The invites are piling up, family gatherings are in full swing, and December in Lagos—or Detty December—has you juggling concerts, weddings, and endless parties. You’re probably thinking, I can’t afford to look anything less than perfect. The pressure to show up with flawless makeup, fresh braids, and nails straight out of a Pinterest dream can feel overwhelming.
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But here’s the thing—who’s keeping score? It’s the holidays! Don’t let beauty maintenance steal the joy of the festivities. What if you showed up without a fresh frontal install and still owned the room? Or ditched the touch-ups and let your natural glow take centre stage? Let’s throw out the perfection rulebook and embrace beauty on your terms.
Remind yourself of these points and challenge those maintenance expectations while still feeling fabulous.
Holiday-ready is a myth
Who even coined this term? And why does it sound like preparing for battle? Holiday-ready is whatever you want it to be; if that means a red lip and soft curls, great! If it means no makeup and your natural hair in a bun, even better! You’re not auditioning for a Christmas advert, so ditch the pressure to look like the poster girl for “holiday chic”.
Here’s how to challenge those maintenance expectations while still feeling fabulous.
Imperfection is normal
Let me be clear: nobody cares about your half-grown-out gel manicure except you—and maybe that one nosy aunt, but she’s going to find something to comment on anyway. Imperfection is human, and honestly, it’s chic. That tiny chip in your nail polish? Call it grunge aesthetics.
Your hair is done
The expectation: show up to every party with salon-perfect hair. The reality: you’ve been hosting for hours, and your arms hurt. This is your sign to embrace simpler, less time-consuming styles. Think slicked-back ponytails, chic hair clips, or dare I say, a natural Afro. The holiday vibe is about joy, not hours of flat-ironing your soul out.
Self-care is not just beauty care
We’ve somehow been sold the idea that self-care means sheet masks and pedicures. But true self-care during the holidays might look like skipping the endless to-do lists, saying no to unnecessary events, and lounging in your PJs while watching a HallmarkChristmas movie. That inner peace? That’s the glow money can’t buy.
Beauty is not performative
If you’re one of those people who get hit with the “Wow, you didn’t dress up?” comments during the holidays, this one’s for you. Remember, your beauty isn’t a performance for others. It’s okay to show up in comfy shoes and an outfit prioritising warmth over sparkle. You’re not a Pinterest mood board, and that’s okay.
Create your standards
Who says festive nails need to be red and green? What if you showed up with a simple black polished nail? Or skip the glitter eyeshadow in favour of bare lids and a bold brow? The key is doing what makes you feel good—not what you think others expect.
Permit yourself to rest
Let’s talk about sleep. It’s free, it’s luxurious, and it does more for your skin than any facial ever could. Forget staying up until 2 a.m. perfecting winged eyeliner or hot-gluing rhinestones to your nails. Prioritise rest, and wake up looking effortlessly radiant.
Let go of the need to tick every beauty box and focus on what truly matters—enjoying the moments, creating memories, and feeling good in your skin. Whether you decide to skip the salon, rock an undone look, or stick to your favourite beauty rituals, the choice is yours. So, show up as you are, celebrate unapologetically, and let your vibe—not your varnish—steal the show.
