Once winter is at last near, there is this silent magic in the air, the sort of magic that makes you feel like putting on clothes just to go and buy a cup of coffee. I reckon, it is the month of December when our hair is part of the outfit: the light functions on it, the way it gets soft in the air with the snow, the way a braid or curl can make us immediately feel presentable. However, what is really unique about a winter hairstyle this year? Is it texture? Shine? That faint I just came off a holiday shoot air? Following this post, I am taking you through the most beautiful winter hairstyles in December 2025, directly as the appearance that makes me pause mid-scroll and consider, that is the one.
It is not only about the trends, it is about the winter hair that will be applicable in real life. Dressing up to go on a holiday, meeting friends at brunch, or simply want to feel fresh, here is everything you will be interested in during the season.
Cosy Evening Romantic Side Braid
Something about a fat and loose side braid and heavy knit is so natural grace. It is light, girlish and like winter comfort made up. The loose braid contours the face in a manner that immediately makes you look good even on a relaxing evening when you would wish to have a presentable appearance yet natural. The point here is that the romantic, boho-braid texture that is meant to be undress yet fancy enough to be put on at dinner by candle light.
In order to achieve this, I prefer applying a volumizing mousse such as Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse to make my strands look supplied with a boost before braiding them. A little shower of texture spray like Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray added the grip to keep the braid full and at the same time touchable. I usually leave some stuff unattached to my face – this makes the entire appearance more natural and less formal.
The good thing about this style is that it can so easily change into day wear vice versa. In the morning, wear it loosely in waves, in the afternoon, braid it, and in the evening a soft, dishevelled feel has been created that is altogether accidental. One time, an expert stylist of celebrities, Kristin Ess, explained that the greatness of hair is not in control but in movement. This braid is exactly that.
Megatastic Curls, Vintage Twist
This is dedicated to my girls who are drama queens, who prefer it not to be very loud but rather whispering to them, I know what I am doing. Huge, squashy voluminous curls are also coming back with a vengeance this winter, with that raised crown and loose strands on the face. It is quite contemporary Hollywood meets apres-ski.
I apply a heat protectant (Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray) to my hair before going to the barbershop and apply a wide-barrel curling iron (1.25-inch) to create flowing curls. After the curls have cooled I brush them out a little to give the look of being blown out. To lift, tease the top a little and put it into place using the L’Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray to achieve a long lasting yet flexible hold.
I always associate this appearance with the versatility of curls, which may be both party and casual. I have worn this style on snowy days, but with warm sweaters and oversized scarves, and it still seems like I was in a holiday film. In case you have ever had the desire to look glamorous on a normal day, then this one is your go-to choice.
Smooth Low Pony/ Sparkling Accent
Minimalism does not actually go out of the trend cycle? This low pony tail is sleek and has jeweled accessory which is the best illustration of unobtrusive elegance. It is smooth, classic, and it just goes well with your outfit, not against it. I enjoy the way which a sleek finish with a glittery clip creates the quiet-luxury vibe that everyone is currently raving about.
The trick to achieving that mirror-like finish is to begin by smoothing my hair with Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother and then applying a flattened iron to achieve the finish. Then I am getting it down at the back of the neck and hold with a clear elastic there, and then I grab a strand and use it at the bottom there to make it look seamless. The crystal barrette and rhinestone hair comb can be added immediately and the object will be ready to go to the holiday.
I have used to wear the style during a winter party and even during a simple dinner and it will always receive compliment on its elegant simplicity. Once Hairstylist Jen Atkin said, a good ponytail is a power move. I could not possibly disagree, it is the sort of glare that speaks of confidence without uttering a single word.
Braided Half-Up Waves
This is a sort of structured, yet soft, half-up hairstyle, which is simply to dress-up and be at a party in December, a female yet not a fussy one. The crown on the braid also brings in some details, and the long waves make the entire appearance romantic. It has movement, it has sparkle (with a little spritz of shimmer spray), it has that carefree and easy holiday hair feeling that works well with snug turtlenecks or velvet dresses.
I prefer to use Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray to make my hair have volume and to only curl the bottom half in order to have relaxed waves. Then I take the two little pieces of the front and tie them behind my head, it is that simple. The ends can be sprayed with a small amount of OUAI Hair Oil to make it shine and keep it dry during winter.
The best part? After hours of partying, it remains attractive. I have worn this to a dinner on the holidays and danced the entire night and never needed to repair it. When my friends questioned me whether I had gone to a salon, all I could do was laugh, this is the magic of home only.
