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

Hi, Im Lena, a professional hairstylist with over a decade of salon experience. In this curated gallery I present 32 festive Christmas hairstyles for women—easy party updos, glamorous waves, romantic braids, textured ponytails, and quick looks for short hair. Each look is chosen to flatter different face shapes, hair lengths and textures, so whether you have fine, thick, curly or straight hair youll find flattering options. I include step-by-step tips, recommended tools (heat protectant, medium-barrel curling iron, texturizing spray, pins) and simple swaps to take a style from casual dinner to midnight party. Expect variations for long and short hair, low-maintenance alternatives, and quick styling shortcuts for busy holiday mornings. Use the photos for inspiration, then adapt the techniques to your hair type—add volume, soften with a leave-in conditioner, or secure styles with flexible hold spray. Let’s make sure your holiday hair is polished, comfortable and photo-ready.

Vintage Hollywood Waves with Pin-Up Side Roll

This glamorous vintage look suits medium-to-long hair and works best on fine to medium textures; thick hair can achieve the same shape with smaller sections and stronger hold. Start with clean, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight mousse or setting lotion and a heat protectant. Create a deep side part and either set with 1

Romantic Long Golden Curls with Side‑Swept Floral Accents

This look suits medium-to-thick long hair best; fine hair can achieve the same fullness with lightweight extensions or root cushioning. Start on clean, towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Section hair into 1–2 inch pieces and wrap around a 19–25 mm curling wand or iron, alternating directions for a natural, dimensional curl. Pin each curl against the head to cool for stronger hold, then gently release and finger‑separate for soft ringlets. Sweep one side back and secure with discreet bobby pins, then add floral or pearl accessories for the decorative finish. Tools: curling wand/iron, heat-protectant spray, sectioning clips, tail comb, bobby pins, and a travel brush. Products: volumizing mousse or root lift, light serum for shine, texture spray, and a medium-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — expect 45–75 minutes depending on length. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or loose braid, refresh with dry shampoo and a few quick re-curls, avoid vigorous brushing, and reapply light hairspray to preserve shape without stiffness.

Vintage Finger-Wave Holiday Updo — Retro Waves with Low Chignon

This glamorous vintage finger-wave updo suits straight to wavy hair of fine to medium-thickness and works best at shoulder length to collarbone (or longer). For very curly or coarse hair, smoothing and relaxed blow-dry are recommended before styling. Technique: create a deep side part, set the front into defined finger waves or Marcel waves using a small-barrel iron and wave clips, then shape the remaining length into soft pin curls and secure them into a low chignon. Add a decorative accent for a festive finish. Tools needed: tail comb, 1 curling/Marcel iron, wave clips or duckbill clips, strong bobby pins, fine-tooth comb and a medium paddle brush. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or light mousse for hold, flexible pomade/cream for wave definition, strong-hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty level: moderate to advanced — timing and clip placement matter; allow 45–75 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep with a silk scarf or bonnet, refresh with a touch of dry shampoo and re-spray problem areas, avoid humidity and use anti-humidity spray for longevity. For a quick redo, loosen pins and re-set a few curls with a curling iron.

Voluminous Side‑Swept Twisted Braid with Soft Waves

This romantic, side‑swept twisted braid suits medium to long hair and adapts well to fine, medium or thick textures — best on hair with natural wave or straight hair pre‑texturized. Technique: start on clean, blow‑dried hair with a deep side part. Apply volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant. Backcomb the crown lightly for lift, then create a loose inverted/twisted braid along the hairline to anchor volume. Curl remaining lengths with a 1 curling iron or wand into soft waves, gather to one side and twist or loosely braid, pulling out loops for fullness and shape. Secure with small elastics and concealed bobby pins; finish by smoothing with fingers. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, 1 curling iron or wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins and small elastics. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, texturizing/salt spray, light‑hold hairspray and a small amount of shine serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — achievable at home with practice. Maintenance: sleep loosely braided or use a silk scarf, refresh waves with a quick reheat and texturizer, resecure pins and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift.

