutch braid each side down to the ends. Weave ribbon into the final few inches or tie ribbon bows over small elastics. Tools: fine tooth tail comb, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, bobby pins, lightweight curling iron (optional for face‑framing waves). Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray or mousse, flexible hold hairspray, shine serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: loosen braids gently for a lived‑in look, refresh with dry shampoo at the roots, re‑secure loose pins, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap to preserve style up to 2 days.

Textured Messy Top Knot with Curtain Bangs and Scarf — Casual Romantic Updo

to create the curtain bangs. Tools needed: hair tie, variety of bobby pins, tail comb, 1 curling iron or wand, blow dryer, sectioning clips. Products required: dry shampoo or texturizing spray for grip, heat protectant, light smoothing serum for ends, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: easy–medium — 10–20 minutes with practice. Maintenance tips: refresh volume with dry shampoo and rough-tease at the roots; re-curl loose tendrils and retie scarf each morning; sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap with a silk scarf to preserve shape; trim bangs every 4–6 weeks to keep the fringe flattering. For finer hair, add a small bun donut or extension weft for instant body.

Half-Up Double Buns with Loose Curls and Curtain Bangs

This festive half-up double bun style works best on medium to long hair with natural waves or loose curls; fine hair can be roughed up with texture spray, while thick hair will hold volume beautifully. Start with clean, detangled hair; apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. If your hair is straight, create loose curls with a 1–1.25 inch curling wand; for natural curls, diffuse to enhance shape. Section the top crown into two equal parts and loosely twist each into a small ballet bun secured with elastic and a few bobby pins, leaving face-framing curtain bangs and the rest of the curls down. Finish with a small amount of curl cream or light mousse worked through the lengths for definition and a sea-salt spray at the roots for lift. Tools needed: curling wand or diffuser, wide-tooth comb, tail comb, elastics, bobby pins, and a blow-dryer if diffusing. Products: leave-in, heat protectant, curl cream or mousse, texture spray, and light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh with water + curl cream, re-pin buns as needed, and avoid heavy brushing to preserve curl pattern.

Romantic Platinum Blonde Vintage Curls with Festive Berry Accents

This look works best on medium-to-long hair with natural body — medium to thick textures hold the vintage barrel curls and pinned volumes most easily. Fine hair can achieve the style with lightweight padding or clip-in extensions and a texturizing base. Technique: prepare with a root-lifting blow-dry, apply heat protectant and mousse, then section hair and create 1–1.25 barrel curls with a curling iron or hot rollers. Cool, brush out gently into soft waves, backcomb the crown lightly for lift, and pin curls into a loose, low-side arrangement. Attach faux or pre-treated holly/berry sprigs using hair-safe floral wire wrapped in floral tape and secured with U-pins and discreet bobby pins. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb, bobby pins, U-pins, small floral wire, hair clips. Products required: thermal protectant, volumizing mousse, light texturizer, firm-hold hairspray, shine serum. Difficulty: advanced — allow 60–90 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with a few targeted touch-up curls or dry shampoo at roots, and remove floral elements immediately after wear to prevent snagging or sap residue.

Textured Side‑Swept Romantic Curls with Festive Greenery

This romantic, side‑swept half‑up style suits long, medium to thick hair and works beautifully on naturally wavy or curly textures. Fine hair can achieve the same volume with lightweight extensions or padding. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a root lift mousse and heat protectant, blow‑dry with a round brush for body, then create 1–1.25 barrel curls with alternating directions to build texture. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, gather one side into a loose half‑up twist and pin with U‑pins and bobby pins, allowing soft face‑framing tendrils to fall. Secure decorative sprigs or berry picks by wiring them to hairpins or using florist picks; fasten close to the head to avoid droop. Tools: curling iron/wand, tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, pins, and a mini floral wire kit. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray or dry shampoo for grip, lightweight serum for ends, and flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires sectioning and secure pinning; expect 45–75 minutes. Maintenance tips: bring spare pins and travel hairspray, avoid heavy conditioners on the day of styling, and refresh curls with a quick mist and finger‑shake between photos.

