When the holidays roll around, along with all the cheer and spirit of the season often comes stress. Between all the parties, family time, gift-giving, and caroling, things can get hectic fast, and that can leave you with little time for yourself. This year, why not make a vow that no matter how busy things get, you’ll take some time every week to treat yourself—literally. We’ve got 10 holiday treat and beauty treatment pairings that are perfect for your next self-care Sunday. From sugar scrubs and cookies to hair masks and cocoa, add these sweet ideas to your holiday skin care routine whenever you need to de-stress.
1. HOT COCOA + HAIR MASK
Sip your extra-chocolatey hot cocoa while showing your hair some extra TLC. During the winter months, cold outdoor air and dry, heated indoor air can wreak havoc on your strands, causing them to feel dry, damaged, and brittle. Reach for a hair mask formulated to help condition damaged hair, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask. To use, apply the mask onto wet hair after shampooing. Leave on for three to five minutes, and feel free to use this time to step out of the shower for a quick sip of chocolatey goodness, then rinse.
2. EGGNOG + EXFOLIATION
Regular exfoliating helps keep skin healthy by sloughing away dead skin cells, dirt, and other impurities. Next time you reach for a glass of eggnog, spiked or otherwise (we’re not judging), give your complexion the attention it deserves with a little gentle exfoliation. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub is made with cocoa and coconut oil and perfect for this task, as it leaves skin hydrated, refreshed, and glowing.
3. GINGERBREAD COOKIES + CLARIFYING MASK
Before you bite into that delicious gingerbread cookie, layer on a face mask, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask. Each is formulated with three different clays to gently cleanse skin and draw out impurities. To use, apply an even layer of the creamy mask onto clean skin, then wait ten minutes, enjoy as many gingerbread cookies as you want, and rinse.
4. APPLE CIDER + HYDRATING SERUM
When it comes to flavors of the holiday season, there are few things better than real apple cider. Next time you pour yourself a glass, whether you’re going for hot or cold (we love both!), give your skin a nourishing boost too. Try a potent serum, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which plumps and hydrates skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. During the winter months, your skin can almost definitely use an extra surge of moisture, making this serum a prime pick for a pampering sesh. To use, put a few drops of the serum onto clean fingertips and gently massage all over your face. Then sit back, sip your apple cider, and reap the beauty benefits.
5. SUGAR COOKIES + SUGAR SCRUB
Sugar cookies and sugar scrubs pair so naturally together, we just had to include them on this list. Bake a bunch of delicious sugar cookies and while they’re still in the oven, get your sugar fix from a face scrub. Reach for a scrub like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub to energize and smooth tired skin and lips. If you’re not sure how to use a lip scrub, we’ve got you covered there too. Here’s How To Use a Lip Scrub To Exfoliate Your Pout.
6. PECAN PIE + PAINTED NAILS
Are the holidays even the holidays without pecan pie? Paired with caramel-colored nails, you just can’t go wrong. In addition to drying out your skin and strands, the cold, winter weather can also take a toll on your nails. So, if nail polish isn’t enough to make your hands worthy of an insta pic that shows off your mani, put our 10 Ways To Show Your Hands and Nails Some Major TLC to the test.
7. SHORTBREAD + SEAWEED MASK
The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask is a clay mask that’s formulated to comfort stressed skin just in time for the holidays. It contains seaweed extract and helps to leave you with purified, healthier-looking skin. Apply an even layer of the mask to clean skin. While you let the mask do its thing, pop some shortbread in the oven. After 10 to 15 minutes, rinse the mask with lukewarm water, and get ready to indulge in a comforting snack.
8. CANDY CANES + CREAM CLEANSER
When the weather gets colder and your facial skin gets drier and more sensitive, switching to a cream cleanser may be exactly what your skin needs. Try the L’Oréal Revitalit Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser, which is formulated to gently cleanse skin and leave it looking smoother, brighter, and more refined. As for the treat to pair with your cream cleanser, our list is almost over, and we haven’t mentioned candy canes—the most classic holiday treat. Before bed, wash your face with the cream cleanser but hold off on brushing your teeth so you can still indulge in a candy cane.
9. CINNAMON BUNS + HAIR CREAM
Just a mention of cinnamon buns and we can picture the delicious, spicy scent of them baking in the oven—and let’s not forget the yummy frosting that goes on top! Pair your cinnamon bun with an equally creamy hair treatment: the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil-In-Cream. The leave-in product hydrates and nourishes dry hair, leaving it looking soft and lustrous. Rub a dime size amount of cream between the hands and then work throughout the lengths of damp or hair. Style as usual.
10. FIG COOKIES + FRIZZ SERUM
We have one last hair treat combo to mention: fig cookies and frizz serum. There’s no denying the winter months bring about static strands, which is why keeping a frizz serum, like our L’Oréal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum, on-hand, is a must. Apply one-to-two pumps throughout your hair to smooth flyaways and even protect against heat-styling tools. Don’t forget to help yourself to a fig cookie (or two) when you’re finished.
Next, keep that festive spirit going with our 8 Party Hairstyles To Wear For Christmas and New Year's.
