Most women want their hair to feel special and look amazing, but also want it to endure throughout lots of movement, heat, and hugs. The goal is to find styles that will stay in place and not make you feel tight especially if you just had your hair washed/silked. Consider this your reminder to steer clear of styles that might need a lot of fidgeting adjustments. A low tension anchor braid or updo will do the trick and won’t stress your edges. Make sure to thermal protect before you curl. As long as you have the right leave in, your hair should look glossy and not greasy all day. There are definitely styles that will work with every texture and every plan you have. Choose wisely before the turkey hits the table.
Thanksgiving hair is kind of an interesting one because the kitchen literally changes everything. One of my clients came in with a stunning bouncy blowout on Wednesday. By Thursday night it looked like she had just been in a steam room. She had been standing over the pot of collard greens for three. After that I started thinking about what holiday styles would look like next to an oven and while serving a full dining room. The holiday hair we want is the one that gets better the longer you have it. A little bit relaxed, some fly aways, and a touch of mess – that’s what we want.
I have created a range of options that I would suggest to clients about a week before the holiday, from styles that are protective, and require little work, to realistic and glamorous. Most of these looks I have actually done on clients going to actual dinners, and I know which styles handle the hug frenzy at the door, and which ones fall apart before dessert. If you want a set it and forget it style, I got you. If you want to look like you spent 2 hours getting ready, when in reality, it was 40 minutes, I got you. Pick the style that gives you the best energy this holiday and the most low upkeep holiday hair!
#1: Soft Balayage Twist Wrapped Into a Low Bun
What do you think of this style? I think it allows the colors to do the talking, which is something I admire. Different highlights will hit the light differently. This will create some nice dimension due to how the twist wraps around. If the hair was hanging, you’d miss this type of dimension. The bun is that perfect mix of being relaxed and feeling like you put some effort into it. It’s like you didn’t just toss it up in a parking lot. The twist is just enough to give the right amount of structure to keep it looking dressy without looking too stiff, so she looks ready for the office. If you have layers, you may need some bobby pins weaved in to keep everything locked in, but that’s a small trade for such a polished look. This style works best on thicker hair because of that fullness in the bun. I have made this style work with medium hair as well by adding a bit of backcombing. If you have layers you may need some bobby pins woven in to keep everything locked in, but that’s such a small trade for such a polished look.
#2: Natural Curls with Cornrow Accents and Charm Details
With styles like this there is always something new to talk about every time someone walks past. Firstly, the curls might pull in the eyes, but that is just the start. Next, it will be the charms, and then the braids. You could go on forever talking about each individual part of the style. The face framing cornrows mean that not everything is pulled back, so the curls get to be the star of the show. The braids do help create structure and keep the whole look grounded, but the charms change it from everyday to festive. They add a lot of fun and can be picked in a warm or gold theme, or for something cooler with silver. Other than that, it is something that requires keeping an eye on. Although charms can shift and may need adjustments. That being said, it is such a small effort for how much personality this look carries.
#3: Rich Auburn Twin Braids with a Detailed Weave Pattern
The color is so nice! The rich deep auburn looks a bit brown from inside but from outside or having light coming from a window, it looks lit up and like it has a built in radiant warmth. The braids are long and full enough, and have a neat enough weave pattern to last through a full day of cooking, eating, napping on the couch, crawling, or however your Thanksgiving goes. Each braid has a slight twist at the top, and that can make the difference between a standard braid and one that looks like some effort went into it. If your skin is warm undertone, this auburn will be especially good on you as it is the kind of shade that will make everything around look richer.
#4: Sculpted Cornrow Bun with Laid Baby Hairs
This is an amazing hairstyle! The baby hairs look so good with the little jewelry looking frames, and the cornrows are phenomenal. The bun at the top makes it look so clean and polished from every angle. It’s also one of those styles where you just put it in, and then forget about it, so you won’t have to mess with it during dinner, or check it in the restroom. For people with sensitive scalps, find a stylist who won’t pull the braids too tight, especially at the front, or you might get a headache from the up of braids. To get that particular look, some people have to pull braids pretty tightly to get that clean, snug feel. The good news is, your hair will be super safe and secure with this hairstyle.