Textured Braided Messy Bun with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This soft, romantic updo pairs a loose crown braid with a textured messy bun and delicate face‑framing tendrils — ideal for weddings, parties, or festive looks. Suitable hair types: medium to thick hair with natural wave or body works best; fine hair benefits from pre‑texturizing or light extensions; very curly hair should be smoothed slightly for the braid then enhanced for texture in the bun. Styling technique: create gentle waves, loosely French or Dutch braid along the crown, backcomb midsections for lift, gather remaining hair into a low messy bun and secure with pins, then pull small sections free to soften the hairline. Tools needed: 1

Romantic Boho Half‑Up Twisted Braid with Festive Berry Accents

Suitability: Ideal for medium to long hair with natural wave or light-to-medium thickness. Fine hair can benefit from clip-in pieces or root texturizing; very curly hair works when slightly stretched or left textured. Styling technique: Start on second-day hair or prep with a volumizing mousse at the roots. Rough-dry or diffuse, then create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron for movement. Section the crown and twist two large pieces toward the back, securing with elastics and bobby pins; incorporate remaining hair into a loose twisted braid or knot on one side, pulling gently to pancake for volume. Leave a few face-framing tendrils soft. Finish by tucking decorative greenery or small berry picks into the twist, anchoring with U-pins or floral wire. Tools needed: blow dryer, 1–1.25 curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, U-pins, optional floral wire. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, salt/texturizing spray, light-hold flexible hairspray, small shine serum. Difficulty & time: Moderate — salon pros 30–45 minutes; DIY 45–60 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a little texturizer, re-pin loosened sections, and use faux or wired greenery for longer wear and comfort.

Vintage Side‑Swept Hollywood Waves with Half‑Up Pin

This polished half‑up vintage wave works best on medium to long hair and suits fine to thick textures (use light extensions for very fine hair). Start on towel‑dried hair with a volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry with a round brush to build root lift, create a deep side part, then set 1–1.25 barrel curls (or hot rollers) working in 1–2 sections; curl away from the face on the top sections for classic flow. Brush the cooled curls through with a boar‑bristle or paddle brush to form soft S‑waves. Backcomb lightly at the crown for height, sweep one side into a soft roll or tuck and secure with U‑pins and discreet bobby pins, then clip a decorative accent if desired. Essential tools: hair dryer, round brush, 1–1.25 curling iron or rollers, sectioning clips, fine tail comb, pins. Products: thermal protectant, volumizing mousse, flexible‑hold hairspray, light shine serum and dry shampoo for refresh. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home with practice; salon appointment recommended for precise vintage rolls. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a quick curl touch‑up, avoid excessive humidity, and lightly reapply flexible spray to hold shape.

Voluminous Textured Side Braid with Festive Berry and Jewel Accents

This romantic, textured side braid suits medium-to-long hair and works best on medium to thick hair for natural volume; fine hair benefits from texturizing products or light extensions. Start by prepping with heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at roots, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift. Create loose waves with a large-barrel curling iron to add body, backcomb the crown slightly, then gather hair to one side and form a three-strand braid; pancake the braid (gently pull edges) to achieve fullness and pull out soft face-framing pieces for a lived-in look. Secure with small elastics and hide with bobby pins. To add ornaments, anchor berry clusters and jeweled pins onto hairpins or floral wire before inserting to prevent pulling. Needed tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins, floral wire. Recommended products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum. Difficulty: intermediate (30–60 minutes). Maintenance tips: avoid heavy wetting, refresh texture with dry shampoo, tighten pins as needed, and remove decorative pieces gently to protect the hair.

