5 Holiday Hairstyles: Easy Updos and Waves for Parties

Let’s be real for a second. The holidays are stressful enough without having to worry about your hair looking like a bird’s nest because you tried a “Pinterest” tutorial that required a PhD in engineering. We’ve all been there, standing in front of the mirror 20 minutes before a party, bobby pins in your mouth, hairspray in your eyes, contemplating just shaving it all off. That’s why finding easy, gorgeous holiday hairstyles that don’t require a meltdown—or a degree—can save your entire season.

But this year, we’re not doing that. We’re aiming for “effortlessly chic” rather than “frantically assembled.” Whether you’re trying to impress your partner’s judgmental aunt or just want to look good for the inevitable Instagram group photo, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the best holiday hairstyles that actually look good and won’t require a meltdown in the bathroom.

Why Simple is Better This Season

Look, nobody at the office Christmas party cares if your braid is a fishtail or a dutch. They care about the open bar and the gossip. Overcomplicating your look usually leads to more stress and a higher chance of it falling apart halfway through the “Jingle Bell Rock” remix. The goal here is high impact, low effort. We want styles that say, “I have my life together,” even if you haven’t bought a single gift yet.

The “I Woke Up Like This” Beachy Waves

Ah, beachy waves. The classic “I’m not trying too hard” look that actually requires a specific tool and technique. But honestly, it’s a lifesaver. It works for almost every hair length and texture, and it’s forgiving. If one piece is a little wonky, it’s just “texture,”—which makes it one of the most effortless holiday hairstyles to pull off without stressing.

How To Fake The Beach In December

Grab a curling iron or a Beach waver if you’re fancy. Curl sections away from your face (always away, unless you want to look like a cocker spaniel). The key here is to leave the ends straight. That’s what gives it the cool-girl vibe instead of the “I’m going to prom in 2004” vibe. Finish with some texture spray or a light heat protectant to tame the winter frizz. Boom. Done.

The Half-Up Bow: For When You’re Feeling Coquette

If you haven’t noticed, bows are literally everywhere right now. It’s like we all collectively decided to dress like Victorian dolls, and honestly? I’m here for it. This is probably the easiest style on the list because it’s basically just a half-up ponytail with a prop, making it one of the cutest, no-effort holiday hairstyles you can try.

The Strategy

Gather the top half of your hair. You can keep it messy or sleek it back—dealer’s choice. Secure it with an elastic. Then, slap a bow on it. Velvet bows scream “festive,” while satin says “classy.” If you have straight hair, this looks sleek. If you have waves, it looks romantic. It takes roughly 45 seconds, leaving you plenty of time to mentally prepare for small talk.

The Sleek Low Bun: The “Clean Girl” Aesthetic

This is the hairstyle equivalent of a power suit. It says you mean business, but you’re also elegant. It’s also the perfect excuse to not wash your hair for an extra day because grease actually helps hold it in place. You’re welcome.

How To Execute The Slick Back

Part your hair down the middle (Gen Z says side parts are out, but you do you). Smooth everything back into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Twist the pony into a bun and pin it like your life depends on it. If you have flyaways—and let’s be honest, in winter, static, we all do—use a clean toothbrush sprayed with hairspray to stick them down. It’s weird, but it works, and it also happens to be one of the sleekest, simplest holiday hairstyles you can throw together in minutes.

The High Pony Wrap

Ariana Grande made the high pony iconic, but we’re giving it a holiday twist. This adds instant volume and height, which is great if you’re short like me and need every inch you can get—and it’s one of the easiest holiday hairstyles to pull off without any drama.

Elevate The Pony

Throw your hair into a high ponytail. Take a small section of hair from the bottom of the pony and wrap it around the hair tie to hide the elastic. Pin it underneath. It looks instantly more polished than a gym pony. If you want to be extra, curl the ends of the ponytail for some bounce. It’s bouncy, fun, and keeps your hair out of the dip.

Holiday Hairstyles For The Curly Girls: The Pineapple Updo

If you have natural curls, stop trying to flatten them into submission. Let them live! The pineapple updo (or a curly bun with a headband) is cute, festive, and protects your curl pattern—plus it’s one of the most effortlessly gorgeous holiday hairstyles for curly hair.

Let The Curls Shine

Gather your curls loosely at the top of your head. You don’t want to pull too tight and ruin the definition. Secure loosely. Add a velvet or sparkly headband. Pull out a few tendrils around your face to soften the look. It’s romantic, festive, and you aren’t fighting your natural texture.

Accessories Are Your Best Friend

When in doubt, accessorize. A boring bun becomes a “look” with a pearl clip. A messy braid looks intentional with a silk scrunchie. If you really can’t be bothered to style your hair, just put on a headband. It distracts people from the fact that you haven’t washed your hair in four days—and luckily, all of these tricks work perfectly for creating effortless holiday hairstyles without breaking a sweat.

Final Thoughts On Surviving The Season

The holidays are supposed to be fun, not a performance review for your appearance. Choose one of the holiday hairstyles that makes you feel comfortable. If that means a complex updo, go for it. If it means washing it and letting it air dry, that’s valid too. Maybe avoid the tinsel-in-hair trend unless you want to find plastic glitter in your carpet until next July.

Go forth, look fabulous, try one of these holiday hairstyles, and try not to spill eggnog on yourself.