There is nothing worse than standing in the fitting room two hours before your work holiday party with nothing to wear, greasy hair, half pealed-off nail polish, and extremely dry skin (can you tell I'm scarred from personal experience?).
To feel your best and avoid "fitting room dread" this holiday season, try to plan ahead.
Schedule hair and nail appointments ASAP.
If you know that your roots or bangs are going to be grown out by the middle of December, lock down an appointment with your favorite hairdresser now. The middle of November through the end of December is the busiest time for salons and there is no guarantee that you will secure that appointment. According to Salon Owner, Jamie Nelson: "Wednesdays are usually the slowest days and tend to be the days when stylists are feeling most creative. "
Don't try to squeeze in a manicure or a trim the day of a party; you will be too stressed to enjoy the experience. So, book your appointment a few days before the event and let the professionals do their job! Sit back, relax and watch the magic happen.
Fight the urge to do anything too crazy or trendy around the holidays. Remember, mom will post those holiday pictures on Facebook whether you like them or not! Don't risk it! If you do end up going for a pixie cut or those trendy bangs you saw on Instagram, give yourself a couple of days to figure out how to style your new haircut before your holiday plans.
Amp up your skin care routine.
Studies published in the British Journal of Dermatology suggest that our skin changes at the cellular level in the winter months due to extreme weather and environmental factors . Don't wait until your skin is chapped to moisturize; add a hydrating moisturizer into your AM/PM routine as needed for dehydrated and troubled skin.
The skin under the eyes is extremely delicate and tends to showcase the state of your vitality: dehydration and dark circles from lack of sleep are most evident in this facial region.
Loss of moisture is a huge factor in the aging of the skin. To counteract loss of moisture, look for products with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic Triglyceride and Squalane, which sooth the skin while replenishing and restoring hydration. An article in the Dermato-Endocrinology journal states that the "key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronic acid (HA) that has unique capacity in retaining water. " You no longer have to buy that super expensive moisturizer to get this game-changing ingredient, heck, you can pick up DOUBLE MAJOR® Hyaluronic Acid Gel Moisturizer in the shop for only $38.
Buying new skin care products is one thing but incorporating them into your skincare routine is another. The holidays are a time for gatherings, sometimes late-night gatherings... every night. I urge you... no, I plead with you to take your makeup off before bed, PLEASE.
If you can't trust yourself to make it to the sink, keep makeup removing wipes, oil control pads and moisturizer at your bedside as a safety measure. Or, if you plan to travel from house-to-house this holiday season, keep makeup removing wipes in your purse or travel bag to ensure that you never hit the pillow without clean skin.
Pick out your outfits ahead of time.
Avoid the dreaded fitting room panic entirely by picking your outfits early.
Start by looking at what you already have... shop your own closet! Put some outfits together now and snap a few pics so that when the time comes, you have set options right in your camera roll. Don't forget to include your jewelry, shoes and purse selections ????
If you plan on buying something new, don't do it the day of. Give yourself options by selecting up to three new pieces for your holiday events; if you don't end up wearing one you can always return it.
Buying isn't your only option! There are fancy (and wallet-friendly) couture rental services like Rent the Runway and Style Lend that let you rent fabulous dresses and designer items for a fraction of the cost of a full purchase. You should reserve your styles now; these websites are popular during the holiday season. If you wait too long your selection will dwindle and you might not find the pieces or sizes that work for you this holiday season.
Don't forget to practice self-care.
Don't feel like you are obligated to go to every single Holiday get-together. Take a night off every once in a while and put on a face mask!
When you're busy, it becomes easier to forget that self-care helps you to bring your A-game in all facets of life. I've found that if I schedule my down time, I remember to relax; I have to physically write it in my planner... there's nothing wrong with that method! This helps my bath and Peaky Blinders marathon feel less self-indulgent.
What are your favorite beauty tips for the holiday season? We want to hear them! Share in the comments, below.
