20 Glamorous Christmas Party Hairstyles to Shine In
Christmas parties call for a little more: a little more shine, a little more sparkle, a style that holds from the first photo to the last song. But glamorous does not have to mean complicated — most of these looks take under twenty minutes.
Below are 20 party styles that feel festive and still elegant: sleek updos, soft waves, braids and bows, finished with the season’s prettiest extras — velvet, pearls and gold. Each one comes with the exact words to say to your stylist.
The Cheat Sheet
| Look | Why It Works for a Party | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sleek Low Chignon with a Pearl Pin | Classic glamour, one pretty detail | Medium to long hair |
| Half-Up Hollywood Waves | Smooth top, uniform glossy waves | Long hair |
| Twisted Half-Up with Loose Waves | Polished twists, flowing lengths | Long hair |
| Braided Crown Updo | Holds all night, looks intricate | Long hair |
| Low Ponytail with a Velvet Bow | Simple style, festive finish | Medium to long hair |
| Soft Waves with a Deep Side Part | Glossy waves, swept to one side | Medium to long hair |
| Twisted Low Bun | Looks detailed, takes minutes | Medium to long hair |
| High Glossy Ponytail | Sleek, modern, dance-proof | Long hair |
| Side-Swept Waves with a Pearl Comb | Waves to one side, pearl sparkle | Medium hair |
| Classic French Twist | Timeless, formal, lifts the face | Medium to long hair |
| Loose Curls with a Velvet Headband | Fast, rich, tames flyaways | Any curl length |
| Soft High Bun with Loose Tendrils | Romantic height, soft edges | Medium to long hair |
| Braided Crown Half-Up with Loose Waves | Braided top, hair mostly down | Long hair |
| Side Braid with a Ribbon Bow | One braid, festive ribbon finish | Long hair |
| Vintage Finger Waves | 1920s glamour, fully set | Short to medium hair |
| Half-Up Bun with Soft Curls | Half up, half down, all pretty | Medium to long hair |
| Smooth Blowout with Flipped Ends | Bouncy, shiny, salon-fresh | Medium to long hair |
| Braided Low Ponytail | Braid detail in a neat low pony | Medium to long hair |
| Elegant Top Knot | Clean height, shows off earrings | Long hair |
| Cascading Curls with a Jeweled Clip | Big soft curls, one shining clip | Long, thick hair |
1. Sleek Low Chignon with a Pearl Pin
The party classic: hair smoothed back and rolled into a low chignon, finished with a single pearl pin. It looks expensive, keeps every strand in place all evening, and shows off your neckline and earrings. Smooth a drop of serum over the top before pinning so it photographs glossy, not frizzy.
Best for: Medium to long hair, formal and office parties.
Ask your stylist: “A sleek low chignon, smoothed and glossy, with a pearl pin tucked at the side.”
2. Half-Up Hollywood Waves
All the glamour of Hollywood waves, with the top half swept back for a cleaner finish. The upper section is pulled smoothly into a half-up at the crown, and below it the hair falls in long, uniform S-waves brushed into glossy curves. It reads dressy from every angle, and the light-brown lengths show every wave.
Best for: Long hair and glamorous evening parties.
Ask your stylist: “Hollywood waves brushed into smooth curves, with the top section pulled back into a smooth half-up.”
3. Twisted Half-Up with Loose Waves
Two wide sections are twisted inward from each side and crossed flat over each other in an X at the back of the head, pinned so neatly you cannot see a single pin — no clip, no accessory, just hair. Below the twist, long waves fall soft and defined to mid-back. On honey-blonde hair, the crossed twist catches the light beautifully.
Best for: Long hair, romantic and classic parties.
Ask your stylist: “A twisted half-up — wide sections from each side, twisted and crossed at the back, loose waves underneath.”
4. Braided Crown Updo
A braid worked around the head like a crown, with the rest of the hair pinned up inside it. It is the most secure style here — a braid cannot slip, slide or blow loose between the taxi and the party. Add a tiny sprig of sparkle pins along the braid for a festive finish.
Best for: Long hair and anyone who dances all night.
Ask your stylist: “A braided crown updo, braid wrapped around my head, everything pinned securely inside.”
