With October’s spooky season wrapping up, I can feel it coming — Mariah Carey is starting to thaw out, and that means only one thing: the FESTIVE SEASON is almost here!

Eep! My favourite time of the year! Yes, we’ve already bought Advent Calendars AND I cannot wait to start putting up the decorations.

Anyhoo.

This brings me to today’s blog post.

Because while the festive season is often packed with plenty of chocolatey fun, it can also bring its fair share of stress.

And that stress? Well, it can really take a toll on things like your hair (but more on that later!).

So why not get ahead of the game now? A little prep can help you enjoy the festivities without letting the stress get the best of you — or your hair.

holiday hair, yeah yeah

The holiday season is one of my favourite times of the year — “We get it G, you LOVE Christmas!” — the celebrations, catch ups, food and drink (and now also Miss A’s birthday, which falls in November), I LOVE it all!

But between the shopping and social events — plus, also now returning to work in November following 12-months of maternity leave — this time of the year is also one of the most hectic times on the calendar.

There’s a lot to juggle, and if you’re like me when life gets busy, things like hair and skin care — and general health really — take a bit of a backseat, quickly showing signs of stress.

Think: frizz, dryness, breakage, thinning … all the fun stuff!

But after years of figuring out what works, I’ve found ways to keep my hair looking and feeling healthy, even during the at-times-stressful festivus.

• Focus on hair-loving nutrients: One thing I’ve learned over the years is that healthy hair starts from within! If my diet slips — hello, holiday treats! — it doesn’t take long before my hair feels the effects. So, try to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet at all times — even when life gets busy — and focus on nutrients like protein, omega-3 fats, iron and zinc, and B-vitamins like biotin, which are all important for great hair! And now, we interrupt this broadcast with a quick word on supplements: While supplements like Biotin are all the rage at the moment, promising hair growth and other miracle claims, more often than not, UNLESS YOU’RE ACTUALLY DEFICIENT, according to health experts, these supplements are going to be a waste of money! Save the cash for extra presents! Unless you’re deficient in any of the vitamins/minerals that are essential for hair growth, taking said supplements isn’t necessarily going to lead to luscious locks #sorrynotsorry. If you’re worried, the BEST THING to do is to get a blood test to determine what you’re actually deficient in and then go from there. In the meantime, eat well — get all the nutrients from FOOD — and more often than not you and your hair will be well.
• Stay hydrated: Yes, yes, the festive season is for mulled wine, pumpkin spice lattes — OMG! These are DELICIOUS! — and hot chocolate rather than water, BUUUUT staying hydrated is SO IMPORTANT for healthy hair. Not enough water? Hello dry and brittle hair … you get me? I’ve made it a habit to carry a water bottle around with me to make sure I’m getting in enough H2O. I also like to add herbal teas to the hydration mix as well, especially in the evening.
• Manage stress to minimise hair loss: Stress can have a big impact on the health of your hair (think: hair loss and thinning), so it’s important to manage stress utilising ways such as yoga, breathing and meditation that work best for you! For me? When I’m stressed I love going out for a run to clear my mind and to decompress. I’ve also recently added in Barre classes into the mix as well, which is are a perfect low-impact way to find some more zen.
• Be gentle with holiday hair styling: I love dressing up for festive events, but over the years — and because I’ve got really thin/baby fine hair — I’ve become more mindful of how much styling I’m doing … and how much hairspray I’m using #IYKYK. Heat styling, hairspray, and tight updos can really damage hair, so using products like heat protectants (I can’t go passed Kerastase!) before using any hot tools, and low-maintenance styles (Hello, bob era!) are a must.
• Try natural hair masks: Hair masks are a great way to add a little bit of pamper to your hair care routine. While salon products are great, have fun with natural hair masks with ingredients like avocado and honey, coconut oil (my personal fave!), egg and banana to add moisture, lock in shine, repair damage and reduce breakage.

all i want for christmas …

So, as we head towards the hustle and bustle of the festive season — complete with Mariah’s “All I want for Christmas” on repeat — it’s essential to carve out time for self-care amid the growing to-do list.

Your health — and your hair — will thank you!

Because, who doesn’t want Mariah’s iconic locks during the holiday season!

x G.

Margaret Mielczarek

editor, journalist, digital content creator with a background in nutrition & dietetics.