Christmas parties ask a lot of long hair. You want something that photographs well, survives a long evening, and still feels like you. Long hair gives you options shorter lengths cannot hold, from full braids to buns with real volume.
Each look below tells you what to ask for at the salon or how to recreate it at home, who it suits best, and what the upkeep looks like.
1Classic Hollywood Waves
Soft, brushed-out waves are the safest festive choice for long hair. Ask your stylist for large barrel curls brushed through with a paddle brush, or curl 2-inch sections away from your face at home with a 1.25-inch iron, let them cool, then brush gently. This suits oval, round, and heart-shaped faces, and looks best on medium to thick hair with natural body. Fine hair needs volumizing mousse and texturizing spray to hold the shape. The drawback is staying power: humidity and dancing can drop waves within hours, so carry a travel-size hairspray.
2High Sleek Ponytail with Wrapped Base
A high ponytail instantly reads polished, and wrapping a strand of hair around the elastic hides the hardware for a salon finish. Brush hair up to the crown, secure it tightly, then wrap a thin strand around the base and pin it underneath. Straighten the lengths first for a glassy effect, or leave a slight bend for softness. This suits oval and heart-shaped faces best, and flatters straight or slightly wavy hair. A tight ponytail can cause a headache after hours, and very fine hair may slip unless you backcomb the crown first.
3Romantic Loose Braided Crown
A braided crown feels festive without looking overdone, and it keeps hair off your face through dinner and dancing. Part your hair down the middle, braid two loose Dutch braids from each temple, then cross them over the top of your head and pin them in place. This works beautifully on thick, wavy, or textured hair, and suits round and square faces because the softness around the hairline balances strong features. Fine hair can work too, but the braids will look thinner, so pancake them by tugging each loop outward. The drawback is time: it takes 20 to 30 minutes, and pins can loosen if the braids are not anchored well.
4Half-Up Twisted Knot
The half-up twisted knot is the answer when you cannot decide between wearing your hair up or down. Take two sections from the front, twist each one back toward the crown, and knot them together at the back, securing with pins. Leave the rest of your hair in loose waves or straight. This suits nearly every face shape and works on straight, wavy, and lightly curled hair. It is especially kind to fine hair because the twist adds visual fullness at the crown. The style can sag on very heavy, thick hair, so use strong pins and firm-hold spray. Cost is minimal at home, and a salon version is usually a quick add-on to a blowout.
5Low Chignon with Face-Framing Strands
A low chignon is elegant, understated, and ideal for formal Christmas dinners or church services. Gather hair at the nape, twist it into a loose bun, and pin it in place, leaving two thin strands free at the front to soften the face. Ask your stylist for a "soft low chignon with face-framing pieces" if you want it done professionally. This flatters oval, square, and heart-shaped faces, and works on straight or wavy hair of medium thickness. Very curly hair will need smoothing first, which adds time. The bun itself is low maintenance, but the loose strands may need a quick re-curl halfway through the evening. It is also one of the cheapest salon updos.
6Glossy Straight Hair with a Deep Side Part
Sometimes the simplest look makes the strongest impression, and pin-straight hair with a deep side part is proof. Blow dry with a round brush or flat iron in small sections, then finish with a shine serum on the lengths only, keeping it away from the roots. This suits oval and oblong faces particularly well, and is best on naturally straight or slightly wavy hair. Curly hair can achieve it, but expect a longer blowout and a higher salon price. The drawback is weather: rain or humidity will undo the sleekness fast, and the style shows split ends, so get a trim a week before the party.
7Fishtail Braid Over One Shoulder
A fishtail braid worn over one shoulder looks intricate but is surprisingly easy once you learn the two-strand technique. Sweep all your hair to one side, divide it into two sections, and alternate taking thin strands from the outside of each section to the inside of the other. Keep it loose for a relaxed feel, or pull it tight for a neater finish. This suits round and heart-shaped faces, and shows off highlights and balayage beautifully. Thick hair gives the fullest braid, while fine hair benefits from texturizing powder before braiding. The braid can loosen over a long evening, so tie it with a clear elastic. It takes about 10 minutes with practice.
8Voluminous Blowout with Flipped Ends
A bouncy blowout with flipped ends brings a retro, party-ready energy that works for office parties and family gatherings alike. Ask for "a voluminous blowout with flipped-out ends and lots of movement" or recreate it with a round brush, rolling the ends outward as you dry. This suits oval, round, and heart-shaped faces, and is best on medium to thick hair that can hold volume. Fine hair will need root-lifting spray and possibly a few Velcro rollers at the crown while the hair cools. The drawback is longevity: blowouts tend to fall flat after four or five hours, especially in warm rooms, so a light-hold spray is essential.
9Braided Half-Updo with Ribbon
Adding a velvet ribbon to a braided half-updo is an easy way to make a simple style feel unmistakably Christmassy. Braid two small sections from each side of your head, bring them together at the back, and tie them with a deep red, green, or black velvet ribbon. Leave the rest of your hair wavy. This suits softer features, and works on straight, wavy, and lightly curled hair. Round faces benefit from keeping some volume at the crown so the style does not flatten the head. Maintenance is minimal, and the ribbon itself costs very little, but braids can slip on very silky hair, so use a texturizing spray first and anchor the ribbon with a small pin underneath.
