Medium length hair is honestly the sweet spot at Christmas. It is long enough to curl, twist, and pin up, but short enough that you are not wrestling with it for an hour before the party. Whether you are heading to a family dinner, an office do, or a night out with friends, these twelve styles will help you look properly festive without a lot of fuss. Pick the one that matches your outfit, your mood, and how much time you actually have.
1Soft Holiday Waves
Start with a heat protectant, then wrap medium sections around a 32mm curling iron, leaving the ends out for a relaxed finish. Brush through gently with your fingers, not a brush, so the waves stay soft instead of turning fluffy. This suits almost everyone, especially fine hair that needs a bit of volume. It lasts through an evening party if you finish with a light hold spray. The honest drawback is that waves drop faster in damp or rainy weather, so keep a travel spray in your bag for a quick refresh.
2Classic Half-Up Twist
Take a section from each temple, twist them back, and pin where they meet at the back of your head. Leave the rest of your hair down in loose waves or straight. A small festive clip or a gold pin adds instant Christmas sparkle without looking overdone. This style suits round and oval faces really well because it opens up the face while keeping length around the shoulders. It holds for hours and is easy to fix. The drawback is that very thick hair can make the twists bulky, so keep the sections slim.
3Sleek Low Bun with a Centre Part
Apply a smoothing serum, part your hair down the middle, and gather it into a low bun at the nape. Wrap a small strand around the elastic to hide it, and pin any flyaways flat. This is the one to choose for a smart dinner or a formal event, and it looks beautiful with statement earrings. It suits straight or slightly wavy hair best and stays neat all night. The drawback is that it can feel a bit severe if your hair is very fine, so tease the crown slightly before smoothing for a softer shape.
4Bouncy Blowout with Flipped Ends
Blow dry your hair in sections with a round brush, flicking the ends outward for that cheerful, bouncy finish. A volumising mousse at the roots gives lift that lasts, and a cool blast at the end sets the shape. This suits medium hair perfectly because the length is light enough to hold the bounce. It looks polished but not stiff, which is ideal for daytime gatherings. The drawback is that it takes about thirty minutes and a bit of arm ache, so it is not a last minute choice.
5Romantic Side Braid
Sweep all your hair to one side and plait it loosely, pulling a few strands out around your face to soften it. Secure with a clear elastic, then gently tug the braid wider so it looks fuller. This is lovely for a cosy family Christmas and works well with knitwear and scarves. It suits thicker hair best, since fine hair can make the braid look thin. It lasts all day and actually looks better slightly undone. The drawback is that it can slip on very smooth, freshly washed hair, so day old hair grips better.
6Vintage Hollywood Curls
Set your hair in large, uniform curls with a curling iron, then brush them out into smooth, glossy waves and pin one side back. This old glamour look is perfect for a New Year adjacent party or any evening where you want to feel dressed up. It suits medium lengths beautifully because the curls sit just on the shoulders. Use a shine spray for that polished finish. The drawback is that it needs patience and a strong hold product, and it can feel heavy if you use too much spray.
7Messy Top Knot with Face Framing Pieces
Gather your hair high on your crown, twist it into a loose knot, and pin it casually, leaving two soft pieces out at the front. This is the festive version of your everyday bun, and it works brilliantly when you are short on time but still want to look put together. It suits most face shapes and keeps hair off your face while you eat, dance, and hug everyone. It holds well with a few bobby pins. The drawback is that very layered hair may poke out of the knot, so keep extra pins handy.
8Festive Bow Bun
Create a low or mid bun, then split a section on top into two loops to form a bow shape, pinning the centre with a small strand. It sounds fiddly, but once you have done it once it takes about ten minutes. This playful style is made for Christmas parties and photos, and it suits younger, fun loving looks best. It works on straight or wavy hair and stays put with good pins. The drawback is that the bow can lose its shape on very silky hair, so add a little texturising spray first.
9Curly Shag with a Deep Side Part
If your hair has natural wave or curl, flip your part deep to one side and let the layers fall with lots of movement. Scrunch in a curl cream while damp, then diffuse or air dry for soft definition. This suits wavy and curly medium hair wonderfully and looks effortlessly festive with minimal heat. It lasts through the day and gets better as it settles. The drawback is that humidity can make it frizz, so a light anti frizz serum on the ends is worth adding.
10Elegant French Twist (Medium Hair Version)
Smooth your hair back, twist it upward, and tuck the ends in, pinning as you go. For medium length, the twist will be shorter and softer than the classic version, which actually looks more modern. This is a beautiful choice for a formal Christmas dinner or church service. It suits oval and long faces especially well. It stays secure for hours with enough pins. The drawback is that it needs practice, so try it once before the big day rather than attempting it for the first time in a rush.
11Ribbon Tied Ponytail
Pull your hair into a mid or high ponytail, smooth the top, then tie a velvet ribbon in a bow around the base. Red, green, or gold ribbon instantly says Christmas without any extra effort. This suits straight and wavy hair and is ideal when you want something quick but still festive. It lasts all evening and is easy to redo. The drawback is that a high ponytail can pull and feel tight after a few hours, so choose a mid height if you plan to wear it all night.
12Twisted Crown with Loose Curls
Take two sections from the front, twist each one back along the hairline, and pin them together at the back like a crown. Curl the remaining hair loosely for a soft, romantic finish. This suits almost everyone and is lovely for Christmas Eve gatherings and photos. It keeps hair out of your face while still showing off your length. It holds well with pins and a light spray. The drawback is that the twists can loosen on fine hair, so use a bit of texture spray before you start twisting.
Christmas Hair Care and Styling Tips
December is hard on hair. Cold air outside and central heating inside dry out the ends, and all that extra styling adds up. Use a deep conditioning mask once a week through the festive season, and always apply heat protectant before curling or straightening. If you are styling two days in a row, try a heat free style on the second day, like a braid or a bun, to give your hair a break. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase if you can, since it reduces frizz and keeps curls looking better the next morning. Finally, keep your styling simple on the day itself. A style you can redo in five minutes will always beat a complicated one that falls apart by dessert.
How do I make my Christmas hairstyle last all night?
Start with the right base. Slightly dirty hair holds styles better than freshly washed hair, and a volumising mousse or texture spray gives grip. Pin with bobby pins crossed over each other, and finish with a flexible hold spray rather than a stiff one so the style can move without collapsing.
What hairstyle suits medium length hair for a formal Christmas dinner?
A sleek low bun or a French twist both look polished and elegant. They keep hair tidy, show off earrings and necklines, and stay neat through a long meal. Add a simple gold or pearl pin for a festive touch without going overboard.
Can I do these styles without heat?
Yes, several of them. The side braid, the twisted crown, and the messy top knot all work without heat, especially if you start with your natural texture. For waves without heat, braid damp hair before bed and undo it in the morning for soft, natural looking movement.
How do I add Christmas sparkle without looking overdone?
Pick one festive element and stop there. A velvet ribbon, a gold clip, or a small pearl pin is enough. If your outfit is already sparkly, keep the hair accessory simple so the whole look stays balanced rather than competing with itself.
What if my hair is fine and will not hold a curl?
Work in smaller sections, use a smaller barrel iron, and let each curl cool completely before touching it. A light mousse before styling and a texturising spray after will help a lot. If curls still drop, choose a style that relies on pinning rather than curl, like the half up twist or the low bun.
Keep exploring
If you liked these christmas hairstyles for medium length hair, check out easy Christmas updos, Christmas braid hairstyles, Christmas morning hairstyles for more ideas.