Textured Half‑Up Crown with Loose Waves and Fishtail Accents

This romantic half-up crown blends a soft Dutch crown braid with two loose fishtail accents and long textured waves. Best suited for medium to thick long hair — fine hair can still achieve this look with volumizing products or clip-in extensions. Start on dry, detangled hair: apply heat protectant and a lightweight mousse, then create a crown braid across the hairline (Dutch or reverse braid) and secure with discreet pins. On each side, form a loose fishtail braid about mid‑length, gently pancake the plaits for width, and leave ends blended into the waves. Use a 1–1.5

Romantic Half-Up Twisted Curls with Floral Hairpiece

Soft, romantic half-up twisted curls pinned with a decorative floral piece — ideal for medium to long hair with natural wave or relaxed curls. Fine, medium and slightly thick hair hold the style best; very straight hair benefits from a volumizing primer and textured spray, while very coarse hair should be smoothed before curling. Technique: start with clean, towel-dried hair; apply heat protectant and a light mousse. Blow-dry or diffuse, then section hair. Create 1 barrel curls with a curling wand, alternate direction for natural movement. Leave two face-framing pieces loose. Take two front sections, twist or loosely braid toward the crown and secure with bobby pins; tuck ends under and attach a decorative comb or floral pin. Tools: 1 curling wand, heat protectant, hair clips, tail comb, brush, bobby pins, decorative clip, finishing spray. Products: volumizing mousse, anti-frizz serum, flexible hold hairspray, dry shampoo for texture. Difficulty: moderate — 30–45 minutes at home, less with practice. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh curls with a quick wand touch-up, reapply dry shampoo at roots, and re-pin any loose pieces before events.

Romantic Voluminous Half-Up with Loose Curls and Face‑Framing Tendrils

This romantic, textured half-up is best for medium to long hair and adapts well to fine, medium or thick textures—fine hair benefits from root-lifting products and teasing for hold, while thicker hair looks luxurious with long layers. Start on dry, heat‑protected hair: apply a volumizing mousse at roots, blow-dry smooth, then section and create loose S‑shaped curls with a 1–1.25 curling wand, alternating direction for movement. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift, smooth the top layer, gather side sections into a low half‑up secured with hidden pins and a small elastic, and pull face‑framing tendrils free. Finish with a texturizing spray for separation and a flexible-hold hairspray to set. Tools needed: curling wand, tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins and a small elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, dry shampoo/texturizer, smoothing serum for ends, light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — salon result in 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a light mist of texturizer, and re-curl loose pieces as needed; secure accessories with extra pins for long events.

Romantic Side-Swept Curls with Vintage Wave and Festive Floral Accents

Suitable for medium-to-thick, long hair; can be adapted for fine hair using clip-in extensions and extra texturizer. Start on clean, conditioned hair; apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at roots. Blow-dry with a round brush to build lift, then define a deep side part. Create the vintage S-wave at the fringe with a 3/4 flat iron or small barrel curling iron and set with clips until cool. Using a 1¼–1½ barrel curling iron, form large, uniform barrel curls away from the face. Loosen slightly with fingers and pin back one side into a half-up cascade, securing with long pins. Weave or pin decorative floral/berry accents into the pinned section, anchoring on multiple pins to distribute weight. Finish with a strong-hold flexible hairspray and a light shine mist. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, sectioning clips, tail comb, 1–1.5 curling iron, flat iron for wave, plenty of bobby pins and U-pins. Products: heat protectant, root volumizer or mousse, light serum for ends, texturizing spray, medium-to-strong hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — book salon if ornaments or complex pinning are required. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow, refresh curls with warm steam or a curling wand, tighten pins before the event, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift and hold.

Soft Marcel/Finger Waves Updo for Short to Medium Hair with Festive Accessory

This elegant Marcel-style updo combines defined finger waves and soft pin curls, ideal for short to medium-length hair (chin to shoulder). It suits fine to medium density hair best — coarse or very curly textures will need smoothing and stronger heat to achieve the look. Technique: section hair into horizontal panels, create S-shaped finger waves with a Marcel iron or small-barrel curling iron, clip each wave to set, then gather ends into low pin curls and secure into a loose, structured updo. Finish by tucking a decorative sprig or accessory into the crown. Tools needed: Marcel or 3/4–1 curling iron, rat-tail comb, duckbill clips/setting clips, bobby pins, dryer (for setting) and a fine-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or light mousse, medium-hold gel for shaping waves, strong-hold hairspray, and a lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — precision and timing are important; expect 45–75 minutes in a salon. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with a light mist and finger re-shaping, avoid humidity, and reinforce pins before wearing again.

