The holidays are coming again, and that means an endless stream of parties, family get-togethers, and outings. It can be exhilarating to get to see people you likely haven’t seen in almost a year. However, having to revamp your look continually can get old – and with holiday gift budgeting, you might not be able to get into a salon for a new look every time you go out.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. But you can avoid the typical questions about your love life from your Aunt Irma and show off to your friends at the office holiday party by simply changing up your hairstyle every once in a while.
Here are ten different winter-savvy hairstyles
1) Classic Crown Braid (Milkmaid Braid)
Growing up, this is probably a hairstyle your mother would have avoided, saying something like how it reminded her of a braid her grandmother might wear.
Well, vintage looks are in, and we’re so happy this means the comeback of the crown braid (sometimes known as the milkmaid braid for its popularity in Sweden among female farmers).
We love the milkmaid braid as part of a wintry look because it reminds us of illustrations from old German and Scandanavian Christmas books, where women wore a similar style to Christmas parties or as part of their Saint Lucia Day celebrations. We’re particularly in love with the versatility of this style. Wearing your hair in a crown braid makes even the most casual of outfits look like a million dollars, likely because of how complex the braid looks on its own. Luckily, it is not very hard to do. Part your hair symmetrically, create a stunning textured French braid, and once both sides are braided pin over the crown of your head.
2) Fishtail Braid
Fishtail braids are a new take on an old classic – the French braid. They, too, look a lot more complicated than they actually are. They simply involve splitting your hair into two and exchanging small slivers of hair from side to side until finished. We suggest saving a fishtail braid for when you need a wow-factor in very little time. The braids are extremely elegant and go well with most outfits, and can be put together with relatively few styling products and next to no time.
3) Side Part with Curls
Sometimes, a party calls for elegance, and nothing says elegant quite like healthy-looking, well-styled long hair. Wow the people at the events you’re attending by wearing your hair down in a different way. If you don’t have bangs, part your hair on the side and use a curling iron to make large voluptuous curls. If you have thin hair, use a texturizing spray to give the appearance of fuller hair. We suggest pairing this hairstyle with a bold red lip and a little black dress.
4) Tight French Twist With Pearls
This isn’t your childhood librarian’s French twist. With ours, we suggest letting it breathe a little. Instead of taking it in tightly, let it hold your hair more naturally. To keep it in place, use extra hold hairspray and pin with decorative pins. Because the French twist is an elegant hairstyle, we think pearl-topped pins would really bring out the beauty in this look.
5) A Topknot With a Velvet Scrunchie
Velvet is in, big scrunchies are in, and so are topknots. If you really want to impress your younger cousins at the family Christmas party and make them believe you actually have listened to all of Billie Eilish’s music, not just Bad Guy on that one episode of SNL, use this hairstyle. Not only will you win over points with the youngins. you’ll look beautiful while doing it.
6) Pony Braid
If you’re a fan of simplicity, this is an excellent way to spice up your routine. Before you think about walking out the door to obligatory Christmas Eve service in the same old messy bun you always wear, take an extra two minutes to complete a pony braid. To do this well, brush your hair out flat and use a smoothing serum to avoid any winter frizz. Put your hair up into a sleek ponytail, then braid from there.
7) Pinned Up With Flair
Sometimes, you can’t beat your basic hairstyle. If you can’t possibly imagine doing anything over-the-top with your hair, pin it up nicely and add a bit of flair to it. This can be enough to take your look to the next level.
8) Straightened With Glitter
Straightened hair isn’t boring. The sky’s the limit when your straightener is in your hand. Keep it sleek and shiny by conditioning it well the week before – use a treatment if it is looking particularly dull, and use smoothing shampoos and conditioners for the best results. Always hold your hair taught and don’t dry it in clumps, instead, in strips. For a final glamorous look, add a spritz of glitter spray, which is perfect for a new year’s party.
9) Chignon with Bold Earrings
Some of us are just fans of a bun. It’s famous for a reason – it keeps your hair out of your face, and it can look elegant. A stylish take on the traditional bun is the chignon – a low ponytail that is then pinned into a low bun. When you intend to showcase other parts of your wardrobe, say, a big, beautiful ring your new fiance just got you, this is the right hairstyle for you.
10) A Well-Styled Ponytail
Hey, sometimes you can’t mess with perfection. A ponytail is great for all occasions. Just be sure all your frizz is contained, and it’s done well.
In the North Bethesda, Maryland area, and need help with your hair or want a professional makeup job done for a party?
Visit Identity Salon on Rockville Pike North in Bethseda. We’re DevaCurl certified, and one of the top-rated salons in the area. For more information, or to schedule an appointment before your next holiday event, click here.
