If you want to stand out this year, consider dressing in a more bold and daring way. When we wear clothes that are eccentric and unique, it can be scary. But it can also be refreshing to go all out with your style. How can you stand out with a look that is as captivating as it is stylish? Here are some ideas for you:

Wear statement pieces

If you want to make a statement with your outfit, choose statement pieces that anyone will look at and think, "that's so you!". Statement necklaces and jewelry will be the perfect addition to any cute outfit, while statement jackets can be the perfect touch to any look you've put together.

Go bold by choosing statement pieces you'll want to wear for many occasions. It could be a hat or your favorite boots—what matters most is that you have pieces that stand out with any outfit, whatever they may be.

Get a new haircut

There's just something about a new haircut. If you want to stand out in 2023, it may be time to freshen up your look. Whether you go all out with a shaved head or get some bangs, trying something new with your hair can make a world of difference with your style.

Look up hair stylists in your area to find one with good reviews and who you can trust. When it comes to your hair, trust your hairstylist, not your friends. The professionals know what will look great on you.

Bold colors are in

If you love to wear bold colors like bright pink or yellow, don't be afraid to showcase your vibrancy with these colors that will have you standing out in any room for any occasion. During the winter months, you may find it hard to find the sunshine, but if you bring it with you, you can find your mood elevated, no matter the season.

Whether you wear a bright blazer to stand out with your office look or don a cute, bright dress for a night out dancing, know that if you're looking to be daring, bold colors are a fabulous way to do just that.

History repeats itself

If there's something true in fashion, it's that history repeats itself. We've been through all kinds of styles over the years, and if you look at the decades past, you'll find that we adapt old looks into current styles.

For example, 80s and 70s looks are very in right now, so if you need some inspiration with your style this year, look at history and find fashion that you love. Having a personal stylist can also help you put together outfits.

Shop in unique places

If you shop at Target, you're most likely going to see people wearing the same clothes. But, if you shop at unique boutiques and shops, you may find original pieces that can help you stand out.

You may not find unique and bold looks at your typical clothes store at the mall, but when looking through racks at thrift stores, you could find pieces that are more up your alley. Check out local thrift stores to find the styles you want at a lower price.

In Conclusion

As you look at your style this year, consider bold, new looks that will have you standing out and looking fantastic. Whether you're ready for a change or want to trick yourself into having a bold personality by wearing daring clothes, make 2023 the year that you try new outfits. Who knows, you might feel more like yourself in your new clothes.

The pressures of motherhood go without saying. Taking care of your kids requires a lot of hard work and many sacrifices. When you add the challenges of navigating the ever-changing, fast-paced demands of everyday life, managing it all is physically and emotionally exhausting. Without balance, parenting can take a toll on your well-being. Although most are aware of impact on the mind and body, ineffective lifestyle choices can also affect your skin.

Skin Fatigue

Skin fatigue is best described as changes in your skin due to unhealthy practices like poor nutrition, limited exercise, and inefficient rest. Your skin can also become fatigued due to stress, smoking, alcohol, and increased exposure to environmental contaminants.

Signs Of Skin Fatigue

How do you know if you have tired skin? Continue reading to learn more.

• Dark Circles - If you wake up with “racoon eyes”, chances are you’re suffering from skin fatigue. The darkened pigmentation underneath your eyes is your body’s way of saying you’re dehydrated and sleep deprived.
  
  
• Puffiness - When you’re dehydrated, your body retains water underneath the eyes, causing them to look puffy.
  
  
• Fine Lines - Do the fine lines on your face cause you to appear older? While wrinkles and fine lines are a natural part of aging, unhealthy lifestyle choices can cause them to appear prematurely. Your skin’s PH balance is off reducing its moisture content, which results in fine lines.
  
  
• Dullness - Dry, gray, and lacklustre skin are all signs of fatigue. Since your body hasn’t had enough time to replenish itself, it causes a buildup of dead skin cells and reduces moisture, eliminating your once vibrant and youthful glow.