10Messy Top Knot with Loose Waves
A messy top knot paired with loose waves is the relaxed option for casual Christmas gatherings, and it still looks intentional when done right. Pull the top section of your hair into a high bun, leaving the lower layers down in soft waves, and tug a few pieces loose around the face. Ask your stylist for a "half-up top knot with textured waves" if you want a polished version. This suits oval and round faces, and works best on wavy or textured hair that already has some grip. Very straight, fine hair may need dry shampoo for texture before styling. The knot can feel heavy on thick hair and may need re-pinning after a few hours. On the plus side, it takes under 15 minutes and hides second-day hair well.
11Side-Swept Curls with a Sparkle Clip
Side-swept curls with one statement clip are a classic party look that photographs beautifully. Curl your hair in medium sections, sweep everything to one side, and secure it loosely at the nape with pins, then add a jeweled or pearl clip above one ear. This suits heart-shaped and oval faces especially well, and flatters medium to thick hair with natural wave or curl. Fine hair will need curling spray and backcombing at the roots for grip. The drawback is balance: all the hair on one side can feel heavy, and the style may shift while dancing, so use plenty of pins on the swept side.
12Bubble Braid Ponytail
A bubble braid ponytail is playful, modern, and much easier than it looks. Tie your hair into a high or low ponytail, then add elastics every two to three inches down the length, gently pulling each section outward to form rounded "bubbles." This suits oval and heart-shaped faces, and works best on long, thick, straight or wavy hair because the bubbles need length to show. Fine hair can still work, but the bubbles will be smaller, so use texturizing powder for fullness. The only real drawback is the number of elastics involved, so keep spares handy, and be gentle when removing them to avoid breakage.
13Vintage Pin Curls with a Headband
Vintage pin curls give a glamorous, old-Hollywood feel that stands out at formal Christmas events. Set damp hair in pin curls or use a small curling iron, then brush them out into soft, sculpted waves and add a slim velvet or jeweled headband. Ask your stylist for "soft vintage waves with a headband finish" for the salon version. This suits oval, heart-shaped, and square faces, and is best on medium to thick hair that holds a curl. Fine hair will need setting lotion and patience, since the curls must cool completely before brushing. The drawback is time: a full set can take an hour or more, and the style is vulnerable to humidity. It is worth it for a special night, but not a quick everyday option.
14Double Dutch Braids into a Low Bun
Double Dutch braids that feed into a low bun combine the neatness of braids with the elegance of an updo, and the style stays put through a whole evening. Braid two Dutch braids from the hairline to the nape, then twist the remaining lengths together into a low bun and pin securely. This suits round, square, and oval faces, and works on thick, wavy, or textured hair best. Fine hair can manage it with texturizing spray, though the braids will look slimmer. The style is very low maintenance once it is in, which is its biggest advantage for long events. The drawback is skill and time: it takes 25 to 40 minutes at home, and a salon version costs more than a simple bun because of the braiding work.
15Soft Curls with a Center Part and Gold Accessories
Soft, center-parted curls with delicate gold accessories are an understated way to look festive without a complicated updo. Curl large sections away from the face, brush them out lightly, and add two or three small gold pins or a thin gold chain headpiece along the part. This suits oval and heart-shaped faces, and works on wavy, curly, and straight hair that has been curled. The center part is most flattering when it is slightly off-center rather than perfectly straight, which softens the symmetry. Maintenance is moderate: curls may need a touch-up after a few hours, and gold accessories can slide on silky hair, so anchor them with a pin.
How to Keep Your Christmas Hairstyle Looking Good All Night
Start with hair washed the day before, since slightly lived-in hair holds styles better than squeaky-clean hair. Use a heat protectant every time you curl or straighten, and let each section cool completely before brushing or pinning it. Pack bobby pins, a travel hairspray, and clear elastics so you can fix loose pieces without leaving the party.
Will these Christmas hairstyles work on thin long hair?
Yes, with small adjustments. Choose styles that add fullness, like the half-up twisted knot, the bubble braid, or the braided crown, and use volumizing mousse or texturizing powder first.
How far in advance should I book a salon appointment for Christmas?
Book two to three weeks ahead, especially for the week before Christmas. If you want a cut or color too, schedule that a week before the party so the color settles.
What is the easiest Christmas hairstyle for long hair at home?
The fishtail braid over one shoulder and the half-up twisted knot are the easiest, and both take under 20 minutes with a little practice. They need no special tools beyond elastics, pins, and hairspray.
How do I stop my curls from falling flat during a party?
Use volumizing mousse on damp hair, curl smaller sections than you think you need, and let every curl cool completely before touching it.
Can I wear these hairstyles to a formal Christmas dinner?
Yes. The low chignon, vintage pin curls, and glossy straight hair with a deep side part are the most formal choices. Keep accessories minimal, like a single pearl or gold clip,
Keep exploring
If you liked these christmas hairstyles for long hair, check out holiday party hairstyles, wedding guest hairstyles, new year’s eve hairstyles for more ideas.
