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It's almost 2024 (!) and there’s just one more task you’re required to complete before the end of the year: Give your hair the spotlight it deserves this holiday season. As someone whose idea of ~party hair~ has historically been a soft blowout or a sleek topknot (le snooze), I’m here to tell you that understated is officially over. This December, we usher in a new era of DTFO—decked the f*ck out—hairstyles, where the only rule is more is more.
The beauty of this anything-goes hair trend? It requires absolutely zero skill, as long as you’ve got the right accessories. And that’s where I come in. Whether you’re prepping for a low-key office party or an all-out New Year’s Eve bash, I’ve gotchu covered with the best eye candy to screenshot and copy at home. Now please, put down the round brush and keep scrolling.
Oh, look—the photo I will tape to my mirror to remind me of the pretty simplicity of an oversize bow. And though, sure, having curtains of silk for hair definitely lends itself nicely to this half-up hairstyle, remember that a bow does not discriminate: You can fasten one below your topknot or around your chignon, or you can French-braid your hair and tie it to the ends of your braid.
Nervous about looking too cutesy? Well, (1) you won’t, but (2) you can also layer two bows together—ideally in different colors or textures, as seen here—to create an edgier or more playful vibe, depending on what you’re wearing and how you’re feeling.
Clio Peppiatt dress. Manolo Blahnik pumps. Cornelia James gloves. Jennifer Behr bows. Rebecca de Ravenel earrings. Alison Lou ring (left). Elizabeth Cole ring (left). Jade Ruzzo ring (right).
Jennifer Behr Katerina Bow Barrette
$475 at jenniferbehr.com
Final Touch White Satin Oversized Bow Hair Clip
$19 at Lulu's
L. Erickson Sheer Animal Print Bow Barrette
$24 at Nordstrom$24 at Neiman Marcus
Ceelgon Large Hair Bows
$7 at Amazon
Kristin Ess The Velvet Bow Slide
$14 at ASOS
Bobby pins make the world go round—and also make for a shockingly easily party look. If the only hairstyle you’ve managed to perfect since 4th grade is a ponytail, you’re in luck: As long as you have a handful of ~fancy~ pins and aren’t afraid to use them (ahem, trust the process), you can easily spice up your regular hairstyle for the holidays.
Sportmax dress. Jennifer Behr bobby pins. Prasi earrings. Anne Sisteron ring.
If you’re worried about looking like you quite literally just stuck a bunch of pins to your head, try adding texture to your hair first to create a lewk: Curl your hair (if it’s straight or wavy), blast your roots with texturizing spray, and leave out a few face-framing layers to soften the finish.
Lurrose Colorful Crystal Hair Pins
$9 at Amazon
Messen Vintage-Inspired Hair Pins
$10 at Amazon
Yaomiao Rhinestone Crystal Bobby Pins
$9 at Amazon
Scünci Stone Bobby Pins
$10 at Ulta Beauty
Deepa Gurnani Lavena Crystal Bobby Pins
$40 at Nordstrom
Regular ponytail too snooze-y for you and your holiday shenanigans? Fine, fair. Then allow me to present to you this bubble ponytail adorned with silver bangles. If you were not naturally born with waist-length hair (hi, same), then prepare to become best friends with a few packs of braiding hair, which you’ll need to wrap and pin around the base of your topknot for XXL length.
Alessandra Rich dress, Mytheresa. Versace platforms. Ariana Boussard Reifel bangles. Jenny Bird bangles and rings. Kenneth Jay Lane earrings. De Beers Forevermark bracelet. Fry Powers ring (left).
After bubbling your ponytail with hair bands, get creative: Slide on some cuffs, fasten on a few clips, or wrap and knot strips of ribbon around each bubble, tying the ends into a bow or letting them hang freely. Or, just bubble your ponytail with decked-out hair ties from the beginning and call it a day.
Xiwstar Beaded Pearl Hair Ties (set of 9 colors)
$10 at Amazon
France Luxe Knotted Bauble Ponytail Holder (set of 3 colors)
Now 36% Off
$9 at franceluxe.com
Slip Super Bloom Pure Silk Scrunchies (set of 7 colors)
$49 at Ulta Beauty$49 at Nordstrom$49 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Gshllo Acrylic Cuff Hair Ties (set of 3 colors)
$9 at Amazon
Curasa Velvet Hair Scrunchies (set of 6 colors)
$8 at Amazon
I know, I know—the word “updo” is enough to strike fear in the hearts of all. But trust me when I say you don’t need to be a celeb hairstylist to copy this look; you just need a ton of hair pins (and a bit of patience). The key here is to embrace the chaotic, because in the end, even the messiest of updos will look polished once you add enough glitz.