Loose Textured Fishtail Braid with Soft Face‑Framing Pieces

Suitable for medium-to-long hair and works best on straight to wavy textures; fine hair benefits from added texture while medium-to-thick hair holds the shape more easily. Start by applying a texturizing spray or light mousse to damp hair and blow-dry, then backcomb subtly at the crown for lift. Section off soft face‑framing pieces, gather the remainder into a loose, slightly off-center fishtail beginning at mid-lengths, and secure with a small elastic. Pancake the braid by gently pulling sections to widen for a lived-in, voluminous look; tuck and pin shorter layers at the nape as needed. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray and smooth the face pieces with a tiny dab of anti-frizz serum. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, 1 curling wand (optional for added bend), small elastics, bobby pins, boar-bristle brush. Products: sea-salt or texturizing spray, light mousse or volumizer, heat protectant, dry shampoo, flexible hairspray, lightweight serum. Difficulty: Intermediate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: sleep with a silk scarf or loose pineapple, refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer mid-week, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.

Romantic Textured Low Bun with Berry Floral Accents

This romantic textured low bun with berry accents is ideal for medium-to-thick hair and shoulder-length to long lengths; wavy or straight hair with soft layers will hold the shape best. Fine hair can still achieve this look when prepped with texturizing products and light padding for volume. Technique: blow-dry with a round brush for lift, add loose waves with a 1–1.25” curling iron, tease the crown slightly, then twist and pin sections into a loose low bun leaving a few face-framing tendrils. Secure decorative berry sprigs by wrapping stems with floral wire and tucking them in with bobby pins or U-pins. Tools needed: blow-dryer, round brush, curling iron or wand, teasing comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U-pins, small elastics, floral wire and cutters. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, sea-salt or texture spray, dry shampoo for grip, lightweight serum for flyaways and a flexible medium-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — roughly 30–45 minutes for a stylist, up to 60 minutes for DIY. Maintenance tips: bring extra pins, refresh texture with salt spray, re-spray hold points, sleep with a silk scarf or loose bun, and avoid damp conditions; regular trims keep face-framing layers tidy.

Textured Loose Braided Updo with Floral Accents

Suitable for medium-to-long hair and fine-to-thick textures; ideal for naturally wavy or slightly layered hair. Start by prepping hair with a heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse; rough-dry and create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand, alternating directions. Section hair and create two loose Dutch or rope braids from each temple toward the back, or twist sections and pin to form a soft crown; gather remaining lengths into a low textured bun, securing with pins. Pull delicate face‑framing tendrils and gently pancake the braids for volume. Tools: 1–1.25 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, varied-length bobby pins, and elastic bands. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray or sea‑salt mist, root‑lift powder (optional), medium‑hold hairspray, and a light finishing serum for shine. Difficulty: intermediate — salon-level finish but reproducible at home with 30–45 minutes and practice. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh shape with dry shampoo and a few new pins, touch up loose strands with the wand, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to keep lift and texture.

Textured Voluminous Updo with Side-Swept Bangs

This romantic, textured updo with soft side-swept bangs suits medium to thick hair and naturally wavy or curly textures best; fine hair can achieve the look with padding and targeted texturizing. Start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant, then blow-dry using a round brush to build root lift. Create loose curls with a 1 curling iron to add grip, then section and backcomb the crown lightly for height. Twist and pin randomized sections into a full, messy bun, anchoring with long bobby pins and hook pins in opposing directions for hold. Leave face-framing strands and style bangs with a flat brush for a soft sweep. Tools: round brush, blow dryer, curling iron, teasing comb, sectioning clips, assortment of bobby pins and hook pins, optional hair donut. Products: volumizing mousse, texturizing or salt spray, strong-hold hairspray, light shine serum. Difficulty: moderate (30–45 minutes). Maintenance tips: refresh volume with dry shampoo, re-pin fallen pieces, avoid heavy oils at the roots, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape and reduce frizz.