5. Low Ponytail with a Velvet Bow
A smooth low ponytail becomes a party style with one addition: a velvet bow tied over the band. Black, burgundy and deep green velvet all read instantly festive. Keep the top sleek with serum, and curl just the last few inches of the tail for softness.
Best for: Medium to long hair and last-minute plans.
Ask your stylist: “A sleek low ponytail with a velvet bow over the band, ends softly curled.”
6. Soft Waves with a Deep Side Part
Sometimes the simplest shape is the most glamorous: glossy soft waves swept over from a deep side part. One side tucks neatly behind the ear, showing off a small drop earring, while the rest falls in smooth, shining curves. On blonde-ombré hair the waves catch the light with every turn of your head — no accessory needed.
Best for: Medium to long hair, and beginners styling at home.
Ask your stylist: “Soft glossy waves from a deep side part, one side tucked behind my ear.”
7. Twisted Low Bun
Two twisted sections wrapped around each other into a low bun — woven, detailed and far easier than it looks. It is a kind style for a party: elegant from every angle, comfortable for hours, and it forgives slightly frizzy hair because the twists hide it.
Best for: Medium to long hair, dinners and office parties.
Ask your stylist: “A twisted low bun from two sections, pinned soft and secure at the nape.”
8. High Glossy Ponytail
Hair smoothed up into a high, glossy ponytail with the base wrapped in a strand of hair. It is modern, it lifts your whole face, and it swings through a night of dancing without a single pin to worry about. Gel the sides down with a brush for that clean, snatched finish.
Best for: Long hair, modern and lively parties.
Ask your stylist: “A high glossy ponytail, sides smoothed sleek, base wrapped to hide the band.”
9. Side-Swept Waves with a Pearl Comb
Dark-brown waves, sculpted and glossy, swept back and over to one side — and held there by one large comb of clustered pearls and crystals above the ear. The comb does the sparkling, so the hair itself can stay smooth and simple. At shoulder length the waves keep their shape and bounce all evening.
Best for: Medium hair, dressy and elegant parties.
Ask your stylist: “My waves swept back to one side, held with a pearl and crystal comb above the ear.”
10. Classic French Twist
The most timeless updo of all: hair swept up and rolled into a vertical twist at the back. It lengthens your neck, lifts your face and has suited formal parties for seventy years. It looks best smooth and simple — let your earrings, not your hair, carry the sparkle.
Best for: Medium to long hair, formal and black-tie parties.
Ask your stylist: “A classic French twist, smooth and neat, with the ends tucked cleanly away.”
More in Braids & Updos:
11. Loose Curls with a Velvet Headband
Natural curls worn loose and full under a wide velvet headband — five minutes, no heat, and it looks rich and deliberate. Velvet grips without slipping and presses down winter static. Deep green, burgundy or black velvet all work; match it to your outfit, not your hair.
Best for: Any curl length, and the busiest December evenings.
Ask your stylist: “Keep my curls loose and defined, shaped for a wide velvet headband.”
12. Soft High Bun with Loose Tendrils
A high bun kept deliberately soft: full at the crown, with curled tendrils left loose at the front and nape. The height feels dressy, the loose pieces keep it romantic instead of severe. It is a lovely choice with high necklines, because the hair clears the collar completely.
Best for: Medium to long hair, romantic and festive looks.
Ask your stylist: “A soft high bun with loose curled tendrils at the front — height, but nothing tight.”
13. Braided Crown Half-Up with Loose Waves
Two chunky Dutch braids start above each ear and run back along the crown, meeting and joining at the centre of the back. Below them, the hair stays down — very long lengths in soft, natural waves reaching mid-back. On platinum-blonde hair the braids stand out like a woven crown, and it photographs beautifully from behind — the angle most party photos actually catch.
Best for: Long hair, house parties and softer looks.
Ask your stylist: “Two Dutch braids along the crown joining at the back, with loose waves left down.”
14. Side Braid with a Ribbon Bow
A Dutch braid begins at the front hairline and runs down one side of the head, then continues as a normal three-strand braid that falls forward over one shoulder. The finish is the festive part: a dusty-pink satin ribbon tied in a bow at the very end of the braid. A few soft strands left loose at the front keep it gentle, not severe.
