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Holiday hair doesn’t have to be complicated. A velvet bow, a pearl clip or a pretty headband can make simple hair look ready for a party in seconds.
Accessories are also kind to hair. They hold styles in place without lots of heat or hairspray, and they hide second-day roots. Here are 24 holiday hair accessory ideas, starting with silver and gray hair looks for women over 50.
How to Choose Holiday Hair Accessories
BOWS
Velvet and Satin
Velvet is the classic holiday fabric. a black velvet bow clip and red velvet hair bows look rich in photos, while oversized satin bow clips is lighter and shinier.
CLIPS
Pearls and Sparkle
Pearl clips, rhinestone star clips and silver rhinestone hair clips add sparkle to simple hair.
HEADBANDS
Easy Polish
A a black velvet padded headband or twist knotted headbands is the fastest way to look put together.
SCARVES
Soft and Practical
A a square satin hair scarf covers roots, adds color and protects hair from winter wind.
Shop the Key Pieces
- A black velvet bow clip for classic holiday polish
- Red velvet hair bows for Christmas parties
- Oversized satin bow clips for a big statement bow
- A tartan plaid bow clip for a tartan look
- Pearl claw clips for elegant half-ups
- Rhinestone star clips for New Year’s Eve
- Silver rhinestone hair clips for updos
- A black velvet padded headband for instant polish
- Twist knotted headbands for comfort
- Pearl knotted velvet headbands for parties
- A square satin hair scarf for scarf styles
- Velvet scrunchies for ponytails
1. Mini Velvet Bows on Silver Hair
Look formula: Sleek bob + mini bows in a row + statement earrings
Mini velvet bows clipped in a row on a sleek silver bob are elegant and playful at the same time. Black velvet pops against silver hair, so a few small bows go a long way.
How to wear: Smooth the hair behind one ear and clip two or three small velvet bow clips in a diagonal line.
Silver tip: Wash with a purple shampoo so the silver stays bright next to dark velvet.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, small dark red velvet bow clips, a purple shampoo
It is an easy party look for women over 50 that takes one minute.
2. Polka-Dot Headscarf
PinLook formula: Folded scarf + top knot + silver blonde
A polka-dot headscarf tied over silver blonde hair is chic and practical. It covers second-day roots, keeps hair out of your face and looks great with bold glasses.
How to tie: Fold a a square satin hair scarf into a long band, wrap it from the nape and knot it on top.
Hair care tip: Satin is gentle on the hair underneath, so there is less frizz when you take it off.
Shop the look: a square satin hair scarf, dry shampoo, brunette bobby pins
3. Silver Twist Bun With Hair Jewelry
PinA twisted silver bun held with one sculptural pin looks modern and polished. Silver hair shows off the shape of the twist.
How to do it: Twist hair up the back of the head, wrap it into a bun and slide in U-shaped hair pins to hold it.
Shine tip: Smooth flyaways with a drop of an argan hair oil.
Shop the look: U-shaped hair pins, an argan hair oil, silver rhinestone hair clips
4. Embellished Velvet Scrunchie
PinAn embellished velvet scrunchie turns a plain low ponytail into a holiday look. It is soft on the hair and doesn’t leave a dent.
How to wear: Pull hair into a low ponytail and wrap velvet scrunchies around it twice.
Smooth tip: Brush with a boar bristle brush first for a sleek finish.
Shop the look: velvet scrunchies, a boar bristle brush, an anti-humidity smoothing spray
5. Pearl Barrettes on a French Braid
PinLook formula: French braid + pearl barrettes down the center
Pearl barrettes clipped down a French braid make a simple braid look special. They are a pretty choice for holiday parties and weddings.
How to wear: Braid the hair, then slide pearl clips or pearl hair pins down the center of the braid.
Hold tip: Tie the end with clear mini elastics.
Shop the look: pearl hair pins, pearl claw clips, clear mini elastics
6. Knotted Rust Headscarf
PinA knotted rust headscarf adds warm color and keeps an updo in place. It works on fine hair and on second- or third-day hair.
How to tie: Twist hair up, then wrap a a square satin hair scarf around the head and knot it on top.
Volume tip: Mist a volume and texture spray on the hair first for grip.
Shop the look: a square satin hair scarf, a volume and texture spray, U-shaped hair pins
7. Black Satin Bow Ponytail
PinLook formula: Loose curls + half-up + big satin bow
A big black satin bow on a curled half-up ponytail is classic party hair. The bow hides the elastic and adds instant polish.
How to wear: Curl the hair with a 1-inch curling wand, tie the top half back and clip on oversized satin bow clips.
Hold tip: Finish with a volume and texture spray.
Shop the look: oversized satin bow clips, a 1-inch curling wand, a volume and texture spray
8. Velvet Padded Headband
PinA velvet padded headband is one of the easiest ways to look put together. Mustard and brown velvet are rich, warm colors for winter.
How to wear: Push a black velvet padded headband back from the hairline and leave a little lift at the crown.
Volume tip: Dust a texturizing volume powder at the roots before you put it on.
Shop the look: a black velvet padded headband, a texturizing volume powder, dry shampoo
9. Pearl Snap Clips
PinTwo pearl snap clips above one ear look sweet and simple. They are great for holding back one side of long hair.
How to wear: Part your hair to one side and slide two pearl clips above the ear.
Wave tip: Add soft waves with a 1-inch curling wand.
Shop the look: pearl claw clips, a 1-inch curling wand, a heat protectant spray
10. Velvet Knot Headband
PinA velvet knot headband looks great with a low bun. It is a soft, comfortable choice if hard headbands give you a headache.
How to wear: Twist hair into a low bun and slip on twist knotted headbands.