Textured Curly Half-Up Ponytail with Voluminous Boho Waves

Suitable for medium to long hair with natural curls, loose waves or straight hair that can be heat-styled. To create this textured half-up ponytail, start with clean, dry hair prepped with a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse. Use a 1–1.25 curling wand to enhance or form loose spiral curls, then allow them to cool. Section the crown and lightly backcomb for lift, gather the top half into a low-to-mid ponytail and secure with a small elastic, hiding the band by wrapping a hair strand around it; leave soft face-framing tendrils. Finger-comb and gently tug sections for a relaxed, bohemian texture, anchoring with bobby pins where needed. Tools needed: curling wand, wide-tooth comb, tail comb, paddle brush, elastic bands, bobby pins and a diffuser (for natural curl enhancement). Products: heat protectant, curl cream or mousse, sea-salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray and a lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — about 20–35 minutes in salon or at home. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or pineapple the style, refresh with a mist or curl-refresh spray and scrunch, re-twist any fallen pieces with the wand, and trim ends every 8–10 weeks to reduce frizz.

Romantic Textured Side Updo with Berry Accessory (Textured Chignon)

This romantic textured side updo works best on medium to long hair and suits fine, medium or thick textures — fine hair benefits from light teasing or clip-in extensions for added volume, while naturally thick hair creates fullness easily. Styling technique: prep hair with mousse and heat protectant, blow-dry with a round brush for lift, then create loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron. Section and lightly backcomb the crown for height, sweep hair to one side and form soft loops and rolls, pinning each section with U-pins and bobby pins to build a low side chignon. Finish by tucking the decorative berry sprigs into the pins and securing with extra hairpins. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, sectioning clips, teasing comb, bobby pins, U-pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing or salt spray, medium-to-strong hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires sectioning and strategic pinning. Maintenance tips: carry spare pins, refresh texture with dry shampoo and a light mist of hairspray, avoid heavy moisture, and remove accessories gently to prevent breakage; allow 45–75 minutes in a salon setting.

Long Voluminous Romantic Curls with Berry Accessories

Ideal for long, thick or naturally wavy hair (can be adapted to medium lengths with extensions), this romantic, voluminous curl style emphasizes defined ringlets and soft crown height with decorative berry sprigs. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight curl cream or mousse and a heat protectant. Section the hair into 1–2 inch subsections and wrap around a 1–1.25” curling wand away from the face for uniform, bouncy curls. Use a diffuser on low heat for natural waves or a blowout for extra lift before curling. Set each curl by pinning to the head until cool for longer hold, then release and gently separate with fingers or a wide-tooth comb for softness. Secure faux berry picks or floral accents with thin floral wire and discreet bobby pins, anchoring to larger hair sections to avoid droop. Tools: 1–1.25” curling wand, diffuser, sectioning clips, tail comb, bobby pins, floral wire. Products: curl cream/mousse, heat protectant, light oil, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose pineapple, refresh with misted leave-in and touch-up curls as needed; remove accessories gently and store separately.

Romantic Twisted Low Updo with Soft Waves

Suitable for medium-to-thick hair and shoulder-length to long lengths; works especially well on natural waves or on straight hair after texturizing. Technique: start with clean, towel-dried hair and apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse. Blow-dry with a round brush to build root lift, then create loose, alternating-direction waves with a 1–1.25 curling wand, leaving ends softer for an undone look. Gather hair low at the nape, loosely twist sections and secure with bobby pins and U-pins to form a soft, slightly messy bun; pull out face-framing tendrils and gently finger-comb for a romantic finish. Tools needed: curling wand, blow dryer and round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U-pins and a small elastic. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or texturizing spray, light-to-medium hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty level: moderate—stylist-friendly but achievable at home with practice; allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap, refresh with texture spray and re-pin loose pieces, avoid heavy oils at roots to preserve volume, and carry extra pins and travel hairspray for touch-ups.

