Get Your Glam On For The Holidays!

Mary-Lisa Russo

The holidays are here, and the joyful chaos is making a grand appearance... and so are those late-night gift-wrapping marathons and work parties that leave purple-colored shopping bags under your eyes! Oh, yes! Nothing like waking up with tired, puffy eyes that need toothpicks to pry them open! It's an enchanting yet exhausting time...

I love the holidays... the sparkly everything, family dinners, Christmas-inspired cookies (which I have a hard time eating just a few), gift shopping, decorating indoors and outdoors... lovely experiences... that eventually make me feel like taking a nap at 2:00pm and figuring out when my features started looking so... strained.

The holidays can suck the life right out of you... everything around you glitters, but by the time Christmas and New Year's Eve come around, you're longing for granny sweatpants, a tattered scrunchie in your uncombed hair and loads of sleep. 

Oh, no, sister! Not this year! We are going to fight for our right to party! Let's dive into some ideas to make ourselves perky and glamorous for the holidays without poking our budget. We've got to take those simple, preparatory self-care steps before the holiday events roll in so that we are present and well put-together.
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So come on, let's go, ladies!

Get to bed early

When the holidays are around the corner, prep for the excitement and stress by prioritizing your sleep as if it is a magic vitamin for your well-being! Quite fooling around with your sweetheart or to-do lists, watching television, or scrolling online. Cart yourself off to bed at a decent hour and sleep! It's the best medicine for your beauty care and mental and physical wellness! You wake up refreshed, re-charged, and bursting with mental clarity and energy. I know it's hard to go to bed early every night, but please make your best effort to do so. Aim for at least 7 hours! 

Pamper yourself with a spa bath

So simple yet pleasurable during this hectic season! Sink into a bath rich in creams and bubbles that moisturize your skin and relax your weary bones. Adding Epsom salt and a bath cream that contains shea butter is always a good idea! Take a soothing bath whenever you feel stressed, fatigued or even if you are feeling chilly. We're busy ladies, but we need this pampering time for ourselves... the holidays depend on us! We've got this!

Some little additions to your bath:

• Pamper your hair and scalp with a hydrating mask
• Apply a facial mask while you soak in the tub​ ​
• Light a scented candle
• Listen to calming music

Stay hydrated

The cold winter air will suck every bit of moisture from your skin! You'll start looking like a lady crypt keeper, all shriveled up and alligator-like if you just roll over and hide. But you've got this, gorgeous! Drink water to moisturize your body from the inside-out. Stay away from loads of caffeine and especially sugary drinks! Bring a bottle of water wherever you go so it'll make it easier for you to stay hydrated. I drink room-temperature bottled water in the winter so I don't shock my system. It goes down smoother than cold water for me, and I'm also more enticed to drink more water.

The Little Book of Christmas Traditions

Moisturize... Everything!

Yes, you read that right! Everything from head to toe! There's no way you are going to let that wintry dry skin creep in and steal your thunder!
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Apply your favorite lotions and creams to your face and entire body in circular motions. Feel the creamy comfort sink into your skin. Don't forget your feet! They need some tender loving care too!

It's very important to invest in an eye-cream that addresses your concerns such as under-eye bags, and/or wrinkles, and/or discoloration (yes, the list of ailments is never-ending!). 

Look for face and body creams containing ingredients such as ceramide, hyaluronic acid and lipids to lock in moisture and keep you glowing! I am currently not of fan of retinol, but if that is your jam, then you do you!​

Eat Healthy Food

Temptation is everywhere during the holidays! Darn it! Gingerbread cookies... chocolate... pies... cake... so tasty yet so bad for you in large quantities! Sugar will do havoc on your skin, your weight, and gift you with a sugar-induced coma that will put you out of commission... pretty dramatic, I know, but you get what I am saying. It's easy to pack on the pounds and become sluggish.

Focus on consuming fresh vegetables and fruit, protein, and yogurt daily. Moderate portions. Cook your own meals. Skip snacking. You receive beautiful natural energy from consuming healthy food.

