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Holiday parties call for hair that looks special at 7 p.m. and still holds at midnight, after dinner, hugs and photos.
The good news: the most wanted styles this season are simple. Sleek low buns, softer French twists, half-up styles and velvet bows lead the list, according to Behind the Chair and Vogue. Here are 20 holiday party hairstyles, including silver and gray looks for women over 50.
How to Pick a Holiday Party Hairstyle
UPDOS
Go Low for Staying Power
Low buns and French twists hold best; U-shaped hair pins grip more hair than regular pins.
BOWS
Let the Accessory Do the Work
A a black velvet bow clip or red velvet hair bows turns a plain ponytail into a party look.
PREP
Add Grip First
Silky or fine hair holds pins better after a volume and texture spray or dry shampoo.
FINISH
Smooth, Do Not Stiffen
A touch of an anti-humidity smoothing spray tames flyaways without crunch.
Shop the Key Pieces
- U-shaped hair pins for buns and French twists
- A black velvet bow clip for half-ups and ponytails
- Red velvet hair bows for a classic holiday color
- Pearl hair pins for a pearl finish
- A large claw clip for quick twists
- A volume and texture spray for grip
- An anti-humidity smoothing spray for flyaways
- A black velvet padded headband for an easy festive look
1. Sleek Low Bun
PinLook formula: Low ponytail + twisted coil + face-framing pieces
A sleek low bun sits at the nape with a smooth, glossy finish and a few soft pieces left out around the face. It is polished enough for a formal dinner and secure enough to last through dancing, because hair gathered low moves less.
How to do it: Brush hair back with a boar bristle brush, tie a low ponytail, twist it into a coil and pin with U-shaped hair pins.
Finish: Smooth flyaways with a little an anti-humidity smoothing spray on your fingertips.
Shop the look: U-shaped hair pins, a boar bristle brush, an anti-humidity smoothing spray
2. Silver Low Bun With Statement Earrings
PinSilver hair gathered into a loose, slightly undone low bun looks effortless and chic, and a big statement earring makes it party-ready. The soft texture keeps the look relaxed rather than severe.
Hair type note: Silver hair can be smooth and slippery; mist a volume and texture spray first so the bun holds.
Keep it bright: Use a purple shampoo the week of the party for extra shine.
Shop the look: a volume and texture spray, U-shaped hair pins, a purple shampoo
It is one of the easiest holiday party hairstyles for women over 50 with gray or silver hair.
3. Classic French Twist
PinLook formula: Vertical twist + tucked ends + smooth surface
A smooth French twist is the classic holiday updo, and it pairs beautifully with lace or velvet. Behind the Chair lists French twists among this season’s biggest updo trends, now worn a little softer than before.
How to do it: Gather hair to one side, twist it upward against the back of your head, tuck the ends in and pin with U-shaped hair pins.
Grip tip: Back-comb lightly at the crown with a teasing comb before you twist.
Shop the look: U-shaped hair pins, a teasing comb, brunette bobby pins
4. Modern Textured French Twist
This modern French twist is looser and more textured, with soft curled pieces wrapped into the shape. It feels romantic and works on medium or long hair.
How to do it: Curl hair first with a 1.25-inch curling iron, then twist loosely and pin each section in place.
Hair type note: Texture makes fine hair easier to pin; use dry shampoo at the roots.
Shop the look: a 1.25-inch curling iron, dry shampoo, U-shaped hair pins
5. Sleek Swept-Back Silver Hair
PinSleek, swept-back silver hair paired with red lipstick and a jeweled blazer shows that a party look does not need an elaborate updo. Smooth hair and a bold lip do the work.
How to do it: Blow dry hair back from the face, then smooth with an anti-humidity smoothing spray and a a boar bristle brush.
Shine tip: A drop of an argan hair oil on the ends gives silver a glossy finish.
Shop the look: an anti-humidity smoothing spray, a boar bristle brush, an argan hair oil
It is a confident holiday look for silver hair over 50.
6. Black Velvet Bow Half-Up
PinLook formula: Soft waves + half-up section + velvet bow
Long blonde waves pulled half up and tied with a large black velvet bow is a holiday classic. Bows were everywhere in fall 2026, and Vogue noted velvet bows and ribbons appearing again and again on the couture runways.
How to do it: Curl hair with a 1-inch curling wand, pull the top section back with clear mini elastics and clip a black velvet bow clip over it.
Hold tip: Slide two bobby pins in an X under the bow so it stays put.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, a 1-inch curling wand, clear mini elastics
7. Burgundy Velvet Bow Low Ponytail
PinA sleek low ponytail tied with a burgundy velvet bow and finished with pearl earrings is simple and very elegant. It is an easy holiday party hairstyle for the office party.
How to do it: Smooth hair into a low ponytail, secure with an elastic, then tie red velvet hair bows on top.
Shine tip: Wrap a small strand around the elastic and finish with an anti-humidity smoothing spray.
Shop the look: red velvet hair bows, an anti-humidity smoothing spray, a boar bristle brush
8. Braided Low Bun
PinA platinum blonde braid wrapped into a low bun gives texture and detail from the back. It is romantic, holds well and works for long hair.
How to do it: French braid along one side, finish the ends into a low bun and pin with U-shaped hair pins.
Finish: Add pearl hair pins for a festive touch.