Treating And Preventing Skin Fatigue

Makeup and cosmetic treatments are often the go-to solutions for mothers suffering from skin fatigue. While these options may improve your appearance temporarily, achieving healthy skin requires you to treat the root cause. Below are some suggestions:

• Get Adequate Sleep - Sleep deprivation and motherhood go hand and hand, especially when you have small children. Be that as it may, going multiple nights without at least 7 to 9 hours of rest can have lasting effects on your health and appearance. One way to get more sleep is to develop a bedtime routine that prioritizes self-care and allows you to unwind for the night.
  
  
• Stay Hydrated - Drinking coffee, tea, and energy drinks throughout the day isn’t going to provide your body with proper hydration. You must consume more water. Up your H2O intake to a minimum of eight glasses a day. If you’re having difficulty drinking the required amount you could consider keeping a reusable bottle with you, consuming water with your meals, and adding fresh fruit to boost the flavour.
  
  
• Use Quality Skincare Products - A healthy skincare routine is essential to preventing and coping with skin fatigue. Purchase a cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer with natural ingredients for your skin type. Also, consider products like under eye cream to prevent or treat dark circles.
  
  
• Break Bad Habits - Bad habits like smoking, drinking, or emotional eating are often coping mechanisms for people that are physically or emotionally overwhelmed. Although it may not happen overnight, quitting these practices is essential to your well-being. Find healthy ways to manage stress and if necessary, seek help from a doctor, therapist, treatment centre, or support group.
  
  
• Nutrition And Fitness - No more skipping meals or putting off your workouts because you’re tired or busy. While there will be days when you miss the mark, you must prioritize diet and exercise. Whether that means meal prep, food delivery kits, batch cooking, working out at home, or finding a gym with childcare services, you’re encouraged to find ways to keep your mind, body, and appearance intact.

Hectic lifestyles and unhealthy choices to cope with an ever-demanding life substantially impact your physical and emotional well-being. Your skin’s appearance has a way of showing you that your choices are affecting your health. If you’ve experienced dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, or dull skin, perhaps it’s time to make the necessary changes to improve.

There’s nothing like the beginning of a new year to make changes to your life. Although focusing on nutrition, fitness, finances, careers, and relationships is common, sprucing up your living space is worth adding to the list. Whether you moved recently or have lived in the same place for years, decorating improves your residence's aesthetics, functionality, and comfort, boosting your mood and simplifying your life.

DIY Home Decor

Many assume that decorating a house is expensive; however, it doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity, inspiration, and the appropriate supplies, you can transform your home or apartment into anything you desire. Check out these easy and affordable projects listed below.

Jazz-Up Your Family Photos

Placing photos throughout your home is a practical way to add warmth and happiness to your living space. They’re constant reminders of the people you love most and the experiences you’ve shared with them. A quick way to switch things up is to decorate your picture frames.

You can use paint, spray paint, sponges, stencils, ceramic tiles, gemstones, glitter, feathers, and anything else you’d like to add color, texture, and character to your photos. For instance, that picture of you and your kids wearing matching family outfits would look adorable in a frame with fingerprints, hearts, or other cool patterns and colors that match your personalities and express your love for each other.

Of course, family photos aren’t the only things you can spruce up with decorative frames. You can also frame drawings, paintings, your kid’s art projects, or posters.

Add Color With Centerpieces

When you look at home improvement shows and magazines, one consistent element brings everything together - centerpieces. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the beautiful floral arrangement, fresh greenery, bowl of fruit, potpourri-filled vase, or creatively placed candles as they add life and color to the space.


Why not create the same magic in your living space by making centerpieces? Paint a plain flower pot, stick some artificial flowers or plants in a styrofoam cube, place them in the pot, and cover the cube with marbles or stones. It’s one of the many easy-to-make centerpiece projects that can add life to your living room, dining room, or home office.