Vintage Pin‑Up Half‑Up Curls — Voluminous Retro Hairstyle

This polished vintage pin‑up half‑up with voluminous curls works best on medium to thick hair and on fine hair with added lift. Styling begins with clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow‑dry smooth with a round brush. Create 1–1.25 barrel curls or use hot rollers, setting each curl and pinning to cool to maximize longevity. Shape a rolled fringe or victory roll by backcombing the front section, smoothing the surface with a fine‑tooth comb, and securing with hidden bobby pins; sweep the remaining curls into a half‑up cluster and anchor with pins or a decorative clip. Tools: 1 curling iron or hot rollers, round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, and a blow dryer. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lifter, light‑hold hairspray, shine serum or spray, and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: intermediate — requires practice with rolls and pin placement. Maintenance tips: set curls to cool before brushing, sleep on a silk pillow or wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with a light mist or steam and touch up curls as needed, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.

Romantic Boho Side Braids with Loose Curls and Beaded Accents

This romantic, bohemian-style look suits long to extra-long hair with medium to thick density and natural wave or curl. Fine hair can wear it after root-volume prep and light extensions; very coarse hair benefits from smoothing serum before braiding. Technique: prep hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant, blow-dry or diffuse to keep natural texture. Create small crown braids (three-strand or rope) and feed them into a larger, loosely pancaked side braid or fishtail, leaving face-framing strands soft. Curl remaining lengths with a 1 curling wand for uniform waves, then gently pull apart (pancake) the braid to add width. Secure with small elastics and discreet bobby pins, and add beads or pins as finishing accents. Tools needed: 1 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, and a beading/pin set for accessories. Products required: volumizing mousse, texturizing or sea-salt spray, heat protectant, light shine serum, and flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate (30–60 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh texture with dry shampoo and a mist of sea-salt spray, and retouch curls or re-pin loose sections as needed. Deep-condition regularly to keep ends healthy.

Romantic Textured Side Sweep with Soft Face‑Framing Curls

This romantic side‑sweep is ideal for medium to long hair and works especially well on naturally wavy or loosely curly textures; straight hair can achieve the look after curling. Start with a light volumizing mousse on damp hair and blow‑dry with a round brush for lift at the crown. Create loose curls with a 25–32 mm curling wand, alternating directions for texture. Backcomb gently at the crown for volume, gather hair to one side and loosely twist or braid the length, securing with pins and a small elastic; pull pieces softly to break up the braid and frame the face with two or three curled tendrils. Tools: curling wand, tail comb, round brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins and a small elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing/sea‑salt spray, light pomade for flyaways, medium‑hold flexible hairspray and a tiny shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — 20–35 minutes once practiced. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and mist of texturizer, re‑curl loose strands as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase and remove accessory gently to preserve style.

Textured Side Dutch Braid with Festive Berry Accents

This elegant side Dutch braid suits medium-to-long hair and works well on straight, slightly wavy, or relaxed curly textures. Fine hair benefits from texturizing for grip and volume; thick hair may need more smoothing and larger sections. Start on dry, detangled hair with a deep side part. Apply a light salt or texturizing spray for hold, then create a Dutch (inside-out) braid along the hairline, adding hair as you move toward the nape and finish into a loose three-strand braid. Gently pancake the braid for fullness and secure with a small elastic. Attach lightweight decorative berries or picks with discreet bobby pins, anchoring them where the braid overlaps for balance. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, and a boar-bristle brush. Products: dry shampoo or texturizer, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum, and heat protectant if you pre-style. Difficulty: intermediate — requires consistent tension and basic braiding skill. Maintenance tips: refresh grip with dry shampoo, re-tighten the top section if it loosens, touch up flyaways with serum or hairspray, and remove ornaments gently to avoid breakage.

