StoryInColor
For the occasion

Holiday party hairstyles

Hair for the office Christmas, the New Year, and everything in between

Holiday party hair sits between the everyday and the formal. The office Christmas party wants something a step above your usual; the New Year's drinks wants something with shine. The styles that work are the ones that read deliberate without reading like a wedding. Soft updos, polished waves, and considered accessories anchor the season.

Not sure which of these would suit you?

You don’t have to be. Hairstyle Analysis works out your face shape from a single selfie and renders eight cuts directly on your face, including the styles best suited to holiday party hairstyles. $4.99 one-time, no subscription.

Try Hairstyle Analysis

Styles that work

  1. Polished long waves

    Long hair styled into glossy, deliberate waves with a clean part. Holiday-party default for hair past the collarbone.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a long (oblong) faceFlatters a square face

  2. Low chignon with face-framing

    A loose low bun with pieces deliberately left around the cheekbones. Formal enough for the office party, not bridal.

    Flatters a heart-shaped faceFlatters a diamond faceFlatters an oval face

  3. Wet-look slicked pony

    Hair pulled flat with product and secured into a glossy pony. The high-glamour option, particularly for New Year's.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a heart-shaped face

  4. Half-up with statement clip

    Top sections pulled back and secured with a velvet bow, jewelled clip, or rhinestone barrette. The accessory does the work.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a round face

What to avoid

Anything that requires a salon visit on the day of the party. Glitter sprays that transfer onto the outfit. New cuts attempted in the week of an event. Heavy curls that drop in a warm room over the course of three hours of standing around with a drink.

Practical styling notes

Holiday-party rooms are warmer than expected. Style hair lightly enough that it does not collapse by 10pm. A finishing spray with a flexible hold beats a strong-hold spray for parties where you will move and talk for hours. Pick the accessory before the hairstyle, then style around it.

Common questions

What hairstyle for a Christmas party?
Polished long waves, a low chignon with face-framing, or a half-up with a statement clip all work. A step above your everyday, not full wedding hair.
How to do holiday party hair at home?
The most achievable polished party hair at home is soft waves with a clear part. Two-inch curling iron, finish with a flexible-hold spray. The half-up with a statement clip is the runner-up.
Should I wear my hair up for a New Year's Eve party?
Up reads more dramatic and photographs well at midnight. Down reads softer and is more forgiving across a long evening. The wet-look pony bridges both registers.

See these styles on your face

Hairstyle Analysis renders eight cuts directly onto a selfie of you. See which ones suit the proportions of your face before any salon visit.

Run a Hairstyle Analysis

$4.99 one-time, no subscription.

More occasions