Shop the look: U-shaped hair pins, pearl hair pins, clear mini elastics
9. Red Bow Half-Up Waves
PinLong brown waves pulled half up and tied with a small red bow are festive and fun, especially for a tree-farm visit or a holiday brunch.
How to do it: Curl with a 1.25-inch curling iron, pull back the top section and add small dark red velvet bow clips.
Hair type note: Works on medium to long hair; fine hair benefits from a volume and texture spray first.
Shop the look: small dark red velvet bow clips, a 1.25-inch curling iron, a volume and texture spray
10. Ribbon-Tied Bubble Ponytail
PinA blonde bubble ponytail tied at intervals with black ribbons looks playful and polished at the same time. Each section is pulled out slightly so the bubbles look full.
How to do it: Tie a ponytail, add clear mini elastics every few inches and gently pull each section wider.
Finish: Tie small black and red velvet bow clips over the elastics.
Shop the look: clear mini elastics, black and red velvet bow clips, a volume and texture spray
It is one of the most fun holiday party hairstyles for long hair.
11. Gray Twisted Updo
PinSalt-and-pepper gray hair twisted up and held with a claw clip shows off natural highlights. It is a quick, relaxed updo that looks great with a cozy scarf.
How to do it: Twist hair up against the back of your head and secure with a large claw clip.
Hold tip: Spritz a volume and texture spray first so the twist does not slide.
Shop the look: a large claw clip, a volume and texture spray, a purple shampoo
12. Pearl Pin Low Bun
PinA dark brown low bun studded with pearl hair pins looks elegant and bridal-inspired, but it works for any dressy event.
How to do it: Make a loose low bun and slide pearl hair pins in a scattered pattern.
Hold tip: Use U-shaped hair pins for the bun itself so the pearls are just decoration.
Shop the look: pearl hair pins, U-shaped hair pins, pearl claw clips
13. Claw Clip Twist
PinLight brown hair twisted up and held with a claw clip is the quickest party style on this list. Leaving a few pieces loose keeps it soft.
Try it for: Busy hosts who need their hair off their face while cooking and serving.
Upgrade: Swap a plain clip for large pearl claw clips for a dressier look.
Shop the look: a large claw clip, large pearl claw clips, dry shampoo
14. Oversized Bow Low Updo
PinA copper low updo finished with two oversized dark velvet bows looks dramatic and festive. The bows soften the shape and make the hair the star of the outfit.
How to do it: Pin a low, loose updo with U-shaped hair pins, then clip a black velvet bow clip on each side.
Color note: Copper hair looks extra rich next to dark velvet.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, U-shaped hair pins, a golden copper color-depositing conditioner
15. Messy Top Knot
PinA messy top knot with natural gray roots growing in shows how easy updos make the grow-out phase. The knot blends the two colors together.
Grow-out note: Updos help hide the line between gray roots and old color during the transition.
How to do it: Twist hair on top of your head, wrap and secure with velvet scrunchies.
Shop the look: velvet scrunchies, a volume and texture spray, a purple shampoo
It is a practical holiday hairstyle for women going gray.
16. Velvet Headband With Waves
PinBrown waves with a dark green velvet padded headband is one of the easiest holiday looks. The headband adds a festive color and keeps hair off the face.
How to do it: Curl hair with a 1-inch curling wand and push a black velvet padded headband back over the crown.
Color note: Swap colors to match your outfit: black, emerald or burgundy.
Shop the look: a black velvet padded headband, a 1-inch curling wand, a heat protectant spray
17. Black Bow With Long Waves
PinLong blonde waves with a black bow look cozy and festive by the fire. A single bow at the back of the head adds polish without much effort.
How to do it: Pull back two front sections, tie with clear mini elastics and clip a black velvet bow clip on top.
Waves tip: Use a 1.25-inch curling iron and brush the curls out with your fingers.
Shop the look: a black velvet bow clip, a 1.25-inch curling iron, clear mini elastics
18. Messy Claw Clip Updo
PinCopper hair twisted into a messy updo and held with a large claw clip feels relaxed and fun. Loose pieces around the face keep it soft.
How to do it: Twist hair upward, fold the ends over and secure with a large claw clip.
Texture tip: Mist a volume and texture spray for that piecey finish.
Shop the look: a large claw clip, a volume and texture spray, dry shampoo
19. Bubble Ponytail With a Gold Clip
PinA brunette bubble ponytail with a gold clip at the top looks festive next to the tree. The clip covers the elastic and adds shine.
How to do it: Tie a ponytail, add clear mini elastics down the length and pull each section wider.
Finish: Add silver rhinestone hair clips at the base for sparkle.
Shop the look: clear mini elastics, silver rhinestone hair clips, a volume and texture spray
20. Messy High Bun
PinA messy dark brown high bun with loose face-framing pieces is easy and pretty for a holiday party or wedding guest look. It looks undone but still finished.
How to do it: Tie a high ponytail, wrap it loosely and pin with brunette bobby pins; pull out a few front pieces.
Hold tip: Use dry shampoo at the roots for grip.
Shop the look: brunette bobby pins, dry shampoo, U-shaped hair pins
Practice your favorite style once before the party, and keep a few pins in your bag for touch-ups. A simple bun, twist or bow is all you need to feel festive.
