It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one of the busiest. The holidays are a time to celebrate, be joyful, and spend time with those we love. But too often, we get wrapped up in the craziness of the holidays that we forget to take care of ourselves. Who says you can’t enjoy the holiday season and look your very best, too?
You already light up any room you walk into with that dazzling personality of yours. Now, you just have to make sure you take care of yourself and feel outwardly confident, too. Here are five tips for looking your best this upcoming holiday season.
Perfect Your Winter Skincare Routine
When the seasons change, it can wreak havoc on your skin. Even if you have the perfect skincare routine all summer, there’s no telling how your skin will react to colder weather. The low humidity and dry air during the winter months can both cause dry skin. For this reason, consider adding a hydrating cream to your routine and using a serum to lock in moisture. Excessive dryness can also make breakouts worse and more difficult to treat. A trip to the drugstore may not do the trick. You may need to try an acne prescription if you can’t get rid of pesky zits.
Add Trending Staples to Your Wardrobe
A huge part of looking your best is dressing to impress. During the holidays, this means glitz and glam, classic staples, and outfits that have a wow factor. Here are just a few staples to consider adding to your wardrobe this winter season:
- Blazers: These can be dressed up or down and worn in so many different ways. The versatility of blazers makes them a great closet staple.
- Corset tops: Corset tops were all the rage during the summer, and freezing cold temps aren’t going to change that. Long sleeve corset tops are a great staple. Throw on your favorite pair of jeans or trousers with a coat, and you’ve got yourself an outfit.
- All things leather: Leather is one of those materials that seems to never go out of style. If you don’t already have one, invest in a leather jacket to wear this winter. Also, flared leather pants and leather shorts with tights underneath are both fun and trendy.
Don’t be afraid to accessorize, too! Add a belt to a dress, carry the perfect bag, or bling it up with jewelry to really complete a look.
Try New Makeup Products
Just like your skincare routine, makeup products should change with the seasons. In the summer, lots of people rocked the natural, dewy look. While the natural look is still the go-to for many, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to swap out some products.
Winter makeup typically means darker tones. Try swapping out your summer blush for a deeper, darker color. Or, instead of just wearing gloss, rock a red or burgundy lip at your next holiday party. Additionally, if you go full glam for some holiday parties, don’t be afraid to add false lashes, winged eyeliner, or a smokey eye. These bold statements can really boost your confidence and make a great impression.
Show Your Hair Some Love
It’s not just your skin that will be put to the test during the winter months. Your hair can suffer from the dry air, too (after all, skin and hair are both made from keratin). With less moisture in the air, hair follicles can become brittle and susceptible to damage. Worst case scenario — your hair will actually begin to break off.
To make sure you’re looking your best this holiday season, make sure you’re not neglecting your hair. In the winter, it’s absolutely essential that you use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for dry hair. Always use a heat protectant when styling with heat. Lastly, you can work in deep conditioning treatments and oils, if you’d like.
Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health
Looking your best starts from the inside. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t feel 100% confident in the way you look. Taking care of your mental health means practicing self-care and getting enough rest. Physical health, on the other hand, means working physical activity into each day and watching your diet. It’s the holidays — so of course, you’re allowed to indulge — just make sure you’re getting the right nutrients.
If you want to feel your best mentally and have energy to focus on your physical health, start with sleep. Getting plenty of quality sleep each night will improve your brain performance, mood, and health. Adults should be getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. But it’s understandable if you’re having trouble getting enough sleep. The holidays are fun, but they’re also busy and stressful. You could download a sleep app to track your sleep cycle or fight insomnia.
Calendars fill up fast during the holidays. From family gatherings to office mixers to ugly sweater parties and gift exchanges with your friends, it’s a lot. Taking time for self-care means you’ll look great in photos and make great impressions. Plus, you’ll feel more confident. May your holidays be merry and bright and any problems with appearance be out of sight.
