These Hairstyles for New Year's Eve Are Designed to Last

nye confetti in hair

SONJA LEKOVIC / Stocksy

New Year’s Eve is a big night. There's something inherently celebratory about sending off the old year and ushering in the new one that deserves breaking out the bubbly, dance moves, and party hair. This is the one marathon evening for which you'll want to look your best beyond the stroke of midnight—whether it be for friends, onlookers, or yourself.

So for those of you who are trying to find the most inspiring New Year's Eve hairstyles to rock at home or out on the town, you've come to the right place. In the spirit of the New Year, we’ve turned to expert hairstylists and rounded up 30 show-stopping looks guaranteed to last well throughout the festivities.

Meet the Expert

  • Laura Polko is a celebrity hairstylist. Her clients include the Hadid sisters, Priyanka Chopra, and Adriana Lima, among others.
  • Joanna Zee is a stylist with more than 20 years of experience in the hair industry. From cutting to coloring to consulting, she does it all.

Keep scrolling for major New Year's Eve hair inspo for a look that will last way past midnight

01 of 30

Messy Ponytail

Messy Pony Tail

@kristin_ess

If you're looking for a New Year's Eve hairstyle you won't have to think twice about, a messy ponytail wrapped in a giant bow is it. It's stylish, low-maintenance, and let's not forget, cutely packaged. To achieve this look, Polko instructs:

  • Prep hair with a sea salt spray.
  • Then curl hair using a T3 curling iron by wrapping sections loosely around the barrel.
  • Once hair is curled, shake out with hands and apply Aquage Dry Texture Finishing Spray ($24) to add instant boost and texture.
  • To style, wrap hair in a low ponytail, secure with a clear elastic, and place a bow, either a clip or a ribbon, on top.
  • Lock in the look by spraying some more Aquage Dry Texture Finishing Spray on fingers and working into the root and forward-facing pieces to loosen up the pony.
02 of 30

Straight and Shiny

Straight and shiny hairstyle

@mykitsch

Even if you're planning to watch the ball drop at home, that doesn't mean a night in can't be glamorous (silk PJs, anyone?). It's easy to recreate this shiny Insta-worthy hair.

  • Wash hair and apply a heat protectant spray or serum.
  • Dry hair straight using a flat brush.
  • You can also use a flat iron for sleek and shiny locks.
  • Applying a small amount of shine product to your straightened mane. This will give you the perfect glossy base.
  • Add on a dazzling pair of rhinestone bobby pins to one side of your hair.
03 of 30

High Twisted Ponytail

High, twisted ponytail

@lacyredway / Instagram

A jumbo twisted ponytail will stay put and look dreamy as can be the entire night. Like Amandla Stenberg, you can try a chic high pony with a twisted tail, or opt for a more demure, low-slung look. "New Year's hair should be a showpiece to start the year off feeling good!" says Zee, who shares how to pull off this look.

  • Pull your hair back in a high ponytail or low ponytail.
  • Spray your hair lightly with spray and slick back any stray hairs.
  • "With this look, I'd get a long, clip-in extension and style it the day before; that way, on New Year's Eve all you have to do is a quick slick ponytail and clip on your extension," says Zee.  
04 of 30

Modern Chignon

Braided Chignon

@kristen_Ess

A classic braided chignon gets a modern makeover when you weave an of-the-moment leopard scarf into the mix.

  • Tie a long scarf around your head like a headband and tie at the top, leaving the two loose ends out.
  • Leave out a front section of hair on each side (these will be braided) and pull the rest of your hair into a low bun.
  • Braid each side, weaving the scarf in. Secure each braided section with a clear band.
  • Incorporate the two braided sections into your low bun, using bobby pins to secure your hair.
05 of 30

Sleek Wet Look

Sleek wet hair look

@lacyredway

"Wet" hair has become a favorite look among A-listers gracing fashion runways and red carpets. Fortunately for us, the hairstyle is easy to recreate. According to Polko, a wide-tooth comb, gel, and long-lasting hairspray are all you need to pull off this trendy style:

  • On damp hair, comb hair straight back and work a mix of Aquage Fortifying Ultragel ($22) and Straightening Ultragel ($24) throughout hair, section by section, until hair is fully saturated.
  • From there, place setting clips from ear to ear across the entire hairline and blow dry on low heat with a low airspeed to set the product. (Allow to sit while doing makeup and getting ready, removing clips at the last minute).
  • Seal in the style with an ample application of Fekkai Sheer Hold ($30) to ensure the look lasts all day and night.
06 of 30

Pearl Braids

Pearl Braids

@lacyredway

If you're searching for a way to rock a protective style this New Year's Eve, look no further than these pearl-adorned braids of varying sizes. Celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway is responsible for the head-turning hairstyle on Tessa Thompson, which we have but one word for: stunning.

