The holidays are the perfect time of year to show off a new look. Whether it’s a sparkling piece of jewelry, a gorgeous dress, or a stunning hairstyle, this is the time of year to be more adventurous with your appearance.
Given all the social festivities that come with the season, the holidays present a rare opportunity for you to experiment with different looks. There is no greater time to unveil a new style than right before the new year, and nothing is quite as impactful to changing your overall image than a new hairstyle.
A great hairstyle does more than just frame your face; it leaves a lasting impression. You can achieve this by changing hues, cuts, texture, height, braids, hair accessories, and more. Select a hairstyle that leaves everyone asking where you got your hair done, hoping they can replicate your panache.
If you need some inspiration, look no further. Here are some stunning hairstyles for you to try at the upcoming holiday parties.
Get Inspired Before Cutting or Coloring
If opting to go for an entirely new hairstyle that requires a cut or color, make sure you find a picture of your desired look. Peruse Instagram, fashion blogs, and magazines, and check out the latest celebrity photographs as well.
Celebrities are trendsetters, so, if you want to be ahead of the curve in debuting a new hairstyle, they are the perfect candidates to follow. You can even check out who is styling your favorite celebrities and see if you have any luck booking an appointment with a hairstylist to the stars.
Plan the outfits you will wear to each holiday party and make sure the hairstyles you select work well with your holiday party attire. Take a photograph of your outfit to the salon, so your stylist will have a better vision of the look you are trying to achieve. No matter which hairstyle you choose, always consider your face shape and hair type, as well as the advice of your stylist.
Bobs, Lobs, and Layers
The holidays are a wonderful time to take that leap and finally get the haircut of your dreams. Many hair stylists called it too early when they said the mid-length cut would go out of style quickly. This versatile hairstyle has proved its staying power as celebrities continue to chop off their locks.
The reason bobs and lobs continue to wow is because this hairstyle has the potential to look great on many different people. Add some texturizing spray and wear this hairstyle wavy for an afternoon holiday brunch. For an evening party, go for a sleeker look by adding a few drops of Moroccan Oil. This sleek style looks exceptionally beautiful on a blunt, angled bob haircut.
If you’re not ready for a short cut, you can still make a dramatic change with lob that just skims your collarbone. Another alternative is to consider adding soft layers to your long hair for added movement and volume. This free-flowing look will wow guests at your next holiday party, and it pairs well with on-trend ‘90s and ‘70’s inspired clothing.
Experiment with Color
Freshen up your hair color about a week before your next holiday party. This year, there is not just one color that is more popular than the rest. There is a nice variety of new blended shades of blond, brunette, and reds.
Consider selecting warmer hair colors during the holiday season. Popular root beer hues that mix a cinnamon chocolate shade with soft highlights are perfect. Balayage blond is another favorite option, known for its gradual fade as hair grows out. This type of hair color is very low-maintenance and less expensive than other options.
While pastels and unicorn neon colors were prevalent throughout the summer, brightly colored hair is better left for sunny weather, not formal winter holiday parties. But, for a more casual holiday celebration, a hint of festive color can add an element of fun!
Fringe-Worthy Style
If you aren’t ready to explore a totally new hairstyle, some bangs or updated fringe can really add a dramatic effect. Channel the infamous Brigette Bardot with center-parted, inverted-V bangs that are fashionable right now and trending everywhere.
This type of bang softly frames your face and does an excellent job of highlighting your cheekbones. Consider straight, blunt bangs as a stark alternative to wispy Bardot bangs. Add a shine spray, and you’ll be ready to dance the night away at your next holiday soiree.
Embrace Your Natural Texture
Alicia Keys has spent most of this year leaving her face makeup-free and flaunting naturally kinky curls with pride. What started as a trend seems to have turned into a movement, with many celebrities like Kerry Washington and Solange Knowles now wearing a similar hairstyle.
This holiday, let your natural textures flow. Celebrity hairstylists love these undone hairstyles, and they are the perfect look for a casual holiday party.
Change Up Your Part
The simplest way to change your hairstyle is to move around your hair part. If you typically wear your part to the right, move it to the left to switch up your style. If attending a formal social affair, a glamorous hairstyle like a deep side part will keep guests lingering to catch a glimpse of your style.
To achieve an ultra-sleek hairstyle, blow dry your hair perfectly straight and go over it with a flat iron. Then take a small-tooth comb to achieve a dramatic part. Center parts are making a comeback, and they are well-suited for a holiday party look. A slightly off-centered part pairs perfectly with a natural, textured hairstyle, giving this hairstyle a cool, laid-back vibe.
