How to Give Your Hair a Holiday Makeover Without Going Overboard

The Holidays are not a time to let yourself go. With a million pictures and parties, you want to be at the top of your game. It's not a time to make drastic changes, like cutting six inches off of your long hair, or finally trying out being a red head, but it is the perfect time for subtle changes that can add sparkle.

Start by paying attention to your hair itself. Is your hair dry, brittle, or do you have split ends? Then you need a deep conditioning treatment. Is your hair is limp, heavy, or dull? Then you need a clarifying treatment. Both of these services can be done at home or at the salon, and are inexpensive.

Follow your treatment up with a hair trim. This is a great time to "update" your style. Throw in some little changes like adding bangs, layers to your bob, or leaving a little more length on the top or sides. Talk to your hairstylist about what she recommends to give your style some trendy zip. Everyone's hair is different, so professional advice is a good thing when deciding which styles will work for you.

In addition to giving your haircut a lift, adding highlights or color can add depth and movement. Choose highlights that are subtle- just enough to add warmth and movement. If you choose a color, pick a shade that is close to your own. You will be surprised at how rich your color will look after a little pick me up.

With current fashions, perms are generally not a good choice unless you have very fine hair, or hair that just will not hold a style. In that case, you should still go with a body perm. Don't expect tight defined curls (you don't want that, trust me), and don't expect it to last for more than about two months. If you have not had a perm before, this is NOT the time to try one out.

Keep in mind that you will be super busy during the Holidays, so go with changes that won't require extra maintenance time. Nothing is worse than having twelve more things to do everyday, and needing twenty more minutes every morning to get ready to do them. Going into the holiday season with a fresh hairstyle will give you much needed pampering and go a long way to helping you get into a festive spirit.