High Sleek Ponytail
The high sleek ponytail is one hairstyle that will scream confidence next winter. Imagination of power, polish and a tingling sense of mischief. It is neat, up in the air and the right amount of sporty and stylish – the type of clothes that would serve as well to go out as it would in a quick coffee run.
I apply Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray prior to straightening to achieve that smooth and lifted effect and it will resist humidity and will give your hair the “glass” effect. After that, I pull my hair back and put it tight and twist one of the strands over the elastic. It is fixed by the spritz of Kerastase Laque Couture Hairspray but is not stiff.
I always feel like I am put-together whenever I wear this. It is a kind of posture boost in a bottle, as before you know you are taller, smiling, and you are ready to face the day. It is not merely a matter of being cozy, but rather it is a matter of being your own sunshine even when the sun is hiding behind clouds.
Golden Sparkle Romantic Braided Crown
A braided crown has its timeless appeal but this winter it is seriously upgrading with golden additions and undress, careless waves. The appearance is royal yet not exaggerated, it is the hairstyle that talks but not yells. The only thing to do is to wear the braid loose and full, as it will put the face in the most becoming position. There is a little shiny clip (like a few stars bursting) on one side that immediately transforms it into sweet to show-stopping.
The steps I would take to recreate it is to apply Oribe Gold lust dry shampoo to get a soft texture and Color Wow dream coat to add shine then style it. An adjustable hold hairspray such as Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray fixes the braid and does not harden it. You will have the strands dancing nipping at the light.
The trick is to cut the front pieces into sections, and to then loose-braid around the crown, and then simply pull at the ends of the braid, it adds that fullness, that plagiarism of the effect that makes it a difference between simple and movie. Celebrity stylist Justine Marjan has even proposed that the most desirable holiday braids are the ones not so good but seem to be soft enough to be romantic even several hours later.
To me, this style always evokes that image of the warm evenings and glimmering lights – hair that I can touch that it is winter: elegant, warm, and somehow magic.
Sleek High Ponytail with Crystal Band
There is no better self-confidence than a smooth high ponytail, and it is even better when shining glassy like it reflects all the lights in the room. It is the appearance of: I came to own this night and the version of this season, has sparkling crystals accessory at the bottom – it is an instant red carpet accessory.
I tend to apply Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother to pre-style my hair, and dry it with a paddle brush to make it as smooth as possible. After putting it up, I take a flat iron to polish the aspect and apply a shine spray such as Kenra Professional Shine Spray. It is not a mere piece of decoration. The sparkle band is the crown jewel that makes a classic pony a glam winter piece.
Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton frequently refers to tension and shine being the key to a good ponytail – the tighter and shinier it is, the stronger it is. And honestly, he’s right. I put on this appearance when I require that additional boost of main character in front of an occasion.
Should you be planning to have bold earrings or statement makeup then this hairstyle will allow them to shine whilst ensuring that your hair does its own speaking.
Partial Subtle Silver Deep Side Waves
Sculpted waves and a deep side part – there is no other combination which feels as eternal Hollywood winter. The smooth, shiny surface and the elegant form of every wave create a sense of a particular sophistication that is rather quiet and proud. And it is like the snowflake touch that, adding a minor silver pin, makes the story complete.
To add texture and structure, I prefer GHD Classic Curl Iron with a little Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil prior to styling – it can be used to add some shine that will last. When the curls are in place, they can be brushed out a little and made to look like a movie star.
This style is effective as long as the waves come at the right side of the shoulder. Hairstylist Jen Atkin once told that polished does not mean stiff, and this is the spirit that this appearance possesses, being just right between the sophisticated and comfort.
Whenever I wear my hair in such a manner, I find myself in a vintage movie and I am walking through falling snow so tender and still the lipstick did not fade away. It is the type of glamour which never wears out.
Plump Winter Glow Golden Curls
There is really only one thing that I have learned about winter hair trends, and that would be that volume never goes out of fashion. These are those golden curls so great, so bouncy, so dreamy you cannot but smile when you look at them, so full and radiant and light reflecting in every way. The appearance is comfortable but high end, which suits loose and warm-up garments or high fashion dresses.
In order to do so, I employ a big-barrel curling iron (1.5-inch) and change the direction of the curl alternately to get that full natural appearance. It could be applied to get the desired foundation of solid base by means of spraying Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray before blow-drying, and a touch of the Moroccanoil Treatment Light will provide the desired gloss.
The trick is in the brush-out–it is mostly to allow the curls to become cool, and then, with a wide-tooth comb or a finger, to part the hair by blowing it out. The outcome: does not even move hair, and it appears as pure light.
This appearance reminds me of the December mornings when the sun reaches the frost and all sparkles a moment – short, but gorgeous. That is just how this hairstyle feels like when you find it in the mirror.
Coppola Winter Lob, Soft Balayage
The winter lob -slick, overlapped, and never-ending. This is the one that combines dimension with movement and hence the style is the best choice of a person who desires something new yet low-maintenance in December. The balayage is soft and the contrast is not so severe which is natural under the duller winter light.
In order to achieve this feathered appearance, I use Dyson Airwrap barrels to curl the ends out and give it a slight bouncy appearance. IGK Beach Club Texture Spray is a spray that provides the appropriate amount of lightness. The balayage colors beige, caramel and icy honey are light-reflective even on the most grey days and are instantly warming to winter skin.
Tracey Cunningham, who is one of the leading Hollywood colorists says that balayage must be able to grow out. And that is precisely why this hairdo looks so well in the season – it is trendy here and now but will not require a restyling as soon as snow melts.
I wear it when I need to appear presentable with the least amount of effort – the type of cut that makes you feel perfectly up to date despite having a scarf covering your chin.
Frost-Kissed Crown Braid
A braided updo enveloping the head like a crown is something that will always remain timeless in its feminine, sort of an area that is soft and partly royal. The flax of this style wrapping around the ear, and also allowing the tendrils to lie loose around the face, resembling a snowy afternoon walk at once, and a wedding in the winter. I like the way it makes my head bigger and classy without even one strand becoming hard.
To achieve this appearance, I prefer a volumizing spray such as Oribe Maximista to be used before braiding. It also provides the hair with a sufficient amount of texture that would keep its shape in a cold environment. A dollop of Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil at the ends makes the braid shiny, though in a natural but never crunchy way.
And I begin tying the braid right over the ear, not under the ear to make the plait prominent. Once the end has been pinned in a nonconspicuous place, I pull at each braid loop, trying to make it soft, allowing the front strands to curl on their own. Once Hairstylist Justine Marjan wrote that perfect hair does not imply precise hair, and I remember it every time I drop a strand of hair intentionally.
It is the type of winter hairstyle that makes me feel well dressed and casual at the same time, not as though I was trying my best to do it, but I somehow got things right by chance.
Cozy Caramel Twisted Braid
Warm colors are particularly relaxing during the month of December. This caramel-stranded low braid bun is among my favorite winter hairstyles when I am in need of a classy and casual style. The thick side braid is twisted into a soft bun, which provides the effect of recently left a holiday dinner.
To achieve this appearance, I use a smoothing cream such as Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream and use this to tame the flyaways and braid them. This step transforms everything in case your hair gets frizzy in the winter scarf or due to the statical effect.
Part of the style I come up with is a braid first, then I pull the braid back into a bun at the back where I use U-pins in place of elastics to keep everything in place. It is one of those little tricks that help to make the difference between the moment when you do the braid on your everyday beach hair and the moment when you are featured in an editorial.
I can even loosen a couple of strands here and there to shape my face, it makes the entire look less cold and more inviting. I like something about that imperfection, that is so very human, do you think?
Winter Glow Full Body Waves
I am leaning towards a voluminous side-swept when I want a little drama on the holidays. It is a sleek winter hairstyle that combines the old-Hollywood glamour with contemporary and light texture. Imagine gold lights covering smooth curls and the self-confidence that is produced by the ideal volume.
To create that construction, I prepare the roots using Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray and additionally, use a large-barrel iron when curling in different directions, so that the movement seems more natural. No one can get that smooth shiny finish, that you see in the glossy December editorials, without brushing through with a boar bristle brush.
I once attempted this appearance to a place dinner, matching it with a big earring and a vibrant lip. I felt myself at once elevated. The right hair makes you move this way in a room, you see.
It is the ideal hairstyle of any person who is in need of a December hairstyle that conveys the message confident, polished, memorable without being fussy.
Icy Blonde Halo Braid
This halo braid is a product of a snow-queen fairytale – the type of winter hairstyle which shines in twinkle lights. It has a structure but it is soft and the cool tones of blonde almost glisten on the dull background of winter.
