Adorable Christmas Hairstyles for Short Hair

Hi, I’m Anna, and I absolutely love the magic of holiday styling—especially when it comes to Christmas Hairstyles for Short Hair! Many people think short hair limits your options during the festive season, but that’s far from true. In fact, short hair has its own unique charm—it’s chic, low-maintenance, and perfect for showing off bold accessories and fun textures.

Christmas Hairstyles for Short Hair

Short hair can be just as festive and stylish during the holidays with the right accessories and flair. From sparkly clips to creative textures, Christmas Hairstyles for Short Hair offer endless easy festive looks for every celebration.

Twisted Crown with Festive Pins

 

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I did this on my model Sarah last December and wow—she looked like she walked out of a winter fairytale. Her hair’s quite short, just brushing her chin, but that didn’t stop us. I twisted sections from each side, pinned them at the back like a little crown, and added some glittery holly pins I found at a Christmas market. Honestly, those pins made all the difference—they caught the light every time she moved.

If you’ve got short layers, don’t stress. The messier, the better. I left a few flyaways because they gave it that romantic, soft vibe. My tip? Use a bit of texturizing spray first—it helps the twists grip and hold. And trust me, people will ask you if you braided it (they always do). It’s such a simple trick but looks like you spent an hour on it.

Side-Swept Waves with Holiday Clips

There’s just something so elegant about sweeping everything to one side. I remember trying this on a shoot last winter with my model Elena, who had a sharp bob. I curled her hair with a flat iron—just soft bends, not tight curls—and then clipped one side back with a row of gold snowflake barrettes. She couldn’t stop smiling.

The secret sauce here? Hair wax or a pomade to keep those waves smooth and shiny. I didn’t want any flyaways poking out on the clipped side, so I tucked everything neatly and sprayed like crazy (you need that hold when you’re dancing at a holiday party). Honestly, it’s such a glam look and it photographs beautifully under fairy lights.

Mini Top Knot or Half-Up Bun

Okay, this one’s my go-to when I’m rushing before an event shoot and don’t want to overthink things. I tried it on Priya last week—she’s got a cute chin-length bob—and we did a half-up knot right at the crown. We pulled it up high, gave it a little twist, and secured it with a red velvet scrunchie. Instant Christmas cheer.

This works even better if your hair’s got a little texture. I curled the bottom slightly just to add that effortless bounce. The top knot doesn’t need to be perfect—in fact, the more undone it looks, the cooler it feels. Add a sprig of tiny faux mistletoe or something cheeky like a candy cane pin, and boom, you’re holiday-ready.

Sleek Bob with Glitter Parting

 

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Not every holiday style needs to be soft and romantic. I love a clean, sharp bob—it’s bold, it’s powerful, and adding glitter to the parting? Game changer. I styled this on Maya, and her jaw-length cut became runway-level festive. We used hair gel along the part, then gently tapped cosmetic glitter on top. Her part shimmered like frost.

To be fair, it can get messy, so I always keep cotton pads and micellar water nearby for cleanup. But it’s worth it! If you’re feeling extra, do a double part with glitter in both. It’s dramatic in the best way. And under those Christmas lights? Pure magic.

Faux Hawk with Red & Gold Accents

This one’s for my edgy girls. I tried this on Zoe—she has a choppy pixie cut—and we gave her a faux hawk using strong-hold gel and a tail comb. We slicked the sides back and pushed everything up in the middle to create lift. Then came the fun part: tiny red and gold bobby pins lined up along the sides like holiday lights.

It turned out SO fierce. Honestly, she looked like a rockstar wrapped in tinsel. I love how the color accents turn something punk into something festive. If you’ve never tried a faux hawk, Christmas is the perfect excuse to go bold. It’s not just a style—it’s a statement.

Retro Finger Waves with Sparkly Pin

This one’s such a classic. Think 1920s meets holiday party. I did this look on one of my models for a Christmas-themed vintage shoot, and it’s still one of my favorites. Finger waves can be tricky, I’ll be honest, but once you get the hang of it (and lots of mousse), it’s soooo satisfying.

