30 Easy Hairstyles Perfect for Holiday Dinner

written by

Virginia Chamlee & Mary Peffer

updated Jun 21, 2021

Kerry Washington wearing a peach chevron suit jacket — Gary Gershoff / Getty Images

Whether you're celebrating this Thanksgiving at an over-the-top event or attending a small, cozy gathering with your nearest and dearest, the question of how to do your hair is a common one. Alas, a midweek soirée doesn't leave much time for practicing and perfecting a fancy new hairstyle. That's why we took it upon ourselves to do some research and find the easiest holiday hairstyles to create when you don't have much time.

Below, check out all our lazy girl-approved, yet photo-ready hairstyles to inspire you for the occasion—from natural curls and braids to blowouts and bobs. We promise they're easy, not at all time-consuming, and you'll probably already own all the products needed to pull them off.

Meet the Expert

Sonia Coronado is a stylist with Floyd’s Cuts & Color in Las Vegas and a 13-year industry vet.
Giovanni Vaccaro is a founding member and the artistic director of on-demand beauty service, Glamsquad.

Keep scrolling for some much-needed inspiration via these 30 holiday-friendly hairstyles.

01 of 30

Blunt Ends and Loose Waves

Olivia Culpo wavy lob with side part and blunt ends — Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

Sexy enough for an evening affair but still approachable enough for day, loose waves and blunt ends are a go-to for a reason.

"My secret to creating these waves is to curl your hair in opposite directions and then brush out the curls," says Vaccaro.
Use a medium to large barrel iron and leave about an inch of the ends out.
"Spray with Glamsquad's The Untamed Texturizing Finishing Spray ($27) for additional volume and hold."

02 of 30

Natural Curls

Logan Browning short afro with curl, natural bangs — Amy Sussman / Getty Images

There is nothing more beautiful than allowing your natural curl pattern to be the center of your look.

Prep hair with a curl-defining cream.
To dry hair, use the diffuser attachment on a Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($399) to avoid damage.

03 of 30

Textured Lob

Lucy Hale — Jason Merritt/TERM / Getty Images

The wavy lob became mega-popular for a reason. "The perfect blend of effortless and elegance, these textured waves are Glamsquad’s signature style," Vaccaro says.

Part hair slightly to one side.
Section into pieces, curling each piece loosely.
The easiest way to create loose waves in a pinch is with the Drybar The 3-Day Bender 1.25-Inch Digital Curling Iron ($145).

04 of 30

Retro Bob Pony

Bella Hadid Makeup — Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images

Want to upgrade your bob but don't have time to go full-curl? This style will do the trick.

Add volume and a little tuck to the ends as you blow-dry with the Amike Bombshell Babe Thermal Brush ($100).
Leaving one section at the front free (which you can slick to one side like a bang), pull hair into a high ponytail.

05 of 30

Half-Up Waves

Lily Aldridge long wavy half-up, half-down hairdo — Taylor Hill / Getty Images

Waves don't always have to stand on their own. Here, they get the added benefit of a half-up ponytail.

To nix dryness, apply DevaCurl Heaven in Hair Divine Deep Conditioner ($44) before styling.
Pull one top section of hair into a half-up ponytail.
Use a large-barrel curling iron to create loose waves throughout the hair.

06 of 30

Undone Waves

Jameela Jamil — Araya Doheny / Stringer / Getty Images

This look helps to add a bit of thickness and shine to hair that is on the thinner side.

For a loose, undone wave, use a curling iron and shake out each curl as you go.
Then, brush through your hair gently with Tangle Teezer's Original Detangling Hairbrush ($12) to create beautiful softness and shine without risking any breakage.

07 of 30

Double French Braids

Though this look seems intensive, it's easy enough to perfect at home. Better yet, it looks better as the day goes on.

Create a deep center part and separate each side of hair into sections.
To begin each braid, grab a small section of hair, dividing it into three equal sub sections and crossing the two outside strands beneath the middle strand.
After you make your first few crossovers, begin to add hair to the outside strands and braid under.
Continue until you get to the nape of the neck and secure each side with elastics.

08 of 30

Coiled Topknot

Hairstyles: Yara Shahidi Top knot — Frazer Harrison via Getty Images

We've long established the allure of a topknot when there's no time to wash your hair, but there's something about doing it in a coiled bun that feels a little cooler to us.

