Christmas hair - easy ideas for bubble celebrations, virtual parties and relaxing at home

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this isn't going to be your usual Christmas, so it doesn't feel particularly relevant to be talking about your usual Christmas hair.  

But even though professional blow dries and laborious up dos are probably off the menu (quite glad about that second one actually)  there's still plenty to be said for trying out a lovely, 2020 appropriate, Christmas hair look. 

For a start, you can consider it a present to yourself. Using the best hair dryer to create a beautiful bouncy blow dry or finally mastering how to curl hair with straighteners is a satisfyingly therapeutic activity and confidence booster in one. 

It's also a nice way to mark the occasion during what we've all been told 300 times will be 'a very different Christmas.' Trying something new with your hair - however small - will help this festive season feel special, or at least a bit different from every other weekend at home. 

You won't be dashing between parties, so use that extra time to experiment with your 'do in a  low-stakes way. If the resulting style goes a bit wonky at least it won't be all over your cousin's 'Christmas drinkies' Facebook album for all eternity. 

Perhaps you're planning a small bubble gathering , hot toddy around a friend's fire pit or socially distanced pub lunch (delete as tier-appropriate)  Or maybe you are planning a solo made-for-tv film marathon in your pyjamas - in which case I suggest you chuck your hair up in a scrunchie, buy a giant tub of Celebrations and enjoy not having to compete for the Malteaser Teasers. 

Whatever your festive season holds, I've curated this handy list of the best Christmas hair ideas on social media right now - from easy waves to a messy chignon Meghan Markle would be proud of. 

Read to get inspired? Christmas hair has never been easier...

Textured beach waves 

Make-up artist Bijal shared this very cool and modern wave look on her instagram IGTV. This is a  brilliant way to make long bobbed hair look special and is created using straighteners and John Frieda Luxurious Volume Blow Out Spray. The best bit? It only takes 15 minutes.

Undone bun with accessory 

Influencer and hairstylist Sara's Angius' relaxed bun with an on-trend accessory is ideal for a relaxed dinner or drinks at home because it looks far more complicated to achieve than it really is.

Fluffy wand curls 

Influencer Whitney White's account is packed with advice on how to care for and style natural hair, but we particularly love this one for a special occasion. The hair is carefully prepped wth layers of Aveda product, including Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother, £22.50 JohnLewis, blow dried with one of the best hair straightening brushes then shaped into romantic curls with a wand - gorgeous. 

Grown up headband

Beauty and fashion blogger Catherine, aka Not Dressed as Lamb, is a constant source of inspiration to us, and here she shows the easiest Christmas hair trick in the book - chuck a big old accessory on it! 

Headbands are so on-trend and make any hairstyle look instantly special, be it a ponytail, air dried waves or a messy bun. The trick to keeping this look grown-up is picking a band in a muted tone and pairing it with an unfussy hairstyle. 

Hollywood waves

John Frieda Creative Director and ghd Ambassador Zoe Irwin shows how to create this ultra-glamorous style using only a curling tong, sectioning clips and a couple of styling products in an easy step by step video. 

Modern top knot

Proving hair up needn't be complicated or fussy to look at, this is the perfect style for those 'twixmas, in between days. Keep the style sleek and shiny with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray, £17.99, Amazon.

Short-haired glamour

It's not easy finding ideas to glam up short hair, but Tiarra Pearson shows how it's done here with a volumised side parting and beautiful curls. If you're naturally curly, enhance what you've got with Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner, £12.99, Boots, and dry gently with a diffuser. If you need to curl, use as small a tong as you dare - Babyliss Tight Curls, £24.95, Beautybay is a great choice.

Half up half down curls

Another simple yet effective style, this half up - half down 'do is perfect to let natural texture and curls do the talking. Keeping curls in great condition is crucial to the beauty of this look, follow the clever T-Shirt drying method in hair expert CurlyMunday's caption for similar softness and definition. 

Cheat's salon blow dry

British make-up artist and beauty influencer Katie Jane Hughes shows us how to achieve a salon-quality blow dry at home using one very clever tool, the Amika Blow Dryer Brush. The bad news is the brush is currently not available in the UK. The good news is you can use the Babyliss Big Hair Care, £49, Lookfantastic, plus Katie's expert tips for very similar effects. 

Curly updo

I couldn't resist including another one of Sara's Angius' brilliant tutorials, this time embracing her natural curls to create this beautiful but achievable up-do. This would make a great throw-it-together-in-15 before Zoom drinks style for curly girls. 

Relaxed french braid

If you've got shoulder length hair or longer, this braid by Finnish influencer beautybyenna is a pretty style for day two hair. Mist with dry shampoo, put those plaiting skills from your school days back in action and secure with a clear elastic. 

The final bit's the most important -  run your hands down the braid and pull the edges outwards to make the plait fatter and looser, while keeping the elastic in the bottom. This helps it look modern and relaxed, without sitting too severely tight against your head.