Loose Textured Side Braid with Face‑Framing Waves and Side‑Swept Bangs

This relaxed side braid works beautifully on medium to thick hair and shows well on naturally wavy or slightly straightened textures; fine hair benefits from light texturizing spray and root backcombing for extra grip. Start by applying a heat protectant to towel-dried hair, blow-dry with a round brush to add lift at the crown, then create loose 1

Textured Loose Side Fishtail Braid with Romantic Curls and Holiday Accent

This romantic, textured side fishtail is ideal for long, medium-to-thick hair and works beautifully on wavy or naturally curly hair; fine hair can achieve the same look with lightweight extensions or strategic teasing for fullness. Start by prepping dry hair with heat protectant and a texturizing or sea-salt spray for grip. Create loose barrel curls with a 1–1.5 curling wand, cool completely, then side-part and begin a loose fishtail (or rope) braid, pulling sections gently to pancake and create volume. Anchor with a small elastic and hide it with a ribbon or strand of hair; pin any lifted crown pieces for shape and add decorative accents like berries or sprigs. Tools you’ll need: curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, bobby pins and a wide-tooth brush. Products: heat protectant, salt/texturizing spray, lightweight smoothing serum for flyaways, and a medium-hold flexible hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap braid, refresh texture with dry shampoo or a light mist of water and re-scrunch, and retouch curls only where needed to preserve movement.

Soft Side-Swept Finger-Wave Updo with Festive Hairpiece

This elegant side-swept finger-wave updo is best suited to medium-to-thick hair with straight to wavy texture; fine hair can still hold shape with volumizing products or light padding. Begin on clean, detangled hair: apply heat protectant and a gel-based setting lotion or mousse, then blow-dry smooth with a round brush to build a base. Create S-shaped waves using a 1 curling iron or Marcel iron (or set with medium Velcro rollers), cool completely, then sculpt each wave with a fine-tooth comb and secure wave troughs with flexible bobby pins. Sweep waves to one side and tuck the remaining length into a soft low chignon or roll, anchoring a decorative hairpiece where the waves meet the bun. Tools needed: tail comb, 1 curling/Marcel iron or rollers, clips, bobby pins, sectioning clips, and a blow dryer. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or mousse, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum or anti-frizz cream, and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: moderate — requires precision and time. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, re-spray lightly to revive hold, re-pin any loosened waves, and avoid high humidity to keep definition.

Romantic Half‑Up Twisted Knot with Festive Berry Crown — Loose Salon Waves

This half‑up twisted knot with a berry crown suits medium to long hair and works best on medium to thick textures or naturally wavy hair. Fine hair can achieve the same look with light teasing, root lift products or a small clip‑in extension for volume. Start on dry, prepped hair: apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at roots, then use a 1–1.25 curling iron to create loose, uniform waves in 1–2 sections. Lightly backcomb the crown for lift, take two sections from each temple, twist them toward the back and secure into a low twisted knot with bobby pins and a small clear elastic. Position the berry crown or accessory over the knot and anchor discreetly with U‑pins or hairpins. Tools: curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, small elastic. Products: heat protectant, mousse or texturizing spray, lightweight serum for shine, medium‑hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh waves with a quick touch‑up curling iron, re‑tighten pins before wear, and use dry shampoo to revive texture without re‑washing.

Braided Crown Updo with Blunt Fringe — Romantic Holiday Updo

Ideal for medium to thick straight or wavy hair, this braided crown updo with blunt fringe offers a polished, romantic finish for weddings or holiday events. Work on day-one hair or day-two hair for better grip: blow-dry bangs smooth with a round brush, then create a deep side part. Section crown hair and braid along the hairline (French or Dutch braid) toward the nape, loosening each braid slightly for soft volume. Gather remaining lengths into a low twisted bun and pin the braids over the bun with bobby pins and U-pins. Pull a few face-framing strands for a lived-in look and secure fringe with a light-hold spray to maintain shape without stiffness. Tools: fine-tooth comb, round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, 1 curling iron (optional for soft ends), bobby pins, elastics. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray for grip, smoothing serum for bangs, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — allow 30–45 minutes depending on skill level. Maintenance: sleep on a silk scarf or pillowcase, refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-pin any loose sections, and trim bangs every 4–6 weeks to retain the blunt shape.

