Kinks, curls and festive tresses: Holiday ideas for natural hair

By Haniyah Philogene

·November 23, 2023

Holiday hair inspiration for Black women (Photo: Ton.L)

The holiday season is officially upon us, meaning it’s time to deck the halls, wrap the presents, and, of course, find the perfect hairstyle to make your festive moments truly shine. Gone are the days when Black women felt obligated to straighten their hair in adherence to a formal dress code. Though many still love a good silk press, in 2023, that is only one hairstyle option when attending a gala, holiday party, or any other formal event.

There’s no shortage of inspiration for holiday hair for Black women. (Photo: Ton.L)

These days, Black celebrities strut down the red carpet sporting all types of crowns, proving just how versatile Black hair can be. From braids to bundles, from locs to ‘fros, our kinky, curly and coily tresses offer an endless canvas of creativity to explore. However, even with so much variety, it’s easy to lean into the same, safe styles. So, we’ve gathered some of our favorite formal hairstyles, hopefully inspiring you to try something new this holiday season.

Release the ‘fro

For decades, Black women were led to believe their natural hair was “unkempt” or “unprofessional.” Although many have since transitioned into rocking their natural hair daily, some don’t consider the varied ways they can style their afros for formal occasions. While an afro’s size and texture make a statement, you can consider accessorizing your ‘fro with hair jewels and pins to add a bit of extra razzle-dazzle. Take a look at how some of your favorite stars have styled their ‘fros for red carpet events:

Release the ‘fro

Uzo Aduba attends the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Release the ‘fro

Zendaya attends 3rd Annual InStyle Awards at The Getty Center on October 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Release the ‘fro

Actress/producer Gabrielle Union, recipinet of the Breakthrough Producer of the Year award, attends the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards brought to you by the Coca-Cola Company at Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CinemaCon)

Release the ‘fro

Shoniqua Shandai attends Amazon’s “Harlem” Series Premiere at AMC Magic Johnson Harlem on December 01, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Release the ‘fro

Viola Davis walks the runway during “Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris – Walk Your Worth” Show as part of Paris Fashion Week at the Eiffel Tower on October 01, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pietro S. D’Aprano/Getty Images for L’Oreal Paris)

Release the ‘fro

Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards at L.A. LIVE on September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Release the ‘fro

Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

Release the ‘fro

Kerry Washington attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Release the ‘fro

Uzo Aduba attends the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Add texture to traditional styles

Since most “updo” hairstyles are modeled on straight hair, those of us with kinky or curly hair textures often think we have to straighten our hair to recreate the look. However, with the right products and a few extra bobby pins, these same styles can look just as good on hair in its natural state. Here are a few ways stars have embraced natural hair textures in styles: