The invite says “retro holiday party.” You love the idea. Then you stare at your flat roots and wonder how big is too big.
You are not alone. 80s hair feels bold, and bold feels risky. These 80s Christmas hairstyles make it easy. You get 10 looks with volume, shine and sparkle for straight, wavy, curly and coily hair. Each one has a clear formula, a pro tip and a trick to keep it fresh through dessert.Some take five minutes. Some suit short hair. One uses a scrunchie you probably already own. Pick a favorite, save the rest, and bring big holiday energy to the party.
What Actually Makes 80s Christmas Hairstyles Work
Four basics keep retro hair fun instead of costume-like. Build volume at the root. Mousse and a round brush lift your crown. Lift is the signature of the era. Tease with care. Backcomb small sections at the crown only. Brush out gently, then detangle with a wide-tooth comb and conditioner at night. Add one loud accessory. A satin bow, a velvet scrunchie or a glitter headband carries the look. Protect your strands. Crimpers and curling irons stress hair. Use heat protectant and medium heat.
1. Teased Half-Up with a Giant Satin Bow
“I want big volume, but I still want my hair down.”
The Formula:
- Hair: shoulder length or longer, straight to wavy
- Prep: volumizing mousse on damp roots and heat protectant on the lengths
- Tools: blow dryer, teasing comb and round brush
- Steps: tease the crown lightly, smooth the top layer, then gather it back
- Secure: a clip or pins, covered by an oversized red satin bow
Why It Works: Teasing lifts the crown. Smoothing the top layer keeps the shape polished. A giant bow sends the 80s signal right away.
Pro Tip: Spray your teasing comb with a little hairspray first. Teased sections grip and hold longer.
Best For: Straight to wavy hair, medium to thick strands, oval and heart-shaped faces. Perfect for a holiday dinner party.
Make It Last: Slide a bobby pin through the bow and into your hair. The bow stays upright all night.
2. Crimped Waves with a Glitter Headband
“My fine hair needs volume that lasts.”
The Formula:
- Hair: fine to medium, straight to wavy, shoulder length or longer
- Prep: heat protectant on fully dry hair
- Tool: crimping iron on medium heat
- Steps: crimp thin sections from roots to ends
- Add: a gold glitter headband
- Finish: light-hold hairspray
Why It Works: Crimping adds texture and volume fast, especially to fine hair. The zigzag ridges catch party lights. A headband adds sparkle and keeps your face clear.
Pro Tip: Crimp only the underlayers for subtle texture. Then brush the top layer lightly.
Best For: Fine to medium straight or wavy hair, all face shapes. A fun pick for a holiday dance party.
Make It Last: Skip heavy oils. They relax the crimp.
3.Side Ponytail with a Velvet Scrunchie
“I want a five-minute style that still looks planned.”
The Formula:
- Hair: medium to long, any texture
- Prep: texture spray at the roots
- Tools: teasing comb, snag-free elastic and a velvet scrunchie
- Steps: tease the crown lightly, then gather hair to one side above the ear
- Add: wrap a burgundy velvet scrunchie over the elastic
- Finish: curl or crimp the ponytail ends
Why It Works: A side ponytail shows off your jawline and one earring. The scrunchie adds holiday color. Curled ends give the tail extra volume.
Pro Tip: Place the ponytail just above the ear, not at the nape. The shape stays high and bouncy.
Best For: Medium to long hair in straight, wavy or curly textures, round and oval faces. Great for a cookie swap or casual party.
Make It Last: Use a snag-free elastic under the scrunchie. It holds without pulling.
💡 Quick Pro Tip: Style one step bigger than you think you need. Cold air and hats flatten volume fast. Add extra lift at the roots, finish with flexible-hold spray and let it settle.
4. Big Diffused Curls with a Satin Headband
“I want curls that look big, not frizzy.”