Pull hair into a high pony, and secure with an elastic.
Gather the ends of the ponytail and coil around the elastic (you can even add a braid if you want, for added interest).
Add a bit of Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil ($28) to tame any unwanted frizz.

09 of 30

Voluminous Curls

Zendaya long, tousled curls — Stephane Cardinale / Corbis / Getty Images

If volume and natural curls are your go-to, we're right there with you.

Use a hydrating cream or oil right out of the shower (we love Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, $34) to protect hair before you blow-dry.
Blow out your hair, using a round brush to add volume.
Using a curling iron, twist sections of your hair away from your face, curling all the sections in the same direction.
Use your fingers to comb through.

10 of 30

High Pony

Freida Pinto high messy ponytail — George Pimentel / Getty Images

It's the ultimate secure 'do to keep your hair from interrupting your ability to chow down on pie.

Secure hair into a high ponytail, being sure not to keep things too perfect (a few flyaways or loose pieces at the front are okay).
Use a curling iron to loosely curl the ends for added bounce.

11 of 30

Piecey Pixie

Ruby Rose — Mike Marsland / Contributor / Getty Images

Get a piece-y texturized look by using a wax or thick grip cream—but use them in small amounts; Coronado says they "tend to build up quickly."

"Use fingers to create individual pieces starting at mid-shaft and pulling away from the head, creating a chunky look," says Coronado. "I like Floyd's Grip Cream ($18)."
A pixie cut looks great with a headband or scarf to finish the look, if you're so inclined.

12 of 30

Slicked-Back Braid

Kerry Washington — Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

Think of this look as a ponytail with added sophistication.

Pull hair back into a ponytail, slicking down any flyaways on top with a serum or hair oil.
Secure the hair in an elastic then twist or braid the ponytail and secure the bottom with another elastic.

13 of 30

Braided Pompadour

Issa Rae — Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Those with braids aren't limited to strictly wearing their hair down.

For this pompadour style, first pull hair back on the sides, leaving the top and front as-is.
Create a twist in the back , and secure it it in place with a pin on top and another pin on the bottom.
Form the top into a twist or pompadour shape and secure with more pins.

14 of 30

Braided Bob

Amandla Stenberg — Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Bob-length box braids make a serious statement.

Part the hair down the middle before creating box braids over the entire head.
Seal the ends of the braids with a hot tool so they will curve in.

15 of 30

Asymmetric Bob

Gabrielle Union — Anthony Harvey / Contributor / Getty Images

This look is really all about the cut, and requires very little in the way of styling.

Apply a dollop of styling mousse to dry or damp hair and scrunch it in with your fingers before creating a side part and letting air-dry.
Tuck one side of the look behind your ear, to draw attention to the varying lengths of the style.

16 of 30

Sleek Undercut

Scarlett Johansson undercut — Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

For those who aren’t willing to commit to the full short cut, this is a great way to show some style and is a nice option for people with really thick hair.

Starting on damp hair, use a small round brush to brush the tops and sides upward, drying each section with a blow-dryer and allowing to cool before moving to the next section.
"For long hairstyles with an undercut, I like to sweep damp hair to the side completely, showing the side of the undercut off," says Coronado.
Finish with a shine spray.

17 of 30

Embellished Pixie

Janelle Monáe's Embellished Pixi — Steve Granitz/WireImage

This look is all about accessories and a great cut, making it an easy choice for a busy holiday.

Simply spritz a texturizing product throughout the hair.
Add an embellished headband.

18 of 30

Wavy Middle Part Bob

A middle part helps balance the chunkiness of beachy waves.

First, center-part the hair and apply a product such as Moroccanoil's Perfect Defense Heat Protectant ($28) on damp strands.
Run a blow-dryer over hair and use a quarter-inch curling iron to create waves throughout the ends of the hair.
Scrunch with fingers.

19 of 30

Loose Waves

One of the easiest styles there is, this look can be achieved while baking a pie or stuffing—just remove the elastic once you're done cooking and voilà!

While still damp, pull hair back into a loose bun.
Let dry naturally, then remove the elastic.
Run your fingers through the hair to comb out the waves.

