Holiday Hair

When I was a young stylist, I learned that the holiday season was full of chaos. I can remember one year, it was so busy that by the end of the week I was exhausted. So exhausted that I fell asleep sitting upright, with the clothes I wore that day right down to my shoes. What’s even more shocking is that my family didn’t wake me and I slept like that for two hours. No, I am not exaggerating. I can back this claim up with many sources and the memory of a stiff neck. In other words, I was taught that you take every client that you have and work them in along with their mother-in-law, their cousin, and even Uncle Ned.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. There were many a busy holiday season that saved my ass and my checkbook for the first two weeks in January. However, I find that as the world gets crazier, I am grateful for the steady and calm flow that we have this season. I bet when you read the title of this particular little commentary, you thought I was either going to tell
you to hurry and book your appointment or I was going to blather on about updos and how to look fab for the staff holiday party. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The holiday season is tough for many people. I myself am down a couple of parents and I am now an orphan. I do have an awesome step-dad that is still in the picture but he lives far away. For a lot of our clients, the holiday is stressful, full of family drama, and the unexpected dessert-that-didn’t-turn-out-as-planned. No, you’re not supposed to put beef in the trifle, Rachel Green! It’s a dance that happens every year for many of us. It can be lonely.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to be a Debbie Downer.

What I want to offer is a holiday hair idea that does not require you coming to the salon. Don’t worry, if you book it, we’ll fix it. I just wanted to reiterate that this is not an article about booking your holiday hair appointment. We totally get that coming into the salon is time consuming and for many of us, it’s a luxury. I know! What’s the fix? You ask. OK I am getting to it.

Pick a day, any day that works, and take the time to give yourself a mini-head-spa in your own home. You’ll want to give yourself at least an hour and maybe drink a glass of vino. Start with a scrub designed to cleanse the scalp. Work it into the scalp for a few minutes. You can make your own sugar scrub but I prefer to have the magical hair companies make one for me. Innersense has something called True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub or Jack Winn Pro has the Revive Scalp Scrub (yes, these are affiliate links to what we have but you can find other sources as well). Once you have done the scrub, use a pH balanced clarifying shampoo. Mantra Clarity has become a fan favorite. I always suggest shampooing twice to get the scrub out of the hair and off of the scalp. I also love to leave the bubbles for a few minutes so that I can get the hair itself extra clean. After I rinse, I make my own little hair treatment masque by combining my favorite conditioner with a little serum. I work that in and rinse after a few minutes. Dry or scrunch, depending on your routine and voila! You have just given yourself a home version of The Mirror & I Reset and you didn’t need an appointment with us.

Life is hectic this time of year and we all feel that. For us, staying steady through the year and not adding to the rush of this season is how we roll. Plus, we want all the family tea when you come in after the season passes. Of course we want to take the money and run if you’re offering to hang out with us in the salon. But, we also want you to know that self-care at home during this time of year can be a vital tool to keeping you from the stress of Uncle Ned leaving his toupee out and making you think a mysterious animal made its way into your home that, “Must Die! Holy Shit, what is that? Oh! Sorry Uncle Ned.” Take care of you and save Uncle Ned from buying a new toupee in this economy.

Happy Holidays from us @ The Mirror & I Salon