Increase Comfort With Throw Pillows

Another quick way to add personality, style, character, color, and texture to your living space is to incorporate throw pillows. They help integrate the most intricate elements of a room while also increasing comfort. You can place throw pillows on your couches and chairs or pile them up in the corner of the family room for the kids to relax.

If buying a ton of throw pillows is outside your budget, you can easily make them yourself. Go shopping for fabrics that appeal to your interests and complement spaces in your home. Decide how large or small you want your pillows to determine how many yards you’ll need. Lastly, purchase some stuffing, thread, needles, buttons, and other items you’d like to add to your throw pillows.

Cut the fabric into circular, square, or rectangular pieces and sew them together, leaving a space to add the stuffing. Once you’ve added the filling, seal the pillows, and you’re finished.

Use Your Walls As A Canvas

Feature walls are another creative project to break up the monotony in your home. It accentuates an otherwise dull room by adding a pop of color, design, or texture. Although some people pay interior designers to lay bricks, stones, or murals, paying for these services may be more than you can afford.

Luckily, you can put your artistic talents to use and create feature walls yourself. You could keep it simple by painting it a different color and hanging your jazzy family photos on the wall. However, if you have the skills, time, and appropriate tools, you could design a mural or use intricate painting techniques to incorporate different textures and patterns on the wall.

 
A new year symbolizes a fresh start. Why not begin by making positive changes to your living space? The right DIY home decor project can add character, comfort, and style to your residence, fostering an environment that makes you feel good every day.

These "year in review" posts have become my favourite entries on the blog. I love that they allow me to reflect back on my accomplishments, milestones and blessings throughout the year. These reflections are so important, not just for personal growth and awareness, but also for my mental health. Every time I finish one of these entries, I'm amazed at how much I actually accomplished despite feeling the opposite the entire year. They make me feel good about myself and not lose sight of the things I have earned.

The greatest achievement and milestone of this year is that we bought a new house. And with that, we also sold our first home after 7 years of living in it. It was a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to our home, our neighbours and friends we met in this neighbourhood. Lots of fond memories and firsts in this little townhouse. I still remember vividly when we brought Justice home, how Will surprised me with a proposal, the barbecues we had at our backyard, and all the cozy nights chilling as a family of 3. It's time to move on and I'm looking forward to making our new house a home after renovations.

The renos have started almost immediately after we closed our house. We'll be replacing the flooring, getting a custom-built kitchen and also redoing our main ensuite bathroom. All to be completed in the New Year by end of January (fingers crossed!). This is my second major renovation (the first one was the one I helped with at my parent's, you can read about it, here) and I'm really excited about it. I'll be sure to share all the details as the journey goes, follow along on my IG stories or #TingsRenoThings.

But for now, let's recap what I've shared in 2022.

A Year in Review:

HOME

1. How to Make Your House a Home
2. How to Fund Your Home Transformation
3. Living Room Interior Design Tips
4. 3 Reasons Why Creating a Home Office is Worthwhile
5. Interior Design Trends in 2022
   
   

LIFESTYLE

1. All You Need to Know About This 5-Star Luxury Go Place Spa
2. 3 Fun Alternative Activities for the Whole Family to Enjoy
3. Self-Care 101: 3 Ways to Look After Yourself
4. Supplements to Help Overall Health and Promote Healthy Aging

FASHION/BEAUTY

1. Day and Night Spring Fragrances to Add to Your Beauty Routine
2. Comfort or Style? Top Fashion That Offer Both for Busy Moms
3. 7 Winter Hair Care Tips for Women
4. Tips and Tricks For a Glow Up on a Budget
5. SheIn Spring/Summer Haul Try-On Review 

MOTHERHOOD

1. 5 Things to do to Keep Your Kids Busy
2. 4 Benefits of Crafting With Kids and Crafts Kids Will Love
3. Comfy and Stylish Fashions For Busy Moms
4. 9 Things to do Before Baby 2 Arrives
5. How to Make Pregnancy Stress-free
   
   