Pearl option: Try pearl knotted velvet headbands for parties.
Shop the look: twist knotted headbands, pearl knotted velvet headbands, U-shaped hair pins
11. Pearl Clips and Ribbon
PinPearl clips and a thin black ribbon on a sleek low ponytail look classic and grown-up. It is an easy look for the office party.
How to wear: Smooth hair into a low ponytail, tie a ribbon over the elastic and add pearl clips above it.
Sleek tip: Use an anti-humidity smoothing spray and a boar bristle brush.
Shop the look: pearl claw clips, a boar bristle brush, an anti-humidity smoothing spray
12. Burgundy Velvet Bow Half-Up
PinLook formula: Half-up + burgundy velvet bow
A burgundy velvet bow on a half-up style is festive and pretty. Deep red is one of the best holiday colors on every hair shade.
How to wear: Pull the top section back and clip red velvet hair bows over the elastic.
Curl tip: Add loose curls with a 1.25-inch curling iron.
Shop the look: red velvet hair bows, a 1.25-inch curling iron, a heat protectant spray
13. Tiny Red Bows All Over
PinTiny red bows clipped all over long waves are fun and very festive. It is a great look for a Christmas party or a holiday photo.
How to wear: Clip small dark red velvet bow clips in a scattered pattern from the crown down.
Wave tip: Create waves with a 1-inch curling wand first.
Shop the look: small dark red velvet bow clips, a 1-inch curling wand, a volume and texture spray
14. Black Velvet Headband
PinA black velvet headband with blonde hair is simple and elegant. It pairs well with a turtleneck and gold earrings.
How to wear: Slide a black velvet padded headband on and leave the hair down and smooth.
Shine tip: Finish with a clear shine gloss.
Shop the look: a black velvet padded headband, a clear shine gloss, a paddle brush
15. Matching Velvet Bows
PinMatching velvet bows are a cute idea for a holiday photo with a friend, sister or daughter. Choose two colors from the same family.
How to wear: Tie half-up ponytails and clip on a black velvet bow clip and red velvet hair bows.
Wave tip: Add waves with a 1-inch curling wand.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, red velvet hair bows, a 1-inch curling wand
16. Black Velvet Bow Low Ponytail
PinLook formula: Low ponytail + black velvet bow + long tails
A black velvet bow tied over a low ponytail is timeless. The long ribbon tails make it feel extra special.
How to wear: Smooth hair into a low ponytail and clip a black velvet bow clip over the elastic.
Smooth tip: Use an anti-humidity smoothing spray.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, an anti-humidity smoothing spray, a boar bristle brush
17. Wide Red Headband
A wide red headband is a bright, easy holiday accessory. It looks especially good with dark hair and a cream sweater.
How to wear: Push a black velvet padded headband back and leave your hair loose.
Shine tip: Smooth the ends with an argan hair oil.
Shop the look: a black velvet padded headband, an argan hair oil, a round blowout brush
18. Printed Scarf Bow
A printed scarf tied into a bow on a half-up style is soft and romantic. It is a great way to wear a scarf you already own.
How to wear: Tie the top half back and knot a a square satin hair scarf over the elastic in a bow.
Wave tip: Add soft waves with a 1-inch curling wand.
Shop the look: a square satin hair scarf, a 1-inch curling wand, a volume and texture spray
19. Star Clips on Curly Hair
PinLittle sparkly star clips on curly hair are perfect for New Year’s Eve. They catch the light without being too much.
How to wear: Clip rhinestone star clips near the part on both sides.
Curl tip: Refresh curls with a curl defining cream.
Shop the look: rhinestone star clips, a curl defining cream, a detangling leave-in spray
20. Crystal Hair Pin Updo
PinLook formula: Sleek French twist + one crystal statement pin
A large crystal hair pin on a sleek updo is red-carpet glamour. Choose one big piece so it doesn’t look busy.
How to wear: Twist hair into a French twist, then slide silver rhinestone hair clips into the side.
Hold tip: Secure with U-shaped hair pins and brunette bobby pins.
Shop the look: silver rhinestone hair clips, U-shaped hair pins, brunette bobby pins
21. Wide White Headband
PinA wide white headband is fresh and pretty in winter. It also keeps hair in place under a coat collar.
How to wear: Pull a twist knotted headbands back from the hairline.
Refresh tip: Use dry shampoo at the roots.
Shop the look: twist knotted headbands, dry shampoo, a volume and texture spray
22. Green Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail
A green velvet scrunchie on a high ponytail is festive and easy. Green and red velvet are both classic Christmas colors.
How to wear: Pull hair into a high ponytail and wrap velvet scrunchies around it.
Volume tip: Tease the crown with a teasing comb.
Shop the look: velvet scrunchies, a teasing comb, a volume and texture spray
23. Rust Satin Bow
PinA rust satin bow is a warm alternative to classic red. It looks especially good on blonde and light brown hair.
How to wear: Clip oversized satin bow clips over a half-up twist.
Holiday option: Try a tartan plaid bow clip for a tartan look.
Shop the look: oversized satin bow clips, a tartan plaid bow clip, a 1-inch curling wand
24. Oversized Black Velvet Bow
PinAn oversized black velvet bow is the boldest holiday accessory. Wear it on loose blonde hair so the bow stands out.
How to wear: Clip a black velvet bow clip at the back of the head over a half-up section.
Plaid option: Swap in red and green plaid bow clips for Christmas Day.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, red and green plaid bow clips, a 1-inch curling wand
Pick one or two accessories that match your holiday outfits and keep them by the door. A bow or a clip is the easiest way to make simple hair feel festive all season.
