How to Do an Easy Holiday Updo in 6 Steps

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Holiday parties ask for an updo, but most of us do not want a salon appointment on a weeknight. You need a style that looks finished in photos, stays put through dinner and still feels soft around the face.

The short answer: twist, pin and soften. Skip complicated braids on your first try. Here is how to do an easy holiday updo in clear steps, then several finished looks to copy.

The Quick Framework

GRIP

Start With Texture, Not Fresh Silk

Second-day hair or a mist of a volume and texture spray gives pins something to hold.

SHAPE

Twist More Than You Braid

A simple twist into a low bun is faster and more forgiving than a perfect braid.

SOFTEN

Leave Face Pieces Out

Pull a few front strands free so the updo looks romantic, not severe.

HOLD

Cross Your Pins

U-shaped hair pins and crossed brunette bobby pins keep fine hair from slipping by dessert.

What You’ll Need

• A paddle brush to detangle before you twist
• A volume and texture spray for grip on clean or fine hair
• Dry shampoo to add texture at the roots
• Sectioning clips to hold sections while you work
• Clear mini elastics to anchor the first twist
• U-shaped hair pins to build the bun shape
• Brunette bobby pins to lock everything in place
• A black velvet bow clip for an instant holiday finish
• An anti-humidity smoothing spray to tame flyaways
• An argan hair oil for soft ends and shine

1. Twist and Pin the Base

Step 1: Twist and pin the base. Brush hair smooth, gather it at the nape and twist until it coils into a soft bun. Secure the coil with a clear elastic if you need an anchor, then slide U-shaped pins through the center. The goal is a low, effortless shape that already looks like a holiday updo before you decorate it.

Hair type note: Fine hair holds better if you mist a volume and texture spray or dust a texturizing volume powder at the roots first.

Try this: Keep the bun at the nape so it sits under a coat collar on the way to the party.

Tools you need: a paddle brush, clear mini elastics, U-shaped hair pins

2. Braid Three Sections

Step 2: Braid three small sections for extra texture (optional). If you want more detail, braid a few thin sections near the crown or nape before you wrap them into the bun. The braids add width so the updo looks fuller, which helps on fine or soft hair.

Practice note: You only need one or two mini braids; more can look busy.

Tool tip: sectioning clips keeps the rest of the hair out of the way while you braid.

Tools you need: sectioning clips, clear mini elastics, a volume and texture spray

3. Prep and Smooth

Step 3: Prep and smooth the surface. Once the shape is in, smooth the sides with a brush and a pea-size amount of serum. Holiday lighting is unforgiving on flyaways, so this quick polish step makes the updo look intentional.

Product tip: Apply an anti-humidity smoothing spray on the surface only, not at the roots, so you do not lose grip.

Ask your stylist: For long layers that tuck cleanly into a low bun.

Tools you need: an anti-humidity smoothing spray, a boar bristle brush, a hair wax stick

4. Secure the Shape

Step 4: Secure the shape for a long night. Cross bobby pins in an X over weak spots and add two more U-pins through the densest part of the bun. Give your head a gentle shake. If anything shifts, pin that spot again before you leave the mirror.

Hold tip: brunette bobby pins matched to your hair color disappear better in photos.

Maintenance: Carry two spare pins in your clutch for a restroom fix.

Tools you need: brunette bobby pins, U-shaped hair pins, a volume and texture spray

5. Finish and Soften

Step 5: Finish and soften. Pull a few face-framing pieces free and loosen the front of the bun with your fingertips. Soft edges are what make an easy holiday updo look romantic instead of strict.

Style note: If the front feels flat, mist dry shampoo at the hairline and lift with a a teasing comb.

Shine tip: A drop of an argan hair oil on the ends of the face pieces keeps them soft.

Tools you need: dry shampoo, a teasing comb, an argan hair oil

6. Set With Pins

Step 6: Set with pins and an optional accessory. Add a velvet bow, a pearl pin or leave it clean. Mist lightly if you need hold, then stop. Over-spraying makes winter hair look stiff under indoor heat.

Accessory upgrade: A a black velvet bow clip or pearl hair pins turns the same bun into a party finish.

Try it for: Christmas parties, Friendsgiving and New Year’s dinners.

Tools you need: a black velvet bow clip, pearl hair pins, an anti-humidity smoothing spray

Easy Holiday Updo Ideas to Copy

Once the steps feel familiar, switch the finish. Here are finished easy holiday updos to try, from velvet bows to pearl pins and short-hair options.

