The 2022 Holiday Hair Trends are All About Nostalgia

The holiday season is a buzzing with activity. Shoppers are spending a lot of money on gifts for their friends and family. Are you up for the challenge? You might have holiday hair if your social calendar is jam-packed with office celebrations or intimate friend gift exchanges.

Brittany Dion is Aveda North America’s Artistic Director of Hairstyling. «Don’t let holiday hair scare you,» she says. It’s easy to do holiday hair if you don’t like the way you’re used to wearing your hair. It doesn’t need to be something extraordinary. Just being different will make you feel more special, even if it’s not your usual style. This is especially true during holiday season when extra can be a good thing. «Throw in a little bling, barrettes, or pearl accent pins for extra pizzazz,» Dion says.

It’s important to have fun with holiday hair. Gregory Russell, celebrity hairstylist, says that holiday hair is like a gift. «I have always loved wrapping gifts for my family and it makes perfect sense to me as a hairdresser. Holiday hairstyling can be like the bow on top.»

These styling trends will make your holiday look festive and fun, no matter if you’re running from work to a holiday happy-hour or setting up a glamorous soiree at home.

Top Knot in the ’90s

This simple, but elegant knotted updo will take you back to the hottest decade of the year. Dion says that the ’90s have had a significant influence on fashion. Dion says that what makes this unique is the way that the bang is left out and is waved to add a romantic touch. This can be worn with jeans and a sweater or a cocktail gown.

Make sure to have hair spray on hand in order to style your hair. Aveda’s Control Force Firm Hold High-Hold Hair Spray ($35) is Dion’s choice. After you’ve finished spritzing, Dion suggests using the can to smoothen any flyaways. She says, «Just place the can side-by-side with the direction of your hair to smoothen.»

Elegance

Straight styles are glamorous, elegant and a little bit edgy for Xavier Velasquez (a celebrity hairstylist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio). He says that shiny, sleek finishes will be very popular this season. You’ll find chic bobs everywhere and smooth, shiny ponies everywhere.

This modern look requires a soft, smooth finish that is free from frizz. Velasquez recommends Virtue’s Frizz Block Humidityproof Smoothing Spray ($44). For frizz protection and sheen, heat protectant healing hair oil ($44) is recommended. Apply a few drops to damp hair and then spray Frizzblock section by section, starting at the mid-shaft up to the ends. For a smooth look, blow-dry your hair using a large bristle brush and medium heat. He says, «From there you can leave it down for chic simplicity but also create a sleek knot and bun.» It can be worn to a cocktail party in a glamorous outfit. You can add sophistication to your look by wearing it.

A flowing ponytail

This fluffy waterfall ponytail is perfect for winter wear if you live in a cold climate. Aveda’s Global Artistic Director of Texture Renee Gadar says that this style is great for holidays. It is simple but effective. It can be worn at work, day or night, and it will not interfere with scarves, hats or earmuffs.

Gadar suggests sleeping with a satin scarf tied at night to keep your hair from frizz. After drying your hair, apply Aveda Nutriplenish Styling Foam ($36).

Bombshell Updo

A Y2K-inspired updo will bring out the glamour. Justine Marjan, celebrity stylist says that this is one of her favorite party-girl hairstyles. «This curly updo is a great party-girl hairstyle. It has a face-framing fringe, and lots of pieces left out for playful energy.» Marjan used a Ghd Classic Curl 1″ Curling Iron ($199) to curl her hair from the roots upward. After curling the hair, Marjan twisted the style into a bun and back-brushed any shorter layers to give it volume.

Flirty ’50s Curls

«A fluffy, curled hairstyle will make you feel like Sophia Loren or Marilyn Monroe. A ’50s-inspired style with a modern twist is the best,» James Abu-Ulba (Davines Showcase Artist, Art Director of Utopia Group), says. He recommends Davines This Is Volume Boosting Mousse ($33) for full, bouncy curls. After you have finished curling or hot-rolling your hair, use your fingers to fluff it. Finish with Davines This Is A Medium Hairspray ($39), for a soft, touchable hold that doesn’t feel stiff.

Bubble ponytail

This easy, but glamorous bubble pony will elevate your ponytail. Sarah Naslund, a hairstylist, says that it doesn’t need to be perfect and that you don’t even have to know how to do your hair. «It’s fast and looks great with all textures,» says Sarah Naslund, hairstylist.

Start with your hair dry and create a ponytail. Depending on the length of your hair and how «bubbly,» you want each section to be, add small elastics to every one to two inches. Naslund recommends puffing out every bubble before you add a new elastic. You can leave the hair untangled for a few inches and then finish your hair with your favorite hair spray. Bubble pony can be used in any weather. Naslund says that the bubble pony is a great choice for warmer clothing and showing off holiday jewellery. It will balance formal looks with a touch of edge.

Holiday Baubles

«You shouldn’t be afraid of trying out different types of barrettes and bows. I love a bow. It’s timeless,» Russell says, pointing out that Lelet NY, a NYC-based luxury accessories brand, is his favorite place to find standout pieces in hair accessories, including metal styles and vintage-inspired ribbon bows. I love a sleek side-parted style with a barrette at the brow. It’s very chic.

Russell recommends Pureology’s Style + Protection Weightless Volume Mousse ($29). This mousse will enhance curls, waves, and add movement to the hair. Russell says a bow is cute for soft hair.

Pin it Up

French pins, also known as oversize hairpins, are a hot trend. Kerastase’s Global Pro Color Club Expert Shelley Gregory loves to use one to make a bold statement for the holidays or to give extra hold to a French twist-inspired style. She says, «I would wear this anywhere from an informal girls’ gathering to a holiday party at work.»

Start with freshly blown-out or loosely curled hair, and spray texture spray to achieve a similar look. To protect hair from heat and frizz, I use Kerastase Serum Chroma Thermique ($42), followed by Kerastase V.I.P. Volume in Powder Texturizing Spray ($32), recommends Gregory. Secure the pin to your hair by twisting or loosely pulling it back. You can choose between a larger or smaller hairpin depending on your hair’s thickness.

Winter Waves

Make the most of the warm weather by pulling out your curling iron. Harry Josh, celebrity hairstylist, says that cold weather is a great opportunity to experiment with styling your hair with heat tools. You can style your hair in a variety of ways, including putting it up or down. If you feel warm, you can also pull your hair up to a soft style.

Josh says that the key to creating waves that last is using the right tools. For a party-worthy shine and gloss, Josh recommends using the KMS ThermaShape Fast Blow Dry ($24).