Mid-November hits and it you can almost feel something different in the air. Besides the crisp, cold wind chill, that is! You can feel it when you stroll into your favorite mall or store – a certain energy and urgency is felt everywhere you go. Do you ever get to New Year’s Day and think, “WHAT just happened? It was all a whirlwind!” The holiday season can be so much more enjoyable when you stay focused on taking care of yourself and letting the little things go. Yes, I know these days it is harder than ever to not want to keep up with everyone else and make impressive little custom Pinterest-inspired name placards for the Thanksgiving meal BUT really, wouldn’t you rather be in a better mood for your loved ones? Missing out on some precious sleep to make crafty goodies is something you might want to reconsider. Maybe pick a few special areas in which you will be an overachiever – an amazing Christmas lights display or tree decor, a couple of impressive new recipes at Christmas, extra-special gifts this year – but vow to not run yourself ragged doing it all perfectly.  In the end, the memories with your family are what counts, so stay focused on that!
A couple of tips for the season:

• Keep a bunch of generic but well-loved gifts on hand and stocked up so you don’t have to leave your house at the last minute. There is always someone that slips through the cracks or who you just spontaneously want to thank with a little gift, so this will come in handy!
• Experts suggest taking a time out from the holiday hustle and bustle to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a steamy cup of soup or a “leisurely”, but healthy meal. This will not only fill you up but boost your energy and your immune system for all you still have to do. We have some fabulous ways to give you a little break from the holiday frenzy. Watch for specials from Belladerm to treat yourself! 
• Don’t cut out exercise during this time. You may need to scale back to fit in all of the things you need to get done right now, but keep up some sort of routine. You’ll need it to deal with the the holiday hoopla you’ll encounter.
• We know you can’t do this every night, but choose one night a week to wind down with a cup of hot chamomile or a hot bath about an hour before you head for bed. This will recharge your batteries.
• Keep eating well and making sure that your body is getting vitamins C & zinc to combat the germs circulating everywhere.
• If holiday weight gain is a worry on your mind, think about keeping a casual log of what you consumed each day. When you are accountable, you can make better choices. Better yet, find a pal or spouse to discuss progress with. And allow yourselves special treats. It is the holidays, after all! Even just focusing on portion control helps a great deal!

Have you seen the variety of cool dry shampoo options at your salon lately? There is a wide array of choices and we like this beauty idea because who doesn’t have one of those mornings, from time to time, where you need to refresh your hair but a shower is just not happening? Maybe you snoozed the alarm a time too many and are in a mad dash to get ready for work or maybe your tot threw a tantrum and you spent your would-be shower time battling your little powerhouse. No matter the reason, we’ve all been there. That’s why these products are awesome.
Supposedly, you just work them into your roots and you’re good to go. They can absorb oils, add a clean scent to your tresses and help you feel refreshed on those crazy mornings. Here are a some that we found were popular online. Do you have any tried and true dry shampoos that you use? We’d love to hear your experience and recommendations.
“Best Scent” – Redken Powder Refresh 01
Consider this colorless spray powder a breath mint for hair. Testers reported that the subtly woodsy fragrance masked odors and that the formula made hair look as if it had “just been blow-dried.”

“Best for Curly Hair” – Suave Professionals Waterless Foam Shampoo
To put the spring back into your spirals, scrunch a medium-size blob of this lightweight, non-tacky mousse into hair. The formula contains hydrating aloe-leaf and jojoba oils, so it leaves hair feeling silky, not sticky.

“Best for Oily Hair” – Skinnyskinny Organic Dry Shampoo
Think you absolutely, positively can’t skip your daily wash?  This prove-you-wrong powder has a powerful mix of cornstarch and baking soda that absorbs grease and adds texture to lifeless hair.

“Best Tinted Option” Batiste Dry Shampoo in a Hint of Color
Available in three shades, to blend with any hair color, this mess-free mist conceals roots while sopping up excess oil. The tint washes right out, and even the darkest shade won’t leave a residue ring around the tub.