To achieve this appearance, I personally adore texturizing spray which is light-hold and I apply it just before braiding. The Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray is a miracle that provides a grip but is not heavy. In the case of the blondes a purple colored conditioner will ensure that the icy tone does not fade away even in the season.
I braid with light hands when I do it, and I can usually tell that tension has tightened the position of my hair too much, and winter hair should be soft. I then twist the girdle around the head, and wrap up, bending the ends back and holding them with pins so that they cannot be seen. It is completed with a hairspray such as Kenra 13 that is flexible so that it is not hard.
The style has a silent effectiveness. It is cute and intimate, mature and a bit homey, the ideal December haircut to use at candlelight dinners and at both holiday brunches and dinners.
Golden Hour Twisted Ponytail
The movement of a low ponytail with its soft waves and a braid on one side is effortlessly graceful with a propensity to be worn. This fancy bun-pony is ideal when you are in search of that touch of sophistication and motion – cool enough to wear to the office holiday party and funky enough to dance right after.
To create bounce, I will first apply a heat-protective cream such as Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique, and curl the lower part to keep it curled up. Once I have braided one of the section ends, I will wrap the section around the bottom and attach it using an invisible pin, and then complete the ribbon with a satin or metallic tie.
This is important because it is a matter of contrast, the fusion of shine and texture which are ideal indoor light catchers. One of the celebrity hairstylists, Kristin Ess, once wrote, that hair is supposed to move like cloth, and that is exactly what this one does: it is slick, cozy, tactile.
Whenever I wear this type of style, I always receive compliments at the least expected time. It is subtle but sticky – a real winter hairstyle that tastes like golden hour in a bottle and is made to feel like December.
High Ponytail, Soft, with Curtain Bangs
A high ponytail with curtain bangs has something unresistibly feminine about it, and it creates a kind of classic/modern sense that is flirtatious and elegant at the same time. The crown lift is an immediate glam and the front framing is soft keeping it light-hearted. It is a style just to make you appear like you have been well dressed without even taking a few minutes before the mirror.
Recreating this appearance, I tend to begin with a blowout created with the Dyson Airwrap that does not make the roots flat. I then pull my hair at the top, slightly tease the top and fasten it by a silk scrunchie or hair bungee. One fast spin around the ends with an inch iron gives us that bounce we all long covertly to have. And lastly, some L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni.Art Fix Anti-Frizz Spray will hold the hair in place in wintertime.
It is the ideal style of hair that you feel like being lifted both physically and symbolically. I enjoy it with snugly knitted ups or a bright lipstick; it simply makes the more serious textures of the season feel light. You have those days when you are feeling a little fatigued, and your hair is doing the self-assurance work on your behalf? This is one of those looks.
Sexy Flaxed Availability Curls with Holiday Shine
This is the hairstyle of winter, a glittering, voluminous curly hairstyle, glittering with twinkle lights. It is tender, dreamy, and in that old Hollywood glamour that is home during the holiday season of December. It is moved by the layers and it touches like a dress of pure luxury.
To achieve this appearance, I prefer Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil as the pre-treatment to provide my hair with a shiny, non-greasy look. I have curled my hair away my face, switching sides to create a more natural wave. After the curls are dry I brush them out with a boar bristle brush and then mist them with Kenra Professional Shine Spray to give an effect of a mirror-glass finish.
I wear this style when attending a party during holidays since it does not make people think it is costly. There is no need to think it out, the movement speaks volumes. I recall the last Christmas Eve, when I had my hair styled like this and three people took the time to enquire where I had it done. The truth? Only my hair curler and some patience.
Handsome High Bun with Wispy Bangs
This and elegance have nothing to be in common. A smooth high bun with fine bangs reminds a winter dream – to be structured and soft. It is ideal on evenings that you are in need of a sophisticated appearance though youthful at the same time. It is so old-fashioned, that it is really timeless.
Personally, I prefer to use the Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Serum to smooth my hair and then as a high ponytail. I will then roll it into a bun and roll a strand of hair around the bottom to achieve that smooth, sleek look. The trick? Have some strands of hair floating about your face–they soften the features at once.
Makeup artist and beauty expert Charlotte Tilbury oftentimes says, “Good make-up can change your posture. She’s right. When I wear this bun, I find myself sitting straight, smiling more, and feel a bit more confident when appearing in a room. It is that hard and yet lovely– like the finest winter evening.
