It is 5 November. Somewhere nearby, a sparkler is being waved with far too much confidence. Meanwhile, in diaries across Widnes, Christmas party invitations are already landing.
This is the quiet moment before the rush. If you book your party hair now, you get the appointment you want, at the time you want, with the stylist you want. If you wait until the second week of December, you get whatever is left. We would rather you got the first option.
This guide covers how to choose a look, how to time your cut and colour, what to bring on the day and what to ask when you ring. It is practical, a little bit cheeky and, we hope, short on panic.
Why 5 November is the right time to book
December has a way of filling up. Work do, family do, friends’ do, the do you forgot you had said yes to. Everyone needs their hair to look good on roughly the same Fridays and Saturdays.
We are open until 7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and until 6.00pm on Wednesdays. Those later slots suit anyone who is going straight from work to a party. They are also the ones people tend to ask for first, so it pays to ring early and ask what is free.
Booking now also gives you room to do things in the right order. A haircut or colour refresh needs a little time to settle. A hair-up appointment needs to be on the day, or close to it. Fit those together and you can plan your whole festive look without a last-minute scramble.
Pick the look before you pick the date
Most party hair falls into four families. Knowing which one you are after makes the consultation quicker, and the result closer to the picture in your head.
- Hair up. Chignons, twists, braided crowns and low buns. Neat, secure and ideal if you plan to dance.
- Half up. Soft waves with the top section pinned back. It frames the face and suits most lengths.
- Sleek and straight. A glossy, polished finish with a clean parting. Simple, sharp and surprisingly dramatic.
- Big, bouncy waves. Volume and movement, with a nod to the glamour of old Hollywood. Best for hair with some natural body.
Save two or three photos before you come in. Choose looks on hair that is similar to yours in length, texture and density. A picture of someone with hair to their waist is lovely, but it may not help if yours stops at your chin.
Hair-up styling: the safe bet for a long night
If your party involves a buffet, a dance floor and a coat that will go on and off six times, a hair-up style earns its keep. It stays tidy, it stays off your neck and it looks as good at midnight as it did at seven.
Our hair-up styling service is designed for exactly this. Your stylist will work with your hair type, build in the right amount of hold and place pins so that they do their job without making themselves known.
A few things help the stylist, and help your hair:
- Arrive with dry, product-free hair, unless your stylist has asked you to do otherwise.
- Bring any hair accessories you plan to wear. A clip is far easier to place when it is there in person.
- Wear a top you can get on and off without pulling it over your head. Your future self will thank you.
- Tell us the neckline of your outfit. It changes where a style looks best.
Not sure you want it all up? Have a look at our styling services, which cover blow-dries, curls and sleek finishes.
Does a hair-up style stay in all night?
That depends on your hair. Fine, straight and very silky hair is harder to hold than thicker or wavy hair. A good stylist knows this and adjusts, using texture, extra pins and the right products to give the style some grip.
It also helps if your hair is not freshly washed. Clean hair is slippery. That is why a day-old wash, as strange as it sounds, can be the best base for an updo. We have written about this in detail in our guide to second-day hair, and it is worth a read before your appointment.
Getting the timing right for cut and colour
Nobody wants a brand-new fringe on the morning of the party and a nagging sense that it is a bit short. Equally, nobody wants roots that make an unannounced appearance in the photos.
Your stylist will give you a date that suits your own hair, but these general ideas can help you plan:
- Haircut: book it one to two weeks before the party. It gives the shape time to settle, and you time to get used to it.
- Colour: book it a week or two before. That leaves room for any adjustments, and for the first-wash fade that many colours have.
- Treatment: a conditioning or smoothing treatment works well in the weeks before, so that your hair is in good condition on the night.
- Styling: book as close to the party as you can. On the day itself is best.
You do not have to change your colour completely for Christmas. Celebrity hairdresser Melissa Timperley, speaking to Woman & Home, says the trends for autumn and winter 2026 are richer versions of shades people already like. She does not suggest a total overhaul. A refresh and a gloss may be all you need.
If you are thinking about a more noticeable change, our colouring services page explains what is on offer. Please ask us about a patch test if you have not had colour with us before.
Frizz, damp and the British winter
Here is the problem with winter parties. You leave the house looking like a film star. You walk to the taxi in the drizzle. By the time you arrive, you look like you have had a disagreement with a hedge.
A smoothing treatment can help to keep frizz down in damp weather. Our hair smoothing service is worth considering a few weeks ahead, and we have explained how it works in our article on frizz-free hair through the rain. If you cannot do a treatment, a small umbrella and a hooded coat are cheaper than they sound.
Thin, fine or flat? Add volume without the drama
Many people want fuller hair for a party and are not sure how to get it. There are a few routes, and they are not mutually exclusive.
- A blow-dry with lift. The cheapest and quickest route. A good stylist can add body at the root and keep it going with the right products.
- A cut with movement. Layers and texture can make fine hair look fuller. It is worth asking about this when you book your trim.
- Hair extensions. They add length, but more often they add volume. Our hair extensions page has the details, and our article on why volume beats length in 2026 explains the thinking.
- Treatments for thinning hair. If your hair is thinning, our thinning hair page explains how we can help.
If you want extensions in time for a December party, start the conversation now. Ask whether you will need a consultation first, and aim to have it with plenty of time to spare.
Pair your hair with your make-up
Hair and make-up work as a pair. A bold lip and a sleek bun look wonderful together. A smoky eye and tumbling curls can look just as good. Where it goes wrong is when the two are booked in different places on different days, and nobody has thought about the neckline.
If you would like your make-up done too, our make-up page has the details. Ask about booking the two appointments back to back, so that you can be done and out of the door in one go.
We have also written about how to prepare your skin for a make-up look in our guide to skin-first make-up.
What to bring on the day
- Photos of the look you like, and one or two of the look you do not.
- Your hair accessories, if you have any.
- Your outfit, or a picture of it, so that we can match the style to the neckline.
- A top that buttons or zips at the front.
- A comfortable pair of shoes for the journey, if the party shoes are a threat to life and limb.
Frequently asked questions
- How far ahead should I book Christmas party hair?
As soon as you know your party date. For the busiest Fridays and Saturdays in December, the earlier the better. Ring us on 0151 420 5656 and we will tell you what is available. - Can I have my hair styled on the day of the party?
Yes, and it is often the best option. A style done a few hours before the event is fresh and holds well. Ask us about the later slots on Thursday and Friday if you are coming from work. - Do I need to wash my hair before my appointment?
Not usually. Clean, dry hair without heavy products is the best starting point. If you plan a hair-up style, hair that is a day old can hold better. Your stylist can tell you what works for your hair when you book. - What if I do not know what I want?
That is what the consultation is for. Bring a few photos, tell us about the event and your outfit and we will talk it through. You do not need to arrive with a finished plan. - Can I book hair and make-up together?
Yes. Ask when you ring and we will see what we can do to fit them together.
Book your festive hair now
Christmas will arrive whether or not you are ready. Your hair does not have to be the last thing on the list. Choose your look, pick your date and let us do the rest.
Ready to book? Call us on 0151 420 5656, book online, or visit us at 190 Lunts Heath Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 5AZ.