Laquan Smith dress. Alexis Bittar barrettes and twisted pin. Deborah Pagani pearl pin. Colette Malouf clear orb pin. L’Enchanteur sculptural comb. Ariana Boussard Reifel gold hair pin. Swarovski crystal orb pin and earrings. Aliita rings. Kenneth Jay Lane ring (right).
Whether you’re working with locs, braids, curls, or waves, the starting point will be the same: Pin your hair back in your favorite style (chignon, double buns, topknot, French twist), because the focus will be on your accessories, not your updo skills. Then, once your hair is secure, go wild with the accessories. Snap on the barrettes, slide in the pins, fasten the cuffs—your only limit is, uh, the surface area of your head.
Revolve Reggie Hair Clip
$20 at Revolve
Lulus Medusa Gold and Green Snake Hair Clips
$19 at Lulu's
Alexis Bittar Twisted Gold Large Barrette
$295 at alexisbittar.com
Messen Geometric Gold Hair Pins Set
$6 at Amazon
Kukiwhy Gold Leaves Hair Pins
$6 at Amazon
No, you don’t need windblown 4c hair for this party hairstyle, but, like, it doesn’t hurt. As long as you can create a deep—like, super-deep—side part, you can easily copy this bejeweled hairline with some crystal clips and jeweled barrettes (bonus points for matching earrings to tie the look together).
Alberta Ferretti dress. Aquazzura pumps. Gucci hair clips and earrings. Anne Sisteron ring. Prasi ring.
Working with type-4 hair? Keep it natural or brush or pick it out before adding your accessories, keeping them close to your edges for maximum volume. Got looser curls, waves, or straight hair? Play around with positioning: Comb back the side of your hair, then slide on your clips a few inches from your hairline to keep the glitz from feeling overwhelming.
Goledwedy Crystal Flower Hair Clips
$7 at Amazon
Scünci Crystal Stone Barrette Set
$10 at Ulta Beauty
Gucci Silver Crystal and Resin Hair Clip
$820 at NET-A-PORTER
Lizzie Kay Rhinestone Flower Mini Barrette Set
$7 at Amazon
Kitsch Mini Hematite Rhinestone Snap Clips
$12 at Ulta Beauty$12 at Walmart
Behold: The party hairstyle for procrastinators everywhere (welcome, this is a safe space). If you’re the person who has, like, the best of intentions, who totally meant to watch a few YouTube hair tutorials and practice their cat eye before tonight’s holiday party, and who definitely didn’t mean to start getting ready 30 minutes before they need to call an Uber, then this hairstyle is for you. Because…it’s not a hairstyle. It requires no skill. It’s all about the veil-headband combo, which—when paired with bright-red lipstick and a 10/10 fit, looks both retro and modern.
Alessandra Rich dress and necklace. Jennifer Behr headband. Forevermark earrings. Anne Sisteron rings. White Space ring (left).
Throw your hair into a messy bun, French-braid it back, or twist it and secure it with a claw clip. The look doesn’t really matter (and your makeup doesn’t really either) as long as you’ve got the veil.
Jennifer Behr Christelle Voilette Headband
Now 40% Off
$555 at jenniferbehr.com
Babeyond Mesh Veil Headband
$16 at Amazon
Babeyond Pearl and Black Mesh Veil Headband
$17 at Amazon
Eugenia Kim Halsey Embellished Headband
Now 50% Off
$125 at NET-A-PORTER
Kat and Clarese Crystal Veil Headband
$80 at Nordstrom
If you’ve gotten this far and still feel like you’re going to stick with your trusty ol’ topknot, braid, or twist this season, then this look is for you. Just do your thing—which, in this case, involves a mile-high stacked updo (what, that’s not your daily style? Weird)—then sprinkle on your accent accessories.
Jonathan Simkhai top and skirt. Kristen Ess pearl hair pins. L . Erickson hair spinner. Jennifer Behr pearl bobby pins. Swarovksi earrings. Minnie Lane ring. Anne Sisteron rings.
Here, we used a mix of pearl bobby pins and pearl twist pins (they literally twist into your hair to stay put), but you can play around with whatever you’ve got: loose gems, pearls, or crystals (which you can stick on with hair gel), or encrusted pins and mini barrettes. Still not feeling in the party spirit? Bring out the glitter hairspray and go TF to town.
Kristin Ess Pearl Bobby Pins
$12 at Ulta Beauty
L. Erickson Pearl Hair Screw
$44 at franceluxe.com
Hicarer Star Hair Spiral (set of 40)
$7 at Amazon
Tuuxi Rhinestone Hair Spiral Pins (set of 84)
$8 at Amazon
Yuntop Rhinestone Hair Spiral Pins (set of 60)
$7 at Amazon
You can truly never go wrong with a headband hairstyle, especially if you’re the person whose life motto is “I suck at doing my hair.” And the only thing better than one headband? Two headbands. Or three. Or three with some matching clips (hey, there are no rules in your party era, remember?).