Vintage Finger-Wave Chignon with Festive Berry Accent

This polished finger-wave chignon suits medium to thick, straight-to-wavy hair and can be adapted for long hair with extensions or fine hair with a volumizing base. Start on damp, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight setting lotion or mousse through roots to ends, then create deep finger waves along the hairline using a small-barrel curling iron (19–25 mm) or Marcel iron to form C-shaped ridges. Clip each wave to cool and set. Gather the remaining hair at the nape, twist into a low chignon and anchor with long bobby pins and hairpins, blending the wave pattern into the knot. Tools: tail comb, duckbill/clips, small-barrel curling or Marcel iron, bobby pins, hairpins. Products: heat protectant, setting lotion or strong mousse, firm-hold pomade or gel for sculpting, flexible-then-strong hairspray and a lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires sculpting and precise pinning; allow 45–75 minutes. Maintenance: sleep with a silk scarf, re-spray with light hairspray to tame flyaways, refresh waves by finger-smoothing with a dab of pomade, and secure loose pieces with spare pins.

Loose Romantic Half‑Up Curls with Floral Berry Accents

Suitable hair: Best on medium to long lengths; works well on fine to medium hair with volumizing prep and on thick hair with larger sections for movement. Naturally wavy or straight hair is easiest to shape; very tight natural curls should be stretched first. Styling technique: Start with freshly washed, towel-dried hair treated with heat protectant. Blow-dry with a round brush for smoothness, then section the top crown and backcomb lightly for lift. Create 1–1.25 barrel wand curls away from the face in alternating directions for a soft, undone look. Sweep one side into a loose half‑up twist, pinning loops with U‑pins and bobby pins to create cascade sections; weave small floral berry sprigs in securely with floral wire or hairpins. Tools needed: 1–1.25 curling wand, blow dryer, round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U‑pins, small wire cutters. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing spray, light serum for shine, flexible-hold hairspray and dry shampoo. Difficulty level: Intermediate — a stylist or confident home stylist; allow 45–60 minutes. Maintenance tips: Refresh curls with a quick wand touch-up and dry shampoo between wears, re-secure any loose florals, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and avoid heavy oils that weigh down the style.

Voluminous Romantic Half-Up Curls for Long, Textured Hair

This romantic half-up hairstyle features loose, cascading curls with a lifted crown and soft face-framing tendrils—perfect for long hair that wants movement and volume. Hair type suitability: best on long, medium-to-thick hair and on naturally wavy or relaxed curly textures; fine hair can achieve the look with extensions or layered teasing, while very coarse hair may need smoothing before styling. Styling technique: prep with a lightweight volumizing mousse and heat protectant, blow-dry with a round brush for lift, then curl 1–1.25 sections away from the face using a curling wand. Backcomb the crown lightly for height, gather the top half into a loose ponytail or twist and pin with bobby pins, leaving two to three face-framing pieces. Finish with a texturizing spray and flexible-hold hairspray, and add decorative accents if desired. Tools needed: curling wand, blow dryer and round brush, teasing comb, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, small elastic. Products required: heat protectant, root-lift spray or mousse, sea-salt/texturizing spray, flexible hairspray, light shine serum, dry shampoo. Difficulty level: Moderate—about 30–45 minutes with basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and a light mist of water plus texturizer, touch up loose pieces with the wand, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to keep volume.

Loose Textured Side Fishtail Braid — Boho Holiday Look for Long Hair

This loose, textured side fishtail braid works best on long hair and suits medium to thick textures; fine hair can achieve the same volume with light teasing or added extension pieces. Start on second-day hair for grip: mist roots with dry shampoo, apply a light texturizing spray through the lengths, and heat-protect before adding soft waves with a curling iron if needed. Create a slightly elevated crown by backcombing the top sections, then gather hair to one side and begin a fishtail braid (or French-to-fishtail at the roots for added hold). Pull gently on braid sections to pancake for a fuller, undone effect and secure with a small elastic; hide the elastic with a loose wrap and pin if desired. Tools: tail comb, 1 curling iron (optional), small clear elastics, bobby pins, and a brush. Products: dry shampoo, texturizing spray, heat protectant, light-hold hairspray, and a smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 15–25 minutes in a salon or at home. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or wrap in a scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo, re-pancake sections daily, and replace elastics after a few wears to avoid breakage.