Pin Straight Hair
On queue with the revived ‘90s trend, pin straight hair is also back. To achieve this hairstyle, slowly blow out hair section-by-section with a round brush to keep any flyaway hairs at bay. Use a comb to create a center part, and then run a flat iron through your entire hair. Rub anti-frizz cream in your hands and evenly distribute it throughout your hair.
Once your hair is smooth, split it into a sleek ponytail and wrap it with a ribbon or twirl another piece of your hair around a hair tie. Then secure it with a bobby pin. Lock this holiday hairstyle in with some hairspray.
Trendy Braids
Many women never stopped loving braids. There are countless types of braids to try, and many are suitable for a holiday party.
One look we love is a Game of Thrones-inspired style with intricate curls and braids throughout your entire hair. Another popular hairstyle is a half-up French braid pinned only one side of head with flowing, side-parted hair on the other side.
Old Hollywood Hair
The holidays often call for glamour and sparkle. Bring Old Hollywood elegance back to life with a curling iron and finishing spray. The key to this look is to smooth out the surface of the hair follicles, so every curl remains bouncy and shiny.
First, curl your whole head with a curling iron, spraying each section with hairspray before curling. Then spray hairspray onto a hairbrush. Next, brush out the curls section by section. This will help create that smooth, bouncy style for a luxurious look that’s perfect for the holidays.
Elegant Buns
Top buns are the most popular type of bun these days. Try mixing it up by creating an elegant bun at the nape of your neck. Secure with a hair tie and bobby pins, and you’ve created an easy, low-maintenance holiday hairstyle.
Wet-Look Hair
Earlier this year, Kylie Jenner was caught wearing this 1990’s grunge hairstyle. Now, it has been seen everywhere, from runways to office hallways. Whether you have long or short hair, you can rock this wet-look hairstyle.
The key to this hairstyle is not fully drying your hair when you get out of the shower. Instead, leave your hair slightly damp. Cover your fingers lightly with gel or mousse and run them through your hair. Use a brush to blow-dry the hair if you need more volume. This attention-getting hairstyle is perfect for a late-night holiday party.
Romantic Half Up, Half Down Hairstyle
If you plan on wearing a dress made from a light material like chiffon or a romantic fabric like silk or velvet, you need a romantic hairdo to match. Invest in a beautiful metal clip for this hairstyle.
Take a fine-toothed comb to part your hair right above each ear. Then gather the middle section together and sweep it together slightly below the crown of your head. Keep it secure with a hair tie, and then clasp the metal clip over it to complete this hairstyle.
Timeless Up-Dos
Fashion shows us that history repeats itself, and nostalgia is ever-present. Channel your inner retro pin-up model by trying out this timeless pompadour up-do. This is one dramatic hairstyle that will take your look to new heights.
This hairstyle takes a bit of effort, so you might want to enlist the help of a good stylist. This masterful style will help you achieve retro hair that is guaranteed to turn heads.
Accessorize with Ribbons, Bows, and Headbands
Fashion Week in New York, Milan, London, and Paris have all confirmed the ‘90s trend is here to stay. The small floral bows that were extremely popular during that era have returned, and Kendall Jenner was wearing them down the runway recently.
This holiday season, there are no accessories that are off-limits. Everything from velvet ribbons to scarf headbands are trending right now. Don’t be afraid to add some sparkle to your holiday look with beaded headbands or studded clips.
Plenty of designers are producing hair accessories made of precious stones and metals that look more like works of art or jewelry than hair accessories. This holiday season, add a little sparkle to your hairstyle with an ornate accessory.
Conclusion
As the holidays season begins, everyone will start attending a number of parties and family gatherings. Your busy social calendar presents the perfect opportunity to unveil a new look or experiment with different styles.
There is no greater way to change up your appearance than to wear a new hairstyle. It’s the perfect time to play with texture, color, length, volume, or twinkly hair accessories.
Changing your part or wearing your hair’s natural texture are two simple ways to minimally change your hairstyle while making a big splash at your next holiday party. Adding curls, braids, twists, or buns creates even more impact to these stunning hairstyles.
Get inspiration from social media, blogs, celebrities, and friends before you settle on your holiday style and always leave the more drastic changes for a professional stylist at a trusted salon. With so many hairstyle options to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find the right one to help you look stunning this holiday season.