15 Easy Thanksgiving Hairstyles That’ll Wow The Dinner Table
It’s Thanksgiving morning and there are only two things on your mind: a golden-brown turkey and what you should do with your ‘do. We can't help you with the former, but we'll never let our besties go hungry for hair inspo. Whether you’re the host of the whole thing or just bringing the paper plates, we’ve got a feast of fabulous hair inspo that you can get done faster than whipping up your fave side dish (and will have you looking as good as the main course). After all, looking your best on Thanksgiving day—even if you aren’t leaving the living room—will give you the confidence to tackle and enjoy the quality family time this day is made for.
From hair accessories to updos to a classic wavy look, we’ve gathered a bunch of foolproof Thanksgiving hairstyles to take away some of your stress on the big day. Read on for a bounty of hairstyle inspo we have a feeling you’ll be very thankful for—trust, the turkey isn't the only thing that will wow the dinner table.
1. Candied Waves
Sweet as candied yams, this hairdo features a classic half-up look with an adornment to make things extra special. The best way to whip it up? Add your fave curl- or wave-enhancing gel to your hair after you’ve shampooed and conditioned, let it air dry or diffuse it (depending on your style), and finish it off with the cutest jeweled hair accessory.
2. Spiced-Up Bun
What’s a delicious Thanksgiving dinner without a little spice? This effortless hairstyle takes the low bun look we know and love up a notch with two face-framing waves. It’s classy, cute, and as quick and easy as can be. First, slick back your hair into a bun (we love a lower bun for this look) while leaving out two face-framing pieces on each side of your middle part. Then, take a wide curling icon and loosely wave the two pieces. Finish off the look with trust-worthy hairspray and you’ve got yourself a look.
3. Knot-So-Average Updo
Do your big one this Thanksgiving by adding fun, flirty knots to a classic half-up look. (FYI: This hairstyle takes a little more time than the rest of the bunch, but the effort is worth it for the wows.) To start, part your hair into bottom and top half sections. Then, twist the top half of your crown into little knots and secure them with bobby pins. Lastly, top it off with some hairspray to keep everything in place. As for the bottom half, we think some nice curls would really tie the whole look together.
4. Braids & Bangs
Be the whole package this Thanksgiving with the braids and bangs. We love this look especially for a big feast because it’s easy and effortless—and you can get kind of messy with it. Start off by parting your hair down the middle and pulling out two face-framing bangs. Next, do your thing with a braid on each side.
5. Very Demure Space Buns
We know space buns aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Thanksgiving-appropriate hairstyles, but trust us—these ones are very cutesy, very demure. We love this look for turkey dinner because it adds some playfulness to the day without going overboard. Our favorite part? The pinned-down bang. Secure your side part with any hair accessory you’re loving right now, and you’ve turned this party-girl staple look into something even mom will love.
6. Braided Crown
Crown yourself the queen of the dinner table with this classic style. If you’re a pro at braiding, this one is easy-peasy. Just create two braids on each side of your part and secure them at the nape of your neck with some small hair ties like the LUXE & WILLOW 8 Pack No-Crease Hair Ties. Finish off the look with a low pony or wear your tresses loose.
7. Half Up, Half Down
We’re obsessed with this look not only because it’s easy to achieve, but because it looks good on everyone. Split your hair using a comb, then slick back a bun and secure hairs in place using a smoothing gel like the EDEN BODYWORKS Lavender Aloe Smoothing Gel. Keep the bottom half in braids or wear it in its natural curl—whatever you choose to do with the bottom half of your hair is really up to you!
8. Bring Out the Bangs
If you’ve got a hairstyle with bangs, now’s your time to shine. Bringing out the bangs is the easiest way to look effortlessly put-together. Plus, they look good with almost every hairstyle you can imagine.
9. Sleek & Slick
We’re in love with this slicked-back look because it’s simple and sophisticated, but in an understated way. Plus, you can never go wrong with a side part—it always takes a hairstyle up a notch. The most important thing to remember when achieving this look is keeping flyaways at bay with an extra-hold product like TRESEMMÉ TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray.
10. Wavy, Baby
To achieve this just-left-the-beach-in-the-middle-of-winter look, you’ll need a really good texturizing spray. Our fave right now is the ORIBE HAIR CARE Dry Texturizing Spray. We added this one to the bunch of easy Thanksgiving hairstyles because you can get a little messy with it, making it very hard to mess up.
11. Buns Out
If you’re looking to channel your inner off-duty model, this look is for you. While it may look complicated to achieve, it made our list of easy hairstyles because it takes a lot less time and effort than you’d think. Slick your hair back in a bun like you’d normally do, but while leaving out a piece that will act as your bang. Then take a small barreled curling iron like the SUTRA Mini Curling Wand and curl the piece of hair in as tight or loose of a curl as you’d like.
12. Braided Pony
We love this classic hairstyle for your Thanksgiving day because it’s quick and easy—all you need to know how to do is a simple braid. Then, secure your hair with a cute scrunchie like one from the REFRESHMENTS Scrunch Bunch Scrunchie Trio and you’re ready to take on the Thanksgiving grub.
13. Put a Bow on It
When in doubt, put a bow on it. This style is so simple, yet whimsical, chic, and sooooo cute. The bows definitely make it look like you’ve put in way more effort into the hairstyle than it requires. Plus, if you don’t have any bow clips handy, opt for some ribbon to create your own bow instead.
14. High Pony
If there’s one thing a high pony is going to do, it’s going to look good. It works on everyone, and it definitely snatches the face (move over, Bella Hadid). The only thing you need is a secure and hair-safe tie like the GOOMEE 4-Pack Hair Tie (high ponies can be really damaging to your hair, so this is important!) and some handy-dandy hair spray to hold everything in place—then you’re all set!
15. Bring Back the Head Band
The ‘90s called and they said you should definitely bring headbands back. This style takes little to no effort and there are a million and one headbands out there to choose from. Just slide it on and your hair is instantly cute and away from your plate.
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