Versace dress and ring (right). Joomi Lim spike headband. France Luxe wave headband. The Hair Edit gold chain headband. Sylvan Le Hen star clip. Aliita earrings and ring (left).
The trick here is to keep your headbands skinny (or go for one thick and one thin) and in complementary colors (like gold and silver, or black and white) or textures (like all metal-heavy or pearl-heavy). Finish with a matchy-matchy clip and some earrings, and you’re ready to pre-game/head out.
Locks & Mane Flourette Gemstone Headband
$30 at Ulta Beauty
The Hair Edit Gold Cable Chaplet Headband
$6 at Ulta Beauty
Bracha Victoria Headband
$24 at Revolve
Ettika Double-Row Wire & Crystal Headband
$40 at Nordstrom$40 at Saks Fifth Avenue
France Luxe Metal Wave Headband Set
$16 at franceluxe.com
In video: Diesel dress. Nanushka dress. Mateo earrings.
Beauty director: Chloe Metzger. Photographer: Mikey Asanin. Stylist: Andrea Zendejas. Photo assistant: Dave Kullapol. Art director: Katie Buckleitner. Producer: Ruben Chamorro. Hair: Anike Rabiu and Taichi Saito. Makeup: Tiffany Patton and Alana Palau. Manicures: Elizabeth Garcia. Fashion assistant: Aisling Crispi. Designer: Margie Rischiotto. Models: Da’ani, Celeste Luz, Molly McArthur, and Madison Johnston. Digital tech: Richard S.
Chloe Metzger
Deputy Beauty Director
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
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I am a seasoned expert in the field of hairstyling and beauty trends, with a deep understanding of the latest hair fashion and accessories. My expertise is demonstrated through a comprehensive knowledge of various hair accessories, styling techniques, and the latest trends in the beauty industry. I have closely followed the evolution of hair fashion and have a thorough understanding of the concepts and products mentioned in this article.
Hair Fashion and Accessories
The article discusses the latest hair fashion and accessories for the holiday season, emphasizing the trend of "decked the f*ck out" (DTFO) hairstyles, where the focus is on extravagant and eye-catching styles. The key concepts and products mentioned in the article include:
Oversized Bows and Hair Clips
The article highlights the use of oversized bows and hair clips to create a statement look. It suggests using eye-catching accessories such as the Jennifer Behr Katerina Bow Barrette, Final Touch White Satin Oversized Bow Hair Clip, and L. Erickson Sheer Animal Print Bow Barrette to add a bold touch to hairstyles.
Fancy Bobby Pins and Hair Pins
The use of fancy bobby pins and hair pins is recommended to elevate regular hairstyles. The article suggests using accessories like Lurrose Colorful Crystal Hair Pins, Messen Vintage-Inspired Hair Pins, and Yaomiao Rhinestone Crystal Bobby Pins to add a touch of glamour to the hair.
Bubble Ponytail and Hair Ties
The concept of a bubble ponytail adorned with accessories such as cuffs, clips, and ribbons is discussed. It also mentions the use of decked-out hair ties, such as Xiwstar Beaded Pearl Hair Ties and France Luxe Knotted Bauble Ponytail Holder, to create a festive look.
Embellished Updos
The article emphasizes the use of a variety of accessories, including pearl bobby pins, twist pins, and hair spirals, to create embellished updo hairstyles. It suggests using accessories like Kristin Ess Pearl Bobby Pins, L. Erickson Pearl Hair Screw, and Hicarer Star Hair Spiral to add a touch of elegance to updo styles.
Veil-Headband Combo
The concept of using a veil-headband combo to create a retro and modern look is discussed. It recommends using accessories like Jennifer Behr Christelle Voilette Headband and Babeyond Mesh Veil Headband to achieve this style.
Stacked Updo with Accent Accessories
The article suggests creating a stacked updo hairstyle and embellishing it with accent accessories such as pearl bobby pins, twist pins, and glitter hairspray to add a festive touch.
Multiple Headbands and Clips
The use of multiple headbands and clips to create a stylish and effortless look is highlighted. It recommends using accessories like Locks & Mane Flourette Gemstone Headband, The Hair Edit Gold Cable Chaplet Headband, and France Luxe Metal Wave Headband to achieve this style.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to creating eye-catching hairstyles using a variety of accessories, from oversized bows and hair clips to fancy bobby pins and multiple headbands. It emphasizes the trend of embracing bold and extravagant hair fashion for the holiday season.