French Bob, Polished and with Bangs
This is a salon to the short haired crowd. French bob with full bangs is enjoying a huge winter moment – sophisticated and cool-girl at the same time. It is sharp, shiny, and rather mysterious. I cannot describe this cut, it feels so strong as though it was designed on tailor-made coats and big gold jewelry.
To do the hair, I use the Kerastase Elixir Ultime LHuile Original Hair Oil on damp hair, then blow-dry using a round brush to add volume to the top and curl the ends in a little. I always use a flat iron to flatten the appearance, but I never forget the shine spray, it makes the appearance look like, it is neat, but glossy perfection.
It is a style of hair that is full of confidence. It is simple and bold like the type of appearance that does not require description. I have always liked women who choose such short dresses during winter it is so powerful decision against all the layers and scarves of the winter. I know who I am, without uttering a single word.
Trendy Winter Waves and Warm Beanie
Other days, it is not about polish, it is about warmth though this wavy hairstyle under a beanie can show you that you can have both. The unkempt curls sticking out are very warm and inviting, and the beanie is a plus of that adorably comfy cold weather. It is handy and yet insta-worthy.
I use Amika High Tide Deep Waver to 360 the ripples on my hair before I wear the hat. After that I apply a drop of Verb Ghost Oil through the ends to make it shine and have it tame your frizzy hair. IGK Beach Club Texture Spray is sprayed lightly and it does not give a stiff appearance.
This is now my regularly-worn outfit during cold weathers to go out on an errand or to have a cup of coffee. It has something to do with big waves and cozy knit hat that is all so December. It is an indication that the most basic fashions can become something trendy with the proper texture – and perhaps some red lipstick.
High Wave Ponytail with Frosted Ends
This two-tone ponytail is as energetic as a winter night out and smooth at the front and then flowing to soft and frosty waves that swing with every twist. The dark chestnut base fades away to creamy blonde lengths to produce that fire and ice contrast which is comfortable in December at home. It is a bit audacious, a bit romantic, the type of glance that provides a plain black outfit with a statement to it.
The bottom color must remain lush and warm, as in Redken Shades EQ Auburn Glow, but the ends of the light can be either L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio 9 to an icy blonde. After it is colored, I would seal it with Olaplex No. 3 to ensure that the mixture is smooth and glossy.
To style, lift the crown up a little and then tie ponytail high up, and curl the ends with the help of 1.25-inch barrel to achieve the airy bouncing effect. Complete with Color Wow Extra Shine Spray to give it the reflective shine. Once hairstylist to celebrities Jen Atkin told them that high ponytails must look lifted and yet soft, and this one hits that nail on the head – sleek and flirtatious.
Every time I wear this, I get reminded of party in winter starting early and ending late, when the wind is cold and so, but you are warm throughout. It is melodramatic, assertive, and just winter-glam.
Silvered Balayage Curls with Midnight Roots
This is winter chic, deep smoky roots, turning ash-blonde and falling in waves catching every ray of the soft light. It goes like the moonlight was grained. The amount of volume and the curly hair style make it look retro, yet the color makes it look modern in 2025.
A cool-toned balayage is the best choice of a dimensional blend of the kind. I prefer Schwarzkopf BlondMe Ice Toner with the silver tones and top off with a purple gloss with dpHUE to cool down the warm. The make-up is minimal yet necessary, big barrel curls are swept through the side of the head to add softness, and the front part of the head is pushed back so that it accentuates the cheekbones.
Stylist Tracey Cunningham regularly informs that the secret of doing winter hair color is tone balance -cool rather than cold. This is just what this appearance does. It is trendy, feminine, and elegant to wear during cozy days in knitwear, as well as during candlelit evenings.
I have something similar to this that I wore a few months ago, in December, and I can still recall the compliments, people could not tell whether it was the color, or the shine, or the confidence I had when wearing it. Maybe it was all three.
Just as the world is enveloped in its silent shimmer as it closes in December, I am always tempted to renew myself not to reinvent myself but to rejoice in the small changes that make winter beautiful. It is not just a winter hair fashion, but the way it feels: when you see yourself on the mirror: you are confident, warm, you feel a bit of magic.
It could be a braid that is woven deliberately or could be just dishevelled curls that surround a smile; but in any of the styles there is also its own sparkle this season. And truth to tell, that is what we all want out of winter, to shine in our very own low-key manner.
Which of these appearances, tell me, would you make a first attempt? I would be interested in knowing what you most like this season.
