It’s early October, and it’ll be the new year before we know it. That sounds like plenty of time until you look at it through the lens of your hair. If you’re on a 6 to 8 week color or extension schedule, you likely have just two appointments between now and the end of the year.
That’s why holiday hair is really about planning. At Salt + Light Hair Co. in Fairfax, Virginia, the clients who feel the most put-together in December are the ones who mapped out their appointments in October. Here’s how to do the same.
Your Holiday Countdown
- Halloween: 4 weeks away
- Thanksgiving: 8 weeks away
- Christmas: 12 weeks away
- New Year’s Eve: 13 weeks away
Between now and then, there are family photos, holiday parties, work events, travel, and a calendar that fills up faster than any other time of year. Salon schedules fill up right along with it.
Why Consistent Appointments Matter Most This Time of Year
The best hair doesn’t come from one big appointment right before an event. It comes from staying on a consistent schedule so your color never gets too grown out, your extensions never go too long between move-ups, and your cut keeps its shape.
Most color clients do best every 6 to 8 weeks, and hand-tied extensions typically need a move-up every 6 to 8 weeks as well. Cuts vary, but many clients fall somewhere in that same range. When you’re working with a 13-week window, booking both of your holiday appointments now gives you first pick of the dates and times that work for your schedule.
A Simple Holiday Hair Plan
Every client’s timing is a little different, but here’s a plan that works well for most of our guests:
Option 1: Prioritizing Christmas and New Year’s
- Mid-October: color, cut, or extension maintenance
- Early to mid-December: your holiday refresh, timed to carry you through Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Option 2: Prioritizing Thanksgiving and family photos
- Late October or early November: your first appointment, so your hair looks fresh for Thanksgiving
- Mid to late December: your second appointment for Christmas and ringing in the new year
When you book, let your stylist know about any big events, photo sessions, or travel on your calendar. We’ll help you choose the timing that makes the most sense for your hair. We also recommend scheduling your appointment at least a few days before a major event so your color and style have time to settle into their finished look.
Make Holiday Styling Easier With a Keratin Express Blowout
Our newest service is made for exactly this season. The Keratin Express Blowout is a speedy, color-locking smoothing treatment that leaves hair polished, softer, and more manageable, with results that can last up to 6 weeks.
That timing lines up beautifully with the holidays. Book it the week before Thanksgiving, and your smoother, easier-to-style hair can carry you through December and right up to New Year’s Eve.
The Keratin Express Blowout is $175 on its own or $150 when added to your color or cut appointment.
New Year, New Look: Start Planning Now
January is when so many of our clients are ready for a change. Maybe you’ve been thinking about going lighter, trying a richer brunette, committing to a shorter cut, or finally adding extensions.
If a bigger transformation is on your wish list, now is the time to start the conversation. Some color changes are best done over more than one appointment, and hand-tied extensions require a consultation and time to order your custom hair. Booking a consultation in November or December means your new look is ready to go in January instead of waiting for an opening after the holiday rush.
Think of it as giving your future self a head start.
A Few At-Home Habits for the Season
Holiday heat styling, travel, and dry winter air can all take a toll. A few simple habits help your hair hold up between visits:
- Use a clarifying treatment when needed. Northern Virginia’s water can cause mineral buildup that makes blonde and highlighted hair look warm or dull.
- Never skip heat protectant, especially with more styling on your calendar.
- Add a nourishing treatment if your hair is feeling dry or stressed.
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase and wear extensions in a loose braid at night to reduce tangling.
Let’s Plan Your Season
The holidays are busy enough without wondering whether your hair will cooperate. A little planning now means your appointments are on the calendar, your hair stays consistent all season, and you get to spend your time enjoying the moments that matter.
Ready to plan your holiday hair at Salt + Light Hair Co. in Fairfax, VA? [Book your appointment here] or reach out to ask about a New Year consultation.