#5: Silky Mocha Waves with Invisible Layering
The first thing I notice about this style is the layers. While they may seem to all blend together, you can see the movement and light reflection at each layer. Good cutting is where you can’t see where one layer ends and the next one begins. Mocha tones almost suit everyone, and as they fade, they don’t turn brassy or dull, making them easy maintenance colors. This style really is a blow-and-go look. To get that glossy finish without the hair looking weighed down, a solid blowout and the right heat protectant is necessary. If you are celebrating in humid conditions, a light-hold hairspray will work wonders after you style it. Waves like these will want to puff up with moisture, and the spray will keep them polished.
#6: Dual-Toned Box Braids Flowing Into Natural Curls
I think this look really stands out because of the contrast between the tighter structure of the braids and the free-flowing, loose curls at the bottom. It’s like two different worlds come together. The different color on the ends of the curls also adds a nice gradient effect that really draws the eye in while staying subtle. The braids are neat and uniform, but not to the point where they look stiff. Just a warning that long box braids can feel heavy. If this is your first time feeling the pressure on your scalp, don’t be alarmed. It’s really common to feel that during the first couple of days. Once it settles, it’s a pretty easy ride after that.
#7: Wavy Pigtails with Loose Front Tendrils
This style has so much charm to it that goes under appreciated. Pigtails are stereotypically viewed as childish and silly. But when styled with soft waves and at this length, topped with a little tendril bits in the front, it looks really flattering and surprising on an adult. The soft waves really help to frame the face and soften the look. It gives a really nice romantic look and none of the formality of an updo. A curl enhancing mousse will be worth it for the front pieces because those tend to lose shape the quickest, especially if you’re cooking in a warm kitchen, and a quick scrunch with some mousse will revive them. Styles like this one tend to look really good in profile. So if someone is taking candids at the table, you are going to look effortless beautiful.
#8: Cool-Toned Blonde Waves with Chin-Length Layers
Icy blonde styles can be difficult to maintain but can be extremely striking when done properly. Cuts like this one get their personality from chin-length layers. This draws focus to your waves and face. If you want a cut that looks effortless but also has that styled look, you’ve found your match. It communicates a “I have better things to do than spend time on my hair” look which is especially ideal for holiday season hair. If you’re in your 30s or 40s and want to go lighter, this style is modern but not too wild.
#9: Dark-to-Blonde Loose Waves with a Crown Tie-Back
I adore the golden blonde shade of the hair paired with the dark brown roots. The combination is beautiful. The color is not streaky in a bad way and it looks like the highlights were placed perfectly. The mini hair tie at the top is a cute, simple touch that adds a lot to the overall style. It pulls the hair back enough to leave the face clear, and the length of the hair is still there. Plus, it keeps the hair back so you aren’t falling into it during food prep which is a must on Thanksgiving. This would be great for someone with balayage too because it is a more polished way to wear it than just waves. It’s so easy. All you really have to do is make a few waves and grab a small hair tie, but the overall look is definitely more sophisticated than simply that. The added side volume is great for wider face shapes, and the tie back gives even more height which is a nice touch.
#10: Half-Up Bouffant with Long Flowing Waves
A great reason to try a bouffant hairstyle for a hair-up event is because bouffants look amazing at any event, especially celebratory ones. They can also help you avoid a retro look when you use a bottom set of loose, soft waves instead of structured ones. This style excels with hair that is naturally straight or wavy because of all the teasing that goes on. Most of the volume comes from the crown, leaving everything else free. You can have the polished look you want or go for less. Plan to bring a small hairspray because bouffants tend to settle as the event goes on. If you are moving a lot a spray at the roots should do the trick. Bouffants are great for adding soft framing to the face, especially for those with oval and heart shapes. That, along with all of the height, creates a balanced and soft silhouette.