We finished the look with a rhinestone snowflake pin above the ear, and she looked like a glamorous ornament. I always use a fine-tooth comb and clips to shape the waves while the hair sets. It’s a process, sure, but the final look? Totally worth the effort. Old-school charm with festive sparkle.

Messy Pixie with Tinsel Thread

 

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Oh boy, this one was fun. I worked with a model who had the cutest platinum pixie, and we added tinsel thread—yes, actual tiny strands of metallic thread—woven through the top layers. She kept laughing every time they caught the light. It was like glitter hair but way cooler.

I love how you don’t have to be precise with this. Just thread a few pieces through your roots, tease the top a little for volume, and spray it in place. It’s quirky, it’s cheerful, and honestly, if you’re going to wear tinsel anywhere—it should be in your hair.

Braided Front with a Holiday Headband

This is such a sweet and easy look. I did it on Ava, who has a short angled bob, and we braided two small sections from each temple and pinned them toward the back. Then, we topped it off with a velvet holiday headband—green, with tiny jingle bells. So adorable.

The key is not making the braid too tight. Keep it soft so it blends in nicely. Even if your hair’s layered, little pieces sticking out just make it look more relaxed. That headband brings the whole thing together. And yes, it jingled when she walked, which had everyone smiling.

Curled Bob with Pearl Clips

Pearls are having a moment, and I’m fully here for it. I curled my model Lily’s bob into soft spirals, brushed them out just a touch, and clipped one side back with oversized pearl barrettes. She looked like a holiday postcard, no joke.

The best part? This look works on just about anyone. I used a medium-barrel curling wand and some heat protectant spray to keep everything bouncy. If your curls fall flat fast, a little dry shampoo at the roots helps with volume. The pearl clips add that understated elegance that’s perfect for Christmas dinner.

Spiked Pixie with Christmas Stars

 

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Last but not least, let’s talk spiky glam. I did this on Nia, who already rocks a pixie with loads of personality. We used pomade to spike it up just slightly—not full punk, but enough edge—and stuck in a couple tiny star pins on one side. They twinkled every time she moved.

It’s a style that says, “I showed up to the party, but I’m still cool about it.” I think that’s the beauty of short hair—you can do so much with little tweaks. A bit of product, some cute accessories, and you’re turning heads. Honestly, this one might be my personal fave.

Quick Tips for Styling Short Hair During Holidays

Styling short hair for the holidays can be quick, fun, and full of festive flair. With just a few smart tricks, your look can go from simple to stunning—perfect for every Christmas gathering. Whether you’re going for something glam or playful, these quick tips will help your short hair shine bright all season long.

• Use lightweight products to avoid weighing down short strands
  Heavy gels and creams can flatten short styles, so stick to mousses or light texturizing sprays for volume and hold.

• Secure accessories with extra bobby pins or hairspray
  Short hair can be slippery, so double up on bobby pins or spritz a little hairspray to keep clips and headbands in place.

• Mix textures—waves with sleek pieces or curls with smooth finishes
  Playing with texture adds dimension to short styles, making them look fuller and more festive.

• Practice ahead of the big party day
  Try your chosen style a day or two before the event to see what works best—and save time and stress when it counts.

FAQ

Can I curl very Christmas hairstyles for short hair for a festive look?

Yes! Even very short hair like a pixie cut can be curled using a small-barrel curling iron or flat iron. It adds volume and a playful twist to your holiday style.

What accessories work best with short hair for Christmas?

Sparkly clips, festive headbands, mini scrunchies, decorative bobby pins, and tinsel threads all work beautifully with short hair and help create standout looks.

How do I keep hair accessories from slipping out?

To prevent slipping, prep your hair with texturizing spray, and secure clips or pins with extra bobby pins. A light mist of hairspray helps everything stay in place.

Is it possible to do an updo with short hair?

Absolutely! Try a mini top knot, a half-up bun, or twisted front pieces pinned back. These small changes can give a polished updo feel even with short locks.