FOOD

1. How to Make a Holiday Charcuterie/Cheese Board
2. 5-Minutes Mooncake Made From Bread! (Mid-Autumn Festival)
3. 7 Baking Ideas for When You Don't Know What to Bake

DIY/TUTORIAL

1. DIY Pocky Halloween Costume
2. DIY Baby Portrait Rubber Stamp
3. Easy Summer Wreath Refresh
4. Justice's Two Fast Birthday Party
   
   

TRAVEL

1. 5 Made-in-Italy Fashion Items to Bring Home
2. 5 Non-Leisure Reasons to Travel
3. How to Really Relax on Vacation
4. Packing Essentials for Your Next Trip
5. Housesitting: An Affordable Way For Extended Honeymoons

You may be racking your brain to think of fun outings and indoor activities in order to keep your kids happy and busy while they’re not at school.  The good news is that for many children, staying active and entertained doesn’t have to be all that difficult. Here are a few ideas to help you keep the little ones busy:

Hire a fun nanny

If you’re raising more than one kid or if you have a busy work schedule, hiring a nanny can be a great idea. However, keep in mind that this person needs to bond well with your kids and know how to have a great time. For that reason, it might be worth hiring a fun nanny who can keep the kids happy while meshing perfectly with everyone in the family.

Since you are leaving your kids in the care of someone outside the family unit, always make sure to do nanny background checks so that you can be sure to hire someone who is reliable and trustworthy.

Sign them up for fun classes

Another way to keep them busy and happy is to sign them up for classes. Take a look at programs at your community centres, libraries and places like Early On Child and Family Centres. You'd be surprised how many interesting programs are available for kids with many that are free! 

If your kids are interested in musics, they're many lessons you can consider such as piano, guitar or drumming lessons. If they're active, gym classes or sports would be something worth signing up your kids to. These extracurricular classes can be great for educating your children on not only new skills but also good qualities like teamwork and perseverance.

Create a fun space in your home

There are always days where there won’t be classes and the weather may not be great outside. Setting up a “fun space” in your home can help make those days inside a bit more tolerable for everyone. From arts and crafts to play-dough and games, creating an area that keeps the kids engaged can help keep everyone sane when it’s rainy or cold outside.

Spend time in nature

When the weather is beautiful and you have time to spare, spending time in nature can be a fabulous idea. Nature can be healing, soothing, and inspiring. Creating a habit of spending time in nature can help you raise humans who find solace and peace in the great outdoors. This can help them build habits for better mental health and inspire a respect for the world in them.

Plan trips

Whether it's day trips every now and then or road trips around the country, when your kids are out of school and you want to keep them busy, trips can be a great use of your time. Planning trips may take time and effort, but you can be sure that your children will remember traveling with you for years to come.

From RV trips to see the National Parks to weekend getaways to beautiful or historic places in your area, there are plenty of great things to see in this world. When it comes to enjoying travel experiences with your little ones, the options are endless.

In conclusion

If you’re looking for things to keep the kids busy, especially when school is out, do not worry as you have a myriad of choices. From hiring childcare to signing your children up for their favorite activities, there are a number of ways to keep your family busy, but best of all, happy.

Tis' the season to get festive and have fun with your food presentations! Whether you're hosting a party this holiday or just enjoying a cozy night in with your loved ones, a platter that's loaded with all sorts of creamy cheeses, fruits and crackers is bound to impress everyone. I love putting cheese platters and charcuterie boards together for holidays and parties. Not only the colours are inviting, they are also easy to assemble and variations are endless. 

Here's a guide on what you'll need to make this holiday charcuterie/cheese board:

A Guide to Create a Holiday Charcuterie/Cheese Board

For this Cheese-mas tree platter, I used cheeses from Cheeseworld.ca's ultimate gift box that came with a good mix of both hard and soft cheese such as, Président Compté, Petit Saint-Paulin, Societé Roquefort, Président Camembert and Président goat cheese. To make the snowflakes, I cut the shape using my cookie cutter onto Compté cheese. Compté is a hard cheese that makes cutting intricate designs easy without loosing the shape. For the big star, I used Le Petit St Paulin as it has a large area to cut out the shape. With this type of semi-soft cheese, I needed to be gentle and careful when releasing the cheese from the cutter.

