Holiday parties are meant to be fun — not a second full‑time job. Between blowouts, gel manicures, and last‑minute errands, getting ready can quickly become expensive and time‑consuming. Over the years, I’ve built a simple, reliable at‑home routine that delivers polished, party‑ready results without the stress (or the salon bill).
Below are my favorite holiday prep hacks — easy upgrades that take minutes, travel well, and make a big impact.
1. Easy Holiday Hair at Home (Messy Buns, Dry Shampoo & Headbands)
The Messy Bun Secret (My #1 Hack)
A good messy bun attachment is the ultimate holiday shortcut. It instantly elevates a basic outfit and works for everything from casual cocktail parties to dressy evenings.
I’ve tried many over the years (Nordstrom, wig stores, and Amazon), and these two are consistently top‑rated:
- SARLA Messy Bun Scrunchie (Amazon, here)
- Juva Messy Bun Scrunchie – I own 2 of these – (Amazon, here).
How I style it:
- Start with dry shampoo at the roots (I like the smell and feel of Amika Dry Shampoo).
- Create a center part
- Pull hair into a simple bun or pony with a hair elastic.
- Attach the bun piece, then secure with a few bobby pins.
- Loosen pieces for that effortless, slightly undone finish.
This works beautifully with just dry shampoo, bobby pins, a hair elastic, and a scrunchie — no heat tools required. Check out this YouTube video tutorial or a more glam look, I found (this) YouTube tutorial to be super helpful and easy to follow. There are so many tutorials on YouTube, simply search “Messy Bun Tutorial with Messy Bun Scrunchie.”
Pro tip: Keep a sparkly or crystal headband on hand to instantly elevate your look.
Crystal Embellished Velvet Headband by Tasha (Nordstrom, $38, here)
2. At‑Home Holiday Manicure: Salon‑Look Nails Without the Appointment
Holiday manicures are lovely… but also pricey and time‑consuming. Nail wraps are my go‑to solution for a polished look at home in under 30 minutes.
My Favorite Nail Wrap Options
Color Street (here)
My personal choice for years. These are real nail polish strips that apply easily, require no dry time, and have excellent staying power — often lasting a full week or more.
Sally Hansen Nail Strips (here)
A great budget option (often under $6). Easy to apply, beginner‑friendly, and perfect if you want a quick refresh for one event.
Dashing Diva (here)
I have not personally tried these; however, they are known for sleek designs and have strong reviews. These do require a UV lamp (sold separately), but they offer a very glossy, gel‑like finish.
Color Street Nail Strips in Tokyo Nights, AMAZON (here).
3. Holiday Makeup Shortcuts: Red Lip, Glow & 5‑Minute Polish
Red Lip + Glow = Instant Party Face
When time is limited, I focus on two things: skin glow and a confident lip.
My luxe favorites:
- Dior Rouge Lipstick 999 (the ultimate classic red)
- Dior Forever Glow Luminizer — a holiday must‑have to dust along cheekbones (and anywhere you want extra glow)
Excellent Dior dupes to try:
4. Pre‑Party Skincare: Eye Patches & Face Masks for Makeup‑Ready Skin
I love products that work while I’m doing something else.
Eye Patches for a Brighter, Rested Look
- SkinMedica Instant Brightening Eye Patches — great for smoothing and hydrating before makeup
- Patchology Under‑Eye Patches ($12 for a set of 5) — an affordable, effective option
Face Mask for Makeup‑Ready Skin
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Pore Refreshing Mask
This mask has excellent reviews for refining pores and creating a smooth canvas for makeup — ideal before an event.
Important note: I always test masks a few days before a big occasion, just in case my skin decides not to cooperate.
5. Last‑Minute Outfit Prep: Why a Clothing Steamer Is a Must
A handheld clothing steamer is non‑negotiable for last‑minute touch‑ups. It refreshes dresses, blouses, and even scarves in seconds — especially helpful if pieces have been hanging in the closet or pulled from storage. I own (this) one from Amazon.
Holiday Outfit Inspiration: Looks I’ve Worn & Loved
If you’re pulling outfits together from your own closet this season, sometimes it helps to see real looks styled and worn — not just trend forecasts.