#11: Half-Up Twist on Long Textured Blonde Waves
The holidays always have me returning to half up styles as they give me the best of all worlds, hair is out of your face while it is still down and moving. The twist in the back is just the right amount of detail to look intentional without crossing the line into looking overdone. The secret is the wavy and textured look. That piecey quality that looks like it took little effort to do, even if a curling iron was used. The style looks best when your hair is a bit messy so if you’re the kind of person that washes their hair every day, you should probably do this style on second day hair. Although hair that has just been washed tends to be a little slippery, so it can be a good idea to use some texture spray if you wash your hair every day. The warm blonde color is also stunning. It has a beautiful dimension and the twist shows off all the color tones in a way that loose hair doesn’t.
#12: Deep Brunette Curls with Starry Hair Accessories
This outfit is perfect to be memorable for something other than just a dinner. Your dark hair with the celestial accessories makes the look special and not costume-y. Your curls look so good, and I can tell you are using a good curl cream. Curls that are finer make all the difference for volume and look way better. Yours have enough that they bounce and create volume. The moon and star clips can look good, but only if they aren’t starting a cluster. If they look scattered, and have been loosely placed like nothing, that actually works in your favor. That look will definitely make the outfit look less like a costume and more like a stylist choice. You should practice how you want the accessories placed so you don’t have to mess with them while you should be paying attention to your drink and having fun.
#13: Highlighted Cascading Curls Pinned Into a Half-Up Twist
I love the way the light and dark colors contrast and create depth around the curls. When hair is straight, highlights look like stripes. When hair is curled, the way individual pieces wrap around each other creates so much more dimension. It looks far richer and more expensive than what a flat iron shows. The half-up twist at the top gives you volume right where you need it and keeps the front pieces out of your face, which is a blessing for eating, talking, or hugging people. No need to deal with a hair push. The curl pattern is likely to be enhanced, so if you have a natural wave, you are already halfway there. You’ll just need a good iron and some patience to put in a little more work to define things. This style is so interesting from every angle. It has soft glamour at the front and nice twisted details at the back
#14: Two Thick Dutch Braids with a Soft Color Gradient
I think people underestimate Dutch braids when it comes to holiday hairstyles. I think it is because they think it is too casual and sporty. When done this neatly, with thick braids, and where the dark-to-light gradient color shift is subtle, these can look polished enough for holiday dinners. The color shift adds to this style as the gradient draws your eye down the braid. The density of the hairs also makes this style look substantial. Each section of the braid needs to be expertly distributed and braiding requires a good deal of knowledge about the right amount of tension. The color gradient gives the braid direction and draws your eye down, enhancing the overall look. If you have long hair, this is a great style as it won’t budge all day. It will even look the same day to night.
#15: Braided Ponytail with Pearl Thread Details
This hairstyle shows how even the smallest of details can make a big difference. While the braids look nice on their own, adding some pearl accessories makes it look *so* much better. This upgrade is super easy to do! For this look, the braid will show off your hair’s natural texture, and since it’s a braid, you won’t have to fuss with it all day. You can look put together and sophisticated while the hairstyle does most of the hard work! I think this is a great hairstyle for thinner hair because the braid gives it extra bulk and people will be too distracted by the pearls to notice the braid is less full. This trick is super common among stylists, and while it looks great, it can take a while to set up. The pearls do take a while to put in, so try to do this a full day before you want to wear the hairstyle.
#16: Choppy Asymmetrical Bob with Blonde Dimension
I really love this style of bob, and this one has a choppy style bob that looks like you did work to it, when really you didn’t do any work to style it. The balayage creates a brighter overall look that creates an illusion of thickness in the areas where fine hair will fall and not do much, and this is one of those things great color can do that people don’t always recognize or appreciate. You will need to put in a lot of upkeep and maintenance. You would need to get trims every five to six weeks so the points stay sharp otherwise the asymmetry will lose the point of the cut after it has grown out a little. If you love being in the chair then it is worth it because it moves really well even on non wash days and it looks great.