Textured Half-Up Double Space Buns with Natural Beach Waves

Salon-tested, this textured half-up double space-bun pairs loose beachy waves with two small twisted buns at the crown. Suitability: ideal for naturally wavy to curly hair and medium-to-long lengths; fine hair can use volumizing mousse or clip-in pieces for fullness, while very thick hair benefits from working in smaller sections. Styling technique: create soft, open waves with a 1 curling wand or diffuse natural texture, part slightly off-center, take two top crown sections, twist each into a loose mini-bun and secure with a small elastic and bobby pins, then tug at the buns and face-framing pieces for a relaxed look. Tools needed: 1 curling wand or diffuser, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby pins, wide-tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, light-hold texturizing spray, smoothing serum for ends, flexible hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — about 15–25 minutes depending on density. Maintenance tips: sleep on silk or pineapple buns, refresh with a water/texturizer mist and finger re-shaping, and re-pin any loose buns; avoid heavy oils at the roots to maintain lift.

Romantic Braided Crown Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils

This textured braided crown updo suits medium to long hair and works well on straight, wavy or loosely curly textures — fine hair will benefit from added product and teasing for volume, while thick hair may need extra pins. Technique: prep hair with a root‑lift mousse and blow‑dry; section and create loose French/Dutch braids along the crown (or two side braids) and pancake them for fullness. Gather and pin the braids into a soft, low voluminous bun, then pull delicate face‑framing tendrils and smooth or curl them with a 1 curling iron for a romantic finish. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics, bobby/U‑pins, 1 curling iron, blow dryer and round brush. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, texturizing/salt spray for grip, flexible hold hairspray, light shine serum and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty level: intermediate — approximately 30–45 minutes for an experienced stylist or skilled DIYer. Maintenance tips: secure accessories with extra pins, refresh texture with dry shampoo, touch up tendrils with a quick curl and mist of flexible hairspray, and wrap hair with a silk scarf when sleeping to reduce frizz.

Romantic Crown Braids with Loose Beachy Waves

This look suits medium to long hair with natural waves or light-to-medium texture; fine hair benefits from light texturizing, while thick hair will need more control. Create two small French or Dutch braids from each temple, pinning them around the crown to form a halo, then style the remaining lengths into loose S-shaped waves for a soft, ethereal finish. Technique: section the hair, apply heat protectant, use a 1–1.25 curling wand to wrap alternating sections away from the face, then lightly finger-comb. Tools needed: curling wand, tail comb for parting, sectioning clips, paddle/boar-bristle brush, bobby pins and small elastics. Products required: thermal protectant, lightweight texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold flexible hairspray, and a tiny amount of smoothing serum or oil for ends. Difficulty level: intermediate — braiding and blending volume take practice but no advanced skills. Maintenance tips: style on second-day hair for better hold, sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose braid, refresh waves with a mist of leave-in conditioner and quick heat re-wrap, and retighten pins before events. Avoid heavy products that flatten the crown braids and reapply texture spray sparingly to revive body.

Side‑Swept Voluminous Romantic Curls with Twisted Half‑Up Detail

This side‑swept, twisted half‑up style suits medium to long hair and works beautifully on wavy or naturally curly textures; straight hair can achieve the same look with heat styling. Start with clean, towel‑dried hair and apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow‑dry with a round brush or diffuse to enhance natural wave. Create loose, medium‑to‑large barrel curls (1–1.25 in) throughout, leaving front face‑framing pieces softer. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, then gather one side into a loose twist or braid and pin it discreetly behind the ear, sweeping the remainder of the hair over one shoulder. Finish by loosening curls with fingers for a relaxed, romantic feel and add a decorative sprig or accessory if desired. Tools: curling wand or iron, sectioning clips, tail comb, bobby pins, soft brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing or sea‑salt spray, light‑hold hairspray, smoothing serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate; allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep wrapped in a silk scarf or loose braid, refresh with water + texturizer or a light mist of dry shampoo for grip, and re‑touch end curls as needed.