20 of 30

Middle-Parted Braided Ponytail

Zoe Kravitz — Jeff Spicer / Contributor / Getty Images

A great way to change up your everyday style, this look is casual-cool.

Starting with braided hair, add in a center part and pull hair back into a loose ponytail at the nape of the neck.
Secure the low ponytail with an elastic and slightly tease the ends, backcombing the part of the hair near the elastic to add volume.

21 of 30

Natural Finger Waves

Alexandra Shipp "X-Men Apocalypse" - Global Fan Screening - Red Carpet Arrivals — Mike Marsland / Contributor / Getty Images

Finger waves look complicated, but couldn't be simpler thanks to a few tips and tricks.

Beginning on washed and conditioned hair, blanket your entire head with a high-quality mousse.
Use your comb to make an S-shape, using a finger or two to keep the groove in place.
Air dry for a more natural, textured look, or sit beneath a dryer until hair is set.

22 of 30

Half-Up Topknot

This is a low-maintenance hairstyle that still looks put-together, and looks even better on hair that isn't freshly washed.

Section the hair by separating the top part (the part you will put in the topknot) from the hair that will stay down.
Secure the top part with an elastic, then twist the end, wrapping it around the elastic and securing with pins.
If the bun is too tight, loosen to your liking and muss with your fingers, for a more casual look.

23 of 30

Sleek With Center Part

Gemma Chan long blunt haircut with red lip — Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images

Sleek, shiny hair is best shown off with a center part.

Starting on damp hair, add a center part.
Apply a heat protectant or straightening balm, then blow-dry hair using a paddle brush.
Follow your blowout by running a flat iron over locks, for an even smoother look.

24 of 30

Wet-Look Bob

Kat Graham wet-looking tousled bob with ombré — Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

A more subtle take on the wet hairstyle trend, this bob is textured and sleek all at once.

Towel dry your hair before running a small amount of gel through the locks, from root to ends.
Once the gel is evenly distributed, comb the hair with a wide-tooth comb, spritz the ends with an oil spray, and blow it dry.

25 of 30

Shaggy Waves

Melanie Laurent — Mike Marsland / Getty Images

French-girl cool, this look is no-fuss and perfect for a casual or more upscale gathering.

Start by rough-drying roots, then applying a texture spray throughout the hair.
Use a curling wand with an adjustable heat setting and wrap each section of hair around it for about 10 seconds.
Alternate the direction you wrap the hair around as you move around the head.
Let cool before breaking up the finished curls with your fingers.

26 of 30

Voluminous Lob With Side Part

Lana Condor short voluminous hair with side part — Presley Ann / Getty Images

This sexy style can easily be replicated with a flat iron and a flip of the head.

Starting on side-parted hair, work in small sections, clamping hair at the root and twisting hair around a straightener, away from your face.
Continue all the way around the head.
Flip your hair over, spray in some texturizing or volumizing spray, and flip back.

27 of 30

Side Part With Natural Texture

Lupita Nyong’o’s Coif — Steve Granitz/WireImage

Short hair with natural texture gets a new look with an interesting part.

Keep hair moisturized using a product formulated for natural hair.
Use a comb and clips to create a deep side part on whichever side you prefer.

28 of 30

Sleek Beach Waves

Gisele Bundchen — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

These gorgeous, beachy waves manage to be both casual and glam.

Starting on side-parted hair, use a 1.25” curling iron, holding it vertically and rolling the hair away from the face.
Finish all the way to the bottom of the hair, on the entire head.
Use your fingers to brush the waves out for a natural look, and finish with a texturizing spray.

29 of 30

Center Part With Slight Wave

Constance Wu slightly wavy mid-length hair — Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images

Perfect for those who already have a little natural wave in their hair, this style is all about ease.

Part hair in the center.
Use a wide barrel curling iron to create loose waves, finishing with a texture spray and running fingers through the ends to loosen everything up further.

30 of 30

Wavy Shag

Halle Berry long shag — Gilbert Carrasquillo / FilmMagic / Getty Images

A shag works well on a variety of face shapes and couldn't be easier to style, as the cut does most of the work for you.

Let hair air-dry before applying a texture spray, twisting pieces while it's still damp for an added wave.
Run a blow-dryer over strands to add a bit of heat to the twists.
Tousle and set with hairspray.

29 Timeless Holiday Hairstyles You Can Recreate at Home