20 New Year's Eve Hairstyles That Last Past Midnight

How to Make Party Hair Last Until Midnight

A few habits matter more than the style you pick:

• Start with second-day hair. Freshly washed hair is slippery. If you just washed it, mist in a texture spray or dry shampoo first.
• Let curls cool before you touch them. Pin each curl in a loop while it's still warm and release it after ten minutes. Curls set this way last hours longer.
• Cross your bobby pins. Two pins in an X hold far better than one pin alone, especially in buns.
• Finish with flexible hold spray. Strong, crunchy spray cracks when you move. A flexible spray bends with you.
• Pack a tiny kit. Four bobby pins, a mini spray and a hair tie fit into any clutch.

1. Glossy Side-Parted Pixie

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A deep side part and a little shine turn an everyday pixie into a party look. Rub a pea-sized amount of pomade between your palms and smooth it from the part back.

Tuck one side behind your ear to show off a bold earring. This style survives hats and hugs because there is nothing to fall out.

2. Bob With a Jeweled Bobby Pin

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Short hair rarely needs a full updo. Twist the front section on your heavier side, pin it flat just above the ear and slide a crystal pin over the plain one.

Time: 5 minutes. Best for: straight or slightly wavy bobs.

3. Slicked-Back Short Hair

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A wet-look finish feels modern and dramatic, and it pairs well with a strong red lip. Work a gel and cream mix through damp hair, comb it straight back and let it air dry.

Skip this one if your hair is very fine at the crown. Slicking it back can show more scalp under bright lights.

4. Velvet Headband Bob

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Here's the fastest way to dress up a bob. Tease the crown lightly, smooth the top layer over it and push a wide velvet headband back about an inch from your hairline.

The small lift at the crown makes the headband look styled rather than practical.

5. Finger Waves on a Short Bob

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Count on this look to fit any Gatsby-themed party. Finger waves look complicated, but on short hair they take about twenty minutes with a strong gel and a fine comb.

1. Apply gel to damp hair and comb it into a deep side part.
2. Push a section forward with your finger, then comb the hair below it back to form an S.
3. Clip each ridge with a duckbill clip and let everything dry before removing the clips.

6. Sleek Low Bun With a Center Part

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Nothing beats a sleek bun with sequins. A sharp center part and a smooth, low knot keep the focus on your face and your dress.

Brush a little smoothing cream over the top, tie a low ponytail and wrap it into a bun. Two crossed pins on each side will keep it in place until next year.

7. Half-Up Twist With Sparkly Clips

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Medium-length hair has the most options, and this is the easiest. Twist a small section from each temple, meet them at the back of your head and secure the twists with a clear elastic.

Add three or four rhinestone clips along the twists. They catch the light every time you turn your head.

8. Bubble Ponytail

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Playful and practical, a bubble ponytail stays put through hours of dancing. Tie a mid-height ponytail, then add clear elastics every two inches down its length.

Gently pull each section wider to create the bubbles. Wrap a strand of hair around the first elastic to hide it.

9. Glam Waves Tucked Behind One Ear

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Big, brushed-out waves are timeless, and tucking one side behind the ear makes them look intentional. Curl in one direction with a 1.25-inch iron, let the curls cool, then brush them out with a paddle brush.

A tiny pin hidden behind the ear keeps that side from slipping forward.

10. Messy Low Chignon

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Pick this one if you hate looking too done. Loosely twist your hair at the nape, pin it in a casual knot and pull out a few face-framing pieces.

It looks even better at midnight than it did at the start, because a little looseness suits it.

11. Ribbon-Wrapped Low Ponytail

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Bows are everywhere this season, and this style uses one with taste. Tie a low ponytail, then wrap a long satin ribbon around the elastic and finish with a small bow.

Choose a ribbon that matches your shoes or bag. Black, champagne and deep red all look chic in photos.

12. Hollywood Waves on Long Hair

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Classic old Hollywood waves never miss on long hair. Set large curls all going the same direction and let them cool completely in pin curls.

Brush them out into one smooth wave pattern and sweep everything over one shoulder. A shine spray finishes the look.

Stylist tip: put two small hidden pins under the front wave near your temple. They keep the wave from collapsing when the room gets warm.

13. High Sleek Ponytail

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A sleek high ponytail lifts the whole face and looks sharp with a high neckline. Smooth everything back with a boar bristle brush and tie it at the crown.

Wrap a strand around the base and pin it underneath. For extra swing, curl the ends loosely inward.

14. Braided Crown

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This braided crown keeps long hair off your neck in a hot, crowded room. Make two loose braids, cross them over the top of your head and pin each end underneath the other braid.

Gently pull at the braids to make them look fuller. It holds better than almost any other updo on this list.

15. Half-Up Top Knot With Waves

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Fun and a little youthful, this style keeps hair out of your face while the rest stays down. Curl your hair first, then twist the top section into a small knot at the crown.

A few loose strands at the front soften the look so it doesn't feel too casual.

16. Long Hair With a Statement Side Barrette

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Sometimes one accessory does all the work. Make a deep side part, smooth the shorter side behind your ear and secure it with a large pearl or crystal barrette.

This is the style to pick if you have five minutes and a dress that already sparkles.

17. Sparkly Bangs With Long Waves

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Bangs can join the party too. Blow-dry curtain bangs over a round brush, add loose waves to the lengths and slide a thin glitter headband just behind the bangs.

The headband keeps the bangs in place, which helps a lot after a few hours of dancing.

18. Defined Curls With a Gold Cuff

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Natural curls already look festive. Refresh them with a curl cream, scrunch, then braid one small section near your face and add a gold hair cuff.

Small details like this read well in photos without hiding the curls.

19. High Curly Puff

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A high puff shows off texture and stays in place without much fuss. Gather curls at the crown with a soft scrunchie, smooth your edges and fluff the puff with your fingers.

Tie a satin scarf around the base for color. It doubles as protection on the way home.

20. Twisted Updo for Curly Hair

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This updo works with your curl pattern instead of against it. Make large twists from the front to the back, pin them at the nape and let a few ringlets fall around your face.

Use U-shaped pins rather than bobby pins. They hold curls without flattening them.

Match Your Hair to Your Outfit

• Sequins or metallics: go sleek. A low bun or high ponytail keeps the look balanced.
• Velvet: soft waves and a velvet headband feel cozy and luxe.
• Strapless or off the shoulder: choose an updo to show your neckline.
• High neck or turtleneck: a ponytail or chignon keeps hair from bunching at the collar.
• Jumpsuit or suit: slicked-back hair or a sharp side part looks the most modern.

Planning outfits for the whole season? Our guide to Christmas hairstyles for women has easy looks for office parties and family dinners. If you are thinking about a new cut before the holidays, browse these short haircuts for women.