Pretty Holiday Hairstyles to Try This Year

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Get ready for your gift exchange or holiday dinner with these pretty holiday hairstyles. From easy updos to festive holiday party hair, these cute hairstyles work for almost any occasion. They’re all fairly easy to do as well, because there’s no need to add stress on top of stress during the holidays! All you need are a few basic hair tools and fun accessories—some of which you can pull from your box of holiday decorations—to create these beautiful yet attainable hairstyles. Whether you have short or long hair, these vintage-inspired holiday hair ideas will take you from Christmas to New Year’s Eve and into the new year.

Keep scrolling to see the pretty yet easy hairstyles I’ve worn for your holiday hair inspiration. Also, visit my Beauty Shop on Amazon to see my favorite hair products I use to create these styles.

Pretty holiday hairstyles

Wear a silk scarf as a headband

silk scarf as headband holiday hairstyle

Use a silk scarf to create a headband that keeps your hair out of your pretty face—and holiday dinner. For this cute hair idea, start by folding the square silk scarf diagonally so you have a triangle. Next, fold the triangle tip toward the opposite end until it lines up with the long edge. Continue folding the top edge down until you have a rectangle. Place the scarf on top of your head then tie either behind one ear or at the nape of your neck. Use bobby pins to secure the headband to your head, especially if you’re using silk, because the material can easily slip. Add sparkly earrings and you’re ready to party!

Pin back loose waves with a bedazzled barrette

Pin back your bangs or front layers with a rhinestone barrette for a beautiful, laid-back holiday party hairstyle. Use a curling iron to create loose curls or keep your hair straight.

Stack multiple hair barrettes

Why stop at one hair barrette? ‘Tis the season to add sparkle and shine and there’s no such thing as too much! Stack two or three barrettes of slightly different shapes or colors next to each other for a more whimsical look. I’m wearing Brahmin Trio Hair Pins in Black Fairhaven (gifted).

Use holiday decor as accessories

1940s braided headband hairstyle for long hair

Looking for a fun holiday party hairstyle? Fashion your own hair flowers out of extra holiday decor. For this pretty Christmas hairstyle, start with a middle part then create a braided crown. Stick in a few holiday ribbons or flower decorations throughout the braid for a fun and festive look. If your hair isn’t long enough, you can use a faux hair braid. Get the full tutorial here: 1940s Braided Headband Hairstyle.

Make a pigtail hairstyle festive with ribbons

Pigtails are quick, easy and oh, so cute for the holidays! This vintage hairstyle was inspired by a photo I saw of Rita Hayworth. To get this look, first create a side part. Divide the front section of hair (from the front of your face to about behind your ear). Twist and pin this section on the side. Repeat on the other side. Create braided pigtails and secure with hair elastics. Take two extra holiday decor ribbons and tie them around the hair elastics. Alternately, you could use pieces of fabric ribbon to tie bows on each elastic.

Go glam with 1940s waves

On nights out, my go-to look is 1940s-inspired waves. This look works just as well as NYE party hair as it does for a formal holiday dinner. I achieved this look without rollers, which do help prevent damage to hair from heating tools but can be uncomfortable to sleep in.

To get this look, use a medium-barrel curling iron. Curl each section of hair the same way, winding the hair toward your face so the sections curl in. After you curl each section, roll up the section of hair, starting from the bottom, and pin into place with a double prong clip. This helps the curl hold while the hair cools. Once all of your hair has been curled and pinned up, you can do your makeup or get dressed while the curls cool down. Remove all of the double prong clips, then gently brush through your hair until you see the waves start to form. Run some pomade through the hair for shine and set with a volumizing hairspray.

Easy updo hairstyles

Pull it up into a classic bun

This chic style works for any occasion. To create a classic bun, start by creating a deep side part. Tease the roots to create volume at the layers nearest your face. Pull your hair into a low ponytail. Wrap your hair around and secure with a hair elastic, then add bobby pins to hold it in place. Dress it up with a sparkly headband or decorative hair comb on the side of the bun.

Try a 1940s updo with a sparkly hair comb

This vintage glam hairstyle is easier than it looks. To get this look, first create a very high ponytail. Section out a piece of hair from the ponytail and, starting from the bottom of the section, begin rolling it up. Keep the center open so the section of hair forms a circle. Once you can’t roll it farther and it’s reached the top of your head, pin into place using two bobby pins, forming an “x” with the pins. Pin the first couple of strands near the hair elastic, then roll the sections just a few times (so they don’t reach all the way to the hair elastic) and pin them closer to your forehead. Pin a few curls in the back to hide the back of the hair elastic. Experiment with different placement until you have a style you like. Add a sparkly hair comb to the side.