Romantic Half-Up Curls with Braided Crown and Berry Accents

Suitable for medium to long lengths and for fine through thick hair, this romantic half-up with defined curls works best on hair that can hold a style—wavy or straight hair takes the heat-set curls most predictably, while natural curl patterns can be refined and pinned for the same effect. Start with clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse, then blow-dry smooth or diffuse if enhancing natural texture. Section the hair and use a 25–32 mm curling wand or 1 curling iron to wrap 1–1.5 sections, pinning each curl to cool for longer hold. Create a soft braided or twisted crown by bringing front sections to the back and securing with bobby pins; tuck in berry or floral accessories for the finished look. Tools: 25–32 mm curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, optional diffuser. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: Intermediate — expect 45–60 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a satin pillowcase or loosely pineapple, refresh with a light steam or water spritz and styling cream, use dry shampoo to revive lift, and avoid heavy oils near the roots.

Textured Messy Side Braid — Loose Fishtail with Root Volume

This relaxed, textured side braid works best on medium to long hair and suits wavy or straight textures; fine hair benefits from volumizing products or clip‑in pieces, while very curly hair may need light smoothing first. Start with second‑day hair for grip: apply a root volumizer or dry shampoo, mist in a salt/texturizing spray and rough‑dry to build body. Backcomb the crown lightly for lift, gather hair to one side and create a loose fishtail or three‑strand braid, then pancake each section to widen and soften the look. Tuck and pin any heavy ends or flyaways with bobby pins and hide the elastic with a wrapped strand for a polished finish. Tools: tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, curling wand (optional), small elastics, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray, light flexible‑hold hairspray, shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home in 20–35 minutes with practice. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap with a scarf, refresh texture with dry shampoo or mist, re‑pancake the braid each morning, and trim ends every 8–10 weeks to keep the shape healthy.

Romantic Messy Curly Updo with Floral Accents

This romantic, textured updo works best on medium-to-long hair and on natural waves or curls; fine hair benefits from root teasing and texturizing products, while thick hair will hold the shape well with fewer pins. Start by prepping damp hair with a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray and a heat protectant, then rough-dry with a diffuser or round brush for body. Create loose curls with a 1 curling iron (or enhance natural curl) and lightly backcomb the crown for lift. Gather hair into a high, slightly off-center bun, pinning relaxed sections with bobby pins and U-pins to keep movement; pull a few face‑framing tendrils free and twist small pieces into the bun for organic shape. Tuck in small greenery or floral accents on wired stems and secure with pins. Tools: 1 curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, elastic, bobby/U-pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate (30–45 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or lightly pin bun, refresh with dry shampoo and re-pin loose pieces, avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve volume.

Classic Hollywood S-Waves with Voluminous Blonde Body

This classic Hollywood S-wave delivers soft, structured waves with a glossy finish—ideal for medium-to-long hair lengths. Suitability: Works best on medium to thick hair for long-lasting shape; fine hair benefits from root-lifting mousse and thermal protection; naturally curly hair should be smoothed beforehand. Styling technique: Start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Blow-dry using a large round brush to build root lift and smooth the cuticle. Create uniform S-waves with a 1¼–1½ curling iron or large hot rollers, curling sections away from the face and clipping each curl to cool for memory. Once cooled, gently brush through to soften into waves, define with a tail comb, and set with medium-hold hairspray. Add a lightweight shine serum to ends sparingly. Tools needed: blow dryer, large round brush, curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, paddle/boar-bristle brush, fine tail comb. Products required: volumizing mousse, heat protectant, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum, dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty level: moderate—requires consistent sectioning and timing; allow 45–60 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or pin waves into loose pin curls to preserve shape, refresh with dry shampoo and low-heat touch-ups, and trim every 8–12 weeks to maintain bounce.

Textured Romantic Loose Side Braid with Face-Framing Tendrils

This romantic, textured side braid suits medium-to-long lengths and works best on hair with natural volume or density; fine hair benefits from light texturizing and root lift, while very thick hair may need thinning for manageability. Start on towel-dried hair with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray. Blow-dry using a round brush for lift at the crown, then wrap random sections around a 1–1.25” curling wand to create loose waves. Backcomb the crown lightly for height, gather hair to one side and create a loose three-strand or pull-through braid, securing ends with an elastic. Pancake (gently pull apart) each braid segment to broaden the shape and pull out two soft face-framing tendrils. Finish with a medium-hold flexible hairspray and a small amount of shine serum on the ends. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, and bobby pins. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: refresh texture with dry shampoo or spray, re-pancake sections after sleeping, and protect with a silk scarf to prolong the style.

Textured Tousled Updo with Face-Framing Tendrils

Salon-ready textured tousled updo that works best on medium to thick hair or fine hair with light padding. Start with clean, towel-dried hair and apply heat protectant and volumizing mousse. Rough-dry with a round brush or diffuser to build lift at the roots. Create loose 1 barrel curls with a curling iron or wand, alternating directions for natural texture. Lightly backcomb the crown for volume, then gather hair into a loose high bun or messy chignon, securing with pins and a small elastic; leave several face-framing tendrils and pull a few curls free for softness. Use a texturizing spray between layers and hide pins by twisting sections over them. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to maintain movement without stiffness. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling iron or wand, teasing comb, bobby pins, elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, salt/texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, lightweight serum for shine. Difficulty: medium — requires basic curling and pinning skills; allow 20–30 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, reshape tendrils with a low-heat wand, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap to preserve volume.

Textured Romantic Red Updo with Twisted Crown Braid

This elegant, textured updo works best on shoulder‑length to long hair and medium to thick densities; fine hair benefits from light backcombing or short clip‑in extensions for volume. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots. Blow‑dry with a round brush to build lift, then create loose S‑waves with a 1″ curling iron, curling sections away from the face. Use a rat‑tail comb to create a deep side part, sweep the front sections into soft finger waves, and twist or braid along the hairline to form the crown. Gather remaining hair into a loose chignon at the nape, tucking and pinning curls and braid ends with bobby pins; finish with decorative sprigs or pins if desired. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1″ curling iron or wand, rat‑tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing or salt spray, medium‑hold hairspray, shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or loosely wrap, refresh texture with dry shampoo or texturizer, and re‑pin loose pieces; avoid heavy oils that will weigh down the style.

Vintage Finger Waves with Sculpted Pin Curls — Platinum Blonde Holiday Style

This polished vintage finger-wave with sculpted pin curls suits short to mid-length hair and flat-to-medium density textures; it’s easiest on naturally straight or slightly wavy hair but can be created on textured hair after smoothing. Technique: work on damp, freshly conditioned hair. Apply setting lotion or a light mousse, create defined S-shaped finger waves at the fringe using a fine-tooth tail comb and metal clips, then form smooth pin curls at the sides and back, securing them with duckbill clips or setting clips. Dry under a hood or with a low-heat diffuser until fully set, then gently brush through with a soft boar-bristle brush to shape and blend curls. Tools needed: tail comb, duckbill/setting clips, boar-bristle brush, 1

Thanks for exploring these 32 Christmas hairstyles with me. My final professional advice is simple: prep, protect and personalize. Start with healthy foundations—schedule a trim 2–3 weeks before big events, use a hydrating mask once a week, and avoid heavy oils on the day of styling. Always apply heat protectant and work in sections for clean, long-lasting curls and smooth updos. For extra hold without stiffness choose a flexible-hold spray and add texture with a dry shampoo or salt spray at the roots. If you’re short on time, opt for polished low buns, single braids, or embellished ponytails that read dressed-up with minimal effort. Practice any new look once before the event and keep a small kit of pins, elastic bands and a mini-hairspray for touch-ups. If you want a personalized recommendation, book a consult at my salon—Ill help adapt any style to your hair type and lifestyle. Happy holidays, Lena.