Sana
Long hair and Christmas were genuinely made for each other. All that length gives you options that shorter hair simply cannot touch: dramatic cascading braids, full Hollywood waves, intricate crowns, and buns with real presence. Every December I watch my long-haired clients realize their length is their best holiday accessory, and this guide is built to prove it. These twenty-six styles are chosen specifically to celebrate length, from shoulder-grazing to waist-length, with braids, waves, buns, and bows that show off every single inch.
This guide is for anyone with medium to very long hair, straight, wavy, curly, or coily, and every skill level from complete beginner to confident braider. You will learn how to pick styles that flatter your face shape and suit your hair texture, the exact tools and products that make long hair behave, and how to keep heavy styles comfortable all day or night. As a stylist, my long-hair philosophy is that length should look intentional, never just long. I will also show you how to keep heavy styles comfortable and which mistakes make long hair look tired instead of festive. A little structure, whether it is a braid, a twist, or a well-placed accessory, is what turns long hair from everyday into holiday hair. Let us find your look.
1. Classic Long Waves with a Red Bow
Long hair is curled into soft, flowing waves from mid-length to the ends, with a large red bow clipped at the crown or side while the waves do most of the work. Curl two-inch sections with a 1.25-inch iron, leaving the roots straight for a modern shape, then brush through with your fingers for softness. Mist with flexible-hold hairspray. Clip the red bow at the crown for a classic feel or above one ear for something more playful. It takes about twenty-five minutes and is easy to medium difficulty.
This timeless look suits every face shape and works on wavy to straight long hair that holds a curl. I would pick this if you want a holiday look that never fails, since waves plus a red bow is Christmas in hairstyle form. The honest caveat is bow placement: too high looks childish on adults, so keep it at the crown or side, never right on top.
2. Half-Up Twist with Festive Clips
Two sections from the front are twisted back and pinned at the crown, with small festive clips decorating the twists while the long lengths flow freely below. Part the hair down the middle, take a two-inch section above each ear, twist each away from the face, and join them at the back of the crown with a small elastic. Slide three to five festive clips along the twists, spacing them evenly. Leave the lengths natural or add loose waves. Ten minutes, beginner level.
This suits oval, heart, and round faces and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this if you love wearing your hair down but want it to look styled, since the twist adds shape and the clips add sparkle. My pro tip: use clips with a strong grip and crisscross two bobby pins under the twist first, so the whole half-up section does not slide down by evening.
3. Mermaid Braid with Tinsel Strands
A wide, loose braid runs down the back using almost all the hair, with thin tinsel strands woven through as you braid and the braid gently pulled apart for a full, mermaid-like look. Start a loose three-strand or Dutch braid at the crown, feeding tinsel strands in with the sections as you work down. Secure with a clear elastic, then pancake the braid by pulling each section outward for maximum fullness. Fifteen minutes, medium difficulty. Work a little texturizing spray through the hair first so the loose braid grips instead of slipping.
This dramatic braid suits oval and long faces and needs genuinely long hair to carry the mermaid effect. I would pick this when you want a braid that really uses your length, since the tinsel sparkles with every movement. The honest caveat is tangling: tinsel loves to knot around elastics, so remove it gently at night and never brush through it.
4. Low Sleek Ponytail with a Ribbon
The hair is brushed smooth and gathered low at the nape, with a long ribbon tied around the base trailing down the ponytail while the tail stays straight and glossy. Smooth the hair with serum and a boar-bristle brush, secure low with a strong elastic, then tie a long ribbon over the base in a bow, letting the ends trail down the tail. Flat-iron the tail in sections for a mirror finish. Twelve minutes, easy difficulty. Choose a wired ribbon if you want the bow loops to hold their shape all evening.
This elegant style suits oval, heart, and long faces and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this for Christmas dinner or a formal event because the ribbon trailing down long hair looks incredibly pretty in photos. My pro tip: choose a ribbon at least eighteen inches long so the trailing ends are visible, since a short ribbon disappears against long hair.
5. Voluminous Curls with a Velvet Headband
Big, bouncy curls are worn full and voluminous all over, with a wide velvet headband sitting just behind the hairline for a contrast of curls and velvet that reads pure luxury. Curl small sections with a 1-inch iron, let cool completely, then shake out and pick at the roots for volume. Slide the velvet headband on about an inch behind the hairline. Finish with a flexible-hold spray. Thirty minutes, medium difficulty. Diffuse the curls upside down first for maximum root lift before placing the headband.