Romantic Voluminous Textured Updo with Festive Accessories

This romantic, voluminous textured updo works best on medium-to-thick, long hair and on naturally wavy or curly textures; fine hair can achieve the look with clip-in extensions or extra backcombing for body. Start on clean, towel-dried hair treated with a lightweight volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Rough-dry while lifting at the roots, then create loose waves with a 1–1.25 inch curling iron to add grip. Section the hair, backcomb the crown lightly for lift, and form a series of loose twists and rolled loops, securing each with strong bobby pins and U-pins; leave soft face-framing tendrils. Finish by tucking in decorative picks or seasonal accessories, anchoring them with additional pins so they don’t pull the style down. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, teasing comb, sectioning clips, assortment of pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or salt spray, texturizing spray, strong-hold hairspray and a lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate to advanced—expect 45–75 minutes; salon appointment recommended for ornament placement. Maintain with overnight silk wrap, spot-spray with hairspray, refresh texture with a dry shampoo and re-secure any loose pieces.

Textured Romantic Updo with Floral Crown — Voluminous Bridal/Bridesmaid Hairstyle

This soft, textured updo works best on medium to thick hair and naturally wavy or slightly curled hair; fine hair benefits from 18–24 clip-in pieces or light padding to add body. Start by prepping dry hair with a light mousse at the roots and a heat protectant. Create loose, 1– to 1¼-inch barrel curls throughout, then roughen sections with a texturizing spray. Backcomb the crown slightly for lift, gather random sections and loosely pin them into a low, airy chignon using bobby pins and U-pins, allowing face-framing tendrils to fall free. Place a small floral or greenery crown on top and secure with discreet pins. Tools needed: curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U-pins, and a fine-tooth brush. Products required: heat protectant, light mousse or root lift, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, and a small shine serum. Difficulty level: intermediate — achievable at home with practice but quicker in-salon (45–75 minutes). Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo, re-pin loose pieces as needed, carry travel hairspray, and remove floral pieces gently to avoid tangling.

Romantic Messy Curly Twin Braids with Velvet Ribbon Accents

This romantic, textured look pairs loose, tousled twin braids with soft face‑framing tendrils and velvet ribbon accents—ideal for medium to long hair with natural wave or curl. Straight hair will also hold the style after added texture. Technique: start on towel‑dried hair with a volumizing mousse, blow‑dry or diffuse to create body, then use a 1 curling wand or iron to add loose bends throughout. Backcomb a small crown section for lift and pin it slightly forward for a soft pouf. Divide the lower hair into two sections and create loose, slightly pulled three‑strand braids; pancake each braid to increase fullness. Pull a few tendrils around the face, secure braid ends with clear elastics and tie velvet ribbons over them. Tools needed: 1 curling wand, blow dryer (diffuser optional), fine comb/rat tail, sectioning clips, clear elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea‑salt or texturizing spray, light‑hold hairspray, small shine serum. Difficulty: moderate (25–40 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or tie a loose scarf, refresh texture with water‑mist and texturizer, dry shampoo at roots between washes, and retouch loose pieces with a curling iron as needed.

As a stylist, my final tip is to plan the look around how long youll be out and what weather youll face — humidity and winter coats change hold and volume. Always start with a heat protectant when using irons, and use a texturizing spray on clean, day-two hair to add grip for braids and updos. Invest in a few quality pins and a small travel-size hairspray for touch-ups. If you have fine hair, try volumizing mousse at the roots; for thick or curly hair, use smoothing balm on ends to reduce frizz. Practice any new style once before the event (give yourself 15–30 extra minutes), and don’t be afraid to personalize accessories from the 26 images to match your outfit. Enjoy the season — the right holiday hairstyle should make you feel confident, comfortable, and camera-ready.