• Celebrity
    • OTE – Meagan Good
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Meagan Good
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Updos

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers

December has arrived, which means the next few weeks will consist of gift giving, tree trimming and our favorite part of the holiday season—parties. As we inch closer to the New Year, it’s time to revel in milestones; another year at the job,  365 more days with your significant other or another grueling college semester.  So, when invitations to office celebrations and ugly Christmas sweater parties hit your inbox, be sure to RSVP! While you may feel compelled to let your hair down, updos are actually the perfect party-proof hairstyle. With your hair out of the way, you can dance and not worry about your hair falling flat and sneak a kiss underneath the mistletoe without having to pluck strands from your lip gloss. From braided crowns to top knots, the possibilities are literally endless. Skip the drama of unruly hair and rock one of these celeb-inspired updos for your holiday mixer. 
By Jennifer Ford · Updated October 26, 2020
01
Karrueche Tran

For an edgier holiday look, try this razored bang and braided top knot combo. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jason Merritt
02
Janelle Monae

Copy this look for a multidimensional hairstyle that looks amazing from every angle. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Paul Morigi
03
Meagan Good

Got goddess locs? Pin them into a simple and sleek bun. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Steve Granitz
04
Gabrielle Union

If your goal is to turn heads, this knotted mohawk will do the trick. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jason LaVeris
05
Jerrika Hinton

Stun everyone with a kinky curly pump.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Kevin Mazur
06
Beyoncé

Upgrade your basic bun with a goddess braid.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Getty Images
07
Keke Palmer

If you’ve got long twists or braids, try this half up, half down hairstyle. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jason Kempin
08
Issa Rae

Be the center of attention with this textured off center bun.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jeffrey Mayer
09
Zoe Kravitz

If you’re indecisive, this tapered and braided top knot will work. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Brent N. Clarke
10
Rihanna

Top knot and bangs? Yes please!

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Barry King
11
Yara Shahidi

You can never go wrong with a sky scraping top knot.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jon Kopaloff
12
Nicki Minaj

This hairstyle is all things chic and sleek.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jim Spellman
13
Lala Anthony

These pin curls are pretty and perfect for an ultra-feminine holiday look.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jason Merritt
14
Andra Day

Here’s inspo for a retro holiday updo.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
JB Lacroix
15
Yaya DaCosta

The runner up during America’s Next Top Model’s third season and star of Chicago Med, DaCosta has a degree in Africana Studies and International Relations from Brown University.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Getty Images
16
Kerry Washington

If you’re rekindling with an old flame over the holiday, this soft updo will have him swooning.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Mark Davis
17
Aja Naomi King

For your flirtiest updo, add a side swept bang.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jason LaVeris
18
Zendaya

For a classier holiday hairstyle, try this low bun.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Frederick M. Brown
19
Tracee Ellis Ross

For a fun protective style, try this cornrowed bun.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Frederick M. Brown
20
Tinashe

Flaunt your curls with this simple updo!

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Steve Granitz
21
Christina Milian

If you’re stuck between braids and a ponytail, here’s your happy medium. 

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Paul Archuleta
22
Tika Sumpter

This braided crown, spotted on Tika Sumpter,  is a fun look to rock to your office holiday party.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Stefanie Keenan
23
Kelly Rowland

If you don’t want to rock a polished updo, this messy crown braid is an effortless looking way to keep hair out of your face.

23 Party-Proof Updos That Are Perfect For Holiday Mixers
Jason Merritt
TOPICS:  Celebrity Hairstyles Holiday Hair
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now