When assembling the tree, I started from the bottom and worked my way up to the top. I followed in the order of meat, cheese, fruits to separate different colours for visual interest. For meats, I used prosciutto as the bottom layer and crunched them up like a long piece of garland. I like to fold my salamis twice and placed them side by side of each other for dimension. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries and green grapes are great choices for adding bright and festive colours to the platter. 

And finally, for the tree stump, I used prezet-like biscuit sticks from Twigz. I love that these biscuit sticks give the platter a different texture. 

And that's it! This is how you assemble a cheese-mas tree platter this holiday season. If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on IG @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your version!

Have a happy holiday!

 

Kids of all ages, even mums and dads, love to craft. There’s joy in being creative that isn’t a project to hand in to a teacher or a job the boss expects done yesterday. We can do something that interests us and there’s no one there to grade us or tell us it needs to be redone. Crafting is something we do for ourselves and perhaps that’s what makes it so much fun.

When it comes to crafting with foster kids, there are so many benefits of crafting and at this time in their lives, that’s just what they need. Crafting is something that will be rewarding to take their minds off the many things in life that are confusing for them. So then, how can crafting benefit them and what crafts will they love doing? Those are very good questions, so let’s see what we’ve found.

1. A Way to Manage Their Emotions Through Self-Expression

If there is anything at all that foster care agencies can tell us about the children who cross their doors it would be that many of these kids are afraid to express their feelings. Perhaps it’s because they’ve been taken from the home they were comfortable in, even if not exactly safe. It’s the only life they’ve known and are now in a world of the unknown.

Many foster kids are afraid to tell you what they are thinking or feeling for fear of being misunderstood. Crafting can take them beyond the ‘logical’ thought process into a world where they can express how they are really feeling.

The best crafts for self-expression are drawing and painting. In fact, many child psychologists work with these crafts to begin understanding what is going on inside that child they are trying to understand. What better way is there to ‘tell’ a kid that it’s okay to express themselves than with something they already love to do? Give them a set of water colours and washable markers and let them go to town. You won’t have any problem here in getting them to communicate with a craft they enjoy so much!

2. A Lesson in Patience They Can Apply to Their Lives

Most kids are impatient beings. What they want, they want now, and will do just about anything to get their way. Unfortunately, in the foster care system, there isn’t much they can do to bring mum and dad home. That’s something their parents need to work through, so certain crafts that teach them patience can often help them understand waiting is not always a bad thing.

Crafts like building models and working with toothpicks take a lot of patience. Have you ever seen a castle created from gluing tooth picks together? Not only are they a sight to behold but there is no way a kid can complete one in a single day. It will take patience and perseverance, but they won’t mind so much. After all, their patient placement of each and every toothpick is finally beginning to take shape.

 

3. Crafting Gives Them a Sense of Accomplishment

Then there is the fact that so many kids feel helpless in the situation they are now in. There is nothing they can do to bring their family back together, but they can do something about the craft that sits before them. They can experience joy and a sense of fulfilment when the project is finally brought to completion. Kids will learn that this is something they can do that is now a ‘work of art.’

Crafts to help kids gain a sense of accomplishment are those that can’t be completed at just one go. Paint by number kits are an amazing way to help kids see what it means to follow a chart in logical progression. While colour by number kits are not always practical with smaller kids, most kids over the age of 6 or 7 can work through them until that last colour has been painted in. What a sense of accomplishment that is!

4. The Ability to Take Their Minds Off Everything Else – Concentration

Some children have trouble adjusting to the life in which they now find themselves. Their every waking moment can be taken up with thoughts of home and their parents. If there is one thing many people are confused with, it would be just how some of the most abused children remember their family life as idealistic – something they long to return to. Often, no matter what caused their parents to keep them in conditions that weren’t entirely safe, they did love their children and would express that love regularly.

