New Year's Hairstyles: 5 Chic Chignons for New Year's Eve

Now that the holidays are here, you’re probably trying to figure out how you want to spend New Year’s Eve. While we can’t help with your social plans or picking out the best LBD for the evening’s festivities, we can assist with how to top off your look with a hairstyle that’s sure to catch someone’s attention just in time for midnight. When you think of holiday hairstyle trends, you might be thinking of perfectly wound curls or pin-straight hair that’s as long as can be. Instead of sticking with one of those basic looks, why not try a chic chignon (aka low-bun) to steal the show. Don’t be intimidated by the word ‘chignon’—it’s the French way of saying ‘bun,’ and these updos are totally achievable with the right tips, products, and a few bobby pins. Keep reading for five chignon tutorials that will surely turn heads on New Year’s Eve.

NEW YEAR’S HAIRSTYLE #1: LOOSE LOW CHIGNON

If you’re a low-key girl, a perfectly prim and proper hairstyle might not be up your alley. While chignons are known for being classic, when done loosely, they emulate the trendy, cool girl’s favorite undone look. Sound good?

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Conditioner

Hair cream

Hair tie

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Fine Control Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Wash your hair

Hop in the shower and reach for a frizz-fighting shampoo and conditioner.

Step 2: Brush your hair

Even though this look touts itself on being undone, it still looks best if you smooth things down a bit. If you’re brushing after showering, apply a dollop of hair cream from your mid-lengths through your ends and allow your locks to air dry.

Step 3: Smooth your hair back into a low octopus bun

In order to not make your hairstyle too neat, instead of using a brush, use your hands to smooth your hair back into a low bun before securing it with a hair tie. Don’t worry about loose ends—otherwise known as octopus tentacles—you’ll deal with them next.

Step 4: Wrap your ends

Twist the little tentacles of hair around your bun and secure them in place with bobby pins, making sure to conceal any pins to uphold the undone look.

Step 5: Finish with hair spray

Since this hairstyle is loosely tied back, it could use a little help to keep it in place all night long. Since you don’t want it to look stiff, stick to a flexible hold hair spray.

Editor's note: If you don't have long hair, you can still rock a chignon! The low chignon is our favorite option for short hair, just remember you'll probably need extra bobby pins to make this hairstyle work for your length.

NEW YEAR’S HAIRSTYLE #2: MESSY BRAIDED CHIGNON

A simple braid might be too basic for one of the best nights of the year—but that doesn’t mean a braided chignon is!

What you’ll need:

Shampoo

Conditioner

Rat tail comb

Clear mini elastics

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Wash your hair

Use a system of shampoo and conditioner formulated for your hair type.

Step 2: Create a side part

Using the tail end of your rat-tail comb, trace a straight line from your hairline back to your crown, creating a side part.

Step 3: Section your hair into four sections

Section your hair, but don’t split everything evenly. Divide the front two sections to frame your face, while the back two sections should hold the majority of your hair.

Step 4: Braid the two back sections

With each of the back sections, create a braid. The looser the better, just not too loose. Once you reach the ends, secure them with clear mini elastics.

Step 5: Pancake each braid

Starting at the end of each braid, gently tug at each section to fluff it up for a fuller appearance.

Step 6: Tuck and roll

Tuck the end of one of the braids and roll it up until it reaches the nape of your neck, then pin it in place.

Step 7: Repeat!

Roll and tuck your other braid into place, pinning it once it looks just right.

Step 8: Style the front sections of hair

Starting one side at a time, release a section of hair and loosely French braid it back towards your bun until you’re no longer able to incorporate new hair. Braid it to the ends from there, tuck the ends, and pin it down.

Step 9: Pull out face-framing tendrils

You’ll want a few face-framing strands for this style. No, not the ‘90s kind that come down from your hairline near your part, but rather just in front of your ears for a more romantic, undone allure.

Step 10: Fluff up your chignon and secure in place

Using the tail end of your rat tail comb, gently lift the hair at your crown for a more voluminous-looking chignon. Once everything looks exactly as you’d like, spritz it with hair spray and go enjoy yourself.

NEW YEAR’S HAIRSTYLE #3: SLEEK RETRO CHIGNON

Loving the wet look that’s been dominating the runways? Why not pair it with an old-school hairstyle for a modern update that’s bound to make a serious fashion statement on New Year’s Eve.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Shampoo

L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Conditioner

L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Frizz Finish Oil-in-Serum

Clear elastics

Rat tail comb

Hair spray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Wash your hair

The wet look works best with freshly washed hair, so hop in the shower and wash with a shampoo and conditioner.

Step 2: Use a hair serum

After you get out of the shower, apply a hair serum. Then, part your hair down the middle or off to one side and brush it down, smoothing it as much as possible.

Step 3: Divide your hair into three sections

Split your hair into three separate sections, two in the front and one in the back, with the majority of your hair being in the back section. Then, tie the back section into a low ponytail.

Step 4: Section your ponytail off

Using another clear elastic, tie the ends of your ponytail together, creating one sectioned area from the base to your ends.

Step 5: Tuck your pony

Tuck the tied-off ends underneath itself, loosely rolling your ponytail up towards the base of your head before pinning it in place.

Step 6: Smooth the front sections back

Apply a little more hair serum and use a rat tail comb to gently smooth each of your front sections back, making sure to flatten any bumps and lumps. Wrap one set of ends around the top of your bun and the other around the bottom, then pin in place.

Step 7: Finish with hair spray

After pinning everything down, make sure all bobby pins are concealed with hair and spritz with hair spray for a sleek look that stays put.

NEW YEAR’S HAIRSTYLE #4: vintage, voluminous chignon

Sometimes, a big night calls for big hair, and we love a chignon with a bit of built-in volume. This vintage-inspired low-bun is easier to create than it looks—and if you’ve got bangs, it’s the perfect chignon for you!

What you’ll need:

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner

Boar bristle brush

Clear elastics

Bobby pins

L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse

Hair spray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Wash your hair

Reach for a volume-boosting shampoo and conditioner system.

Step 2: Air dry your hair

When your locks are about 80-percent dry, apply a bit of volume-boosting hair mousse to your strands to add some texture and make the bun easier to assemble. Then, let your hair finish drying naturally.

Step 3: Tease

Pull together the top section of your hair and tease it using your boar bristle brush, then pull your hair into a mid-height ponytail.

Step 4: Second ponytail

Gather the rest of your hair into a second ponytail just below the first one.

Step 5: Combine ponytails

Combine the two ponytails and tease the underlayer, then roll the ponytail up and secure it with bobby pins.

Step 6: Set your style

Use a few spritzes of strong hold hairspray.

NEW YEAR’S HAIRSTYLE #5: Twisted, topsy tail chignon

Don’t worry, this look is a lot easier than it sounds, and it will lend a sophisticated, classy vibe to any New Year’s look you’re planning.

What you’ll need:

Clear elastic

Bobby pins

Fine-toothed comb

L'Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Form a ponytail

Using your fine-tooth comb, part your hair right down the center and pull it back into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck.

Step 2: Do the twist

Using the hair just above either side of the ponytail, begin twisting each side into a topsy tail (twisting your hair toward the inside and securing back in the elastic).

Step 3: Flip it up

Twist the rest of the hair in the pony up, through the topsy tail, then fasten with a few bobby pins.

Step 4: Finishing touches

Carefully widen your bun, adding extra bobby pins if necessary, then spritz a little hairspray to keep everything in place. 

Now that your hairstyle is on point, it’s time to think about your makeup! Read our article, 7 New Year’s Eve Makeup Looks for Your Eyes, for some major NYE beauty inspo.