Contents
The 'ber months—September, October, November, and December—are among us, and you know what that means: The holidays will be here before we know it, and with them comes endless opportunities to get dolled up for the occasion. Whether it's a family gathering, party with friends, themed bar crawl, or a fun night out to take in all the decorations, we want to look our holiday best from head to toe. In addition to filling our wardrobes with cozy and chic seasonal staples, that means expanding our hair repertoire. To do so, we chatted with two celebrity hairstylists to uncover their 16 favorite holiday hairstyles for 2024. Check them out below.
Meet the expert
- Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of his eponymous haircare brand, Andrew Fitzsimons. Sarah Potempa is a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of The Beachwaver Co.
Retro Glam Blowout
Excuse us while we swoon over content creator Mona Swain’s stunning retro glam blowout. “A bouncy blowout is a holiday classic,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons, founder of eponymous haircare brand Andrew Fitzsimons. “This look can be achieved using a multitude of different styling tools—a round thermal brush, curling iron, rollers, or even just a hairdryer. The goal with blowouts is to build volume and then smooth it down.”
Glam Curls
Holiday hairstyles are all about making a bolder statement with your mane. One way to do so? With big, bouncy, ultra-shiny curls. “Glam holiday curls are a holiday staple and can be tailored to suit any face shape or hair texture,” says celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, founder of The Beachwaver Co.
Bow-Tied Glam
Hair accessories—bows, in particular—are a popular addition to any holiday hairstyle, whether you opt for a full updo or a half-up style. “A half-up, half-down hairstyle for the holidays will always be a classic,” Fitzsimons says. “It’s the perfect mix of elegant and effortless—you can dress it up or down no matter your plans. My favorite way to style this hair for the holidays is with a simple black bow, but a barrette or small claw clip would be a great option, too.”
Soft Fluffy Waves
If defined curls aren’t your thing, Potempa suggests going with a softer, fluffier finish that maintains the glam volume. To get the look, she says to start with a heat-protectant hairspray. Then, use a curling iron to curl 1-inch sections of hair away from the face. “After releasing the curl from the barrel, roll each one up and pin it in place to completely cool,” she instructs. Once cool, she says to unpin your curls, spitz flexible hold hairspray throughout, and gently shake out or brush through your curls to create glamorous waves.
Headband Hairdo
Headbands can elevate any hairstyle but they’re especially fantastic when trying to showcase the face, create a crown-like style, or conceal day-two strands. “Headbands are a holiday staple because they’re elegant but effortless,” Fitzsimons says. “You can wear it out to dinner or in your living room and it’ll never look out of place.” Best of all, there are so many different headbands to choose from, so you can tailor the accessory to your holiday dress code. “My favorites are a simple headband or a comb headband,” Fitzsimons says. “A comb headband is a little more trendy but versatile at the same time. All you have to do is put it on your head with the teeth pressed down at your hairline and pull the headband through your hair to where it’s most comfortable. On the other hand, a classic headband works on everyone. The easiest way to wear them is placed over your head and tucked behind your ears with some hair pulled out towards the front of the headband to frame your face.”
Color Pop Coils
Looking to showcase your natural coils? This holiday season, go big or go home—and add a pop of festive color to the mix while you're at it. You can create a similar look at home using curl cream, a diffuser, and hair chalk.
Tight Bun
If updos are more your thing, Fitzsimons recommends rocking a tight bun this holiday season. “A sleek bun is super trendy right now and would be perfect for anyone with a long day of celebrating ahead to keep hair out of the face or off the shoulders,” he says. “I suggest using a gel or leave-in conditioner to slick your hair back into the bun. To add some optional holiday flair, tie in a bow or some creative hair gems.”
Slicked Back
Love holiday makeup and accessories? Opting for a slicked-back style will let your face and ears be the stars of the show. That's not to say this hairstyle isn't a stunning addition, though. “The great thing about slick-back styles is they're simple to do and will last all night long," says Pompeta.
Statement Barrettes
Statement barrettes are another way to transform any hairstyle into a holiday aesthetic. “Barrettes are perfect for any hair type or length, but I especially love them on short cuts and curls,” Fitzsimons says. “They’re easy to clip into your hair wherever and whenever you want. My favorite placement is right above the ear with the front strands tucked in and away from the face.”
High Pony
Whether you’re headed to a holiday-themed spin class or a festive cocktail party, a high pony is a great option. “Ponytails are timeless and can be easily dressed up or down,” Fitzsimons says. “For people with long hair, this might be the perfect way to elevate your look while also keeping your hair out of your face.”
Classic Blowout
Here’s further proof of how party-ready a classic blowout can look. To achieve the perfect voluminous blowout at home, Potempa says to start with a volumizing mousse to lift the roots and create separation between strands. Then, use a round blowdryer brush to stretch, lift, and set small, even sections of hair, making sure to blow them out and back from the face. Once dry, consider adding a hint more volume with a few bouncy curls throughout. After they cool, comb through them for a larger-than-life holiday hairstyle.
Effortless Braided Crown
Another way to wear braids this holiday season? As a makeshift crown. Here, we love how a chunky Dutch braid is woven through soft, beachy waves for a boho-chic holiday hairstyle.
Soft Beachy Waves
Speaking of soft beachy waves, Potempa says you can never go wrong—holidays or not! The trick to perfecting beachy waves at home? “Leave about one to two inches of the ends out as you curl,” she says. “Once all of the curls are cool to the touch, use a wide-tooth comb to break the curls up into waves.” For a piecier look, Potempa says to complete the style with a dry texture finishing spray.
Slick-Back Bun
If you prefer a more minimalist hairstyle, Potempa says you can’t go wrong with a slick-back bun. “The slick-back bun is a sleek style that is perfect for chic, dramatic looks or if you simply want your hair up and out of the way,” she says. To get the look, Potempa says to brush your hair back into a smooth bun with a mixed boar bristle brush. Then, flatten and secure any flyaways using a mousse or braid balm. Voila!
Glass Hair
Where beachy waves take on a matte finish, glass hair is all about the shine. “Glass hair is a trend that takes straight or straightened hair up a notch,” Potempa says. “Not only does the hair look sleek, but it looks ultra-shiny, moisturized, soft, and healthy.” To get the look, Potempa says to start with flat-ironed strands. Then, use a shine-enhancing spray from roots to ends for a glassy finish.