By David Harrington | Master Hairstylist with 30+ Years Experience | Celebrity & Editorial Stylist
December always catches me by surprise. One day I’m doing regular cuts and color, and suddenly everyone’s booking appointments asking for “something special for the holidays.” After thirty-plus years cutting hair between LA and San Francisco, I’ve gotten pretty good at reading what people actually want when they say that.
Most of the time, they want to look put-together without looking like they spent three hours getting ready. Which, honestly, makes perfect sense. Who has time for that between shopping, cooking, and pretending to enjoy small talk with distant relatives?
The best hairstyles for holiday parties are ones that work with your real life, not against it. I learned this the hard way during my early days after training at Vidal Sassoon in London. I used to overthink everything, trying to create these perfect editorial looks that would fall apart the moment someone hugged you hello.
What Actually Works for Holiday Hair
The thing I’ve figured out about holiday hairstyles is that they need to be forgiving. Your hair’s going to get touched, you’re going to lean over hot food, someone’s going to want a selfie at an awkward angle. The styles that work are the ones that still look intentional even when they’re not perfect.
One of my longtime clients put it perfectly in her review: “He knows exactly what I need. Throughout the years he knows how to play with my color and cuts keeping it fresh and always perfect!” That’s the sweet spot we’re aiming for. Not magazine-perfect, but you-perfect.
The Classics That Don’t Let You Down
Low Chignon (But Make It Soft)
I probably do five of these every December. Why? Because It works. But here’s my thing about chignons: they can’t look like you shellacked your hair into submission. I always pull out a few pieces around the face on purpose. Makes it look less “uptight corporate lawyer” and more “put-together but approachable.”
The trick is building some texture first before you smooth everything back. Think of it like… okay, this might sound weird, but like making good scrambled eggs. You’ve got to get the base right before you worry about the presentation.
Working With Waves Instead of Fighting Them
My Ayurvedic training at Aveda taught me something that changed how I approach wavy hair. Stop trying to fix what isn’t broken. If your hair wants to wave, let it wave. We just make those waves look more expensive.
I use products that enhance what’s already there instead of covering it up. Plant-based stuff that doesn’t make your hair feel crunchy or look artificial under party lights.
When You Want to Turn Heads
Hollywood Waves (The Touchable Kind)
These are having a moment again, probably because everyone’s nostalgic for old movies right now. The key is making them soft enough that they move when you laugh. Stiff curls look dated and feel uncomfortable.
I build volume at the roots first, then work the curl pattern from there. Takes longer but holds better, and you can actually run your fingers through them if you need to fix something.
Elevated Ponytails
This has become my signature look for clients who have long days ahead of them. Company party straight from work? This style transitions perfectly. I wrap sections of hair around the base to hide the elastic and add some texture throughout so it doesn’t look too severe.
Braided Accents
Not full-on braids that make you look like you’re heading to Renaissance faire, but subtle braided details that add interest. Crown braids are great for keeping flyaways under control, and they photograph really well. One of the cutest hairstyles for holiday.
Hairstyles for Every Holiday Mood: The Flexible Options
Half-Up, Half-Down
This is my diplomatic solution for indecisive clients. Can’t choose between up or down? Do both. You get face-framing benefits without losing all that hair movement you probably spent time creating.
Textured Ponytails
These are chameleons. Sleek them out for formal events, mess them up a bit for casual parties. Same foundation, totally different vibe depending on products and technique.
The Controlled Messy Bun
Sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s actually harder to do than a perfect bun. The “mess” has to be strategic. Too little and it’s boring. Too much and you look like you stuck your finger in an electrical socket.
Real Hair, Real Solutions
If You Have Curly Hair
Stop apologizing for your curls. I mean it. Some of my most stunning holiday looks have been on clients who finally embraced their natural texture. My trichology training taught me that fighting your hair’s structure is like swimming upstream. Exhausting and ultimately pointless.
Straight Hair Realities
You can do anything, but everything shows. Crooked parts, uneven lengths, product buildup. The upside? When we get it right, it looks flawless.
Wavy Hair Wins
You’re in that perfect middle zone. Not too straight, not too curly, just enough texture to work with. I’m honestly a little jealous of my wavy-haired clients sometimes.
Making It Last
Your hair needs to look good at hour six, not just in the bathroom mirror before you leave. That’s why I always suggest a trial run if you’re trying something new. Better to discover your hair doesn’t hold curls at home than at your office party.
Product choice matters more than you think. My “less is more” approach means using things that actually benefit your hair instead of just making it look good temporarily.
What I’ve Learned from Real Clients
That new mom who wrote: “I’m a new mom and needed a huge change so I could feel sexy again!! 7 inches later and a brand new hair style, David made me feel awesome and he was quick.” That’s what holiday styling should do. Make you feel like yourself again, just better.
Another client told me: “I’ve never had a better haircut than David’s and I have a lot of experience with different stylists.” That kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from understanding that your hair is part of how you present yourself to the world.
Random Tips That Actually Help
- Second-day hair often styles better than freshly washed hair. Your natural oils help everything hold.
- Hair accessories are underrated. A good clip can save a style that’s falling apart.
- Weather matters. Check the forecast and adjust your product strategy accordingly.
- Think of different hairstyles for every holiday mood. What might work for a family outing not work for a fancy dinner.
Finding What Works for You
The best holiday hairstyles don’t make you feel like you’re wearing a costume. They make you feel like the most confident version of yourself. Whether that’s sleek and polished, textured and romantic, or somewhere in between.
I’ve worked with everyone from Jennifer Coolidge to regular people who just want to look good at their company party. The goal is always the same: hair that makes you feel great about yourself.
Let’s Figure This Out
If you’re in Los Angeles or San Francisco and want to talk about what might work for your specific situation, email me at david@davidharringtonla.com. I like solving hair puzzles, and everyone’s hair is different.
The holidays should be fun. Your hair shouldn’t be something you stress about.