The Formula:
- Hair: wavy to curly (3A to 3C), shoulder length or longer
- Prep: leave-in conditioner, curl cream and a light gel
- Tool: hair dryer with a diffuser on low heat
- Steps: scrunch, diffuse upside down, then pick out the roots
- Add: a wide burgundy or gold satin headband
- Finish: shine spray
Why It Works: Diffusing upside down builds root lift and keeps your curl pattern. A wide headband gives the retro frame. Gel holds the shape without crunch.
Pro Tip: Fluff your roots with a pick after your hair dries fully. Fluffing damp curls breaks up the clumps.
Best For: Wavy to curly hair, round and oval faces. Perfect for a Christmas Eve party with dancing.
Make It Last: Mist with water and add a dab of curl cream before you leave.
5. Feathered Layers with Winged Sides
“I want swoopy volume that frames my face.”
The Formula:
- Cut: long layers with face-framing feathered sides
- Prep: heat protectant and volumizing mousse
- Tools: large round brush and blow dryer with a nozzle
- Steps: dry each side section away from your face and roll it back
- Finish: flexible-hold hairspray
Why It Works: Feathered layers let the sides sweep back in soft wings. A round brush adds lift and bend. The shape opens your face and shows off earrings.
Pro Tip: Roll each side back with the brush and hold for five seconds. Then release slowly.
Best For: Straight to wavy hair, fine to medium thickness, oval, heart and long faces. A smart pick for a holiday work party.
Make It Last: Clip each side back for one minute after drying. The shape cools and sets.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Teasing every strand from root to tip. Hair tangles and breaks. The fix: tease only small sections at the crown, brush out gently and detangle with a wide-tooth comb and conditioner at night.
6. Big Afro Puff with a Gold Headband
“I want my natural texture to carry the volume.”
The Formula:
- Hair: coily (4A to 4C), medium to long
- Prep: leave-in conditioner, twisting butter and a light oil
- Steps: stretch your hair in twists the night before, or blow-dry on low
- Style: gather the top into a high puff with a soft fabric tie, then pick out the volume
- Add: a gold or beaded headband
Why It Works: Stretched hair makes a fuller, rounder puff with no backcombing. The headband frames your face. Oil adds shine without weight.
Pro Tip: Twist in even sections. Even sections give a neat, full puff.
Best For: Type 4 hair, all face shapes. A heat-free choice for a holiday party.
Make It Last: Wrap your hair in a satin scarf at night and refresh the shape with a pick.
7. French Twist with a Rhinestone Banana Clip
“I want an updo that survives dancing.”
The Formula:
- Hair: long, straight to wavy
- Prep: smoothing cream and light mousse
- Tools: teasing comb, banana clip and bobby pins
- Steps: tease the crown lightly, gather hair at the back, twist upward and clip
- Finish: pull out two curled tendrils and add flexible-hold spray
Why It Works: A twist locks long hair in place through a long night. Crown volume keeps it from looking flat. Rhinestones add quiet sparkle.
Pro Tip: Pick a banana clip wide enough to hold all your hair. Small clips slip.
Best For: Medium to thick hair, round and square faces. Ideal for a formal dinner or a church service.
Make It Last: Add two crossed bobby pins at the base of the twist.
“Big hair is a mood. Wear it like you planned it.”
8. Braided Headband with Ribbon and Loose Waves
“I want something pretty that still feels retro.”
I braid this headband on clients every December. The ribbon always gets photographed first.
The Formula:
- Hair: medium to long, straight to wavy
- Prep: sea salt spray and a pinch of dry shampoo
- Tool: 1.25-inch curling wand
- Steps: braid a thin plait along your hairline from ear to ear, then pin it
- Add: thread a thin red satin ribbon through the braid
- Finish: curl the lower hair loosely
Why It Works: The braid frames your face and keeps hair back. Loose waves add movement. The ribbon brings Christmas color without weight.
Pro Tip: Pin the braid with U-shaped pins under the plait. They hide well and grip firmly.