7. Velvet Bow Finished Bun

A low bun with a large black velvet bow and a white knit sweater is the fastest dress-up. The bow does the decorating so the bun can stay simple.

Style note: Place the bow over the elastic so the finish looks clean.

Shop it: a black velvet bow clip, U-shaped hair pins, an anti-humidity smoothing spray

8. Party Night Updo

A party-night updo with a little more height works for New Year’s and Christmas Eve. Keep the front soft so it still feels like an easy holiday updo.

Hold tip: Tease the crown lightly before twisting.

Shop it: a teasing comb, U-shaped hair pins, a volume and texture spray

9. Elegant Lace Bun

An elegant lace-inspired bun looks dressy for formal holiday dinners. Soft texture around the bun keeps it from looking too bridal.

Try it for: Black-tie holiday parties and winter wedding guest looks.

Shop it: U-shaped hair pins, brunette bobby pins, pearl hair pins

10. Twisted Half-Up

A twisted half-up is the easiest cousin of a full updo. Twist two front sections back, pin and leave the lengths down in soft waves.

Hair type note: Great for thick hair that feels heavy in a full bun.

Shop it: brunette bobby pins, a 1-inch curling wand, clear mini elastics

11. Polished Holiday Updo

A polished holiday updo with a smoother surface suits satin dresses and blazers. Brush the sides clean before you pin.

Product tip: a hair wax stick on the hairline tames baby hairs.

Shop it: a hair wax stick, U-shaped hair pins, a boar bristle brush

12. Pictorial Half-Up

A pictorial half-up shows the pin placement clearly: twist, tuck, pin. It is a good practice style before you attempt a full bun.

Practice note: Learn the pin angle on a half-up first.

Shop it: brunette bobby pins, sectioning clips, a volume and texture spray

13. Put a Bow on It

Putting a bow on a finished updo is the holiday move. Velvet, satin or plaid all work; choose one scale so it does not overwhelm your face.

Accessory upgrade: Try oversized satin bow clips or a tartan plaid bow clip for variety.

Shop it: oversized satin bow clips, a tartan plaid bow clip, a black velvet bow clip

14. Pearl Elevated Updo

A pearl-elevated updo feels bridal-adjacent and lovely for formal December events. Slide pearl pins along one side of the bun.

Style note: Odd numbers of pins usually look more intentional.

Shop it: pearl hair pins, pearl claw clips, U-shaped hair pins

15. Claw Clip Ponytail Hack

A claw-clip ponytail hack is the shortcut when you are late. Twist a pony, clip, and tuck the ends for an updo effect without dozens of pins.

Hair type note: Use a large a large claw clip on thick hair.

Shop it: a large claw clip, clear mini elastics, a volume and texture spray

16. Weekend Updo Inspo

Weekend updo inspiration keeps the same steps but loosens the finish. Pull more pieces free for coffee dates and casual holiday markets.

Try it for: Daytime holiday events and cookie exchanges.

Shop it: mulberry silk scrunchies, brunette bobby pins, an argan hair oil

17. Braided Updo Finish

A braided updo finish wraps a braid around the bun for extra detail. Braid the last section before you pin it so the pattern shows.

Difficulty: Intermediate; practice the braid on dry textured hair.

Shop it: clear mini elastics, U-shaped hair pins, a volume and texture spray

18. Curly French Twist

A curly French twist works when you leave curl pattern visible instead of brushing it out. Pin loosely so the curls stay springy.

Hair type note: Curly and wavy hair often needs less product for grip.

Shop it: U-shaped hair pins, a curl defining cream, brunette bobby pins

19. Bob Updo for Short Hair

A bob-length updo proves short hair can still go up for the holidays. Twist small sections and pin in a stacked shape at the nape.

Ask your stylist: Which short-hair pin techniques work for your cut.

Shop it: brunette bobby pins, U-shaped hair pins, a hair wax stick

20. Post-Holiday Updo

A post-holiday updo uses the same easy method for the quieter days after Christmas parties. Keep it soft and low for leftover celebrations.

Style note: Reuse the same pin map; just skip the big bow.

Shop it: U-shaped hair pins, an anti-humidity smoothing spray, an argan hair oil

Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting on freshly washed, silky hair with no a volume and texture spray.
• Pulling the bun too high so a winter coat crushes it.
• Using only one elastic and no pins — add U-shaped hair pins.
• Skipping face pieces, which can make an easy holiday updo look severe.
• Over-spraying until hair feels crunchy under indoor heat.

Twist, pin, soften and stop. With a velvet bow or pearl pin, the same easy holiday updo works for Christmas parties, Friendsgiving and New Year’s Eve.