Christmas Party Hairstyles 2026: 15 Glam Looks You Can DIY
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Office party, family dinner, friends’ get-together, and maybe a fancy night out. December is full of reasons to dress up, and your hair should feel just as festive as your outfit.
The good news is you don’t need a salon appointment. These Christmas party hairstyles look glam but are easy to DIY at home, most in 20 minutes or less.
This year’s top Christmas party hairstyles are bow hairstyles (velvet and satin bows are everywhere), sleek low buns, glam brushed-out waves, half-up styles with sparkly clips, and voluminous blowouts. Pick one statement accessory, like a velvet bow or rhinestone clip, and keep the rest of the look polished.
Below are 15 glam looks with step-by-step instructions, sorted by style, plus tips to make them last through the party.
Quick Picks
| If you want… | Try | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Something festive and cute | Velvet bow half-up, ribbon ponytail | 5–10 min |
| Polished and elegant | Sleek low bun, French twist | 10–15 min |
| Full glam | Hollywood waves, voluminous blowout | 20–30 min |
| Party-proof for dancing | Sleek high ponytail, braided crown | 10–15 min |
| Short hair | Glossy tucked bob, sparkly headband | 5 min |
Bow and Ribbon Styles
1. Velvet Bow Half-Up
The most Christmassy look you can do in five minutes.
- Curl your hair into soft waves.
- Gather the top half and secure it with an elastic.
- Clip a large velvet bow over the elastic.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Large velvet hair bow (red, green, black)]
2. Satin Bow Low Ponytail
Brush your hair into a sleek low ponytail and tie a satin ribbon into a bow with long tails. Chic, simple, and very “coquette.”
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Satin ribbon set]
3. Ribbon-Wrapped Braid
Add a thin velvet or satin ribbon to one section as you braid. Tie the ends in a small bow.
4. Bow Low Bun
Make a smooth low bun and pin a bow just above it. Elegant enough for dinner, cute enough for a party.
Sleek and Elegant Styles
5. Sleek Low Bun
- Part your hair in the middle and smooth it back with gel or a slick stick.
- Tie a low ponytail at the nape.
- Twist it into a bun and pin.
- Add gold earrings and you’re done.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Slick stick / smoothing balm]
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Bobby pins]
6. Classic French Twist
Gather your hair into a low ponytail, twist it up, tuck the ends in, and secure with pins or a large claw clip. Timeless.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Large claw clip]
7. Twisted Low Chignon
Twist the sides back, gather everything at the nape, and roll it into a low chignon. Perfect for formal parties.
8. Sleek High Ponytail
The best style for dancing. Brush it high and sleek, wrap a strand around the elastic, and add a little shine serum.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Shine serum]
Glam Waves and Volume
9. Old Hollywood Waves
- Make a deep side part.
- Curl all your hair in the same direction with a 1.25-inch curling iron.
- Let the curls cool, then brush them out into smooth waves.
- Pin the front wave with duckbill clips for 10 minutes, then remove.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: 1.25-inch curling iron]
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Heat protectant spray]
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Duckbill clips]
10. Voluminous ’90s Blowout
Use a blow-dryer brush for big volume, then set the crown with Velcro rollers while you do your makeup.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Blow-dryer brush]
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Large Velcro rollers]
11. Brushed-Out Glam Curls
Curl your hair, let it cool, then brush gently with a wide paddle brush for soft, glamorous volume.
12. Half-Up With Rhinestone Clips
Curl your hair, pull back two small front sections, and secure with sparkly clips.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Rhinestone hair clips]
Braided Styles
13. Braided Crown
Braid two sections from behind your ears and wrap them over the top of your head. Pin in place. Holds all night.
14. Braided Low Bun With Tendrils
Braid your hair, wrap it into a low bun, and pull out a few face-framing tendrils. Curl the tendrils for a romantic touch.
Short Hair Options
15. Glossy Tucked Bob With Sparkly Headband
Smooth your bob with shine serum, tuck one side behind your ear, and add a jeweled headband. Party-ready in five minutes.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Jeweled headband]
Your DIY Christmas Hair Kit
- Heat protectant and a 1.25-inch curling iron
- Blow-dryer brush or round brush
- Velcro rollers for volume
- Bows, ribbons, and sparkly clips
- Flexible-hold hairspray
- Bobby pins and a claw clip
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Flexible-hold hairspray]
How to Make Party Hair Last All Night
- Start with day-old hair, or add dry shampoo or texture spray to clean hair for grip.
- Let curls cool completely before touching them.
- Pin twice. Cross two bobby pins in an X for extra hold.
- Finish with flexible hairspray, not a stiff one.
- Pack a mini kit: a few pins, a travel hairspray, and a small brush.
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Volumizing dry shampoo]
🔗 [AFFILIATE: Travel-size hairspray]
FAQ
What is the most popular Christmas hairstyle this year? Bow hairstyles are everywhere, especially velvet and satin bows on half-up styles, ponytails, and low buns.
What’s the easiest Christmas party hairstyle? A velvet bow half-up or a sleek low ponytail with a ribbon. Both take about five minutes.
How do I make my curls last at a party? Curl day-old hair, use heat protectant, let curls cool before touching, and finish with flexible hairspray.
What hairstyle is best for dancing? A sleek high ponytail, a braided crown, or a low bun. They stay in place all night.
Can I do these hairstyles on short hair? Try a glossy tucked bob with a headband, a half-up with a bow, or soft waves with a sparkly clip.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a salon to look glam this Christmas. Bow styles are the trend of the season, sleek buns look instantly polished, and brushed-out waves bring full glam. Pick one festive accessory, use a little heat protectant and hairspray, and you’ll be party-ready in 20 minutes or less.