#17: Side-Swept Braid on Long Layered Hair
A romantic, vintage style side braid would look great for the holidays. If you have layered hair, braiding will be more interesting than in one-length hair. A braid that begins at the crown and falls over one shoulder will create a beautiful diagonal line across your back. Most importantly, you will have all your hair organized on one side and won’t have to flip it. The soft face framing is really nice and opens up that side of your face, which is great for photos if you like to favor one side. The best way to finish the braid is to use a small elastic, cover the elastic with a thin piece of hair, and make it practical and pretty in ten seconds.
#18: Twisted Updo Braid Showing Off Natural Highlights
The upswept twist gives your hair more dimension than it would get when worn down. The design showcases your hair’s natural highlights and lowlights as they intertwine. To achieve the design as shown in the photo, you must have a fair amount of hair since it is a thick braid. But, here is good news if you have medium to high density hair. This twist construction helps with hair volume. The formal touch of the design also adds effortlessness to the hairstyle. The twist also adds quality to the style and will not move from the position of the pins placed to hold it. The time it takes to master this style is not a lie. You will most likely want to have someone assist you with it. To avoid frustration, you may want to schedule your appointment with the stylist and avoid doing it yourself.
#19: Long Caramel Waves Tied with a Braided Ribbon Detail
The caramel shade with balayage is one of my favorites because of how well it complements different skin tones. It offers versatility and looks gorgeous in any type of lighting. Whether it’s natural sunlight or a romantic candle-lit dinner, this color always shines. I also think that the black ribbon woven into the braid adds a really special touch. It elevates the whole braid and gives it that extra styled look since a braid can look pretty basic on its own. I think a lot of people will value that attention to detail. The waves give a relaxed look and that is the vibe you want. You definitely don’t want to get into a situation where anything is too tight or curled because that is not the move, especially when you’re going in for seconds. If anything, I think messy buns and true waves are just the thing to do. If you have balayage, then you will definitely want to use some color-safe products because the lighter parts will fade faster if you don’t, and that is not just a holiday thing, it’s true year-round.
#20: Silver-Streaked Twisted Chignon for Formal Occasions
I always tell my clients that having silver in the hair isn’t something to hide, it’s something to style around, and this chignon does just that by incorporating those silver streaks into the design rather than trying to blend it all away. The twist is firm and clean which means it was done with intention, and most likely a good amount of strong hold pins and finishing spray, and that firmness is what makes it a good choice for long events because it’s not moving. I think chignons look best with medium to thick hair because you need enough volume to make the twist feel substantial, otherwise it might end up looking a bit thin and flat at the back which takes away from the overall elegance. The combination of silver and blonde here is truly sophisticated and I personally wish more women would embrace those colours instead of hiding them.
#21: Soft Beige Blonde Waves with a Gradual Root Shadow
The root shadow blends extremely well here because there isn’t a sharp contrast line between light and dark. It’s a soft gradation which helps the whole thing look as if it has grown out naturally, even though one can clearly see that someone went through the effort to bowl cut blend that transition. I completely understand why beige blonde is having its moment, it is less extreme than platinum and warmer than ash so it sits in the perfect position to complement most, if not all, skin tones without trying to fit into some specific trend. The waves look sloppy and lazy, as if she slept on a braid and just shook it out, which is the right kind of relaxed texture that keeps her from looking like she is going to prom. If you have fine hair, this hue with the waves will actually work in your favor because the lighter color will create the illusion of more hair and then the waves will provide the body that the straight, fine hair lacks.
#22: Medium-Length Waves with a Soft Side-Swept Piece
Waves in hair combined with waves create a nice look. However, personalizing the look with a tendril changes the style completely. Here, the tendril is just below the cheekbone. This creates a whole hairstyle and overall look that is relaxed and a little messy. The waves are set with a medium hold hair spray, meaning you don’t have to worry about the strength, since it is just right to hold the waves all night. Loose waves often fall flat, and tighter waves resemble something too prom. A side part also looks nice because it suits most face shapes and adds a bit of asymmetrical balance to the overall look. As long as the waves are set, I wouldn’t worry about them dropping throughout the day. The tendril’s hold will be longer than the rest of the waves, and most of the hair spray should be on the ends of the waves for it to last longer.