I’ve added a few holiday outfits from seasons past below for inspiration. These are pieces and combinations I still reach for year after year: simple silhouettes, elevated textures, and outfits that feel festive without feeling overdone.
Think:
- Satin or slip skirts paired with cozy knits
- Faux fur or textured jackets over simple bases
- Black trousers styled with sparkle, lace, or a bold lip
- Statement accessories doing most of the heavy lifting
Most of these looks were styled using pieces I already owned — proof that a few thoughtful updates (hair, makeup, accessories) can make familiar items feel brand new.
Look 1: Sequin or Satin Skirt + Cashmere Sweater
A festive skirt paired with a cozy cashmere sweater is one of my favorite holiday formulas — easy, comfortable, and endlessly repeatable. Leopard calf hair vintage pumps add interest and tension to the sequin skirt. Whether it’s a sequin skirt or a satin version, the combination with a luxe sweater feels dressed up without trying too hard.
Look 2: Black Silk Pants + Vintage Lace (Evening Holiday Party)
This outfit is built around a true closet staple: my black silk Cuyana wide-leg pants (exact, here). I styled them with a vintage lace tank, kitten heels (vintage Prada), and a faux fur collar (similar, here) for a look that feels elevated but still effortless.
Prep-wise, I leaned on all my go-to shortcuts — a messy bun topped with (this) sparkly headband, nail wraps in Tokoyo Lights (here), instead of a salon manicure, and lots of statement jewelry to do the heavy lifting.
Look 3: Gold Lamé Skirt + Graphic Holiday Sweater
Mixing something casual with something glam is one of my favorite ways to make holiday outfits feel wearable. A gold lamé skirt paired with a graphic holiday sweater strikes that perfect balance — festive, fun, and not too serious.
Look 4: Tulle Dress Styled for Daytime (Sparkle Breakfast 2023)
One of the best ways to get more wear out of special pieces is to style them for unexpected moments — even daytime events. I wore this floral tulle dress (Anthropologie, thrifted) with a black faux fur shrug and gold booties for our annual sparkle breakfast, and it felt chic, yet fun. It’s a reminder that standout pieces don’t need to be saved only for nighttime.
Look 5: The All-In Party Look (Tulle, Pink Faux Fur & Sparkle)
Not every holiday look needs to be practical — sometimes the occasion calls for going all in. This is my unapologetically festive party outfit: a floral tulle dress, pink faux fur, silver glitter heels, and as much sparkle as possible.
To keep the look balanced (and stress-free), I relied on simple prep: a messy bun finished with a sparkly headband, and a bold red lip. Pulling my hair up allowed the outfit to bring the drama and shine.
For more festive looks and holiday outfit inspiration, check out these 2 recent posts:
What I Wore This Week: 5 Outfits, Monthly Favorites + Holiday Styling Video (here)
Winter Whites, Hot Pink, Faux Fur & Sequins: A Holiday Styling Session (Video)
6. Holiday Accessories That Elevate the Look
If you wear readers, make them part of the look.
I love rhinestone‑embellished eyeglasses, especially cat‑eye shapes for evening. They add sparkle without trying too hard and are widely available on Amazon.
Shop festive readers: I’ve linked a few rhinestone and cat-eye styles that work especially well for evening events down below.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun
Holiday style doesn’t need to be complicated — or expensive. A few smart tools, multitasking products, and reliable beauty shortcuts can make getting ready feel calm, easy, and even enjoyable.
These are the exact hacks I rely on all season long, whether I’m hosting at home or heading out the door.
Shop the post: I’ve linked everything mentioned above so you can mix, match, and build your own low‑stress holiday prep kit at home. Click the arrows to scroll all 25 products.
If you want to see more of how I style pieces from my closet in real life — plus daily outfit ideas, beauty finds, and seasonal favorites — follow me on LTK for shoppable looks and styling inspiration.
For even more outfit ideas, beauty saves, and looks you can come back to later, you can also follow along on Pinterest.
Cheers to festive looks without the frenzy!
