15 Christmas Hairstyles for Short Hair (Easy, Festive & Party-Ready)

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Short hair and holiday parties? Easy. You don’t need long hair for a big updo to look festive.

With a few sparkly clips, a velvet bow, or some glossy waves, your bob, lob, or pixie can look just as party-ready as anyone’s. And most of these styles take 15 minutes or less.

The easiest Christmas hairstyles for short hair are soft waves with a velvet bow, sleek tucked bobs with pearl clips, mini half-up twists, and glossy side parts with a statement barrette. For pixie cuts, try finger waves or a sparkly headband. Accessories do most of the work, so pick one festive piece and keep the rest simple.

Below are 15 ideas sorted by hair length, plus the tools and accessories that make them easy.

Quick Guide: Pick a Style by Hair Length

Hair length	Easiest styles	Time
Pixie or very short	Finger waves, sparkly headband, slick side part, glitter roots	5–10 min
Chin-length bob	Velvet bow, pearl clips, tucked bob, mini twists	10–15 min
Lob (shoulder length)	Half-up bow, glam waves, low twisted bun, braided crown	15–20 min

Bob and Lob Styles

1. Soft Waves With a Velvet Bow

The most festive look with the least effort. Curl your bob into soft waves, then pull back a small section from each side and tie it with a velvet bow.

• Best for: Bobs and lobs
• Time: 15 minutes
• Tip: Deep red, emerald green, or black velvet looks the most “Christmas.”

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Velvet hair bows (red, green, black set)]

2. Sleek Tucked Bob With Pearl Clips

Straighten your bob for a glossy finish, tuck one side behind your ear, and add two or three pearl clips in a row above it. Clean, chic, and perfect for dressy dinners.

• Best for: Straight or wavy bobs
• Time: 10 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Pearl hair clips]

3. Mini Half-Up Twists

Take a small section from each side, twist it back, and pin it at the back of your head. Add a tiny jeweled clip where they meet.

• Best for: Bobs that are long enough to reach the back of your head
• Time: 10 minutes

4. Glossy Deep Side Part With a Statement Barrette

Flip your part to the side, smooth it down with a little shine serum, and add one big sparkly barrette. Instant old-Hollywood glam.

• Best for: Any bob or lob
• Time: 5 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Rhinestone statement barrette]

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Shine serum]

5. Flipped-Out ’60s Bob

Use a flat iron or round brush to flip the ends outward. Add a thick velvet headband for a retro holiday look.

• Best for: Chin-length and shoulder-length bobs
• Time: 15 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Thick velvet headband]

6. Braided Crown on a Lob

Braid a small section from each side, bring them to the back, and pin them together. It looks like a crown from behind.

• Best for: Lobs and longer bobs
• Time: 15–20 minutes

7. Low Twisted Bun (for Lobs)

If your hair reaches your shoulders, twist it into a small low bun and pin it. Pull out a few face-framing pieces and curl them.

• Best for: Shoulder-length hair
• Time: 15 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Bobby pins (matching your hair color)]

8. Half-Up Bow on a Lob

Gather the top half of your hair into a small half-up, and tie a large satin or velvet bow over the elastic. Sweet, festive, and very Pinterest.

• Best for: Lobs and long bobs
• Time: 5 minutes

9. Glam Waves for a Christmas Party

Curl your hair with a 1-inch curling iron, then gently brush the curls out into soft, glossy waves. Finish with hairspray.

• Best for: Lobs and bobs
• Time: 20 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: 1-inch curling iron]

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Heat protectant spray]

10. Ribbon-Wrapped Mini Ponytail

Pull your hair into a low mini ponytail, then wrap a thin satin ribbon around the elastic and let the ends hang down.

• Best for: Lobs and longer bobs
• Time: 5 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Satin ribbon set]

Pixie and Very Short Hair Styles

11. Finger Waves

Soft, vintage finger waves make a pixie look instantly dressed up. Use gel and a comb to push the hair into “S” shapes, then clip until dry.

• Best for: Pixie and short bobs
• Time: 15 minutes (plus drying)

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Styling gel]

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Duckbill clips]

12. Sparkly Headband

The fastest way to make short hair festive. A thin jeweled or pearl headband adds instant sparkle.

• Best for: Pixie and short hair
• Time: 1 minute

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Jeweled headband]

13. Slick Side Part Pixie

Smooth your pixie into a deep side part with a little pomade or gel. Pair with bold red lipstick for a polished holiday look.

• Best for: Pixie cuts
• Time: 5 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Hair pomade]

14. Textured Pixie With Glitter Roots

Add texture with a light paste, then dust a little hair glitter or glitter spray along your part. Fun for a party, and it washes out.

• Best for: Pixie and short textured hair
• Time: 5 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Hair glitter spray]

15. Pinned-Back Fringe With Mini Clips

Pin your bangs or front pieces back with three or four mini gold or pearl clips in a line. Simple and festive.

• Best for: Pixies and bobs with bangs
• Time: 2 minutes

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Mini gold snap clips]

Your Christmas Hair Kit

You don’t need a lot. These cover almost every style above:

• A heat protectant and a 1-inch curling iron or flat iron
• Velvet or satin bows in red, green, or black
• Pearl or rhinestone clips
• A flexible-hold hairspray
• Shine serum for glossy, sleek styles
• Bobby pins that match your hair color

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Flexible-hold hairspray]

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Mini flat iron (great for short hair)]

Tips to Make Short Holiday Hair Last All Night

• Start with day-old hair. It holds curls and pins better than freshly washed hair.
• Spray hair before you curl. A light mist of hairspray or setting spray helps waves last.
• Let curls cool before touching them.
• Use two bobby pins in an X to hold clips and twists firmly.
• Pack a mini kit: a few pins, a travel hairspray, and a small brush.

🔗 [AFFILIATE: Travel-size hairspray]

FAQ

What’s the easiest Christmas hairstyle for short hair? A sparkly headband or a velvet bow. Both take a minute and instantly look festive.

Can you do an updo with short hair? If your hair reaches your shoulders, yes. Try a low twisted bun or half-up twists. For shorter bobs, half-up styles and accessories work better.

How do I curl short hair without it looking too “done”? Use a 1-inch curling iron or a flat iron, curl away from your face, then brush the curls out gently with your fingers.

What accessories look best for Christmas? Velvet bows in red, green, or black, pearl clips, and sparkly barrettes are the most festive picks.

The Bottom Line

Short hair makes holiday styling fast and easy. Pick one accessory, like a velvet bow, pearl clips, or a sparkly headband, and pair it with soft waves or a sleek finish. In 15 minutes, you’ll be ready for every party on your calendar.