  • If you already have braids, simply use press-on pearls such as Outus Self Adhesive Pearls ($15), focusing on the braids around your face.
  • If you don't have cornrows, you can also braid a few sections of hair throughout your hair and apply the pearls to the braids.
  • No braids at all? No problem! Just apply the adhesive pearls to give your hair an added glow.
07 of 30

Half-Up Hollywood Waves

Half Up Hollywood Waves Hairstyle

@justinemarjan

Elevate your typical half-up 'do by pairing it with voluminous Hollywood waves and a celebratory hair accessory.

  • Apply a volumizing mousse to wet hair and dry with a hairdryer.
  • Use a large-barrel curling iron to create waves throughout your hair.
  • Section off the top layer of your hair and pull up in a half-ponytail at the back of your crown, leaving your bangs out to softly frame your face.
  • Tie a long scarf around your half-ponytail, letting the ends hang down.
  • To prevent it from frizzing out during the festivities, be sure to finish the look with an anti-humidity spray—we love Amika's The Shield ($26).
08 of 30

Braided Topknot

Braided Top Knot

@justinemarjan

A sophisticated updo always pulls an outfit together—especially when complete with a matching scrunchie. To keep it from looking stale, go with a sleek hairline and dial up the height with a three-tiered braided bun.

  • Pull your hair up in a high ponytail.
  • Spray some hairspray or use hair gel to tame any flyaways.
  • Braid your ponytail into a braid and secure at the end.
  • Wrap the braid into a bun and secure with bobby pins.
  • Finish off your look by wrapping a scrunchie around your bun.
09 of 30

Bobby Pin Designs

Kate Mara bobby pin design hairstyle

Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic / Getty Images

This bobby pin creation is perhaps the most creative and resourceful hairstyle to grace our list. It's proof that a holiday-ready look need not cost you any time or money. All that's required, in fact, is the simplest of beauty tools—and some out-of-the-box thinking.

  • Dry hair straight and apply a shine-boosting serum.
  • Use a round brush to dry your ends flipped slightly up.
  • Style your hair in a side-part, tucking one side behind your ear.
  • Use bobby pins to create this zig-zag pattern, by pinning one up and then pinning it down. Work your way across your crown.

Byrdie Tip

Get creative with your bobby pin designs! You can do a starburst, triangle, and fan design to amp up your look. Colored bobby pins will also give your hair a cool edge.

10 of 30

'70s Tucked Pony

70s Tucked Pony

@justinemarjan

What better place to rock the '70s throwback look than at a New Year's disco to close out the year? To look especially on theme, opt for a scarf that's silver, gold, or black—even glittery if you're down for that.

  • Apply a straightening balm to keep your hair straight and shiny.
  • Dry your hair straight and use a round brush to curl the ends under. You may need to use a flat iron if you have thick or curly hair.
  • Pull your hair up in a high ponytail, applying a mist of hairspray around your crown to prevent flyaways.
  • Use a curling iron to curl your ends under.
  • Tie a long printed scarf around your ponytail, letting the ends hand down.
11 of 30

Crown Braid

Ana de Armas crown braid

Tommaso Boddi / WireImage / Getty Images

You'll feel like royalty toasting to the new year wearing a crown braid. Not only is this style fit for a queen, but it's also super practical by being party-proof. Zee also dishes that this style gives way to amazing second-day hair. Come New Year's Day, "Just take the braid out and tousle with some clay or fiber cream for simple waves," she says. 

  • Section off a front section of your hair.
  • Sweep your hair to one side.
  • French braid across your crown.
  • Loosen it up slightly for the undone look.
  • Sweep the back of your hair into a low bun, letting some face-framing tendrils hang out.
12 of 30

Loose Updo with Headband

Gemma Chan loose updo with thin, sparkly headband

Araya Doheny / Getty Images

Gemma Chan's romantic updo with loose face-framing strands gets a dose of holiday merriment with a bejeweled headband. This is a versatile look will that will transition well into New Year's Day with just a few sprays of Tigi Bed Head Oh Bee Hive! Matte Dry Shampoo ($10) and a simple hair accessory swap.

