The holidays are the most magical time of the year. But let’s be honest, they’re also the season when we put our hair through the most stress.
Between back-to-back parties, winter weather, constant heat styling, and hairspray, your hair starts to feel dry, dull, and overworked. The good news?
With some holiday hair care, you can enjoy every party, style, and curling iron session.
Let’s walk you through everything you can do to keep your hair shiny and damage-free all holiday season long.
Why Holiday Styling Takes a Toll on Your Hair
Holiday styling introduces multiple stressors at once, creating the perfect storm for breakage, dryness, and frizz.
Heat Styling Overload
Between get-togethers, office parties, dinners, and events, you’re styling more than usual, from curling, straightening, blow-drying, and repeating.
Tight Hairstyles & Accessories
Buns, braids, clips, pins, and snug ponytails can cause tension that leads to breakage.
🎁 Check out these damaging hairstyles that can be ruining your hair
Cold Weather & Indoor Heating
This combo dries out the hair and scalp, reducing moisture retention.
🎁 Learn more about seasonal scalp care
Heavy Holiday Products
Glitter sprays, strong-hold hairsprays, mousses, and serums often build up fast.
December is harsh on hair, but with the right strategy, you can prevent damage before it begins. When all these factors combine, hair becomes more fragile. So let’s get ahead of it.
Holiday Hair Care: Prep Your Hair Before the Holiday Rush
A strong foundation is the secret to damage-free styling.
Deep Condition Weekly
Hydrated hair is resilient hair. A weekly deep-conditioning mask or treatment helps restore moisture, repair minor damage, and maintain elasticity, so your curls, waves, or sleek styles last longer.
Tips:
- Apply from mid-lengths to ends for maximum hydration.
- Leave on for 10–20 minutes (or follow the product instructions).
- For an extra boost, wrap your hair in a warm towel to help the product penetrate deeply.
- Consider alternating moisturizing masks with occasional protein treatments if your hair is color-treated or chemically processed.
🎁 Learn more about hair masks and deep conditioning to keep your hair shining
Use a Bond-Builder or Strengthening Treatment
Bond-building treatments repair internal hair structure, helping prevent breakage caused by heat, styling, and environmental stress.
These treatments are helpful during the busy holiday season when hair gets extra styling attention.
Tips:
- Look for products containing hydrolyzed proteins, keratin, or amino acids.
- Apply after washing but before heat styling for best results.
- Use weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your hair type, to see improvement.
- Combine with a lightweight leave-in conditioner for added protection during styling.
🎁 Discover what bond builders are
Don’t Forget the Scalp
Healthy hair starts at the roots. A nourished scalp ensures better hair growth, prevents dryness, and reduces flakiness, especially in the winter months.
Holiday stress, heat, and styling products can all compromise scalp health.
Tips:
- Gently exfoliate your scalp once a week with a scalp scrub or a soft brush to remove buildup.
- Massage nourishing oils (like argan, jojoba, or coconut oil) into your scalp to improve circulation and hydration.
- Use a lightweight scalp serum if you notice dryness or irritation.
- Avoid heavy, greasy products that can weigh hair down before styling.
Quick Holiday Hair Prep Checklist:
- Schedule your weekly deep-conditioning session.
- Apply a bond-building treatment once or twice before big events.
- Incorporate scalp care into your weekly routine: exfoliate, massage, and nourish.
Starting December with this prep for holiday hair care ensures your hair is strong, shiny, and ready for any holiday style.
Protect Your Hair Every Time You Use Heat
Heat protectant is not optional during the holidays; it’s your hair’s best friend.
How to Do It Correctly
- Spray or apply on damp or dry hair, depending on the formula.
- Coat evenly from mid-lengths to ends.
- Avoid over-saturating the roots.
- Let the product absorb for a minute before styling.
Temperature Matters
For most hair types:
- 160–180°C (320–356°F) is more than enough
- No one needs 230°C (450°F) unless you’re a professional or working with very coarse hair.
Small changes can make a big difference in long-term hair health, especially during holiday hair care.
🎁 Learn how to blow-dry without damage
Healthy Styling Habits That Keep Your Hair Safe
You can enjoy glamorous styles without compromising your hair’s health.
Try Heatless Styling When You Can
- Flexi rods
- Overnight braids
- Heatless curling ribbons
- Foam rollers
- Sock curls
Great for days between parties or casual events.
🎁 Learn how to do heatless styling always to look your best
Switch Up Your Hairstyles
Avoid tension in the same spots every day. Tight pony one night? Try a low bun or loose waves next. Choose styles that last longer. The less restyling you do, the healthier your hair stays.
Opt for:
- Waves that last several days
- Smooth blowouts
- Protective half-up styles
Keep Your Hair Moisturised All Month Long
Hydration is key to softness, shine, and elasticity, especially during winter, when holiday hair care is in full swing.
Hydration Tips
- Use a hyaluronic acid or glycerin-based leave-in
- Seal with a lightweight oil if needed
- Add a weekly moisture mask
- Avoid overwashing — 2–3 times weekly is often enough
Overwashing strips your hair of the oils it needs, especially in cold months.
Nighttime Protection to Save Your Holiday Styles
Your nighttime routine can make or break your hair week.
Switch to a Silk Pillowcase: It reduces friction, frizz, and breakage.
Put Hair in a Low-Tension Style
- Loose bun
- Pineapple (for curls)
- Soft braid
- Claw clip tuck (very gentle)
Use a Silk or Satin Bonnet: Essential for curls, coils, and waves.
Quick Fixes When Your Hair Feels Overworked
Even with the best holiday haircare, sometimes your hair says, “I need a break.”
Signs You Need a Repair Session
- Sudden frizz
- Crunchy ends
- Lack of movement
- More tangles
- Dry patches on your scalp
Do an Emergency Repair Treatment
A deep-conditioning mask, light protein, and a low-manipulation day will help with holiday hair care.
If ends feel crispy, trim them: A micro-trim (dusting) is enough to refresh your hair and prevent breakage from traveling upward.
Enjoy the Holidays & Keep Your Hair Healthy
Holiday styling madness doesn’t have to destroy your hair. With proper holiday hair care prep, clever styling techniques, and protective habits, your hair can look amazing and stay healthy all season long.
When in doubt, give your hair a little extra love, and if you want personalised advice, a professional hair consultation is always a great place to start.
🎉 Book your appointment with one of our professional stylists before the holiday rush.
FAQ
How do I keep my hair healthy during the holidays?
Focus on moisture, heat protection, and low-tension styles. Use a weekly deep-conditioning treatment, avoid excessive heat, apply heat protectant before every styling session, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and dryness.
Why does my hair get so dry in December?
Cold weather strips moisture from your hair and scalp, while indoor heating dries it further. Combined with holiday heat styling, this leads to dryness, frizz, and breakage. Adding more hydration and protective products helps counteract this.
How often should I deep condition during the holiday season?
Once a week is ideal for most hair types. If your hair is dehydrated, colour-treated, or heat-styled often, you may benefit from deep conditioning 2x weekly during December.
How can I make my holiday hairstyle last longer?
Prep your hair with lightweight hold products, avoid heavy oils on the scalp, use a proper heat protectant, let curls cool completely, and sleep with silk or satin protection. Also, choose styles that naturally hold for multiple days, such as waves or a smooth blowout.
Is it better to wash my hair more often in December?
No. Overwashing removes natural oils that protect your hair from winter dryness. Most people do best with 2–3 washes per week and a hydrating leave-in between washes.
