The holidays are here. You’ve likely spent hours planning your outfit, right? Selecting the perfect dress or finding the most festive shoes often consumes all the planning energy. Your hair, however, often becomes the source of a last-minute panic when you realize you only have ten minutes before you need to walk out the door. Who has time for a complicated, pin-intensive style when running late for a party?
The goal is that polished, expensive look—the kind that makes people ask where your stylist is hiding—but achieved in under 15 minutes. It sounds like a tall order, but it isn’t. It simply requires a few smart shortcuts, leaning on stylish accessories to make simple twists and ties look instantly glamorous.
Quick Fixes for Instant Glamour
Forget spending an hour wrestling with bobby pins for a perfect French twist. That’s unnecessary stress. Instead, we’re focusing on styles that use clever tension and beautiful accessories to do the heavy lifting.
The Half-Up Ribbon Twist
This style is wonderfully classic. Grab the top section of your hair, starting at your temples, twist it gently back, and secure it with a small elastic. Then, tie a luxurious velvet bow—perhaps a deep emerald or a festive ruby red—right over that elastic. The result is instant elegance in a maximum of two minutes.
The Elevated Ponytail Hack
A plain pony is acceptable, but a voluminous one is spectacular. Try this trick: split your hair into two horizontal sections. Tie the bottom half first, low at the nape of your neck. Then, tie the top half right above it, using the top section to naturally cover the elastic of the bottom one. This provides instant lift and fullness, making your ponytail appear much thicker and longer.
The Twisted Claw Clip Updo
The nineties are back, and for good reason. For a sophisticated updo that looks professionally done, gather your hair into a low ponytail, twist it upward tightly against your head, and secure the entire coil with a gorgeous, oversized jeweled or pearl-encrusted claw clip. It’s intentionally messy, offering a relaxed, high-fashion vibe.
The Braided Pony Accent
Sometimes a little texture is needed. Start a simple three-strand braid using a small section right above one ear. Stop the braid halfway down, and then gather the rest of your hair, including the braid, into a low, slick ponytail. The single braid adds just enough visual interest to elevate the whole style.
The Faux Volume Top Knot
This works best on second-day hair for maximum grip. Flip your head upside down and gather your hair high up, pulling it only halfway through the elastic to form a loop. Then, gently pin the loose ends around the base. The crucial step is gently pulling out tiny loops around the crown to create that lovely, messy volume for a celebratory, easy look.
The Bubble Braid Tail
This isn’t technically a braid, which is what makes it so quick. Tie your hair into a sleek, low ponytail. Then, place a small elastic every few inches down the length of the tail. Gently tug on the hair between the elastics to create that ‘bubble’ or spherical shape. This style looks incredibly chic, especially when using delicate, metallic elastics.
Face-Framing Curls (The 5-Minute Curl)
Don’t waste time curling your entire head. Just grab a curling iron and quickly curl the two or three sections that frame your face and the very top layer of hair. Brush them out for soft, expensive-looking waves. No one will ever know you skipped the back.
These seven styles prove that you don’t need hours or a professional touch to look absolutely stunning this holiday season. You really just need a few solid tips and some sparkle in your accessories.
Try one out tonight!
Before you leave, check these festive makeup trends you would love to pair with any of the above haircuts. Also, discover 5 great ways to style your holiday sweaters; you’ll look like a royalty. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more makeup inspiration!
Sources:
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kupp_wAgZ8
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPrf88WMzwg
- www.perfectcorp.com/consumer/blog/hair/christmas-hair-ideas
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqy8W3FrMcE
All images are AI generated