This glamorous look suits oval and heart-shaped faces and needs medium to long hair with density. I would pick this when you want maximum glamour, since the volume shows off long hair at its absolute best. The honest caveat is the headband flattening your crown volume, so backcomb the crown slightly before sliding the band on. It is a stunning choice for holiday photos where you want real presence.
Keep exploring: Christmas Hairstyles with Braids
6. Waterfall Braid into Loose Waves
A waterfall braid crosses the back of the head, dropping strands through like falling water, with the released strands falling into loose waves for a romantic, intricate effect. Start the waterfall pattern at one temple, working across the back and dropping a strand with each stitch while picking up a new section behind it. Pin the end under the hair on the opposite side. Curl the released strands loosely. Twenty minutes, medium to advanced difficulty. Mist the finished braid lightly with hairspray so the dropped strands stay defined.
This suits oval and long faces and needs long hair so the dropped strands have room to show. I would pick this when you want a style that looks like art, since the waterfall braid is a genuine conversation starter. My pro tip: this is a practice-first style, so try it twice on a quiet weekend before wearing it to a holiday party.
7. Side-Swept Long Braid
All the hair is swept over one shoulder into a single long braid, kept loose and full, finished with a small bow or band at the end. Sweep everything to your preferred side, braid loosely in a three-strand pattern without pulling tight, and secure with a clear elastic. Pancake the braid edges for fullness and clip a small bow just above the elastic. Eight minutes, easy difficulty. Secure the elastic tightly, since a side braid carries more movement than a centered one.
The side sweep flatters every face shape, especially round faces, and this works on all long hair types. I would pick this when you want your length front and center, since draping it over one shoulder shows it off beautifully. The honest caveat is shoulder discipline: the braid slides back constantly, so anchor it with one bobby pin at the collarbone if you will be moving around.
8. Bubble Braid with Red Ties
A high ponytail is sectioned with red bands into rounded bubble segments, each section puffed out for fullness so the bubbles cascade down the back. Secure a high ponytail firmly, place red bands every two inches down the tail, and tug each section outward with your fingertips to form the bubbles. Add texturizing spray before starting for grip. Ten minutes, easy difficulty. For the fullest bubbles, backcomb each section lightly before puffing it outward, working from the bottom bubble upward for control.
This playful style suits oval and long faces and works best on medium to thick long hair. I would pick this when you want something modern and fun that still feels festive. My pro tip: the base ponytail must be rock solid, since every bubble pulls on it, so use two elastics stacked for support. It photographs with amazing dimension, making it a great pick for party pictures.
9. Elegant Low Bun with Face-Framing Pieces
The hair is gathered into a smooth low bun at the nape, with two soft pieces left out to frame the face for a polished but not stiff finish. Brush the hair smooth, leave out two front sections, gather the rest low, twist and coil into a bun, and pin firmly. Curl the face-framing pieces lightly with a 1-inch iron. Twelve minutes, easy to medium difficulty. Pin the coil firmly with bobby pins pointing in different directions for genuine all-day security.
This suits oval, heart, and diamond faces and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this as my top choice for a formal Christmas event because it is elegant, secure, and photographs beautifully. The honest caveat is balance: the face-framing pieces should be thin and soft, since thick chunks look unfinished rather than romantic. A touch of shine spray over the finished bun adds a polished, expensive gleam.
10. Fishtail Braid with Gold Thread
A fishtail braid runs down the back in a fine, detailed pattern, with gold thread woven through as you braid so it glints against the hair. Split the hair into two sections and fishtail down, feeding a length of thin gold thread in with the strands every few crosses. Keep the pattern tight and even. Secure with a clear elastic. Twenty minutes, medium difficulty since fishtailing long hair takes arm stamina. Keep your thread tension even so the gold weaves through the pattern uniformly.
This intricate braid suits every face shape and needs long hair to show the detailed pattern. I would pick this if you love fine details, because the gold thread makes the braid look like jewelry. My pro tip: cut the thread twice as long as your hair and double it, since a single thin strand snaps under braiding tension. Take a short break halfway through, since fishtailing very long hair tires your arms.
Keep exploring: Christmas Ponytail Hairstyles
11. Glossy Straight Hair with a Bow Barrette
Long hair is flat-ironed to a glass-like shine, with a bow barrette pinning back one side so the simplicity shows off healthy, long length. Flat-iron in thin sections with heat protectant, smooth shine serum over the top layer, then clip the bow barrette above one ear, pulling that side back slightly. Fifteen to twenty minutes depending on thickness, easy difficulty. Work in thin, even sections and never rush the flat iron, since slow steady passes are what create the true glass effect.
