Let's be honest — between wrapping presents, perfecting your sugar cookie recipe, and trying to figure out if that ugly Christmas sweater is ironic enough, who has time for complex hair tutorials that look like they require an engineering degree? Fear not, fellow festive souls — we're about to crack the code of holiday hair that looks like you spent hours on it (while actually leaving plenty of time for eggnog).
Effortlessly Elegant Styles for the Styling-Challenged
The "I Woke Up Like This" Elevated Straight Look
The laziest option: messy hair and some chaotic bobby pins. Lelet NY
Still messy hair and fancy schmancy crystal clips. Lelet NY
Remember when your mom told you not to play favorites? Well, forget that advice when it comes to parting your hair. Pick a side (preferably the one that's been behaving better lately), make a deep part, and secure your chosen favorite behind your ear with some sparkly clips. It's like jewelry for your hair, but without the commitment issues of a permanent accessory.
The "Trust Me, It's Supposed to Look Like That" Half-Up
Undone knot + floral claw clip. Free People
Undone knot + bow. Free People
Undone knot + ribbon clip. Lele Sadoughi
Grab the top section of your hair like you're about to channel your inner Ariana Grande, but stop halfway. Create a purposefully messy twist or knot that looks like you've mastered the art of "undone" hair. Add a velvet scrunchie that matches your holiday spirit, and voilà — you're practically ready for the royal ball (or your cousin's potluck, same thing). No scrunchy? No problem! Just add a bow or a claw clip.
The "Five-Star Reviews on Easy Mode" Low Bun
Pearl always makes everything elegant. Anthropologie
Jewel tones will upgrade any hairstyle from simple to gorgeous. Jennifer Behr
Can't do a French braid to save your life? Join the club. Instead, gather your hair at the nape of your neck like you're about to do something impressive, then twist it into a bun that looks like it took more than 30 seconds to create. The secret ingredient? Wrap a bejeweled headband that does all the heavy lifting in the glamour department or string of shiny pins around the crown of your head. Instant sophistication with minimal effort.
Accessories: Because Sometimes Cheating is Totally Acceptable
Headbands: The Crown for the Rest of Us
Bonus points if your headbands channels holiday cheers: it's red, green, velvet or sparkly. Instagram/@lele_sadoughi
Why spend an hour attempting Pinterest-worthy braids when you can simply slip on a headband that looks like it was stolen from a fashion editor's secret stash? This season's options range from "subtle sparkle" to "visible from space" — choose your adventure accordingly.
The Strategic Sparkle Strategy
You can use hair glitter for extra shine or just glue some crystals on your hair. Instagram/@jenniferbehr
When in doubt, add shine. It's like contouring for your hair — strategically place some crystal clips, and suddenly everyone thinks you've got your life together. Cluster them for maximum impact, because if you're going to go sparkly, you might as well commit to the bit.
Ribbon Game Strong
Velvet bow never fails. J.Crew
A ribbon is basically gift wrapping for your hair, and honestly, aren't you a gift to every holiday party anyway? Choose materials that feel fancy (silk, velvet, anything that sounds expensive) and tie them into bows that look deliberately imperfect — because "perfectly imperfect" is totally a style choice and not at all because you can't tie a proper bow.
Need more ribbon inspiration? Check our celebrity-approved collection of different ways to style bows.
Emergency Style Hacks for the Fashionably Challenged
If your motto is "Minimalism is for cowards", just double and triple the fun! Lelet NY
- Keep some emergency sparkly clips in your bag like a style superhero's utility belt
- Dry shampoo is basically magic in a can — use it liberally and without shame
- When mixing accessories, stick to one color family (because matching is hard enough already)
- Position everything slightly off-center because symmetry is overrated (and harder to achieve)
Making It Last (Unlike Your New Year's Resolutions)
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the kings of crowns and hair accessories. Photographed by Kevin Tachman, Vogue
A light mist of hairspray will keep everything in place as you transition from "sophisticated dinner guest" to "dance floor champion." Focus on securing your accessories, because nothing kills the vibe quite like a rogue headband making a break for freedom at midnight.
Remember, the best holiday hair is the kind that lets you focus on what really matters — like perfecting your technique for sneaking extra cookies from the dessert table or mastering the art of avoiding awkward conversations with distant relatives. These styles prove that sometimes the best approach is the lazy one, dressed up with enough sparkle to distract from the fact that you basically just elevated your everyday hair with some strategic bling.
Now go forth and shine at every holiday gathering, secure in the knowledge that your hair game is strong, even if your styling skills are still at "beginner" level. After all, confidence is the best accessory — right after sparkly hair clips, that is.
