Counting Down to Ultimate Holiday Beauty
December calendars quickly fill up with travel plans, events, lunches, shopping days, and food preparation. This year, take some time to plan out your calendar leading up to Christmas and New Year’s with these simple beauty tips to ensure your beauty is at its peak for the mistletoe kiss at midnight. We have done the work on your behalf and have an easy-to-follow two-week schedule that can squeeze into any busy December calendar.
December has no shortage of beauty products, suggestions, and adorable advent calendars. Enjoy the options and embrace the holiday beauty preparations as we prepare to ring out 2024 and ring in 2025!
Two Weeks Out Beauty To-Dos
If it isn’t on your calendar yet, it’s time to get on the books for a hair refresh. Whether you want to get color, a haircut, or some highlights, two weeks out is the safest and best time to complete this. Every haircut and style look best about two weeks after, allowing hair (and the person) to get used to styling and not dealing with any mishaps in the salon chair. If you are already showing gray in two weeks, magnetic powder and other over-the-counter products can spruce up a look for a special event or evening.
If you don’t need color or a cut, deep conditioning can be a great way to make hair shine and refresh you for those blowout and style dates. Dead ends be gone! Conditioning treatments, even for colored hair, are abundant. The best beauty advice regarding hair is don’t do anything the day or two before your big event if you need to make any adjustments!
Treat Those Toesies 10 Days Out
With colder weather and heavier footwear, your heels and toes are likely a little rough. The good news is that ten days out is the perfect time to take care of those feet! One easy way to get your feet ready is to exfoliate them after you shower when the skin is soft. Pumice stones and foot files (even industrial nail files) can slough off rough skin that gets stuck on the sheets at night!
Peppermint scrubs serve multiple purposes when in a foot scrub because they invigorate and are an essential oil that adds moisture to those rough spots on your feet. You can also put peppermint oil on your feet, leave for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water. As you get closer to the big events, allow some time in the evenings or before you go out to put on some heavy moisturizer and cover up with socks for a few hours. The goal is to hydrate your feet and toes as much as possible to look silky smooth with those new heels you got for the holidays.
Seven Days to Exfoliate
One of the best ways to get glowing skin is to exfoliate. Exfoliation naturally removes dead skin, leaving new skin cells looking fresh. However, dermatologists will warn against exfoliants that are too close to big events because they can dry out the skin. Those with sensitive skin should watch for any signs of irritation to ensure they don’t have bumps or rashes when it counts.
Wash Those Brushes Five Days Out
If you are going to invest in having your skin look optimal for the holidays, don’t skimp on using clean brushes. Take the time to clean your makeup brushes, yes, even the eyebrow brushes. They have machines that you can purchase, dry powder cleansers, liquid cleansers, and, in a pinch, face cleansers to get the grime and dirt off. Be sure to completely dry brushes for smooth application and the best coverage.
Waxing and Shaving Three Days and Counting
Women typically shave every 1-3 days, but shaving the day of an event is not recommended. Shaving a day or so ahead of time gives the skin some recovery time, and you can always carry a disposable razor in your car for touch-ups. However, do not dry shave if you have sensitive skin!
Two Days Out – It’s Mani-Pedi Time!
Are you an at-home pedicure enthusiast? There is nothing wrong with being resourceful and enjoying the routine of a pedicure in the comfort of your own home. However, what if this is the one time you binge on a self-care treat? Pedicures are good for the feet and the soul and can be just the thing to raise your holiday spirits!
As we are well into December, take some time as you prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Self-care and feeling your best will make each event more spectacular. Looking for great gift ideas? How about a facial or skin treatment at a local dermatologist? Buckhead Dermatology is a friendly, intimate, professional dermatology office in Buckhead. Dr. Sherrie Straughn would love to help you pick the perfect skincare gift for someone on your list.
Contact Buckhead Dermatology today and get ahead of that beauty countdown!