This suits oval and heart-shaped faces and works on straight or straightened long hair. I would pick this if your hair itself is your best accessory, since the gloss is the star here. The honest caveat is that glass-like straightness demands healthy ends, so get a trim first if your ends are frayed, because no serum hides split ends.
12. High Ponytail with Cascading Curls
The hair is pulled very high and curled into cascading waves, with the crown smoothed for contrast and a hair-wrapped base hiding the elastic. Secure the ponytail as high as possible, smooth the crown with a brush and light gel, curl the tail in sections with a 1-inch iron, and wrap a section of hair around the base. Twenty minutes, medium difficulty. Smooth the crown with a boar-bristle brush and a touch of gel for a sharp, clean contrast against the full curls.
This dramatic style suits round and square faces by adding height, and needs long, fairly thick hair. I would pick this when you want drama and movement, since the curls swing every time you move. My pro tip: curl the tail before securing the ponytail if your arms tire easily, since curling a high tail overhead is genuinely exhausting. It is pure celebration hair that never fails to get compliments.
13. Twisted Half-Up Crown
Sections from each side are twisted back and joined at the crown, forming a crown-like band across the head while the rest of the hair falls long. Take two-inch sections above each ear, twist away from the face, join at the back of the crown, and secure with a small elastic or pins. Let the twists sit like a headband. Add soft waves to the lengths if desired. Eight minutes, easy difficulty. A decorative pin at the join hides the elastic and adds a finished detail.
This suits oval, heart, and round faces and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this when you want a princess-like feel without real effort, since it looks detailed but takes minutes. The honest caveat is twist tension: twist too tightly and the crown looks severe, so keep the twists soft and slightly loose. It is equally lovely for daytime parties and evening events.
14. Romantic Loose Updo
The hair is loosely pinned into a soft updo with plenty of texture, strands pulled out around the face and nape for a romantic, effortless look. Roughly gather the hair up, twist and pin sections loosely with ends tucked casually, pull out soft pieces everywhere, and mist with texturizing spray. The imperfection is the point. Fifteen minutes, easy difficulty. For the prettiest texture, curl the hair loosely with a 1-inch iron before pinning, since straight hair pinned up looks flat instead of romantic.
This flatters every face shape and works on medium to long hair with some texture. I would pick this for Christmas dinner because it feels touchable and romantic rather than stiff. My pro tip: curl the hair first before pinning it up, since pre-curled hair gives the updo far more beautiful texture than straight hair. Keep a few bobby pins in your clutch for quick fixes during the evening.
15. Double Braids into a Low Bun
Two braids start at the front and feed into a low bun at the back, in Dutch, French, or simple style, with the bun anchoring the whole look. Part down the middle, braid each side from the front hairline to the nape, join the tails, twist into a low bun, and pin firmly. Pancake the braids slightly for fullness. Twenty minutes, medium difficulty. Keep the braids snug against the scalp and pin the bun generously so the style stays secure for hours.
This suits oval, round, and heart faces and works on medium to long hair. I would pick this when you want an updo that will not move all night, since the braids lock everything in place. The honest caveat is time: this is not a rushing style, so give yourself the full twenty minutes and do not attempt it in a hurry.
Keep exploring: Christmas Half Up Half Down Hairstyles
16. Long Layers with a Velvet Headband
Long layered hair is worn down with soft movement, with a wide velvet headband pushing the front back while the layers give natural bounce. Blow-dry or curl the layers loosely for movement, then slide the velvet headband on about an inch behind the hairline. The headband is genuinely the only styling step. Ten minutes if the layers are prepped, easy difficulty. Add a few drops of shine serum to the ends so the layers catch the light beautifully as you move through the party.
This suits every face shape and works on layered long hair in any texture. I would pick this when you want an easy style that still looks done, since it is cozy and chic at once. My pro tip: velvet headbands slip on silky hair, so choose one with a grippy inner lining or anchor it with two bobby pins crossed behind your ears.
17. Princess Braid with Sparkle Pins
A half-up braid runs from the crown down through the loose hair, with sparkle pins placed along the braid while the loose hair below flows freely. Braid a three-strand or fishtail section from the crown down about six inches, secure with a clear elastic, and slide sparkle pins along the braid at intervals. Leave everything below loose. Twelve minutes, easy to medium difficulty. Choose sparkle pins with smooth, rounded backs so they slide into the braid without snagging your hair.
This suits oval and heart-shaped faces and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this for Christmas Eve when you want a fairy-tale holiday look. The honest caveat is pin visibility: push sparkle pins in at an angle so the decorative heads sit on top of the braid rather than sinking into it. It is one of my favorite styles for candlelit evenings.