Crafts that require extreme amounts of concentration and are fun to do can work well for kids who simply can’t stop worrying about their parents and whether they will ever get to go back home. Projects like building models and stick castles mentioned above help kids to focus more on what is in front of them than what they have left behind.

Crafting Is Therapeutic

In the end, there is something therapeutic about crafting. Psychiatrists and psychologists have used crafts as a form of therapy for as long as anyone can remember. Basketry, for example, was commonly used in psychiatric wards because it was something patients loved to do and kept their hands and minds busy.

Sessions often used those baskets as a place where patients could place their fears and troubles in. They were used as a method we now call guided imagery and that is something you can do with your foster kids today. While not necessarily a basket they’ve woven, you might be able to help them craft a place where they can leave their worries behind.

There may even come a point where kids become able to express themselves in conversation with you, so that you can help them through what is bothering them. Crafting, if nothing else, is a form of expression and that’s just what many of these kids really need. Give them an outlet and see just how much fun they have releasing all those pent-up emotions inside.

It's Justice's third Halloween! By now I can tell you that I really enjoy making costumes for him (see his sushi and cup noodles costume in the past). This year, I want to continue our Asian food theme and bring one of our favourite snacks to life. May I present to you - our giant Pocky!

In case you didn't know, Pocky is a Japanese brand known for their tasty biscuit sticks originally with chocolate coating. The product line has grown popularity worldwide and has expanded its offering to a wide range of flavours. You can spot one of these goodies in most Asian supermarket. 

Not only our whole family loves snacking on Pocky sticks on a daily basis, its iconic, eye catching red packaging is so memorable and easy to replicate. Here's what I did and my thought process in case you want to turn your baby into a snack too!

I used felt for this costume as I want Justice to be able to move freely in it. I want a material that can be folded and stored away easily after use. Felt is thick and stiff enough to hold its shape, does not fray like other fabrics and allows me to glue things on it. I purchased a large piece of felt from my local fabric store along with some felt sheets in beige, brown and white colour. You can also make this out of cardboard box if you don't mind the bulkiness.

 

DIY Pocky Sticks Halloween Costume

Materials for Pocky Costume:

• Felt (red, white, beige and brown)
• White glue
• Bonding tape (optional)
• Fabric cutter or scissors
• Cricut or other cutting machine
• White iron-on vinyl
• My Pocky design cut file

Materials for Giant Pocky Stick:

• Cardboard tubes or paper towel tubes
• Brown / beige paint
• Paint brush
• Kraft wrapping paper (optional)

Justice is about 3 feet tall and I wanted the costume to be down to his knees, about 21 inches in length and 16 inches wide. The staff from the fabric store was very helpful in determining how much felt I'd need (since I suck at math!). So, to help you determine all the pieces you'd need, here's a diagram. You can adjust the size to fit your own needs. I also added about half an inch on all sides for seam allowance to attach the pieces together. For the head and arm holes, I traced an outline using a 4" wood circle on the side panels and cut all the pieces out with a fabric cutter.

Before attaching all the pieces together, I made the front graphic using beige and brown felt sheets for the Pocky sticks and some iron-on vinyls for the logos. The brown felt sheet makes 4 chocolate coatings, about 3 inches wide. I trimmed 3 inches on the shorter end of the beige sheet to make my biscuit sticks. Connected them together, trimmed the corners and stuck them onto the front red panel. I recommend using felt sheets with adhesive backing as they keep things clean and mess-free. But those might be hard to come by so attaching with white glue works fine too.

With my mighty Cricut machine, I cut out the logos and nutrition facts onto white iron-on vinyls. Then, pressed the designs onto the front and back red panels with my good ol' iron. After my front and back panel designs were finished, I cut holes for the arms and head in my side panels before finally attaching all the side seams together.

