Party season hair inspo: 4 glamorous looks our stylists love
The team reveal the biggest festive hair trends with our helpful how-to guide.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… We’re talking party season, when we throw on a fancy frock or sharp suit and get ready to celebrate with our nearest and dearest. Getting glammed up also means festive beauty, so what are the coolest party hairstyles for 2025, according to the Paul Edmonds team?
“This year, it’s all about glamour,” says Senior Director Siobhan Baynes. “Whether that’s hair-up or loose and bouncy, it's ‘done’ hair. Fashion has gone a bit more glam this season, too. Before it was very subtle, now it's big and bold.”
Paul Edmonds agrees, explaining that the return to polished hair is a reaction to the gloom and doom a lot of us have been feeling lately. “It goes against austerity. People want to go out, look good and have some fun! Festive hair doesn't have to be voluminous, it could be sleek, but it needs to have a ‘finished’ look.”
If you’re looking for a bit of help in the hair department for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party, Paul Edmonds London is the place to go. Our stylists our experts at creating everything from elaborate up-do’s to luxury blow-dries and Hollywood waves.
Some party season styles are trickier than others to do at home, Siobhan says. “Especially if it's hair-up. It wouldn't look as polished or finished if you tried to do it yourself.” And hairdressers’ expertise comes in handy for crafting waves and curls, Paul points out. “For example, if you twist the hair as you're wrapping it around the tong, you get a different look, and it’s hard to make the curls symmetrical or see the back of the head. Those little technical nuances are better when you get your hair done in salon.”
This year, the team is highlighting four key festive hair trends they love: the bouncy blow-dry, the slick-back ponytail, the Hollywood waves and the twisted up-do. Here, Paul and Siobhan talk through these glamorous looks and how to create them at home…
1. THE BOUNCY BLOW-DRY
Turn up the volume with a gorgeously glossy and bouncy blow-dry. This look can be adapted to almost any hair length, from a shoulder-length bob and beyond, with Khloe Kardashian and Molly-Mae Hague proving that this look is equally fabulous with dark or blonde locks.
“Rollers are back,” says Siobhan. “I think people had moved away from the bouncy look and it was all very touselled and beachy, whereas now for party season it's a bit more structured.”
That kind of smooth volume can only be created with rollers, Paul says. “To get that lift at the root, it takes more than just rough drying then tonging the hair. You could also add clip-in extensions for volume.” And you’ve got to apply the rollers correctly, Siobhan adds. “You’ve got to position them and choose the right size otherwise the hair will look too flat.”
To create a bouncy blow-dry, start with by washing your hair and applying Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray or Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse while it’s still wet, Siobhan says. “Blow-dry it with a big round brush, then you put your rollers in. Depending on how much hair you have and how much curl you want will determine what size roller that you'll need.”
Leave the hair to cool for about five or 10 minutes, then comb it through rather than brushing it, Paul explains. “You just need to shake it out and run through the waves with your fingers or used a vented brush to break them up.”
For the finishing touch, tip your head upside down spritz Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist or Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder Spray to amp up the volume even more.
2. THE SLICK-BACK PONYTAIL
If a sleek yet edgy look is what you’re after for party season, take your inspiration from Bre Tiesi, star of Netflix reality series Selling Sunset.
“A high pony is better with this look,” says Siobhan. “Keep it in line with the cheekbones so your face looks more snatched.”
Paul says the hardest part of achieving this look is getting the hair smooth on top. “You may need someone to help put the the band in, and the hair can’t be freshly washed or it’s too slippy.” Ideally, start with second-day hair and add a little Oribe Signature Gel Serum at the roots. “It's very glossy, it makes the hair look great, but it doesn't go sticky so you’ve still got time to comb it through as well.”
Siobhan’s pro tip for tying a super-tight pony? “I use a bungee elastic, which is a band with two hooks on the end so you can wrap it round without letting go of your grip.” To hide the band, wrap a small section of hair around it and pin underneath, or accessorise your look with a festive bow or silk scarf.
To finish the lengths, Siobhan says, “You may have to straighten them, then smooth an oil or serum through to the ends.”
3. THE HOLLYWOOD WAVES
Embrace classic Hollywood glitz with side-parted waves that work for bobs through to ultra-long locks. Think Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge or Jessica Alba on the red carpet.
“This look is glamorous, but you don’t have to have a lot of volume,” Siobhan says. “I always like a side parting and a nice lift at the root.” To create Hollywood waves like a professional stylist, start by applying Davines Blow Dry Primer or Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray and blow-drying with a round brush before creating the waves section by section with a medium barrel tong.
“The main thing is that you tong the hair in one direction so the wave is consistent,” Paul says. “And you have to twist the tong to create a twisted curl then let the hair cool.”
When you’ve finished all the sections, take a wide tooth comb and gently break up the waves, Siobhan says. “Spray each section as you comb it with Davines Extra Strong Hair Spray to ensure the hair will hold all night.”
4 THE TWISTED UP-DO
The latest twist – literally – on the 90s hair trend is an elegant but versatile up-do that’s easier than it looks, as seen recently on the likes of Kim Kardashian and Olivia Attwood.
“It reminds me of Audrey Hepbrun in Breakfast at Tiffanys,” Paul says of the twisted chignon style that starts with a ponytail. Siobhan says this look works with layered hair cuts or a fringe. “I would probably leave a couple of pieces out at the front, and you could tong them so they have a bit of a kink, then have everything else slicked back and leave some spiky bits at the back.”
As with a ponytail, you want to start with second-day hair, and brush it into a tight ponytail, Siobhan says. “Tie it either at the nape of the neck or just under under the crown if you want a bit of height.”
To give more grip, spritz the lengths with Sam McKnight Easy Up Do Texture Spray or Iles Formula Rinseless Root Refresh, then split the hair into two sections, or more if your hair is particularly thick, Paul says. “Twist them round and pin them to the base of the ponytail, above and below the bobble so you don't have to worry about covering it, leaving out a few inches at the end.”
Finish by fanning out the ends and spiritzing with Oribe Flash Form Dry Wax Mist Spray to create spikes. If you fancy a bit of extra festive sparkle, dot hair jewels around the twist.
Tis the season
Fabulous hair is the perfect Christmas accessory, and these four festive trends will see you through party season in style.
A sleek pony or twisted up-do is relatively simple to create at home, but for perfectly crafted waves or a bouncy blow-dry, head into the salon for a luxury styling appointment.
Heading to a black tie event or winter wedding? Book a festive hair-up or blow-dry appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