#23: High Messy Bun with Soft Wispy Bangs
In this case, I feel that the messy bun is a good style choice because the bangs are a good focal point. Otherwise, the look would be quite simple. The bangs give a full look that compliments the face and gives a nice focus to the eyes. The messy look to this bun is 100% intentional also. It looks like she made the effort to create this style and did not just throw it up in a hurry. That’s the key with ‘messy’ looks; it needs to look easy but you do have to pull out the right pieces to loosen it up and leave some pieces greened to hold it all in. The bangs must be behaving and in a hot and humid place, it’s a good idea to keep some dry shampoo nearby to avoid a greasy fringe. This look is perfect for when you want to look like you made the effort without actually spending too much time on it. In fact, with a couple of hair pins, an elastic, and a good amount of effort, you can do this style in around 15 minutes.
#24: Woven Crown Braid with Soft Highlighted Dimension
Crown Braids will never go out of style, and I would like to draw attention to how absolutely stunning this particular crown braid is! The even braid that sits around the head looks absolutely gorgeous! nnThis look is super impressive and gives the wearer a chance to appreciate the braid as it gives off a beautiful and regal silhouette.n nThe jeweled accents add extra contrast to the braid and shine at different levels as the braid twists around the head. I love this style because, when it is all set together, it creates a drift that offers a nice contrast to the classic look. Medium to thick hair is preferable for this, as it helps the braid maintain its rounded shape and helps achieve a fuller look. Without enough bulk in the hair, the ends of the braid will pancake instead. nnAlso, for this style, I highly suggest recruiting someone to help you, as it is the simplest way to achieve the desired look. Braiding all of the hair around the circle can be quite challenging, so just have someone assist you!
#25: Long Side-Swept Waves Accented with a Small Braid
The braid adds a nice touch to the hairstyle without taking away from the waves. It’ll help take the long wave style to the next level. Instead of just saying “I have long waves,” it’ll bring a new life to the look. The extra waves in the hair look very glamorous and full and the side styling adds to the nice shiny look. There’s something about a side braid that just gives movie star vibes and the extra braid just brings it down from being too much for a family event. Using some volume powder before starting will help some people if they have thinner hair, as this look is a little more voluminous. Also, the side braid on this style is needed and gives the style a great vibe.
#26: Short Textured Pixie with Layered Movement
Cutting Pixie hairstyles is an art form. What I love about them is that every angle is different, and the precision needed to do them well is incredible! These cuts take a lot of skill, just like the one in the picture. These cuts require minimal maintenance, which is great! The layers always look like they are shorter, and that is intentional! It helps give the hair more texture, and the added movement is right at the top. The sides stay trimmed, which gives a polished look. A pixie cut is one of the absolute best hairstyles for fine hair. It can especially create great height, and volume when styled correctly. The shorter the cut, the more it stands out from the head. This makes the hair not lie flat, and also creates the look of a lot more hair than there actually is. There is a trade off with the commitment of this cut though. You will have to see your stylist every four to six weeks. This cut does grow out quickly, and once it does, it will go through some awkward phases. However, if you are up for that schedule, a pixie cut is one of the most freeing hairstyles you can get!
#27: Tousled Low Updo with Soft Face-Framing Bangs
The style depicts a sort of calm and confidence that looks effortless. The bangs are good as they frame the eyes without being too harsh, plus the bangs add to the updo’s relaxed vibe. For this, you want to have some texture in your hair, so if your hair is freshly washed and very silky, the hair will want to slide out from the updo. I’d actually recommend some texture spray be added before you start pinning everything because that held everything in place without a ton of pins. Overall, the style gives a warm and casual feeling, which is what Thanksgiving should be. The updo works best with oval and round faces since the bangs combined with the loosening around the temples provide a beautifully flattering softness.
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