This part was a bit tricky. I find it easier to tell which pieces should attach together when I laid out all the connecting pieces in order on the floor. I put some bonding tape (or you can use white glue) and sandwiched between two connecting side seams. Then I used my hair straightener (yes, you read that right!) and pressed them together. The pressing and heat will turn the bonding tape into some kind of adhesive and bond the two felts together. I love using my hair straightener like a mini heat press. It's so helpful to apply heat to areas as narrow as the side seams! I also bonded the seams from the inside, with wrong side of the panels facing out. So, when I flipped the costume inside out, the seams are clean and hidden. 

Finally, to make the costume fall straight down his body and not crunched up (since it's quite oversized on him), I cut two pieces of cardboard in the same widths as my top panel, added velcro adhesive to them and inserted them like shoulder pads. The velcros help secured the cardboards to the felt.

If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on IG @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your version!

The weather is getting chilly across most of the country, and with that comes many exciting things! From gearing up for the holidays, more nights cuddled on the couch, and fabulous fall fashion, it also means stepping up your skin and hair care routines. You may have plenty of tips and trips for glowy skin in the winter, but have you been neglecting your hair? Whether starting from square one with winter hair care or looking for a refresher this season, keep reading for the essential things that will keep your hair shiny and beautiful this holiday season.

Cover It Up

While we're getting ready to dive into the products and routines that will care for your hair during chilly weather, it will all be for naught if you don't cover it up! If you don't already have a cute beanie or hat for winter weather, consider this your sign to buy one. While you don't need to cover your hair every time you go outside in cold weather, when it's snowing, or temperatures are below forty degrees, it's smart to cover your hair. Not to mention, you'll be more comfortable and warm!

Deep Condition

If you're like many women, you're doing a weekly deep conditioning treatment in your hair. If you've never done one, it's time to invest in a hydrating hair mask that can restore moisture to your hair during cold weather. When you get your hair styled during the winter, add keratin or other deep conditioning treatment in the salon. Cool air zaps moisture from your hair, so replenishing it is essential.

Pro Styling Tools

Any time you add heat to your hair, it's critical that you use heat-protectant products. But another key piece to styling your hair with heat is investing in the right tools. Pro styling tools may seem like a significant investment upfront, but the health and appearance of your locks are worth it. Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you, and keeping it styled and beautiful is easier when you have the right tools in your toolkit. Always purchase the highest quality you can afford from blow dryers, flat irons, or curlers.

Hydrating Humidifiers

Many people sleep with humidifiers during the winter for their health benefits, but did you know they protect and beautify your hair too? Humidifiers restore vital moisture in your home's air, which means they're keeping the moisture in your hair too! The best part? You're keeping your hair healthy during the winter in your sleep without lifting a finger.

Cool Water Showers

You may think the last thing you want on a cold winter morning is a cold shower, but if you're trying to keep your hair beautiful, it's just what the doctor ordered. Cold showers have many health benefits beyond your hair, like improved circulation, reduced pain, and lowering inflammation. However, the benefit is clear in hair health, with less breakage, brittle texture, and split ends. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and finish with the coldest rinse you can stand.

Regular Appointments

While most of us know, we need to get our hair trimmed every six to eight weeks, if we're being honest, we don't follow through. With winter weather's ability to wreak havoc on our hair, commit to getting regular trims done throughout the cold weather season. Your hair will look and feel healthier, so you'll be camera ready for all the photos you take throughout the holiday season.

Wash Less Often

Unless your hair is prone to significant oil and grease, foregoing shampooing during the week is fantastic for healthy winter hair. If you typically wash your hair three times a week, aim for once a week. If you're a daily hair washer, cut it down to twice a week. Your hair needs to retain oil and moisture to stay healthy in frigid temperatures, and one of the easiest ways to boost it is to stop stripping it with too frequent shampooing.

Taking care of your hair in the winter should also include using oils to revive your hair in the morning and never leaving the house with wet hair. It may seem like a lot to manage, but with practice comes perfection. Here's to your perfect winter hair!