✨ The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Hair Prep

The holiday season is officially here—and with it comes a calendar full of parties, gatherings, photos, and special events. Between the colder weather and extra heat-styling, your hair goes through more stress this time of year than almost any other. At Carl Michael Salon, we want you to feel camera-ready and confident all season long, so we’ve put together the ultimate guide to prepping your hair for the holidays.

Whether you’re going for glossy waves, silky blowouts, or a fresh color refresh, these tips paired with our favorite Redken and Kérastase products will keep your hair healthy, strong, and glowing.

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1. Strengthen Your Hair Before the Holiday Rush

More styling = more stress on your hair.

That’s why strengthening is step one in any holiday hair routine.

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC)

This system is a winter must-have.

It rebuilds weakened bonds, adds deep moisture, and protects your hair from breakage—especially important when you’re using blow-dryers, curl irons, or flat irons more often.

Pro Tip: Start using ABC weekly leading up to your holiday events for noticeably smoother, more resilient hair.

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2. Add a Dose of Luxury Shine

Holiday photos and candlelit events call for hair that truly glows.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime

This multi-tasking oil provides instant shine, softness, and frizz control without weighing your hair down. It also helps protect against dryness caused by cold weather and indoor heating.

Use it on damp hair before styling or as a finishing oil for a glossy, polished look.

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3. Book a Professional Gloss or Glaze

There’s nothing like a fresh gloss before the holidays. It enhances tone, boosts shine, and keeps your color looking vibrant in photos.

Try a Redken Shades EQ Gloss

It refreshes both blondes and brunettes beautifully and adds that flawless “finished” look you see in salon photos.

At Carl Michael Salon, we can customize a gloss to brighten your blonde, deepen your brunette, or add warmth and richness to your winter color.

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4. Protect Your Hair From Heat Styling

Let’s be honest—holiday styles require heat tools.

Protecting your hair is non-negotiable.

Redken Acidic Heat Protectant Leave-In

This protects up to 450°F and helps maintain color vibrancy while also controlling frizz, making it one of our favorite winter essentials.

Apply it before every blowout or curling session for maximum protection.

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5. Prep Your Hair Overnight

The dry winter air can leave hair dehydrated quickly. Add overnight care to your routine for soft, nourished strands the next morning.

Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum

This lightweight, no-rinse serum deeply hydrates hair while you sleep—helping reduce frizz, dryness, and split ends.

Pair it with a silk pillowcase for extra winter protection.

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6. Final Touch: A Salon-Perfect Finish

Before heading out to your holiday events, finish your look with a lightweight smoothing product.

Try:

• Redken Shine Flash for glossy luminosity

• Kérastase Laque Couture for a soft, touchable hold

• Redken Frizz Dismiss Serum to soften winter flyaways

Our stylists can recommend the perfect pairing based on your hair type and holiday style.

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✨ Ready for Your Best Hair of the Season?

The holidays are the perfect time to treat yourself—and your hair—to the care it deserves. Whether you’re preparing for a special event, looking to refresh your color, or wanting a healthy winter routine, Carl Michael Salon has everything you need.

Book your holiday appointments early and let our stylists help you shine all season long.

✨ Healthy hair. Beautiful moments. Holiday magic—made effortless.