18. Sleek Center-Part Long Hair
Long hair is parted in the center and straightened to perfection, glossy and smooth from root to tip with no accessories needed. Part precisely with a rattail comb, flat-iron in thin sections with heat protectant, and smooth shine serum over the surface. The simplicity is the statement. Fifteen to twenty minutes, easy difficulty. For the most expensive-looking finish, do a shine-boosting hair mask the night before styling. Run the flat iron slowly over each section, and finish with a cold-air blast from your dryer to seal the shine.
The center part suits oval and heart-shaped faces best and needs long, healthy hair. I would pick this when you love a clean, modern look, since the length speaks entirely for itself. My pro tip: this style shows everything, so it is worth a gloss treatment or shine mask the day before for that expensive finish. Keep a small bottle of shine serum in your bag for touch-ups during the day.
19. Dutch Braid Crown with a Bow
A Dutch braid circles the head like a crown, with a festive bow pinned where the braid ends meet and the braid standing out in bold relief. Dutch-braid around the hairline from ear to ear, adding hair as you go, tuck the tail under the start, and pin. Pancake the edges for fullness. Pin the bow where the ends meet. Twenty to twenty-five minutes, medium difficulty. Work with a light mousse in damp hair first so the braid has grip and stays put.
The crown flatters round and square faces with added height and needs medium to long hair. I would pick this when you want a statement braid that keeps every strand neatly in place all day. The honest caveat is arm fatigue: braiding around your own head takes stamina, so take a short break halfway if your arms start shaking. The result is regal, festive, and completely worth the effort.
20. Textured Waves with a Gold Snowflake Clip
Beachy textured waves run through the long lengths, with a gold snowflake clip pulling one side back from the face while the texture keeps it relaxed and modern. Create the waves with a 1-inch iron using alternating directions, or braid damp hair overnight. Break up the waves with your fingers and texturizing spray. Slide the snowflake clip above one ear, pressing it firmly into place. Fifteen minutes with prepped texture, easy difficulty. Scrunch a pea-sized drop of shine serum through the mid-lengths for a soft holiday glow.
This suits every face shape and works on wavy to straight long hair. I would pick this when you want effortless holiday hair that still feels special. My pro tip: the gold snowflake clip is doing the festive work, so choose one in a bright metallic finish, and push it in firmly since textured hair eats weak clips. It is relaxed, modern, and perfect for low-key celebrations.
Keep exploring: Christmas Hairstyles for Curly Hair
21. Braided Ponytail with Ribbon Lacing
A high ponytail is braided down its full length, with a thin ribbon laced through the braid like a corset for a festive, crafted detail. Secure a high ponytail, braid it in three strands, then weave a long thin ribbon in and out of the braid edges like lacing a shoe. Tie the ribbon in a bow at the end. Fifteen minutes, medium difficulty. Pull the ribbon snug but never tight, so the braid keeps its soft full shape instead of puckering inward.
This suits oval and long faces and needs long hair for the lacing to show. I would pick this when you want a ponytail with real wow factor at a holiday party. The honest caveat is ribbon length: you need a ribbon at least twice as long as the braid, so measure before you start lacing. Guests always ask how you did it, which tells you everything.
22. Hollywood Glam Waves
Large curls are brushed into smooth, sculpted waves with a deep side part for the classic shape, finished with shine spray for a mirror finish. Curl in sections with a 1.25-inch iron all in one direction, cool completely, brush through with a soft brush to form waves, set the deep part, and mist with shine spray. Thirty to forty minutes, medium difficulty. Work a volumizing mousse through damp roots first so the heavy lengths do not drag the waves flat by evening.
This suits oval, heart, and square faces and needs long hair that holds a curl. I would pick this when you want old-Hollywood glamour, since it never goes out of style on long hair. My pro tip: long hair is heavy and pulls waves flat, so use volumizing mousse at the roots and let every curl cool fully before brushing.
23. Loose Dutch Braids with Festive Bands
Two loose Dutch braids run down the back, secured with festive-colored bands at the ends and gently pulled apart for fullness. Part down the middle, Dutch-braid each side loosely without pulling tight, pancake the edges for a soft full shape, and tie off with red, green, or gold bands. Fifteen minutes, easy to medium difficulty. Start the braids slightly loose at the crown so they frame your face softly, keep the center part clean with a rattail comb, and smooth the finished braids with serum.
The loose texture suits round and heart-shaped faces and works on all long hair types. I would pick this when you want a relaxed braided look with a holiday touch. The honest caveat is frizz: loose braids on long hair frizz by evening, so smooth a light serum over the braids after pancaking them. It is comfortable enough to wear from morning errands to evening parties.