It's difficult to refuse offered sweets at holiday events, but if you must snack in social settings, choose the healthiest option offered, like veggies instead of chocolate-dipped pretzels. Not as fun, but your waistline will thank you!

Some of my favorite foods I enjoy to keep my weight in check and my energy and skin vibrant:

• low fat yogurt
• berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
• tangerines
• raw veggies for snacking
• boiled eggs​
• baked chicken breast
• baked salmon and sole
• steamed green beans 
• ​zucchini with tomatoes
• salad with finely slivered red onion, baby tomatoes and a dab of extra virgin olive oil​

I keep my portions small and drink water and tea. My goal is to keep my well-being flowing even through the holidays. 

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Embrace a fitness routine

​Fitness boosts your wellness, keeping you energetic throughout the holidays. So get moving! Just because the weather is chilly, it doesn't mean you have a license to clock in more sofa time! Boost your mental and physical health by being active! Go for a brisk walk in the snow, enjoy outdoor skating, join an indoor sports team, join a gym, do yoga...

​I find the more I sit, the more I feel sluggish. I feel energetic when I am in continuous movement. I do extensive stretching first thing in the morning and incorporate daily one-hour walks outdoors. When the snow accumulates, I put on my Supergirl pink parka and I shovel. It's vigorous exercise! Keep it fun! By the time the holidays roll in, you'll be a vibrant star!

Go shopping for holiday-inspired cosmetics

I don't wear bold makeup in my daily life, but when the holidays come around, I get inspired by the glamour and vibrant jeweled colors reflected in this season.

Add some drama! Start shopping for your glamour-inspired cosmetics after Halloween and start experimenting. Flip through magazines and social media to glean some inspiration.

Consider these suggestions to look and feel like the goddess you are:

• a bold red lipstick
• a shimmery lip gloss
• shimmery eyeshadows in the center of your eyelids. (A subtle amount! You don't want to look like a disco ball took up residence there!)
• a highlighter
• a bronzer
• a cream or powder blush with subtle shimmer. (Again, you don't want that 70s disco ball effect.)
• a concealer (Thank heavens for this miracle!)

Add in a red or milky pink manicure and you're ready to go! And... don't forget to spritz on your favorite perfume! You are so fabulous!

Treat yourself to a new holiday wardrobe

Silver, gold, velvet, faux fur and suede... treat yourself to gorgeous, rich textures and hues that dazzle and make you feel like a goddess! It's not every day that you get to dress up, so take advantage of this time of the season. Start shopping for your new glam items in early November so you'll be prepared in advance.

A few items to consider adding to your holiday wardrobe:

• a shimmery brooch
• a shimmery scarf
• a sequin tank top
• a satin blouse
• a faux-fur stole
• a faux-fur coat
• a velvet jacket
• velvet pants
• kitten heels with an embellished shoe brooch
• textured suede boots with a slim heel

Mix and match textures and colors. Dress comfortably and have fun!

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Cozy-themed lifestyle books to celebrate the enchanting winter season!

Some final notes

I hope this article has inspired you to prepare for the holidays by eating healthy, being active, prioritizing sleep, pampering yourself and diving into your stylish visions with confidence and joy for your beautiful self. Do all the things to thrive before, during, and after the holidays!

I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a brilliant new year filled with lots of happiness, prosperity and good health!

Looking to dive into inspiring lifestyle books, visit www.marylisarusso.ca for your reading pleasure!

Mary-Lisa xx

Read about cozy living and self-care in these blog posts:
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Simple Self-Care Acts to Boost Your Well-Being
Budget-Friendly Tips on Creating a Cozy Autumn Aesthetic
How to Keep the Blues Away in Magical Winter 

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About Mary-Lisa

Mary-Lisa Russo is a blogger and author of lifestyle books who believes in the power of slow/intentional living. She is keenly aware of women’s unique life journeys and seeks to bring elegance, confidence and classic charm to their daily routines. She writes to inspire her readers with advice on living a simple, feminine-inspired life featuring discussions on self-care, self-growth, style, home décor, health and well-being, seasonal living and much more. ​Embark on your wellness journey with Mary-Lisa’s inspiring self-help books by visiting www.marylisarusso.ca.