Your 2022 Guide to Practicing Self-Care During the Holidays
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It’s one thing to say that you need to practice self-care during the holiday season, and it’s another to actually do it.
If you’re anything like me, you probably spend every holiday season tied up in a ton of social and familial obligations, only to ring in the new year by saying, “this next year, I’m not doing that.” And 11 months later, you skip that self-care allll over again.
So, these are tips on how to practice holiday self-care, written by a hairstylist (me) who happens to speak with countless clients every single year about which self-care practices they wish they’d prioritized in past holiday seasons. Consider it a list of really incredible suggestions made by equally incredible women.
How to Practice Self-Care During the Holidays
Have a Spa Day
And if budget’s a concern, have an at-home spa day. Truthfully, one of my favorite things to do is to have my own at-home spa day: it requires 0 driving or peopling (the epitome of a perfect spa day).
Need help or suggestions? Read my blog on Creating Your Own Spa Day!
Add on an Extra Treat at Your Next Hair Appointment
The chances are that your hairstylist will be offering holiday add-on and treatment specials. Take advantage of one (or a few) of those services to give yourself a bit of extra pampering.
Many of those add-on services (like smoothing and conditioning treatments) = extra time spent in the hair bowl, getting your head massaged. That’s self-care, if you ask me!
Some common add-ons to consider:
Gloss: think of this as the “top coat” layer for your hair. It adds shine, and can brighten your existing color.
Conditioning treatment.
Smoothing treatment: a Keratin treatment or Brazilian Blowout will give your hair that smooth, silky and frizz-free look you love so much. It’s a great way to save some time while getting ready this holiday season, too!
Face-framing highlights: not only are face-framing highlights less expensive than a full head of highlights, but they’re much quicker, too. So, if you’re craving a bit of brightness around the face, face-framing highlights are the way to go!
Haircut or dusting: whether you opt for a couple of inches or millimeters off of your hair, there’s something to be said about soft and healthy ends.
Now, if you’re reading this blog as a client of mine and want to add any of these services onto your upcoming appointment, just send me a message before your appointment or you can select an option from your appointment form the day of!
If you’re not a client of mine, I’d recommend reaching out to your stylist ahead of time so they can make any timing adjustments that may be required to add on those extras for you.
Give Your Hair Some Love at Home
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or “unproductive.” I personally love putting a conditioning mask on my hair while I get chores done around the house (i.e., decorating, gift wrapping, baking, cooking, you name it). During the colder season, your hair needs more moisture and hydration; pamper it with an at-home hair conditioning mask!
My favorite conditioning mask for all hair types is 7 Seconds by Unite. Use it a couple of times per month, to keep your hair soft, silky and healthy!
Do Small, Everyday Things That Make You Happy
That might include lighting a new candle at the end of your day, or getting the cleaning done before you head out for work. The holiday season rings in shorter, darker days, and practicing self-care includes making sure that you’re looking after your mental health throughout the day, too.
Read my tips on beating the winter blues!
Take the Guesswork Out of Holiday Shopping
Holiday shopping is stressful. There’s always that one person who seems to already have everything they could possibly want or need - and that added stress is the opposite of self-care.
While I can’t necessarily build out lists upon lists of gift suggestions for everyone within this blog, I can help you take the guesswork out of holiday shopping for that beauty lover in your life. Here are a few suggestions!
Gifts for Beauty Lovers
The Dyson Airwrap + Frizz Attachment
A Babyliss Pro Curling Iron
A Rusk, Dyson, or Babyliss Flat Iron
A set of round brushes
A silk pillowcase and/or set of scrunchies (okay, this one’s great for everyone)
A homemade gift basket filled with dent-free hair ties, a full-sized and travel-sized Wet Brush, heat protectant and dry shampoo (great for extension wearers too!)
A giftcard to their favorite hair, nail, lash or brow salon
Need more ideas? Shop my curated Amazon list for more holiday gift suggestions!
Gifts for Bay Area locals (Campbell, CA)
A plant and artsy pot from Momstera Lounge
A gift card or outfit from Besties Boutique
A one-month membership to X2o Pilates Studio
No one knows how to make you happy like you do.
Don’t forget that, even in the midst of the holiday chaos: that as small as applying hair conditioner, lighting a candle or going to the hair salon might seem, those tiny self-care practices do add up. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2022 holiday season!
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