Best For: Fine to medium hair, oval faces. Lovely for family photos.
Make It Last: Finish with flexible-hold spray and leave a few front pieces out.
9. Short Shaggy Cut with a Teased Crown and Sparkle Clips
“I have short hair and still want big 80s volume.”
The Formula:
- Cut: chin-length shaggy layers
- Prep: volumizing mousse and heat protectant
- Tools: teasing comb and small round brush
- Steps: blow-dry with the brush, tease the crown lightly, then sweep one side back
- Add: two sparkle snap clips above the ear
- Finish: texture spray
Why It Works: Choppy layers add movement to short hair. A teased crown adds height. Clips show off your face and add shine.
Pro Tip: Tease only the underside of the crown. The top layer stays smooth.
Best For: Fine to medium straight or wavy hair, oval, heart and square faces. A good pick for a holiday cocktail party.
Make It Last: Refresh your roots with dry shampoo instead of a second heat pass.
🧴 Shortcut: No crimper? Braid damp hair into four to six small plaits at night. Brush them out in the morning for 80s texture. Add a scrunchie or a clip.
10. Poofy High Ponytail with a Tinsel Ribbon
“I want fun and festive in one move.”
The Formula:
- Hair: medium to long, any texture
- Prep: texture spray at the roots
- Tools: teasing comb, snag-free elastic and silver tinsel ribbon
- Steps: tease the crown lightly, smooth the top layer, then gather hair high
- Add: wrap the elastic with tinsel ribbon and tie a small bow
- Finish: curl the ends and add flexible-hold spray
Why It Works: A high ponytail with a crown poof is the 80s signature. Tinsel catches tree lights. Curled ends add bounce.
Pro Tip: Pull the smoothed top section slightly forward before you secure it. You get an instant poof.
Best For: Medium to long hair in any texture, round and long faces. Great for a holiday party with friends.
Make It Last: Pin the ribbon bow with a bobby pin so it stays put.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 80s Christmas hairstyles?
80s Christmas hairstyles mix big retro volume with festive accents. Think teased crowns, crimped waves, side ponytails, banana clip twists and big curls. Satin bows, velvet scrunchies, glitter headbands and tinsel ribbon add the holiday touch. The look works on every hair length and texture when you adjust the volume to your hair.
How do you get big 80s volume without damaging your hair?
Apply heat protectant and mousse to damp roots. Blow-dry with a round brush for lift. Tease only small sections at the crown, and use light pressure. Brush out gently, then detangle with a wide-tooth comb and conditioner at night. Use medium heat on crimpers and irons to protect your strands.
Which 80s Christmas hairstyles work for short hair?
A shaggy cut with a lightly teased crown looks great. Sweep one side back with sparkle snap clips. A satin headband also works on bobs and grown-out pixies. Use mousse and texture spray for lift. Tease only the underside of the crown, so the top layer stays smooth.
What are good 80s Christmas hairstyles for curly and coily hair?
Try big diffused curls with a satin headband, or a stretched afro puff with a gold headband. Both build volume without backcombing. Moisturize first, and skip tight elastics. Pick out roots gently with an afro pick. A satin scarf at night protects your pattern and keeps shape.
What accessories match 80s Christmas hair?
Choose bold, festive pieces. Oversized satin bows, velvet scrunchies, glitter headbands and rhinestone banana clips all work. Silver tinsel ribbon and sparkle snap clips add shine. Pick one loud accessory per look, so your hairstyle stays the star. Burgundy, emerald, gold and red match the season.
Your 80s Holiday Hair Is Ready
80s Christmas hairstyles give you volume, shine and a little playful drama. Choose the look that fits your hair, your plans and your energy. Start easy if you feel nervous. Try the side ponytail or the satin bow half-up. Then test crimping, teasing and big curls when you feel confident. Your hair does not need to look flawless. It only needs to feel like a party.
Save this post to your Pinterest board before the invites pile up. Which retro look will you wear first?
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