24. Half-Up Bun with Loose Ends
The top half of the hair is gathered into a small bun at the crown, with the ends of the bun left loose and textured while the bottom half falls long and free. Take the top section, twist into a small bun, pin it, and deliberately leave the ends sticking out with texture. The undone ends are the style. Five minutes, beginner level. Add a little texturizing spray to the loose ends so they hold their piece-y shape instead of falling flat by noon.
This suits oval and heart-shaped faces and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this when you love the half-up trend but want something quicker than twists or braids. My pro tip: the bun should sit at the crown, not the back of the head, since placement is what makes this look intentional rather than accidental.
25. Curly Long Hair with a Plaid Bow
Natural curls or curled hair are worn big and full, with a plaid bow clipped at the side or crown while the curls provide all the volume and texture. Define curls with cream or mousse, diffuse or air-dry, then clip the plaid bow at the side above the ear or at the crown. Fluff the roots for fullness. Ten minutes on prepped curls, easy difficulty. Refresh second-day curls with a light water mist before clipping in the bow for bounce.
This joyful style suits every face shape and is made for curly and coily long hair. I would pick this when you want to celebrate your natural texture with a perfect holiday accent. The honest caveat is bow scale: match the bow to your volume, since a tiny bow disappears in big curls and an oversized one overwhelms them. It is joyful, full of personality, and completely you.
Keep exploring: Christmas Hairstyles with Bows
26. Sleek Wrapped Low Ponytail
The hair is smoothed into a low ponytail with a mirror shine, a thick section of hair wrapped around the base for a seamless finish while the tail falls straight and glossy. Gather low with a boar-bristle brush and serum, secure, wrap a one-inch section around the base twice, pin underneath, and flat-iron the tail. Ten minutes, easy difficulty. Take the wrapping section from underneath the tail so the top stays perfectly smooth, and pin it pointing upward for the strongest grip.
This suits all face shapes and works on straight to wavy long hair. I would pick this when you want understated elegance that is chic, clean, and always appropriate. My pro tip: the wrap section should come from underneath the tail so the top stays perfectly smooth, and pin it with the pin pointing upward so it grips better. It is my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants polish without fuss.
How to Choose the Right Long Christmas Hairstyle for You
Start with your face shape, since long hair frames the face more than any other length. Round faces need height or asymmetry, so lean toward high ponytails, top-positioned buns, and side-swept braids that break up the width. Oval faces can wear anything, so choose by mood and occasion. Heart-shaped faces look beautiful with volume at the jawline, like side braids or face-framing pieces from a low bun. Long faces benefit from horizontal details such as the bubble braid, wide headbands, or curls concentrated at the sides rather than length that drags the eye downward.
Then be honest about your hair texture, your time, and the weight factor that only long-haired people understand. Fine long hair looks best in sleek styles and needs texturizing spray for any braid or bun to hold. Thick long hair gives you incredible braids and buns with minimal effort but takes real time to curl or straighten, so budget accordingly. Heavy styles like high ponytails and crown braids can ache after hours, so for all-day events choose distributed-weight styles like low buns and side braids. Match the effort to the occasion: save the waterfall braid and fishtail for parties, and keep the sleek ponytail and half-up twist for busy December days.
Styling Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Long hair has its own rulebook, and here is what I tell my long-haired clients. First, always detangle from the ends upward with a wide-tooth comb before styling, since ripping through knots creates breakage that ruins every style on this list. Second, use heat protectant every single time, because long hair shows heat damage along its entire length and damaged ends will not hold curls or shine. Third, distribute weight thoughtfully: for heavy updos, use multiple pins pointing in different directions rather than one tight elastic, since tension in one spot causes headaches and breakage. And sleep on a silk pillowcase in December, because cotton creates the frizz and tangles that make morning styling twice as hard.
The long-hair mistakes I fix most often are preventable. The biggest is using too little product at the roots and too much at the ends, when long hair actually needs grip at the crown for updos and lightness at the ends for movement. Another is braiding or tying hair while it is soaking wet, which stretches and snaps long strands, so let hair reach damp, not dripping, before styling. And do not skip trims going into the holidays: ragged ends make every style look tired, while a fresh trim makes even a simple ponytail look expensive. A tiny dusting of the ends in early December pays off in every photo you take.
Final Thoughts
Long hair gives you endless ways to celebrate the season, and now you have twenty-six of the best. Pick the style that matches your plans, your texture, and the time you actually have, prep your hair the night before when you can, and do not be afraid to practice a new braid before the big day. The best long holiday hair looks intentional, feels comfortable, and lets your length do the talking. Choose your favorite, show off every inch, and enjoy every festive moment this December.
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