  • Part your hair on the side and pull hair back into a ponytail or bun.
  • Pull out some face-framing tendrils and curl with a large barrel curling iron.
  • Finish off your party-ready look with a bejeweled headband.
13 of 30

Beachy Waves

Lily Collins Beachy waves

@lilyjcollins

News flash: Beachy waves are making a splash at holiday parties. It's all about tousled texture these days, didn't you hear? Just ask Polko who shares her step-by-step instructions for how to get Lily Collins's look here:

  • Prep wet hair with Aquage SeaExtend Silkening Oil Foam ($27) and blow out with the T3 Fit Dryer for volume and hold. Work a round brush in from section to section until fully blown out.
  • Follow with an application of Kenra Professional Platinum Silkening Mist Hairspray ($18) and then wrap hair around a T3 wand to achieve beachy curls.
  • Loosen up the look by brushing out, applying a dry texture spray, and then tousling hair with fingers to toughen up the style.
  • Part hair to your desire and place an accessory to add polish to this tousled, beachy look.
14 of 30

Braided Bun

Kiki Layne braided finger waves and low bun

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Kiki Layne offers a fresh take on retro finger waves with her chic braided bun. The texture of her braids adds a whole other dimension to your standard updo. Best of all, you'll ring in the New Year without a single hair falling out of place before midnight.

  • Style your cornrows in finger waves by using bobby pins to fasten sections back.
  • Take one section on the side and style it into a bun, using bobby pins to secure into place.
  • Take the back portion of your hair and style into a low bun, using bobby pins to secure into place.
15 of 30

Cascading Curly Updo

Yara Shahidi cascading curly updo

@emilychengmakeup / Instagram

In order to maximize your NYE enjoyment, you gotta let loose—curls included. Yara Shahidi's head of cascading curls is fun and flirty—and isn't that what New Year's is all about?

  • Start by working in a Byrdie-approved curl product for hydrated and defined tendrils that will keep their shape as the party carries on.
  • Style your hair into a high ponytail at the top of your crown.
  • Pull out a few tendrils to softly frame your face.
16 of 30

Volumized Tousled Pony

Ponytail Hairstyles Volumized Tyra Banks

@tyrabanks

Sometimes less is more as is the case here with Tyra Banks's high tousled pony. It's the best example of elegant bedhead that we've seen in a while. And if it gets a little messier as the night goes on, who cares? The key to this look is imperfection, after all.

  • Apply a volumizing mousse and blow-dry hair.
  • Tease hair at the crown.
  • Pull back into a high ponytail and secure with a hair tie.
  • Allow a few face-framing tendrils to fall out to give you that undone look.
17 of 30

Glittered Hair Twists

Haley's glittered hair twists

@iamhalsey

Not only is Halsey's glittery hair updo out of this world, but it's also party-practical. Hair twists will remain effortlessly intact while you dance or fight over champagne and appetizers (for the record, we'll be doing the latter). 

  • Section off your hair and secure with a clear band.
  • As needed, lightly spray with hairspray to create little twists or spikes.
  • Use a spray-on glitter, such as Secret of Pharaoh Hair and Body Glitter Spray ($10) to give your hair the perfect party look.
18 of 30

Low Bun with Bling

Kaitlyn Dever wearing a low bun hairstyle with hair accessories

The low bun is the ultimate low-maintenance look. But don't use just any old hair tie or bobby pins to fasten your hairdo in place. To keep with the spirit of the New Year, we highly encourage reaching for rhinestone-studded accessories instead.

  • Blow-dry hair straight and apply a shine serum.
  • Pull hair back into a low bun, spraying crown lightly with hairspray to prevent flyaways.
  • Wrap your bun with a Rhinestone Ribbon ($16) and secure the end with a bobby pin.
  • To finish off your look, layer on Rhinestone Clips ($19 for 3) down one side.
19 of 30

Textured and Accessorized

Lucy Boynton textured bob

@jennychohair / Instagram

Stylist Jenny Cho is the genius behind Lucy Boynton's dreamy 'do. This look is dressed up, yet never fussy.

20 of 30

Sleek Waves

Laura Harrier long glossy hair with body

Mike Marsland / WireImage / Getty Images

As foolproof as they are party-proof, glamorous waves befit shindigs of New Year's past, present, and future.

  • To get Laura Harrier's undulating tresses, start by making a deep side part and tucking to one side behind your ear.
  • Curl hair using a two-inch wand to create soft waves.
  • Top it off with some shine pomade, like Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey ($11).
21 of 30

Stellar Bun

Olivia Palermo star hair accessories

@oliviapalermo / Instagram

Olivia Palermo makes a strong argument for hair jewelry for a look that is elegant, but fun.

  • Pull hair back into a low bun, security with bobby pins.
  • Spray a light mist of hair spray for a sleek finish.
  • Pin on several colorful star clips ($4 for 10) that sparkle and shine while simultaneously keeping flyways back. It's one stellar look if you ask us.
22 of 30

Voluminous Waves

Blake Lively long voluminous waves

Roy Rochlin / Getty Images

Va-va-voom! "If you love big statement hair, this is it!" says Zee. Blake Lively's voluminous waves beg onlookers for a double, if not triple, take to properly take them all in.

