How to Make a Hair Bow in Under a Minute for Christmas

Christmas Day hair tends to fall into two camps: effortless and cosy (hello, post-pyjamas polish), or party-ready glamour that stands up to photos, hugs and the inevitable dash back to the kitchen. This year, a playful in-between is doing the rounds: creating a “bow” shape using your own hair for an instant festive accessory. It’s the kind of look that can elevate a simple knit dress, a sequinned top or even a classic red lip without needing a drawer-full of clips and ribbons.

The appeal is obvious: it’s quick, it reads as festive without being novelty, and it can work on a range of hair types with a few small technique tweaks. Below, Hairporium breaks down how the hair-bow style works, how to make it stay put through Christmas dinner, and how to tailor it to your length, density and texture—without overcomplicating what should be a fun, doable style.

What is the “hair bow” style—and why it works

A hair bow is a shape created by looping sections of hair so they resemble the two “wings” of a bow, then securing the centre so the silhouette holds. You’ll often see it styled as a half-up detail on the back of the head, because that placement naturally gives structure: the hair underneath supports the bow, and the top section is easier to control.

From a stylist’s point of view, this look works best when you treat it like a mini updo rather than a novelty trick. The difference is in the prep: a touch of texture at the roots, the right elastic, and pin placement that anchors to the scalp rather than floating in the hair.

How to do the hair bow at home (quick method)

This is the fast, festive approach designed for Christmas morning realities—when time is short, mirrors are busy, and you still want something that looks considered.

• Step 1: Create a half-up ponytail. Take a section from the temples to crown and secure it with a small elastic. Keep it neat at the sides for a “gift-wrapped” finish.
• Step 2: Make a loop (don’t pull through fully). On the final twist of your elastic, pull the ponytail only halfway through to create a loop. Leave the ends (the “tail”) hanging.
• Step 3: Split the loop into two. Use your fingers to divide the loop into left and right “wings”. This is where the bow shape begins to appear.
• Step 4: Create the centre knot. Take the loose tail and lay it over the middle where the two wings meet. Tuck the end underneath and pin it to hide the tips.
• Step 5: Pin like a pro. Use two bobby pins crossed in an X at the centre to lock the “knot” down, then add one pin into each wing if needed—aiming pins toward the scalp for grip.
• Step 6: Adjust and soften. Gently pull the wings wider for symmetry. If you want a more relaxed look, loosen the crown slightly with your fingertips.

Real-world note: Do one quick “head shake test” before you leave the mirror—if the centre moves, add one more pin vertically through the knot into the elastic.

Make it last: hold, frizz control and “photo-proof” finish

Christmas hair has to survive warmth, movement and often a bit of indoor humidity from cooking. Many stylists recommend focusing on structure first and shine second—meaning you anchor the shape before you smooth flyaways.

• Start on day-two hair (if you can). Hair that’s too freshly washed can be slippery. If you’ve washed that morning, add a small amount of texturising spray or a light mist of hairspray to your hands and smooth it through the half-up section.
• Choose the right elastic. A tiny clear elastic can work, but a slim fabric-covered elastic often grips better and is less likely to snap mid-style.
• Pin placement matters. If pins are sliding, try inserting them with the wavy side down and anchoring into the elastic rather than just into hair.
• Tame flyaways gently. Use a dab of smoothing cream or a tiny amount of hair oil on fingertips—avoid overloading the bow wings, as too much slip can collapse the shape.

If your scalp is prone to sensitivity, go easy on heavily fragranced styling sprays and avoid scratching pins against the skin; dermatologists often suggest opting for gentler formulas and removing pins slowly to minimise irritation.

Hair length and texture tweaks (so it looks intentional, not fiddly)

The same bow idea can be adapted across hair types—it just needs small adjustments.

• Short to mid-length hair: Use a smaller half-up section and create a tighter loop. If the tail is too short to wrap the centre, use a discreet pin at the middle and finish with a tiny velvet bow clip beside the style (rather than replacing it) for a festive nod.
• Long hair: Keep the wings balanced by splitting the loop evenly. If wings droop, add a pin into each wing, anchoring downward into the base elastic.
• Fine hair: Add texture first (a little root lift at the crown helps). You can lightly backcomb the half-up ponytail before forming the loop for a fuller bow—keep it gentle to avoid breakage.
• Thick hair: Use a stronger elastic and consider halving your half-up section into two layers. Too much hair in the loop can make the centre bulky and harder to secure neatly.
• Curly or coily hair: A bow can look brilliant with texture. Work with your natural pattern; lightly stretch the wings for shape rather than brushing them smooth. A soft edge control (used sparingly) can help refine the centre without flattening volume.

Practical next step: set yourself a 3-minute practice run the night before. Once you’ve found how much hair your bow needs, Christmas Day styling becomes genuinely quick.

Key Takeaways

• A hair bow is easiest as a half-up style, using a looped ponytail split into two “wings”.
• For the centre “knot”, wrap the tail over the middle and pin into the elastic for reliable grip.
• Texture and structure help the bow last longer than relying on shine products alone.
• Adjust the technique to your hair type: tighter loops for shorter hair, more pins for thicker hair, and gentle shaping for curls.
• Do a quick practice before the big day—once you’ve nailed the section size, the style is genuinely fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the hair bow work on layered hair?
Yes, but you may need extra pins to tuck shorter layers into the centre. A light styling cream can help keep ends from poking out without making the bow slippery.

How do I stop the bow collapsing at the sides?
Make sure your loop is split evenly and anchor each “wing” with a bobby pin angled toward the scalp. If your hair is very soft, add a touch of texture spray before you form the loop.

Is it better to do the bow on straight or curled hair?
Either works. Straight hair gives a crisp, graphic bow; waves or curls create a softer, romantic effect. The key is control at the base so the shape stays stable.

Can I do this style without hairspray?
You can, especially on day-two hair, but a small amount of flexible-hold spray often helps the wings hold their shape in warm indoor conditions. If you avoid fragrance or have a sensitive scalp, opt for a gentle, light-hold formula.

What if my hair is too short to wrap the centre?
Secure the centre with crossed pins and focus on creating two neat wings. You can also hide the centre with a small clip placed over the middle if needed.