Best for: Long hair, family parties and festive photos.
Ask your stylist: “A side Dutch braid brought forward over my shoulder, finished with a satin ribbon bow at the end.”
15. Vintage Finger Waves
Sculpted S-waves set close to the head — 1920s glamour that pairs perfectly with sequins and vintage-style dresses. Because the waves are set hard with gel, the style does not move all night and wind cannot touch it. It is the most striking choice here for short hair.
Best for: Short to medium hair, glamorous and themed parties.
Ask your stylist: “Vintage finger waves, set close and glossy, to hold all evening.”
16. Half-Up Bun with Soft Curls
The top half in a small soft bun, the bottom half in loose curls — playful at the top, glamorous below. It suits anyone who finds a full updo too formal and loose hair too plain. Keep the bun high for a fun look, lower and looser for a softer one.
Best for: Medium to long hair, casual-festive parties.
Ask your stylist: “A half-up bun with soft curls left down — the bun small, high and soft.”
17. Smooth Blowout with Flipped Ends
A bouncy salon blowout with the ends flipped outward — shiny, swishy and reliably pretty. It is the least formal look here, so dress it up with statement earrings. Ask for a cool-shot finish and anti-frizz serum so heated rooms do not puff it up by midnight.
Best for: Medium to long hair, dinner parties and office celebrations.
Ask your stylist: “A smooth bouncy blowout, ends flipped out, with an anti-frizz finish.”
18. Braided Low Ponytail
A French braid starts at the front hairline and runs back along the side, just above the ear, then flows straight into a low side ponytail. The tail falls straight and smooth over the front of the shoulder — sleek, neat, and off your neck for dancing. On blonde hair, every plait of the braid shows clearly.
Best for: Medium to long hair, and styles that must last all night.
Ask your stylist: “A French braid along the side flowing into a low ponytail, tail smooth and straight.”
19. Elegant Top Knot
A smooth, high knot on the crown — clean, modern and made to show off earrings and a pretty neckline. Smooth the sides with gel before twisting so the finish stays sharp in photos. It is also the coolest style here if the party gets warm and crowded.
Best for: Long hair, modern and minimalist outfits.
Ask your stylist: “An elegant top knot, sides smoothed sleek, the knot neat on my crown.”
20. Cascading Curls with a Jeweled Clip
Finish with the fullest look: long curls brushed into soft cascades, the front sections drawn back into one jeweled clip. It is glamorous without an updo, and the clip keeps hair off your face while the lengths do the showing off. Thick hair wears this best — the more curls, the better the cascade.
Best for: Long, thick hair and grand evening parties.
Ask your stylist: “Long cascading curls, brushed soft, front sections held back with one jeweled clip.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my Christmas party hairstyle last all night?
Start on dry, day-old hair — it grips better than freshly washed. Set curls or waves and let them cool fully before touching them, use pins crossed in pairs, and finish with flexible-hold spray rather than a hard one, so you can smooth and reset the style later if needed.
Which party hairstyle is best for short hair?
Vintage finger waves are made for short to medium hair and hold all night. A sleek low style with a sparkle clip, or soft waves with a velvet headband, also read instantly festive without needing length.
What accessories make a hairstyle look Christmassy?
Velvet is the season’s shortcut: velvet bows, ribbons and headbands in black, burgundy or deep green. Add pearl pins, gold clips and crystal combs for shine. One good accessory is enough — more than two starts to compete with your outfit.
Should Christmas party hair be up or down?
Up styles hold better, clear coat collars on the way, and look formal in photos. Down styles feel softer and glamorous. Half-up styles split the difference and suit almost everyone — polish on top, movement below.
How can I do a glamorous party style at home, fast?
The quickest glamorous options here are the low ponytail with a velvet bow, loose curls with a velvet headband, and soft waves with a deep side part — each under ten minutes. Accessories do the festive work, so the hair itself can stay simple.
The Final Cut
A great Christmas party hairstyle is just a good hairstyle plus one festive detail — a velvet bow, a pearl pin, a gold clip. Choose the style that suits your dress and your hair type, add the detail, and stop there.
Take a photo to your appointment, or practise your chosen look once before the night. Then put your hair up, put it out of your mind, and enjoy the party.
