Perfect prep in your own home for party season

The countdown to Christmas really starts today and salons all over the country will be taking care of hair and nail appointments. At home, you can step up your beauty game by including a few treats that will really boost your hair, skin and nails in time for party season. Easy and quick – try these for Christmas.

Hair Freshly coloured or dry and damaged, all hair types can benefit from a weekly hair masque. It needn’t be an expensive treatment, it just needs to be consistent. Apply to cleansed damp hair and leave for 10-15 minutes before rinsing and drying. For exceptionally damaged hair, use a reconstructing masque like Olaplex N°3.

Olaplex actually rebuilds the structure of the hair and is especially good for chemically treated or bleached hair like platinum and very light blonde.

Face There are just over three weeks until Christmas, 24 days to smooth skin texture and boost radiance. Younger skin can achieve this by using a daily toner with a lightweight glycolic acid toner after cleansing every day or every other day.

More mature skin will get better results with glycolic acid resurfacing pads. These usually have a higher concentration and are more effective in a shorter time period. Both toner and pads with the acid inside are non-rinse products. Use and follow with your other skincare. Be sure to wear sunscreen each day when using a glycolic product.

Body Last week we looked at prepping, applying and caring for self-tan over the festive period, but even if you don’t tan, you should still do some work.

Exfoliating skin in winter helps it absorb all the nourishment from body care beauty – those lotions, butters and oils we all like to use. Even using a scrub or body brushing once a week will make your skin softer and looking more vibrant. If you’re working with a body brush you can use it on dry or wet skin. For best results always brush from the extremities towards the heart to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Nails Even if you are booked in for a professional manicure, there is no harm conditioning your nails and cuticles with some at-home nail care. Oils, strengthening coats and regular filing to prevent split or ragged nails is great for health and maintenance. Applying your own colour coats for Christmas will look more groomed if you have been taking care of your fingertips and toes.

It will be more tempting to try out a number of different colours for the festive season when your manicure and pedicure look polished.

Exfoliating skin in winter helps it absorb lotion, oil and butter