  • To recreate, "Take time to section with a small waving iron and lots of dry shampoo and hairspray," instructs Zee. 
  • You can't go wrong with Revlon Salon Ceramic 3/4” Hair Waver Iron ($19) to create cool crimps throughout your hair.
23 of 30

Accessorized Wet Look

Kate Mara short hair wet look

@mararoszak / Instagram

Those with short hair will appreciate this wet look served up by Kate Mara. It's simple, yet makes an impact.

  • To get the perfect wet look that is "crunchy" looking, mix together a gel and cream. One Byrdie-recommended combo is Oribe Gel Sérum ($43) and Amika Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream ($26).
  • Work enough in that your hair is coated, but not so much that your hair is sticking together.
  • A pearl barrette works to soften the edginess a bit and add a touch of glam while at it.

Byrdie Tip

After you have worked the gel/cream combo throughout your hair, brush with a wide-toothed comb to get Mara's tousled look. Brushing with a fine-tooth comb will give you more of a slicked-back look.

24 of 30

'90s Style Slick Back

Solange silver hair clips

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

We didn't realize we were missing out on beauty trends from the '90s until we still Solange's cool updo. As you might have guessed, now we want to wear them everywhere.

  • Part your hair down the middle or a side part.
  • Pull hair back in a low bun or ponytail.
  • Add in several snap clips ($4) down one side of your hair.
25 of 30

Textured Waves with Stacked Pins

Textured Waves with Stacked Pins

@erikinvisable

Here is another example of the power of hair accessories. To really get the full effect of this style, opt for casual-cool waves, which will add a nice contrast to the refined assortment of hairpins. It's fête fabulous.

  • To amp up your natural waves, spray in sea salt spray and dry hair, lightly scrunching to bring out your texture.
  • Part hair in the middle and spray on some dry shampoo to further play up the texture and to add volume.
  • Stack several jeweled pins, such as the Stars and Moon Vintage Rhinestone Hair Clips ($14) along one side of your hair.
26 of 30

Rhinestone Topknot

Janelle Monae topknot with hair crystals

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Topknots are the epitome of it-girl cool. This New Year's, take after Janelle Monae and adorn yours with some rhinestone embellishments to add just the right amount of sparkle and festive flair.

  • Pull hair up in a high ponytail at the top of your head and secure with a hair tie.
  • Wrap your hair around the hair tie to create a top knot.
  • Apply self-adhesive rhinestones, such as these Stick-On Hair Gems ($4) to give your look just the right amount of bling.
27 of 30

Rainbow Hair

Halsey's Rainbow Hair

@iamhalsey

Halsey makes our list twice! This time it is for her cool rainbow hair, which is the ultimate NYE party look that is sure to turn heads. You can copy her look with these temporary methods that won't color your hair permanently.

  • Work in a volumizing mousse or sea salt spray and dry, playing up your natural texture and waves.
  • Part your hair in the middle and, for the fun part, clip in Rainbow Hair Extensions ($11), cutting them as needed to fit your hair length.
  • You can also use rainbow-colored hair chalk ($12) for a colorful look that will wash out.
28 of 30

Bubble Ponytail

Kendall Jenner Bubble Ponytail

C Flanigan / Contributor/Getty Images

The bubble ponytail, seen here on Kendall Jenner, is back and better than ever! It is easy to recreate and gives your regular ponytail a definite party-ready flair.

  • Pull hair back into a ponytail. It can be a low ponytail or high ponytail as they both work well with this style.
  • Secure with a hair tie. Depending on how long your hair is, add in several more hair ties spaced evenly apart.
  • Spray lightly with hair spray and then separate the hair between the hair ties to give it that bubble look.
29 of 30

Space Buns

Space Buns

Michael Tullberg / Contributor/Getty Images

Actress Eris Baker has the perfect NYE look with her space buns and playful green eyeshadow. This look is a breeze to recreate and is guaranteed to last way past midnight.

  • Part your hair down the middle.
  • Create two high ponytails on top of your head.
  • Wrap your hair around the base of your ponytail to create the bun. Secure with bobby pins.
  • You can also braid your hair first to create a braided space bun.
30 of 30

Boho Braids

Bella Hadid's boho braids

Rosdiana Ciaravolo / Getty Images

If you want a NYE look that is more on the subtle side, Bella Hadid's bohemian braids are a perfect choice.

  • Pull your hair back in a low bun, low ponytail, or have it braided down your back.
  • Keep out two small sections of hair in the front. Braid those small sections and secure with a clear hair tie.
  • Wrap the ends of the braid in leftover pieces of fabric to give it that cool, boho vibe. You can also use the Kitsch Fabric Hair Ties ($7).
  • Pull out hair to frame your face to finish off your look.

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